The Lotus Shoes

Blurb

Bound feet are the mark of a respectable woman in 19th Century China; they trump beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes.

Sold into slavery as a young girl, Little Flower’s dreams are destroyed when her cruel and selfish child-mistress, Linjing, forces her to unbandage her tightly bound feet so she has no hope of marriage or escape. Little Flower is subjected to every whim of her mistress, who is deeply jealous of her talent for embroidery—a gift associated with the highest class of lady, and one that Linjing does not possess.

When scandal strikes the family, Linjing’s fortunes turn and she finds herself cast out with Little Flower, destined for the Celibate Sisterhood. Suddenly, Little Flower sees a path to freedom through her talents, and she catches the eye of a nobleman.

But Linjing will do anything to return to the life she lost, and Little Flower is playing with fire—the Celibate Sisterhood punish disobedience with death. What will she risk to be free?