Prestige of Hearts

By R. F. Whong

Description:

This story is about love, faith, and self-discovery, set against Hong Kong’s impending return to China.

When Chicagoan Grace Feng, a recent college graduate and a devout Christian, delivers her late mother’s letter to a billionaire, Mr. Lam, in Hong Kong, she expects a quick exchange. Upon their meeting, he offers her a job and luxurious accommodations. She reluctantly stays and befriends Kevin Cheung, the butler’s atheist son, and a jobless unpublished author.

Haunted by a tragic past, Kevin finds solace in Grace’s company, but a mystery troubles him: Grace resembles several movie stars who date Mr. Lam, the town’s most eligible bachelor. Can Kevin unravel the enigma?

Meanwhile, Mr. Lam’s college-aged son and a fugitive who fled China after the Tiananmen Square Massacre also vie for Grace’s affections. Caught amid a love quadrangle, will she retain her Christian values and guide them toward true grace?

Can Kevin and Grace find a way to each other’s hearts despite their different ideologies?

Book Takeaway:

1. The power of forgiveness: Throughout the story, the characters are faced with past traumas and grudges that they must learn to forgive and move on from.

2. The complexity of relationships: The relationships in the book, particularly the love triangle between Grace, Kevin, and Christopher, demonstrate the complexities and challenges that can arise in romantic relationships. It explores the different values and priorities that individuals can have and how these can affect them.

3. The importance of faith and spirituality: The book explores the role of faith and spirituality in providing guidance and comfort to the characters. It shows how embracing faith can lead to personal growth and transformation.

4. The search for identity and belonging: Grace's discovery of her true parentage and the decision to stay in Hong Kong reflect the theme of searching for identity and a sense of belonging.

Why the author wrote this book:

Since Xi Jinping ascended to power in China, his rule has had a significant impact on Hong Kong, particularly in terms of politics, economy, and civil liberties. The Chinese government has undertaken efforts to tighten control over the region, leading to widespread concerns about the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and the protection of its unique rights and freedoms. China has failed to uphold its pledge to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy for five decades.
Furthermore, even after so many years, the Chinese government still hasn’t admitted they did anything wrong with the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989.
In light of the uncertain future of the human rights movement in China, I crafted this book.