China Blonde

Book excerpt: From being a TV newsreader in Sydney to a hotelier's wife in the heart of China - this is a true story of reinvention, love and finding your place in the world.Nicole Webb and her husband, James, are always up for an adventure, so when James is offered a job in the ancient city of Xi'an in north-west China, they jump at the chance. Nicole, James and three-year-old Ava fly into a world they know nothing about - a place where they know no one.Touching down, culture shock hits Nicole head on. It feels as if all eyes are on her and Ava, the only blondes in the jam-packed arrivals hall, two foreigners so far from home.With honesty and humour, Nicole takes us on a journey of daily life in the Middle Kingdom at a time when the whole world is looking towards China. We follow her search for friendship and acceptance where she discovers, no matter what your culture or background, we're connected the world over by the common thread of humanity. CHINA BLONDE gives us a very personal insight, told with a journalist's eye view, into the lives of those who embraced Nicole with open arms. Her experiences along the way will resonate with anyone who's ever built a life in a new home - be it across the city or across the world.