Sex is never discussed in the polite drawing rooms of San Francisco society... ...though there's plenty to be found, from the dank cribs of Chinatown to the glittering sporting houses of the Victorian beau monde. This is the story of outsiders who rise to command an underworld empire, forge a family of misfits, and discover true friendship, loyalty, love and self-respect. Inspired by characters from San Francisco's history, SHAKETOWN chronicles the struggle for survival in a racist, elitist society, where going against the grain results in heartbreak and fabulous wealth...and choices, both good and bad, reveal genuine worth. Choices are few for Cayley Wallace in 1889, in the boomtown of San Francisco. When she takes an unexpected opportunity to serve drinks at a bar on Market Street, she causes an uproar in her conservative Irish neighborhood, triggers a brutal outburst by her husband, and takes the first step toward becoming the city's most notorious, wealthiest and outspoken Madam. Across town, a gentle Chinese scholar joins a tong and dives deeper into the violent world of warring factions in "Little China." Wo Sam's idealism and naivete lead him to dangerous and thoughtless acts; he becomes a pariah to both whites and Asians. These two outcasts find each other and create a world for themselves and others who live beyond the strict boundaries of Victorian society. But neither can ever be completely free: desperate attempts at "respectability," a badly chosen marriage, revenge, kidnapping, and a tragic murder shake up their lives. When San Francisco is broken and burned to the ground, can they hold on to what they've created? And can they hold on to each other in a world that strictly forbids any bond between them? SHAKETOWN is based on a real person, Teresa "Tess" Wall, who made the papers on a regular basis in the wide-open "Gilded Age" before the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Wo Sam's story is a conglomeration of tales from my Chinese relatives and other stories of Chinese immigrants to "Gold Mountain" at the turn of the century. As the author of seven non-fiction books and a life-long fan of the beautiful city of San Francisco, I felt compelled to tell this story: I think you'll find these characters, their friends and enemies as captivating as I did. Reviewers have dubbed SHAKETOWN "a page-turner" and " a thrilling mix of history, lively characters, and a firecracker plot."