Hey, everyone! Happy April! I had a wonderful release week for Point of Contact, my angsty military romance through Carina Press. One thing I wanted to share with you, in case you hadn’t seen it, was a post I wrote that originally appeared on the Carina Press blog. It talks about my inspiration for one of the most pivotal scenes in the book, where Trevor makes peace with his growing feelings for Jesse, a much younger man and the best friend of his beloved son, Riley, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Thanks so much for reading, and see you next month!

Love, Family and the Spirit of the Luau

If you’ve ever visited Hawaii, chances are you went to a luau. During the eighteen months I lived on Oahu, I must have gone to at least five. It’s definitely the tourist activity of choice, and a fun, easy way to show visitors the culture and flavor of Hawaii.

In ancient times, a luau was called aha’aina, or “gathering for a meal,” the chance for family and friends to come together to celebrate a special event like the birth of a child, success in battle, or a successful harvest. It’s literally a celebration of life, and new beginnings, and victory.

In Point of Contact, a luau serves as the backdrop for an important turning point in Trevor and Jesse’s relationship. Trevor’s at a crossroads, unsure if the direction he’s taking is the right one for him and the man he’s falling in love with. The spiritual essence of the luau, and everything it stands for, help bring Trevor’s painful, complicated feelings into clarity, and in turn he’s able to move forward toward some much-needed peace.

As commercialized as the modern luau may have become, its roots in ancient history are deep, and symbolic. The food and entertainment, all have special meaning. The master of ceremonies is our Auntie, and we eat together as cousins, one big ohana. Life and death, the bonds of family, the true spirit of the luau, are at the heart and soul of Trevor and Jesse’s story.

Have you ever visited Hawaii, and experienced a luau for yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

BIO:

Melanie Hansen likes to consider herself a cynic, but at heart she’s a hopeless romantic. Every morning she gets up before dawn to spend time with her characters, creating stories that are deeply emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, but in the end where love always wins. Melanie’s proud of the fact that two of her books have been named as RT Book Reviews Top Picks.

She grew up with an Air Force dad, ended up marrying a Navy man, and has lived and worked all over the country. Melanie hopes to bring these rich and varied life experiences to her stories about people finding love amidst real-life struggles.

BLURB:

Only love can heal an impossibly broken heart.

There’d forever been a thread running through Trevor Estes’s life—his son Riley, strong and constant like heartbeat. But when Riley is killed in combat, everything in Trevor’s life unravels into a mess he doesn’t know how to mourn. Until Jesse Byrne, Riley’s friend and platoon mate, arrives on his doorstep with a box of Riley’s things. Jesse’s all-too-familiar grief provides an unlikely source of comfort for Trevor; knowing he’s not alone is exactly what he needs.

Trevor never imagined he’d find someone who fills his heart with hope again. As the pair celebrate Riley’s memory, their unique bond deepens into something irreplaceable—and something neither man can live without. But diving into a relationship can’t be so simple. Being together means Trevor risking the last link he has to his son…leaving Jesse to wonder if he’ll ever be enough, or if Trevor will always be haunted by the past.

BUY LINK:

Amazon