Lin's writing was influenced by her early love of Western epic fantasy, martial arts, and romance novels.[2] Her historical romance novels, published with Harlequin, are set in Tang dynasty China,[3] and have been praised for their historical accuracy and detail.[4]
Lin won the Golden Heart award for Historical fiction from the Romance Writers of America in 2009, for her debut novel Butterfly Swords.[5] The award recognises new, unpublished romance authors.[6]
Lin's other novels include The Dragon and the Pearl, My Fair Concubine, and The Lotus Palace.[2] Library Journal listed The Dragon and the Pearl as one of the best books published in 2011.[7] In 2014 The Lotus Palace reached the USA Today Bestseller list.[8] In 2013 it was announced that The Jade Temptress, the sequel to The Lotus Palace, would be published digitally only.[8]
In 2014 Lin began writing the Gunpowder Chronicles, a series of novels in the steampunk genre, set during the Opium Wars of the 19th century.[1] The first book in the series Gunpowder Alchemy was praised for its depiction of a strong and complex protagonist.[9]
