Christine Sunderland

Hana-Lain is place in rural Hawaii and is the perfect setting for this book. I have never been to Hawaii but I feel like I have made a short trip there. I saw lush vegetation specular waterfalls, smelled the jasmine and frangipani. I have eaten poi, purple sweet potatoes, and wonderful home cooked Hawaiian dishes. I have learned some Hawaiian words and folktales, I have danced some Hawaiian dances.

I have listened to the stories of old Nani-Lei . This hard working, loving, great grandmother realizes that she is getting closer to the end of her life and wants to work out a way to make live better for her family. She was honored by the nickname of Nana tutu, a grandmother of many. She had many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught love by loving.

Nani-lei worked hard to protect them. She loves them with all heart. When her granddaughter Maria drowned, her husband Henry came to live her so that she could help raise his daughter, Lucy. Lucy is an energetic six year old who has a hearing problem. Henry was still immersed deeply in his grief for Maria and some guilt because he believes that he should have been with her. Maria had begged him to go with her.

One day, there is a crash of a small place on the beach. The pilot is dead but the passenger; Meredith Campbell is injured but alive. She would have never come there by choice. It was not in her character. She always buying things for the rush and then losing interest. She used her physical beauty to get what she wanted. And of her beauty was bought and paid for at the plastic surgeons, high end fashion shops. She had recently lost her job and took her friend’s suggestion to go to Hawaii for a rest and way to lure her x-boyfriend back to her.

What happened next will be up to you, you will need to read it to find out. I loved this book. I loved the Nani-Lee character. I wish that I have known someone like her. I did have an aunt who could recite poetry whenever the occasion would call for it. Nani-lei did much more. I think this woman character was a real treasure. Wisdom and love lived inside her heart, bones and body.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn the meaning of true love, forgiveness, caring and family. Please read this book!… (mere)