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Sunshine, secrets, and swoon-worthy stories—June's featured reads are your perfect summer escape.

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He doesn�t need a woman in his life; she knows he can�t live without her.


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A promise rekindled. A secret revealed. A second chance at the family they never had.


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A cowboy with a second chance. A waitress with a hidden gift. And a small town where love paints a brand-new beginning.


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She�s racing for a prize. He�s dodging romance. Together, they might just cross the finish line to love.


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She steals from the mob for justice. He�s the FBI agent who could take her down�or fall for her instead.


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He�s her only protection. She�s carrying his child. Together, they must outwit a killer before time runs out.


Dragon House

Dragon House, September 2009
by John Shors

NAL
384 pages
ISBN: 0451227859
EAN: 9780451227850
Trade Size
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"The silent pain of a forgotten child."

Fresh Fiction Review

Dragon House
John Shors

Reviewed by Jennifer Vido
Posted October 24, 2009

Women's Fiction

Iris Rhodes has always been a fighter. She has her father to thank for that. Fighting a losing war in Vietnam, he experienced firsthand a glimpse of hell which he silently took to his grave. Yet despite his misfortunes, he chose to right a wrong by building a center for unwanted street children in the very source of his horrific pain, Ho Chi Minh City. Moving to Vietnam is a far cry from her comfortable, carefree life in Chicago, but Iris is determined to go. In her mind, she questions the validity of crossing the globe in search of fulfilling her father's dying wish. In her heart, she knows she can't let him down. Realizing she may need help along the way, Iris agrees to bring along her old friend Noah who just happens to need some help of his own. Together they face the uncertainty this life changing trip will bring. Noah never planned on being with Iris again, especially in a foreign land. Many years have passed since he has seen his childhood crush, but even she knows he's not the same man. Fighting a politically fraught war in Afghanistan, he lost not only his leg, but his soul, leaving nothing but an empty shell of a man behind. He wonders if he'll find meaning in his life again in Vietnam, where years before another political war was fought. Soon Iris and Noah cross paths with Minh and Mai, two orphaned children struggling to survive in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Slaves to an evil pimp named Cho, they beg for money in order to stay alive. Living in constant fear, they lie awake at night dreaming of the day when they will finally be set free. As Iris and Noah become entwined in their lives, the children's hope begins to blossom. DRAGON HOUSE is the latest epic novel by the very talented and prolific writer, John Shors. As his readers have come to expect, Shors takes us to the backstreets of Vietnam as he painstakingly depicts the harsh realities of life on the streets for innocent, orphaned children. Through his vivid characters and emotional storyline, Shors delivers up his most moving and truly unforgettable novel to date.

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SUMMARY

Set in modern-day Vietnam, DRAGON HOUSE tells the tale of Iris and Noah-two Americans, who, as a way of healing their own painful pasts, open a center to house and educate Vietnamese street children. Irish and Noah find themselves reborn in an exotic land filled with corruption and chaos, sacrifice and beauty. Inspired by the street children she meets, Iris walks in the footsteps of her father, a man whom Vietnam both shattered and saved. Meanwhile, Noah slowly rediscovers himself through the eyes of an unexpected companion. Resounding with the powerful themes of suffering, sacrifice, friendship, and love, DRAGON HOUSE brings together East and West, war and peace; and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.


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