J.L. Eck – The Writer

I could not put this book down! If you have any interest in the Hawaiian culture, customs, and history, you will love it too. I've visited Hawaii many times and always have that sense of "coming home" that Liz encounters on her first visit. This book will be one that I do not forget and will most likely re-read.

I liked the way the author showed growth in the characters. The romance between the two main characters in the past and present was believable and well written. The protagonists were also believable in both eras. The supporting cast were interesting in their own right as teachers and fellow travelers throughout the time frame.

This story starts off in epic fashion a charming fight for love and then switches to another lifetime where mystery and intrigue become a part of the broken story from the prior life. It's a love story but with many villains threatening a love that was meant to be. Beautifully written and makes the reader feel as if you were there hoping against hope that they would make it the second time around.

What a fascinating blend of past and present, love and hate, romance and tragedy! The story blends an an authoritative account of Hawaiian culture and language with well developed characters and beautifully wrought word pictures of these exotic settings. The result is marvelous experience for the reader, who will often think back to this story, and the naupaka in bloom, long after the reading is done.

I really enjoyed this beautiful love story about a woman who had clearly suffered in the past, learning to find her way and grow in self confidence and understanding of her world. I felt I was right there along with Liz as she tackled uncertainty regarding her relationships, the joy of finding new hobbies, the pleasure in connecting with great friends, and the thrill of falling in love. The descriptions of Hawaii were stunning, reigniting my desire to visit there one day. A beautiful, heartwarming read!