Aloha, kakou!
All right, I have a confession to make. I can’t really speak Hawaiian. In fact, those are the only words of the language I’m familiar with, except for a few that our chef, Poncho, mumbles under his breath occasionally when someone complains that the food is cold or there’s a mistake with their order. And I don’t dare ask him what they mean because I’m pretty sure I don’t want to find out.
My name is Carrie Jorgenson. I’m new to Hawaii and the island of Kauai. I’m new to waitressing as well, but please don’t tell anyone. Hopefully no one noticed that earlier mishap when I spilled coffee on a co-worker or face planted into a Mai Tai on the patio table. Hazards of the job, right?
At my interview, I told the owner, Mr. Akamu, that I had experience serving customers. What that really amounts to is that I once worked at a Walmart. I have no waitressing experience at all. Zero, none, zilch. But hey, how hard could it be to carry this off?
Up until a few weeks ago, I’d lived my entire life in Vermont, amid six feet of snow in the winter, rural dirt roads and a family that I’d rather not talk about. Anxious to escape more than just the weather back home, I followed my boyfriend Brad here. He’s the new head surfing instructor at the Aloha Lagoon resort. Loco Moco Café, where I am now employed, is also part of the same resort.
Living in a tropical paradise is a dream come true for me. Since I was a little girl, my other dream has concerned the theater. Acting in shows was an escape from reality and I love to sing as well. Oh, how I hope to get a part in the Hana Hou’s production of Little Women, the Musical. Last night I sang karaoke out on the patio of the Loco Moco and didn’t even shatter one drink glass this time! Success.
The entire island is gorgeous. I mean, it’s January and here I am wearing shorts and sandals, and riding on the back of mopeds. Back home, my former neighbors are shoveling out their cars and clearing windshields with ice scrapers after the latest blizzard. There’s a gentle breeze stirring through nearby banyan trees, a view of the ocean to die for (oops, shouldn’t have said it like that) and the water is the most gorgeous shade of blue, with the exception of a certain man’s eyes around here.
While it may be paradise on the outside, the inside of the Loco Moco is anything but. Like most restaurants, there’s a constant gossip mill going and the biggest piece of chatter concerns our owner, Hale Akamu. No one likes the man because—well, there’s simply nothing to like. Don’t get me wrong. He’s handsome in a similar way to the man from those reruns of the old television show, Magnum P.I. Tom something, right? Hale’s obscenely wealthy because in addition to the café, he owns a shopping mall in Oahu too.
Yes, the man has got it all going for him—tall, dark, and vile. Hale also has more enemies than the entire state of Hawaii has pineapples. Let’s just say that I could go on and on about who he’s wronged and the terrible things he’s done to people—especially his own employees, but that seems uncalled for now. Why, you might ask?
Because he’s dead. Wouldn’t you know that I was the lucky one to stumble upon his lifeless body? The police have their suspects, but they aren’t talking. . .
And I’m pretty sure they’re looking at me.
DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA is the first Carrie Jorgenson mystery, and part of the Aloha Lagoon multi-author series published by Gemma Halliday Publishing, January 2017. Note: The Aloha Lagoon books can be read in any order.
From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns, comes an Aloha Lagoon Mystery that proves sometimes paradise isn’t all it’s served up to be.
New to both Hawaii and the Aloha Lagoon Resort, Carrie Jorgenson has big dreams of stardom. But while she awaits fame and fortune, she’s forced to accept a job waitressing at the resort’s The Loco Moco Café. It isn’t long before she discovers the dish on her new boss—also known to many as “The Big Kahuna.” Hale Akamu is rich, handsome, repulsive…and dead. When Carrie discovers Hale’s lifeless body, she’s suddenly forced into yet another role—amateur sleuth. With everyone from Carrie to the saucy chef to the café’s hot assistant manager under suspicion, Carrie needs to track a killer before she becomes his next main entrée!
**Recipes included!**
The Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
1. Ukulele Murder
2. Murder on the Aloha Express
3. Deadly Wipeout
4. Deadly Bubbles in the Wine
5. Mele Kalikimaka Murder
6. Death of the Big Kahuna
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About the author
Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and assorted cats and dogs. Catherine has a B.A. in English and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also writes the Cindy York mysteries and the Aloha Lagoon (Carrie Jorgenson) mysteries.
To find out more about future releases and giveaways, you can sign up for Catherine’s newsletter here. Please feel free to connect with her on social media as well on Facebook and on Twitter.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print, signed copy of Death of the Big Kahuna. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends January 20, 2017. Good luck everyone!
This looks so fun. What a original theme!
Looks good – a new series for me!
My husband and I were to Hawaii, just a year ago and we visited Kauai. I’d be excited to read this book.
Love Catherine Biruns’ other books and look forward to reading this one!!!
Sounds really good and I must have a new series to start. Would love to win!!
I need this book!
Sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.
This is a fun series and makes me wish I could go back to Hawaii! Catherine is a great choice to continue the Aloha Lagoon stories and I can’t wait to read it! 🙂 Thanks Dru Ann for today’s post, and thanks to Catherine for the chance to win a copy! 😮
This sounds delightful and intriguing. Thanks.
Congratulations again on your new release!! So far it is a awesome book!!
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I can’t wait to read this second one.
Great article. Book sounds great.
I’m looking forward to reading this latest addition to the Aloha Lagoon series. Thanks so much for the chance to win a signed print copy of this book!
What a great escape from our cold, dreary winter. This series is definitely a great read. I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to enter your giveaway.
Sounds interesting.
Ohhh That looks so good. Would love to read. Thanks for a chance to get it sooner. Rather than later
Sounds like a good read.
thanks for chance. sounds interesting.
I’m so glad your post clarified things!. I’ve been seeing people talk about how good Death of The Big Kahuna was but because it is number six in the series I decided to wait. I figured I would start Catherine Brun’s Cookies and Chance series first. Maybe I will be the lucky giveaway winner and can start this book right away before I move on to her other series! Thanks Dru Ann!
This sounds like a delightful book and I know the series is great.
I love the way she carefully worded her experience about being a server.
I haven’t read this series yet and it sounds amazing. Would love to read.
I’m ready to jump into a fun re-run of Magnum P.I. !! almost
It sounds really interesting! I’m anxious to read it! Thanks
I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance!
Thank you all for the comments! I hope you will enjoy reading Death of the Big Kahuna as much as I did writing it!
Love the location.
Thanks, Dru, for hosting Carrie today. It’s always a pleasure to be featured on your blog!
Hawaii the only destination for a vacation that just might get me in a plane (I can always take the boat). This series sounds great. Thanks for introducing me to it and the chance to win a copy of Death of the Big Kahuna.
I’m looking forward to reading this tropical mystery.
Love this author & can’t wait to read this book.
Reading a mystery located in Hawaii is, I guess, the next best thing of being there.
Have not read this author or series as of yet. Have been seeing emails and promos….def have got to try her. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy
**** WINNER ****
of DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA is Rebecca Lewis.
Congratulations~