The Deal: Jiao Yi

In Shanghai in the depths of the global financial crisis, Jasmine Liu and April Wang are young businesswomen on opposite sides of an international deal between the U.S. and China, which they know simply as jiāo yì, "the deal". Their bosses — California investor Richard Gregg and Chinese property entrepreneur Wang Jun — are driven to make the deal succeed.

When complications arise and threaten to spin out of control, beautiful Jasmine and eager April draw together to try to put things right — pulling Richard, Wang Jun and their businesses along through the chaos. In a thrilling story that brings an international cast of characters vividly to life against the sights, smells and sounds of Shanghai, Hong Kong and California, the characters juggle the challenges of high-stakes investment, traditional and modern values and relationships, and their own demons.

Caught in a web of corruption and personal agendas against the background of fast-changing modern China, will they all be able to rescue jiāo yì, their careers, their families, and new relationships?

About the author: David Zen is an international lawyer and private equity investor, with particular interests in China, technology and green business. He is based in London and travels frequently. Follow him on Twitter @DavidZenAuthor.