What do you think?
Rate this book
Promise of the Opal
What secret does the opal hold?
When Sam arrives in Beijing for an impromptu getaway, she begins dreaming about a priest and a warrior from ancient China. Strangely enough, Jon, a guest staying at the same hotel as Sam, is having the same recurring dreams.
The only thing both of them know is that Ling Sa and Li Gan had a passionate affair to last the ages, and somehow, it's Sam and Jon's shared destiny to remember their forbidden love.
Will remembering the past make them fulfill a promise made long ago?
(This is the first book in the Gemstones series. It contains steamy LGBTQ romance, intended for mature readers.)
When Sam arrives in Beijing for an impromptu getaway, she begins dreaming about a priest and a warrior from ancient China. Strangely enough, Jon, a guest staying at the same hotel as Sam, is having the same recurring dreams.
The only thing both of them know is that Ling Sa and Li Gan had a passionate affair to last the ages, and somehow, it's Sam and Jon's shared destiny to remember their forbidden love.
Will remembering the past make them fulfill a promise made long ago?
(This is the first book in the Gemstones series. It contains steamy LGBTQ romance, intended for mature readers.)
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2019
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Lyra Shanti
16 books170 followersLyra Shanti, also known as Aryl Shanti, is a novelist, editor, poet, playwright, and songwriter who currently lives in Florida with partner and spouse, Timothyne, and their two insane cats. A lover of nature, animals, anime, music, theatre, movies, myths, and of course, great books, Lyra seeks inspiration from everywhere possible!
Author of the award-winning sci-fi series, Shiva XIV, Lyra is a dreamer of worlds far away. Further information about Lyra's stories, music, and more can be found at www.lyrashanti.com.
Author of the award-winning sci-fi series, Shiva XIV, Lyra is a dreamer of worlds far away. Further information about Lyra's stories, music, and more can be found at www.lyrashanti.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 1, 2019
I had the pleasure of beta reading this story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Time shift stories are difficult to get right and even more difficult to read if the author gets it wrong. Promise of the Opal ran smoothly from the present to the past and back again without any confusion at all.
The mystery was just enough to keep going throughout the story and the characters were intriguing and colourful.
I liked that the ending leads us into yet another storyline involving a minor character from the first story and I am looking forward to finding out their story in the next book.
The mystery was just enough to keep going throughout the story and the characters were intriguing and colourful.
I liked that the ending leads us into yet another storyline involving a minor character from the first story and I am looking forward to finding out their story in the next book.
December 10, 2019
In Promise of the Opal, Lyra Shanti offers up the idea of love that transcends death. We meet Sam and Jon and are warmed by the instant spark between them, but this isn’t a simple tale at all. Our heroes find themselves pulled hither and thither by their current lives and by the shared history that haunts their dreams.
What does the Opal really promise?
Happiness?
Or sorrow?
This is a lyrical exploration of both sexuality and expectations.
What does the Opal really promise?
Happiness?
Or sorrow?
This is a lyrical exploration of both sexuality and expectations.
May 13, 2020
Do not try to read this if you're wanting to go to sleep! Promise of the Opal is a well-written look into identities and reincarnation, but the sexual relations between the characters both in the past and the present are too stimulating to read in bed, which isn't necessarily a bad thing! Be prepared for a real page-turning story of love, life, and a look into the past.
February 4, 2021
A Forbidden Ancient Romance Is Reincarnated!
Overview: Impromptu dreams about a passionate but forbidden affair between a priest and a warrior from ancient China lead a pair of strangers into fulfilling a promise made long, long ago.
With a plotline based heavily on ancient Chinese folklore and mysticism, Shanti pens a memorable tale about two modern-day strangers, Sam and Jon, who are seemingly reincarnated and brought together by Fate in order to fulfill a culturally taboo romance that was interrupted long, long ago. Despite the fact that each has just broken up with their respective lover, and has vowed to remain single for a while, Sam and Jon feel an instant, undeniable attraction the moment they meet. They soon discover that they have been simultaneously sharing the same dreams about a forbidden relationship between a priest and a warrior which leads them to question their own quickly burgeoning romance.
Although Sam and Jon have adequate backstories, it is the two ancient lovers, Ling Sa and Li Gan, that Shanti focuses on for this intriguing transcendental tale—And perhaps, rightly so. The priest and the warrior, representing light and darkness in the forms of a white dragon and a black dragon, are the yin and yang for each other, and the foil for Sam and Jon’s ravishing and impulsive romantic relationship. It is through these two ancient characters, brought to light by their dreams, that Sam and Jon begin to question their own gender identities, sexual preferences, and romantic motives, as well as the foundation of their past, present, and future relationships. As Shanti delves into the personal conflicts and inner turmoil suffered by each character as a result of societal pressures to conform to a certain standard, the author provides a compelling and insightful examination of the inner struggles that many LGBTQA individuals encounter in being forced to hide not only their true sexual identities but the very essence of who they are and whom they choose to love.
In “Promise of the Opal”, Author Lyra Shanti presents a profound ancient metaphysical romance, steeped in Chinese mysticism and folklore. This winding tale is an intimate and touching revelation about a forbidden relationship, once shared by two men brought together by the ravages of war, that transcends the centuries into modern times. Shanti writes a compelling and eye-opening tale that ultimately brings to light the angst and frustration suffered by those dealing with issues concerning sexuality, gender bias and dysphoria. Fans of LGBTQ fantasy, bisexual romance, godpunk, and metaphysical fiction will enjoy this romantic, revealing, and sexually charged story.
Overview: Impromptu dreams about a passionate but forbidden affair between a priest and a warrior from ancient China lead a pair of strangers into fulfilling a promise made long, long ago.
With a plotline based heavily on ancient Chinese folklore and mysticism, Shanti pens a memorable tale about two modern-day strangers, Sam and Jon, who are seemingly reincarnated and brought together by Fate in order to fulfill a culturally taboo romance that was interrupted long, long ago. Despite the fact that each has just broken up with their respective lover, and has vowed to remain single for a while, Sam and Jon feel an instant, undeniable attraction the moment they meet. They soon discover that they have been simultaneously sharing the same dreams about a forbidden relationship between a priest and a warrior which leads them to question their own quickly burgeoning romance.
Although Sam and Jon have adequate backstories, it is the two ancient lovers, Ling Sa and Li Gan, that Shanti focuses on for this intriguing transcendental tale—And perhaps, rightly so. The priest and the warrior, representing light and darkness in the forms of a white dragon and a black dragon, are the yin and yang for each other, and the foil for Sam and Jon’s ravishing and impulsive romantic relationship. It is through these two ancient characters, brought to light by their dreams, that Sam and Jon begin to question their own gender identities, sexual preferences, and romantic motives, as well as the foundation of their past, present, and future relationships. As Shanti delves into the personal conflicts and inner turmoil suffered by each character as a result of societal pressures to conform to a certain standard, the author provides a compelling and insightful examination of the inner struggles that many LGBTQA individuals encounter in being forced to hide not only their true sexual identities but the very essence of who they are and whom they choose to love.
In “Promise of the Opal”, Author Lyra Shanti presents a profound ancient metaphysical romance, steeped in Chinese mysticism and folklore. This winding tale is an intimate and touching revelation about a forbidden relationship, once shared by two men brought together by the ravages of war, that transcends the centuries into modern times. Shanti writes a compelling and eye-opening tale that ultimately brings to light the angst and frustration suffered by those dealing with issues concerning sexuality, gender bias and dysphoria. Fans of LGBTQ fantasy, bisexual romance, godpunk, and metaphysical fiction will enjoy this romantic, revealing, and sexually charged story.
June 9, 2020
Recap: Sam and Jon are dreaming of past lives where they are lovers, then they meet and fall in love but things are not that simple.
Review: I really enjoyed the first part of the book but the last section seemed a little rushed and unfinished. Throughout the book the characters had had these beautifully expressive dreams and then at the end they talked through flashbacks which lost the impact. Sam's boyfriend gets an intense I'll get her back scene and then gets a brief drunken flurry and is not heard of again which felt odd, we saw Sam and Jon's reaction but not his. Jon's ex also had a convenient turn up then disappear again scene - that man is a saint. When the past lives were written so well and Sam's inner turmoil and Jon's shame handled so so well it made these brief secondary character appearances less impactful especially when their past lives were more fleshed out and interesting. I think there will be a book two and I want to find out what happens to everyone so I shall be keeping an eye out.
Review: I really enjoyed the first part of the book but the last section seemed a little rushed and unfinished. Throughout the book the characters had had these beautifully expressive dreams and then at the end they talked through flashbacks which lost the impact. Sam's boyfriend gets an intense I'll get her back scene and then gets a brief drunken flurry and is not heard of again which felt odd, we saw Sam and Jon's reaction but not his. Jon's ex also had a convenient turn up then disappear again scene - that man is a saint. When the past lives were written so well and Sam's inner turmoil and Jon's shame handled so so well it made these brief secondary character appearances less impactful especially when their past lives were more fleshed out and interesting. I think there will be a book two and I want to find out what happens to everyone so I shall be keeping an eye out.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews