"fun Hawaiian romance"

In Maui, Kate Elliot runs am eight room bed and breakfast, the Bird of Paradise. However, after growing up here and returning from the mainland four years ago, Kate suddenly suffers from acrophobia, not a good trait for someone selling views from the heights to tourists. A local Kahuna informs her that she is tormented by a premonition of something she expects to happen soon.

Mark Smith arrives as a guest, but acts as if he must hide secrets, paying in cash so he leaves no paper trail. When he suffers from severe sunburn, he rejects a hospital, but accepts aid from Kate and her friend. As Kate and Mark become better acquainted they begin to fall in love. However, she soon learns what the omen of the egrets on her roof warning her to beware of the shark means. In this case it is not a watery creature, but Mark the Shark, who has plans for her B&B that excludes Kate.

Though Mark's behavior is more than suspicious from the start, fans will enjoy this Hawaiian romance. Kate is a delightful character though she should not allow the "bellboy" to lift. Her "split personality" that adopts some island customs and some mainland practices will entice the audience to keep reading. The secondary characters provide a local flavor so that the readers receive a four lei tale that is simply fun.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 8, 2003