China Blonde

'Two and a half hours later, we stepped off the tiny, cramped plane into a city whose name I couldn't even pronounce. Xī'ān. Hong Kong was so close, yet already it felt like the flight had created a massive gulf between us. The Great Divide was real. They say travelling wakes you up, but I felt like I'd consumed ten cans of Red Bull and I was drunk on adrenalin and fear.'

'This book is part travel memoir, part philosophy and personal growth dotted with ancient Chinese wisdom. Told with great humour and the sort of detail, which is only possible from the inside looking out, the only (natural) blonde in a deeply foreign land.

From 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 and her husband, James, are always up for an ad- venture, 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 pack up their home in Hong Kong and fly into a world they know nothing about – a place where they know no one.

CHINA BLONDE is packed with insights into life in 'the real China'... but more than that, it shows what the human spirit can achieve when challenged.

Nicole was never going to be a trailing spouse, but still the paths she forged and the connections she made are an inspiration to anyone who's ever wondered if they should take that leap into the unknown.

CHINA BLONDE – like the country itself – is fascinating and sometimes scarcely believable.

A timely memoir – with many countries questioning how they deal with the Communist led superpower, CHINA BLONDE gives a very personal insight, told with a journalist's eye.

Nicole delves into the lives of those people in Xi'an who embraced her with open arms.

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.

About the author
A journalist with over 20 years' experience, Nicole worked as a producer, reporter and news presenter at Sky News Australia for a decade.

She currently works as a freelance writer and speaker, based in Sydney, Australia.

CHINA BLONDE is her first book.

China Blonde
Nicole Webb
ISBN: 9780648905301