“When Emperor Chengdi of the Han dynasty orders an envoy to travel to Rome to establish a trade agreement between the two dominions, a young couple, Prince Liu Qian and Princess Huang Hua, are picked for the task. Forced into her position and marriage to Prince Liu Qian by Chinese customs, Princess Huang Hua viewed their union as a duty, feeling respect rather than love for the prince. When the envoy arrives in Rome, the princess meets Alexander Severus, a guard in Emperor Augustus’s palace, and it is not long before they fall head over heels for each other. Princess Huang Hua is not only bound to her land by cultural obligations, but is also a married woman and destined to be the next empress of the Han dynasty. Can she throw it all away for life with a Roman soldier?…This page-turner will grab you and only loosen its grip after the final word. If you’re looking for a historical romance flavored with drama, suspense, and adventure in a tale of forbidden love, duty, and fate, A Red Silk Thread…is a must-read. Kunkel is a master of the art of narration. Reading the book felt like going on a grand trip back in time to the era of the Roman and Chinese emperors Augustus and Chengdi. The cinematic depictions captured the scenes with vivid colors. I was introduced to diverse and sharply contrasting cultures, architecture, and landscapes from the Imperial Palace in China to the bustling metropolis of Rome, including Egypt and the pirate-infested waters of the Red Sea. The cast is fascinating, and the dynamic conversations and internal monologues reveal their personalities and emotions. I loved this story.” – Keith Mbuya, Readers’ Favorite