Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Hawaiian Fragrance

SERIES: The Hawaiians (book 3)

AUTHOR: Meg Amor

PUBLISHER: Loose Id

LENGTH: 716 KB

RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2017

BLURB:

Danny’s a fourth-generation Big Islander from the wealthy Lucerno ranching family. He’s gorgeous–a mix of Portuguese male and Argentine passion, all dark-haired, smoldering sensuality. His family disowned him for being gay, and now he’s part of the Masterson-Mahikoa “lost boys” family. When he meets the wealthy, sophisticated, sensuous Brazilian, Paolo Bastini, he’s swept off his feet into a glitzy Las Vegas lifestyle of money and luxury–the world he grew up in. But it takes Danny away from Hawai’i where his soul roams free and his family lives. He struggles as Paolo plays loosely with their partnership and thinks Danny is being “a baby” for wanting a monogamous relationship. And who is this past lover firmly wedged in Paolo’s heart? Zane is severely deaf–finding new dance partners is hard. When he loses another one, Danny steps in to dance the tango competitions with him. Jealousy flares and things reach dangerous levels between Paolo and Danny. His adopted and birth family must bond together in a daring rescue of Danny from the depths of Brazil. But he’s not completely out of danger. Now he’s fighting an attraction to the feminine Zane, who’s always annoyed him. Which man has his heart?

REVIEW:

I literally was on pins and needles trying to patiently await the release of this book. Meg Amor is a go-to author for me. She captures the authentic feel of my island home.

Danny Lucerno is one of Kulani and Rob’s sons that Kulani “The Orchid”, one of Hawaii’s top surfers, has taken in. Kulani had found Danny living homeless on the beach after his parents threw him out when he came out to them. The Lucerno’s are a very rich and influential family on Big Island. The book opens at the wedding reception of Kulani and Rob. While outside having a quick smoke Danny is approached by a very good looking older man. The chemistry is immediate and the man, Paolo, asks Danny out for a dinner date. With a whirlwind courtship Paola whisks Danny off the the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas in his personal jet. But Danny is accustomed to money and he knows it doesn’t always mean happiness. Just look at his parents for example. Hawaiian Fragrance is the story of how things aren’t always as they seen and how dangerous the unknown can truly be.

I was extremely eager to read about “The Orchid’s” lost boys. The idea of throw-away children completely enrages me. The years I spent in the education of our youth never failed to flabbergast me. The thought that, if a child did not live up to your expected ideals, then they could be merely “tossed aside” sickens me but, working in an alternative high school, I saw it all too often. As if these youth have a choice in how they are born. The idea that their parents thought that they “chose” to be gay completely floored me but I heard it uttered way too many time. Homophobic parents are some of the worse to deal with.

I was really thrilled that the author not only included Rob, Kulani and all most all the boys, especially Zane, but brought back Kulani’s cousin Beau and his husband Matt. We get to hear from both Matt and Rob, which was a real treat that I don’t get often in series. I loved how she brought the relationship between Rob and his new son Danny together even more. It was particularly poignant and touching. How she dealt with Danny’s birth parents and their issues was both sensitive and appropriate.

One of the things this author is very accomplished with is great description of the locales that surround you, so you feel like you are sitting and inhaling the lushness of the islands and the richness of the fragrances that drift off the local flowers. She also makes the foods in the book sound so good that you are literally drooling at times.

I can’t wait for the next in this series! Which I understand won’t be much of a wait! I absolutely LOVE this series and can’t recommend these fabulous books enough. This book was a page turner from beginning to end. A Must-Read!!!

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Loose Id

Amazon