Golden Lies

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. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistRiley McAllister reluctantly agrees to escort his grandmother to a televised traveling antique show. Much to his surprise, the ugly bronze dragon they found in her attic turns out to be a rare artifact worth a fortune. Suddenly, it seems as though every antique dealer around wants to appraise the dragon, including Paige Hathaway. Paige, daughter of David Hathaway, owner of the prestigious House of Hathaway, knows that a find of this magnitude would be a real coup for their company. Riley's grandmother picks the House of Hathaway because they're renowned in San Francisco, and because they offer new clients an incredible tea ceremony. But Paige's father disappears, and so does the dragon. Riley and Paige then embark on a treacherous search that reveals some startling family scandals. Freethy, author of Summer Secrets [BKL My 1 03], is a master at conveying emotion, and readers who enjoy the lyrical voices of Patricia Gaffney, Kathryn Shay, and Mary Alice Monroe will add her to their list of favorites. Shelley MosleyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved