The Moon Goddess's Smile

1st Prize winner in 2026 Biennial Competition of National League of American Pen Women
"...A compelling personal story...shaped by history...characters are memorable... a distinctive voice... the striking sensory quality...An observant and emotionally authentic novel of homecoming. "
— Kirkus Reviews

"Secrets, scars, and stories--a fascinating historical novel of cultural & personal significance." 
— Independent Book Review

A homebound journey evolves into an American's midlife confrontation with her Chinese past.

A conflicted biomedical researcher returns to China to transfer her late grandmother's apartment to her male cousin so he can marry. However, a simple legal task to save her dwindling clan turns into a Kafkaesque nightmare, and her interracial marriage in Boston begins to unravel. Straddling two clashing cultures, she struggles to regain equilibrium before resuscitating her American life.

The story portrays a resilient Chinese family that has survived a tumultuous century. Ultimately, it celebrates the human potential of reaching enlightenment during a crisis.