The Samurai’s Garden @PatriciaKiyono #RLFblog #romance

The Samurai’s Garden

Today’s featured book is Samurai’s Garden by Patricia Kiyono.

Hiro Tanaka prepared for a life as a samurai warrior. But his
world changed when Ja-pan’s feudal system was abolished by the Emperor. Now, he
must find a new vocation. Disillusioned with fighting and violence, he travels alone,
going north to the island
of Hokkaido. Many other samurai
wander through the country and are known as ronin. Some have forsaken their honorable
way to prey on the less fortunate.

Hanako Shimizu experienced first-hand the devastation caused
by these disreputable wanderers. The previous winter, they raided her farm and killed
her husband. Now, she needs to rebuild but has no money and no prospects — except
for the dubious intentions of the town merchant.

When Hiro, tired of his wandering, encounters Hanako in the market,
arguing with the merchant, he poses as her late husband’s cousin then offers to
help her on the farm in ex-change for a place to stay. Working on the land, Hiro
finally finds the peace he has been seeking. But the reappearance of the rogue ronin,
led by an unscrupulous leader from Hiro’s past, forces him to take up his swords
again. But now, the stakes are higher.

This time, he’s fighting from the heart.