Emperor's Curse

Gold. Immortality. A love that refuses to die. Officer Paige Gold thought the worst day of her life was losing her fiancé. She was wrong. When a robbery at a quiet Gold Rush museum turns deadly, Paige is pulled into a conspiracy tied to stolen gold—and a 2,000-year-old legend of an emperor's quest for immortality. But the deeper she digs, the more the case begins to twist. Strange visions. An unseen presence. And a chilling sense that she's not alone. As the Hungry Ghost Festival approaches its final night, Paige realizes the truth is morepersonal—and more dangerous—than she ever imagined. Someone is willing to kill to possess the ancient elixir hidden within the gold… and silence anyone who gets in their way. Including her. Now, with enemies closing in and time running out, Paige must uncover the secret before it disappears again—because this time, the past isn't just haunting her… It's hunting her. Stolen gold. Ancient secrets. Biotech greed. One woman's fight for the truth.Perfect for fans of supernatural thrillers and international mysteries, The Emperor's Curse blends Chinese folklore, forbidden science, and a fierce heroine's battle for justice in a world where the past refuses to stay buried. This book ends on a cliffhanger. The story continues in Book 2 - Revenge of the Hungry Ghost (coming summer 2026). Top Tropes & Reader HooksAncient artifact conspiracyGhostly interventionRace against evilSmall-town crime with high stakesEast-West tradition clashStrong, determined female leadHidden legacyUntrustworthy friends Emotional StakesWhat if ancient secrets could kill?Some legends are worth dying for.Would you sacrifice everything to learn the truth?Does love endure after death?  What You'll Experience in This StorySecond chances at love and lifeConnection beyond deathOne woman defying impossible oddsDiscovering hidden power and destinyRestoring justice in a broken world