Golden Lies by Barbara Freethy

From the Publisher

Bestselling author Barbara Freethy is back with a novel about three remarkable families-the fifty-year-old promise that once bound them together, the fiery betrayal that tore them apart, and the ancient bronze dragon that could destroy their future...

Publishers Weekly

The reappearance of a long-lost Zhou dynasty dragon is the catalyst that reunites three mismatched families in this lively romp from Freethy (Summer Secrets, etc.). When security expert Riley McAllister helps his grandmother haul a wagonload of old junk to the Antiques on the Road show, he doesn't think she'll get more than five dollars for the lot. But the moment the dragon hits TV screens, collectors are on them like a pack of hungry wolves, especially the owner of the House of Hathaway, San Francisco's most prestigious antiques emporium. Against his better judgment, Riley entrusts the dragon to Paige Hathaway for appraisal, which turns out to be a big mistake when the dragon goes missing. Paige and Riley's search for the object d'art takes them on a fast-paced adventure through the streets of San Francisco, from fashionable Union Square to funky Chinatown, where Paige discovers the existence of her half-sister Alyssa Chen. A WWII pact between the protagonists' fathers, a 1,000-year-old legend and romance between Riley and Paige and between Alyssa and an old love add depth and richness to the story. Those charms, combined with Freethy's smooth prose, spirited storytelling and engaging characters, are sure to send readers on a treasure hunt for the author's backlist books. (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

A priceless Chinese artifact, an ancient curse, and a decades-old betrayal set the stage for this gripping story, which unites the grandchildren from three diverse, yet strangely linked, families and sweeps them from the rarified world of high-priced antiques to the fragrant alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on an urgent quest to unravel the past's secrets. But exposing the past could mean destroying the future, and there are those who will resort to violence to keep those secrets hidden. Multidimensional characters at all levels (especially the strong-willed hero and heroine), realistic and sometimes funny dialog, and a well-constructed plot that Freethy unwraps with such consummate skill that the conclusion is at once surprising and totally logical result in a rich and compelling tale. Wonderful multicultural elements and a setting depicted to perfection are plusses. Freethy (Summer Secrets) is a best-selling writer of women's romantic fiction and lives in the San Francisco area. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

• Interviews & Essays

Interviews & Essays

Heart to Heart asked Barbara Freethy about her background, her interests, and how she became a novelist.

Heart to Heart: What's Golden Lies about?

Barbara Freethy: Golden Lies is a story about love, friendship, promises, and betrayal. It's a romantic adventure that brings together three families from three very different worlds in their quest to find the truth about an ancient bronze dragon whose existence makes them question everything they know about themselves. The hero is a rugged security expert; the heroine, the heir apparent to an antiques house. Each will have to make a choice between love and family, between lies and the truth. This story is one of my personal favorites, and I think readers who like a bit of mystery and adventure with their romance will enjoy Golden Lies.

HtoH: Do you have a personal interest in antiques?

BF: I love the idea of finding a treasure in a pile of junk. I don't think there is anyone who hasn't cleaned out an attic or a basement and not wondered if one of those items might be worth a fortune. In Golden Lies, a nice old lady discovers an ugly dragon statue in her attic that turns out to be a priceless artifact. Wouldn't we all love to do that?

HtoH: Where did you get the idea for the plot and locale of Golden Lies?

BF: I wanted to write a book set in San Francisco, because I love the way the neighborhoods and cultures change so quickly around every corner. One minute you're in the Financial District, the next you're in Chinatown, then you're surrounded by Russian bakeries or Italian restaurants. I thought it would be fun to bring characters together from all those neighborhoods and turn their lives upside down. After having an opportunity to see a Chinese New Year's parade, I knew that the smells, the colors, the firecrackers would all make a wonderful scene in a novel.

HtoH: In the past, you've held such diverse jobs as the writer for the March of Dimes and player's representative with the Women's Tennis Association. How did you become a novelist?

BF: I've always loved books and writing -- it just took me a while to get to the novel writing stage. I did have some wonderful experiences in my other jobs. I had a chance to travel, meet celebrities and athletes, and even learn about the film industry during a stint as a tour guide for Universal Studios. Most of those jobs also involved writing in some form. I wrote everything from brochures and newsletters to invitations and feature magazine articles. All the while I was itching to write a novel. Finally, I did, and writing books has turned out to be the most rewarding job of all.

HtoH: What's the best part about being a writer?

BF: The research. I have a group of writer friends who are always willing to accompany me on writing field trips. For Golden Lies, we took a walking tour of Chinatown, visiting a fortune cookie factory, an herb shop, and a martial arts studio. Of course, we had to sample the food as well. I'm a curious person, and each book allows me to learn something new. There's a fascinating story around every corner.