Monday, July 9, 2012

Book Review: Haole Wood by Dee DeTarsio

Haole WoodHaole Wood by Dee DeTarsio
Published: May 2012
ISBN:  9780615640495

 
My rating: 5.0/5.0


My Review:
Haole Wood is a very fun and entertaining book that adds in a great suspense plot. Ms. DeTarsio has created a very interesting protagonist in Jaswinder Park and a great plot to read. Add in the beautiful setting of Maui and it's interesting people and you have the makings for a very fine summer (or any time of year) novel.

Jaswinder Park had me as a character from the very first page. Nothing seems to go her way, but she keeps trying. I know how that feels and I could relate. Now I am happily married, but I could still feel her pain. As she jets off to Maui to save her grandmother, the proverbial black cloud seems to be over her then she meets not one but two handsome men, but one is murdered. And then there is that guardian angel that no one else can see but her that doesn't seem to do anything but make fun of her and pop in at inopportune times. Add in a grandmother she adores but can't understand (literally) and you have Jaswinder Park and the story of Haole Wood. The characters are great from Jaswinder to her grandmother, her romantic interest, Jac, and of course the wonderful guardian angel, who when I think of him still makes me laugh. Also add in a great supporting cast as well. I loved them all as I got to know them. They each contributed to the story and each felt like a friend (or enemy) by the time the novel was done.

The suspense plot was great. Moved along by the murder of an islander who was not very well-liked, Jaswinder has to clear her grandmother's name. But it seems likes she's blocked when she tries anything. There is also a great subplot when Jaswinder really finds her niche with the sunshminas. Since I love to sew and watch all the fashion shows on tv, I loved this part of the book as much as the suspense plot (and I love a good suspense plot).

To me, Ms. DeTarsio wove all the stories together so well that the book flowed from beginning to end. I loved it. The suspense was a part of the book, the career path was a part, there was a place for the romance and the character development was stellar. Haole Wood is a fantastic book that has me wanting more from this author. Not only did she give me an outstanding story and remarkable characters, but she also gave me an intriguing culture and setting. This made Haole Wood a notch above for me. I just have a thing for Hawaiian books and Haole Wood filled that niche for me.

About the  Book:
When San Diego weather caster, Jaswinder Park, is mysteriously summoned to the island of Maui in Hawaii to help her grandmother, she ends up losing her job. This fair-haired, light-skinned foreigner, called haole by the natives, decides to stay in Maui for a couple of days until she can figure out what to do with her life. She realizes that her quick trip to Maui may not be all she’s hoping for when:

-She has to bail her Hawaiian/Korean grandmother out of jail for possession of pakalolo.

-The only thing she can understand her grandmother say is: “Not that.

-She can’t decide which hurts worse, her sunburn, hangover, or memories of the night before.

-She’s labeled the “Liquor Licker” on the front page of the Maui News in a photo that shows her doing a shot of tequila with a hunky Hawaiian who’s been found dead.

-It seems she’s had orgasms that have lasted longer than her career.

-She scrapes the bottom of the barrel to find her guardian angel.

Beautiful fabric found in her grandmother’s closet unfolds a future for Jaswinder as she designs sensuous silky wraps called sunshminas that provide sun protection. She tries for a Hollywood connection, but her company, Haole Wood, has some growing pains. From trying to find a killer, to selling her sunshminas, to lusting after Dr. Jac, the island dermatologist, to trying to ignore her so-called guardian angel, can Jaswinder learn to embrace the island way of life? Aloha!




***I received this book from the author for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Guest Blog: Noise is Only Fun When You’re The One Making It by Dee DeTarsio

Today I welcome Dee DeTarsio, author of Haole Wood which I will be publishing later today.  Haole Wood is a really fun read and I'll give more details in my review, but for now, enjoy hearing from the author herself who has her guest blog and also a yummy recipe.  Welcome Dee!





Noise Is Only Fun When You’re The One Making It


I’ll be the third to admit I can be an annoying mom. (My kids, the Irritator and the Instigator, will be the first two.) But imagine my surprise, when I was minding my own business, answering texts. My phone, as phones do, was making that electric sounding techno noise-slash-click when messages were received. My son, who was in another room thought I was making that noise myself—by sucking my teeth:(

Gross, I know. The next day, I was reading my kindle, enjoying a lovely little snack. (Yes, my kindle is making me fat.) I can eat exponentially greater quantities when I read on my kindle than while fumbling with a paperback book. Thanks to a steady diet of so many new books to explore, I do try to limit my grazing while gazing . . . feeding while reading . . . glutton on the button . . . (Oh, boy. You are probably thinking, “Please let this woman write better novels than guest posts!”)

Anyway, as I was savoring one of my favorite summer desserts, Pavlova (recipe as follows), Prince Charming interrupted me and told me I had a ton of new messages.  Silly boy. I had a strawberry seed stuck in my teeth.




Pavlova
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. white vinegar (you can use lemon juice instead)

Let the eggs warm up to room temperature before whipping. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks stay in place when you lift out the beaters. Slowly add the sugar while beating, again until stiff peaks form. Then add the vanilla. Beat. Add the vinegar. Beat.

Pile the mixture onto an oven-safe glass dish. Put a little dent in the middle with the back of a spoon.

Bake at 250 degrees for about an hour. You may notice the peaks start to turn a little darker cream color. Don't let them turn brown. When done, turn off the oven and let cool in the oven. (If the peaks are getting dark, just crack the oven door while it cools. This can be made the night before and left in the cooling oven overnight.)

Serve with whipped cream and fresh fruit. The traditional topping is strawberries and kiwi.



The story behind this dish is that a chef in Australia heard that the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova was going to be visiting. He created this dessert in her honor, making something as light as she was on her feet. I’ve been told that Pavlova is served like brownies Down Under. Enjoy!


Dee DeTarsio is a writer living in southern California. You might enjoy Pavlova while reading her newest novel, Haole Wood!


When San Diego weather caster, Jaswinder Park, is mysteriously summoned to the island of Maui in Hawaii to help her grandmother, she ends up losing her job. This fair-haired, light-skinned foreigner, called haole by the natives, decides to stay in Maui for a couple of days until she can figure out what to do with her life. She realizes that her quick trip to Maui may not be all she’s hoping for when:

-She has to bail her Hawaiian/Korean grandmother out of jail for possession of pakalolo.

-The only thing she can understand her grandmother say is: “Not that.

-She can’t decide which hurts worse, her sunburn, hangover, or memories of the night before.

-She’s labeled the “Liquor Licker” on the front page of the Maui News in a photo that shows her doing a shot of tequila with a hunky Hawaiian who’s been found dead.

-It seems she’s had orgasms that have lasted longer than her career.

-She scrapes the bottom of the barrel to find her guardian angel.

Beautiful fabric found in her grandmother’s closet unfolds a future for Jaswinder as she designs sensuous silky wraps called sunshminas that provide sun protection. She tries for a Hollywood connection, but her company, Haole Wood, has some growing pains. From trying to find a killer, to selling her sunshminas, to lusting after Dr. Jac, the island dermatologist, to trying to ignore her so-called guardian angel, can Jaswinder learn to embrace the island way of life? Aloha!