Aloha to Linda Schroeder and ARTISTS AND THIEVES

On this date in 618, Li Yuan becomes Emperor Gaozu of Tang, initiating three centuries of Tang Dynasty rule over China.   From the Metropolitan Museum of Art (at this link),

Marked by strong and benevolent rule, successful diplomatic relationships, economic expansion, and a cultural efflorescence of cosmopolitan style, Tang China emerged as one of the greatest empires in the medieval world. Merchants, clerics, and envoys from India, Persia, Arabia, Syria, Korea, and Japan thronged the streets of Chang'an, the capital, and foreign tongues were a common part of daily life.

Spring Outing of the Tang Court by Zhang Xuan 

Where there is cutlure, there is art.   Where there is art, there is thieves.   From Linda Schroeder's ARTISTS AND THIEVES,

Where there is art, there are thieves. Mai Ling is both. Artist by day, thief by night, she recovers stolen art for Interpol. It's a business, not a passion, until her beloved grandfather reveals a family secret that is also a destiny. He is duty-bound to return to China an especially precious bowl which belonged to his ancestor. Mai must steal it for him. But Mai Ling is not the only one after the bowl. Four others plan to extract the bowl from a private California art collection. The rival thieves grasp and then lose the bowl until finally Mai is faced with the ultimate dilemma: save the bowl or save herself. Her duty to her grandfather gives her only one choice. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Monterey Peninsula and peopled with quirky characters, this stylish art caper entertains on every page.

Who is Linda Schroeder?  From her bio (at this link),

Linda Schroeder divides her time between the bright sun of California and the high mountains of Colorado. She has Master’s degrees in English and Communicative Disorders and has published a college text. Currently she studies Chinese brush painting and is writing her second novel.

I enjoyed the artistry of this feline statue at the Daijingu Temple.

I posted my review of ARTISTS AND THIEVES on Amazon at this link.  I am giving away a print copy of ARTISTS AND THIEVES to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite art - paintings?  sculpture?  woodwork?  pottery?  

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Linda is also hosting a Kindle Fire Giveaway at this link.