The Pingkang Li Mysteries Series by Jeannie Lin

It is a time of celebration in the Pingkang Li, where imperial scholars and bureaucrats mingle with beautiful courtesans. At the center is the Lotus Palace, home of the most exquisite courtesans in China...Maidservant Yue-ying is not one of those beauties. Street-smart and practical, she's content to live in the shadow of her infamous mistress—until she meets the aristocratic playboy Bai Huang... moreIt is a time of celebration in the Pingkang Li, where imperial scholars and bureaucrats mingle with beautiful courtesans. At the center is the Lotus Palace, home of the most exquisite courtesans in China...Maidservant Yue-ying is not one of those beauties. Street-smart and practical, she's content to live in the shadow of her infamous mistress—until she meets the aristocratic playboy Bai Huang. Bai Huang lives in a privileged world Yue-ying can barely imagine, yet alone share, but as they are thrown together in an attempt to solve a deadly mystery, they both start to dream of a different life. Yet Bai Huang's position means that all she could ever be to him is his concubine—will she sacrifice her pride to follow her heart? less

Welcome to the infamous Pingkang li—home of the celebrated Lotus Palace courtesans, and a place of beauty and treachery…Charming and seductive, Mingyu is the most sought-after hostess in the pleasure quarter. She has all men wrapped around her finger—except Constable Wu Kaifeng, the one man she can't resist, the only man to have placed her in chains.Wu Kaifeng's outwardly intimidating demeanor hides a reluctant, fierce attraction to beautiful Mingyu... moreWelcome to the infamous Pingkang li—home of the celebrated Lotus Palace courtesans, and a place of beauty and treachery…Charming and seductive, Mingyu is the most sought-after hostess in the pleasure quarter. She has all men wrapped around her finger—except Constable Wu Kaifeng, the one man she can't resist, the only man to have placed her in chains.Wu Kaifeng's outwardly intimidating demeanor hides a reluctant, fierce attraction to beautiful Mingyu. But the passionate temptation she presents threatens to destroy them both when a powerful official is murdered and they find themselves on a deadly trail. Amid the chaos, a forbidden affair could change Mingyu's fate forever, for following her heart is bound to have consequences.… less

For the first time ever in a collection, discover the passion, romance and scandals of the Pingkang Li Mysteries, from USA TODAY bestselling author Jeannie Lin!CAPTURING THE SILKEN THIEFMusician Jia needs a valuable book of poems by a famous courtesan to buy her freedom...and she believes Luo Cheng has taken it. Her attempt to steal the book from him fails, but the tall and powerful scholar unexpectedly offers to help her quest... moreFor the first time ever in a collection, discover the passion, romance and scandals of the Pingkang Li Mysteries, from USA TODAY bestselling author Jeannie Lin!CAPTURING THE SILKEN THIEFMusician Jia needs a valuable book of poems by a famous courtesan to buy her freedom...and she believes Luo Cheng has taken it. Her attempt to steal the book from him fails, but the tall and powerful scholar unexpectedly offers to help her quest. As they search for the book—and the arousing poems and artwork inside—Jia’s longing for freedom is replaced with a new kind of desire for Cheng…THE LOTUS PALACEAt the Lotus Palace, the best of society comes to drink and enjoy the company of beautiful and talented courtesans. Bai Huang, an eternal student at the Lotus Palace, is different from practical attendant Yue-ying in every way. But as the two are thrown together in an attempt to solve a deadly mystery, they both start to dream of a different life. Their statuses forbid them from being together, but could they find a way to follow their hearts?THE JADE TEMPTRESSWhen a powerful official is found dead in a highly suspicious murder, Lotus Palace hostess Mingyu and constable Kaifeng become involved in the dangerous mystery. Amid the chaos, Kaifeng discovers his reluctant, yet fierce attraction to Mingyu, but the temptation to give in to her could destroy them both. After all, a forbidden affair is bound to have consequences… less

***First published in the GAMBLED AWAY: Historical romance anthology**** THE LIAR'S DICE is a novella in the Lotus Palace series, taking place after the events of The Jade Temptress. Length: ~100 pages Tang Dynasty China, 849 A.D. Lady Bai, called Wei-wei by her aristocratic family, has always been the perfectly obedient daughter--but only on the outside. Inwardly she dreams of freedom... more***First published in the GAMBLED AWAY: Historical romance anthology**** THE LIAR'S DICE is a novella in the Lotus Palace series, taking place after the events of The Jade Temptress. Length: ~100 pages Tang Dynasty China, 849 A.D. Lady Bai, called Wei-wei by her aristocratic family, has always been the perfectly obedient daughter--but only on the outside. Inwardly she dreams of freedom. When she dares to pay a forbidden visit to a public tea garden in men's clothing, only Gao looks close enough to notice her borrowed robes. Alas, looking closely at the enigmatic Gao tells Wei-wei only one thing: he's a scoundrel. When the pair witness a fatal stabbing, Gao surprises her by staying at her side as she investigates the brutal crime. Together they uncover more secrets, somehow tied to her brother and the seedy gambling dens he's been visiting on the sly. Gao seems to know far too much about the brutal ways of the street, but Wei-wei is drawn to him and his habit of seeing through all her disguises. Wei-wei revels in her newfound independence and her growing feelings for her mysterious companion, but all too soon she's faced with a cruel choice -- discover the truth and bring the killer to justice, or protect her family at all costs. less

A well-bred lady and lowly street hustler team up in a historical murder mystery set during China's glittering Tang Dynasty. Part of the best-selling Lotus Palace series.Impetuous and well-educated, young Lady Bai has always been the forgotten daughter between two favored sons. However, when Wei-wei's older brother is tasked with investigating a high-profile assassination, he turns to his clever younger sister for assistance... moreA well-bred lady and lowly street hustler team up in a historical murder mystery set during China's glittering Tang Dynasty. Part of the best-selling Lotus Palace series.Impetuous and well-educated, young Lady Bai has always been the forgotten daughter between two favored sons. However, when Wei-wei's older brother is tasked with investigating a high-profile assassination, he turns to his clever younger sister for assistance.Gao is a street-wise scoundrel with a checkered past and a shady reputation. He knows better than to set his sights on the high-born Lady Bai, but when she asks for his help, he can't refuse.As the unlikely pair chase down a conspiracy that reaches from the gutters of the capital to the imperial palace, Wei-wei is intent on seeing justice done, while Gao is determined to solve the mystery just for her – even if the attraction between them can never be more than a moment's longing. less

The sequel novella to The Hidden Moon and prequel to Red Blossom in Snow.Newly married Constable Gao and Wei-wei have just begun their lives together when they're faced with the death of a Taoist sorcerer during Ghost Month.As mysterious occurrences arise during the investigation, are they truly receiving a message from the spirit world? Or is Gao's dark past finally catching up to them, threatening their chance for happiness?

The next installment of the Lotus Palace mystery series. Magistrate Li Chen and celebrated courtesan Song Yi become entangled in a murder investigation when an outsider to the Pingkang li is found strangled in a pleasure house. As they search for the truth, the secrets they uncover turn out to be their own.