This week, I’m delighted to be welcoming Sarah Jane King to my blog today to talk about her new historical fiction novel Woman in the Red Cheongsam.
Sarah Jane King is a historical novelist, short story writer, and blogger living in Hertfordshire. Her varied career—spanning the beauty industry and book trade—has given her plenty of inspiration for creating different characters for her stories. Sarah’s ideas are also shaped by her travels around the world, including three years spent living in Malaysia, an experience that inspired her debut novel, Woman in the Red Cheongsam, a compelling and expansive tale about a jungle conflict in 1950s Malaya, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice.
Active within her local creative community, she is a member of Hertford Writers’ Circle and a keen supporter of Herts Book Festival. A firm believer that arts and culture can enrich lives and aid our mental health, she established a blog during the pandemic: About Time – An Exploration of Writing and Creative Arts.
Sarah, I’m so excited to see Woman in the Red Cheongsam finally out in the world.
Julia and Lim are children—and strangers to one another—when the brutal jungle conflict of 1950s Malaya tears through their world, leaving them orphaned and forever marked by violence and loss. The war ends, but the past refuses to let them go.
Years later, both have rebuilt their lives in England, determined to escape the ghosts of childhood and forge new identities far from the dense jungles and political turmoil of Southeast Asia. Scarred but resilient, they carve out separate futures—until fate unexpectedly draws them back together.
When circumstances force them to return to the land they once fled, the past resurfaces with dangerous urgency. In a homeland transformed by shifting loyalties, buried secrets begin to emerge from the shadows of war.
As memories collide with long-hidden truths, Julia and Lim are pulled into a tense search for answers. What really happened during those chaotic years? And who has been hiding the truth all along?
Now, in a race against time—and against their own, unravelling sanity—they must decide how far they are willing to go for justice.
Because uncovering the truth may finally set them free… or destroy everything they have fought to rebuild.
I thought some Teh O Ais Limau might be an appropriate refreshment while we chat, can I interest you in a glass? And maybe a coconut cookie would go well with this iced lime tea.
Excellent choice, Anni. Thank you!
I was thrilled to finally be able to read all of Julia and Lim’s story. I’ve waited a long time for that. It was well worth the wait but can you tell me a little about your journey to publication.
The initial concept for my story was to show the life journeys of my main characters, Julia and Lim, in the aftermath of the guerrilla war fought in Malaya. What I hadn’t considered was how their personal stories, while on their own trajectories, would also be affected by economic and political events during the five-decade timeline for my book. Consequently, my novel became a much bigger story. After seeking help from a professional editor, it became clear that I needed to strip away unneeded narrative. It’s often said that characters can take over, and it was certainly the case in earlier drafts of my manuscript.
Getting published had always been my goal, and although it has taken me longer than anticipated, my persistence kept me focused. However, I should like to add that encouragement received from my family, writer friends, and reader reviews provided a valuable network of help and support.
I knew the first incarnation of this book as “The Durian Tree” when did this change and why?
I came to realise that my working title, The Durian Tree, had no bearing on what my story was about. The main thread of this tale concerns Lim’s mother, Mei-Ling. When she marries Lim’s father, Chang, Mei-Ling is dressed in a red cheongsam. In Chinese culture, the colour red denotes future happiness, vitality, and prosperity. Consequently, Woman in the Red Cheongsam became my new title.
Have you ever eaten Durians?
Hah! No. I understand orangutans love them. I remember viewing the “king of the fruits” on market stalls in KL and having to pinch my nose. The smell was like raw sewage. However, some people enjoy the rich and sweet flavour and compare the creamy, custard-like texture to mousse or cheesecake.
Can you think of a suitable recipe, should I ever come across them?
Durian sticky rice: A Thai classic featuring steamed sticky rice, coconut cream (coconut milk, sugar, salt, corn flour), and fresh durian flesh.
It was ambitious setting the book in two such different countries and makes a fascinating read. You handle the settings and descriptions beautifully. Is Malaysia somewhere that you know well?
My father, who was serving in the British Army during the 1960s, received a three-year posting to Kuala Lumpur. Our journey to Malaya (now Malaysia) included many ports of call along the way, which had a major influence on my learning about different cultures. We subsequently disembarked the ship at Singapore and boarded the Jungle Train (East Coast Line) at Johor Bahru for Kuala Lumpur, passing through dense interiors, rainforests, and local villages, which was enthralling. I was aged nine at the time, and without doubt, the cultural experience of living in the tropics had a profound and lasting effect on me.
Without giving too much away, did you always know the truth behind the central mystery, or did it evolve during your writing process?
My book evolved over an extended period of time, mainly due to running a business and then moving house several times, together with family health issues, that included me becoming a full-time carer for my late husband. Later, after revisiting my manuscript, I began exploring my characters more deeply and sought professional editing, which helped me to focus on the heart of my story.
I know how difficult it can be to write historical fiction, and in the past have really struggled with this genre. How important are actual events to you when crafting a compelling story?
Although my book draws upon certain historical events, in all other respects it is a fictional tale. Melding actual events with fiction did present a challenge. However, it was also something I felt compelled to do. The positive reviews and comments from readers who have enjoyed my story since publication have been my greatest reward.
Is it okay to massage the truth to fit the story?
Tinkering with actual truth is not something I’m happy to do. However, it’s my belief that creating fictional stories inspired by historical events can often spark readers’ interest and introduce them to a time and place they may not have known much about.
What’s the difference between creative non-fiction and historical fiction?
I wouldn’t want to embark on writing creative non-fiction that involves true stories. Often these works are written in a more literary style, and the amount of research behind them must be immense. I greatly admire the work of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory as two author examples of this genre.
My passion is to focus on a historical event or people relating to that time and build my own creative cocoon around that period, using fictional characters, to see how they cope within that world. This also applies to short stories I’ve published.
As a writer, how do you balance revealing secrets with maintaining suspense? (Asking for a friend… who writes rom-coms – smiley emoji!)
My aim is to scatter tiny clues sparingly. I’m very much a visual person. Often I envisage my stories played out in an episodic way. Cinematic film scores act as my muse. Mad as it sounds. Listening to them often helps to lead the way.
After spending so much time with these characters, was it difficult to let them go?
I’ve grown with these characters and got to know their fears, regrets, and hopes for the future. All I have now is a sense of satisfaction that their stories have at last been told.
Tell me a little about your writing day.
Inspiration is huge bonus when it comes naturally. But for me it’s about working at my craft. I’m involved in various projects outside of writing, which I enjoy. However, if I’m not dedicating at least part of my day to writing of some kind, I become agitated and disgruntled. Creative ideas often come at night or when I least expect them. A smell, an image, a sound, or a conversation can prompt a thread for new material.
What’s next from Sarah Jane King’s stable?
I’m currently working on a historical dual-timeline novel. This one is set in Zimbabwe in 2003 and in former Rhodesia in the 1970s during a time of civil unrest. At its core is a story of unwavering love and a perilous rescue.
I understand you’re at the Hertfordshire Book Festival next month, do you want to say something about this?
I’m not one of the official speakers at the festival’s two-day event in May on the 16th at BEAM, Hertford and 17th at Southern Maltings, Ware. However, I am looking forward to inviting people to my author stand to discuss my novel, Woman in the Red Cheongsam, and to answer any questions they may have on my writing. Also, to learn about the favourite books they’ve read and what made them special.
A question, another writer asked me last year, was what was on my vision board for 2026? I thought it would be fun to ask all my guests this year if they would share one item on their board for 2026 – I might come back to you to later in the year and ask whether you achieved it! So, what would be one item on yours?
Aside from completing my second novel and exploring new writing projects, I want to enjoy whatever I’m doing and engage with other creatives. Hertfordshire is increasingly attracting a wealth of talented writers, poets, dramatists, artists and musicians. With everything that’s going on in the news right now, I feel it’s more important than ever that we have the benefit of the arts and culture in our lives. Not only are these things essential to our wellbeing, but they also provide us with a greater understanding of the world and the need for more tolerance.
Thank you for stopping by today, Sarah, to chat. And good luck with this book. Anni x
It’s been an absolute pleasure. Many thanks for asking me.
Book Link: http://bit.ly/4u2jO7k
Social Media Links:
Website: https://sarahjanekingwriting.wordpress.com
Facebook: @sarahjaneking
Instagram: @sarahjking125
Anni Rose’s six uplifting and heartfelt romantic comedies are now available from Amazon in one box set:
