Friday, March 7, 2014

Cry Ohana by Larry and Rosemary Mild

Hank Pualoa leaped in the air and spiked the volleyball into a waiting two-hand block. He watched it spin out of bounds toward the picnic tables.

"Side out! Over here, hon!" Hank called from the makeshift court staked out with towels and sneakers in the grass.

Malia stopped the ball with her bare foot, and her husband loped over to retrieve it. But as he reached for it, she pressed down harder to get his attention. He snatched the ball out from under her foot and defiantly stood eye to eye with her, his craggy face brick-red from playing hard under the afternoon sun. She scowled. "Hank, we gotta go."

"Your timing's lousy, Malia." He tucked the ball under one arm. "We're only behind by one point." 
"It's never a good time for you. If you're not winning big you're desperate to get even. Believe me, it's time to quit."

Cry Ohana by Larry and Rosemary Mild

Hank Pualoa's wife dies in an accident, which is result of Hank's drunk driving. His two kids survive but Hank is so ashamed that he leaves his children with their grand mother and disappears from their lives. His brother Big John has always taken care of the kids. Now his son Kekoa is 12 and daughter Leilani is 16. 

Big John's partner, Red Murphy has been stealing from the company and Big John has just discovered the loss.  When Big John confronts Red, Red murders Big John. Kekoa is a witness. Red Murphy has seen him so Kekoa runs away from from home to escape Red. He finds work doing odd jobs and longs to see his sister and grand mother. Meanwhile their grandmother too dies and Leilani is sent to live with another family where Read Murphy can keep an eye on her.

Survival of Kekoa depends on his wit. The story is action packed and the reader is kept guessing about Hank' whereabouts in all this. I like the way the authors dealt with Hawaiian customs and dialects. We might not approve of Hank's running away but Kekoa more than makes up for it. He is smart and outwits Red Murphy at every step.

7 comments:

Sheri said...

I haven't heard of this book, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Sandra Nachlinger said...

I don't believe I've ever read a book set in Hawaii, so that makes this one appealing to me immediately. Sounds like a good story with plenty of suspense.
Here's the link to my Friday post: THE MERMAIDS SINGING.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Gautami,

I too, have never read a book set in Hawaii, so would be hoping that this book has some interesting narrative about the place, as well as the storyline, which in itself is most interesting.

It sounds as though Hank and Malia aren't getting along too well before the accident and he is it little cowardly in running away, so I am intrigued to know whether it all comes good for the family in the end.

I might just have to add this one to my wishlist.

Thanks for sharing,

Yvonne.

JC Jones said...

This sound very intense and something I would like.

Elizabeth said...

Sounds good....thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Book Beginnings

guiltlessreader said...

What an intriguing book! There seem to be more books set in or about Hawaii, fascinating in itself. Have you read This is Paradise yet? I loved this collection of short stories and found it such a solid collection.

Linking it up here:
http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.ca/2013/07/this-is-paradise-stories-by-kristiana.html

Vonnie said...

Huh, I like the idea that it's set in Hawaii. Will need to give this one a try.