Death of the Kona Man
Aloha Lagoon Mysteries Book 9
by Catherine Bruns
Genre: Cozy Mystery
From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes the next deadly delicious Carrie Jorgenson adventure in paradise...
Carrie Jorgenson is living the dream in Hawaii. She has a steady job as a waitress at the Loco Moco Café, a hot new love interest in her manager, and the curtain’s about to rise on her role in a local theater production. But when she's asked to deliver food to a guest at the Aloha Lagoon resort—who then drops dead!—her dreams quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
World renowned food critic Randolph Cremshaw has no shortage of enemies. He's rude, patronizing, and famous for his one-star reviews. After the coffee Carrie delivers is discovered to have been poisoned, she and the café quickly rise to the top of the suspects list. A jealous co-worker, thefts at the restaurant, and a performance that threatens to blow up in Carrie's face only make things worse. With an already full plate, Carrie is also forced into making a decision that may change everything for her. But this all pales in comparison when she comes face to face with Randolph's killer and what might be the final curtain call…of her life.
Recipes included!
**Suggested to Read Death of the Big Kahuna first!**
**On sale from Oct 10th - 17th!**
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo
Carrie Jorgenson is living the dream in Hawaii. She has a steady job as a waitress at the Loco Moco Café, a hot new love interest in her manager, and the curtain’s about to rise on her role in a local theater production. But when she's asked to deliver food to a guest at the Aloha Lagoon resort—who then drops dead!—her dreams quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
World renowned food critic Randolph Cremshaw has no shortage of enemies. He's rude, patronizing, and famous for his one-star reviews. After the coffee Carrie delivers is discovered to have been poisoned, she and the café quickly rise to the top of the suspects list. A jealous co-worker, thefts at the restaurant, and a performance that threatens to blow up in Carrie's face only make things worse. With an already full plate, Carrie is also forced into making a decision that may change everything for her. But this all pales in comparison when she comes face to face with Randolph's killer and what might be the final curtain call…of her life.
Recipes included!
**Suggested to Read Death of the Big Kahuna first!**
**On sale from Oct 10th - 17th!**
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo
Vivian and I started to read the article silently to ourselves. It was entitled, "You'd Have to Be Loco to Eat Here," by Randolph Cremshaw.
Okay, this was not going to end well.
As my faithful readers know, Hawaii was my home for several years. I enjoy the tropical climate and always stay at the elegant Aloha Lagoon Resort whenever I return to the beautiful island of Kauai. I don't typically review cafés, but a recent visit to the Loco Moco, which wears the name "loco" well, has forced my hand.
The history of this restaurant itself is an interesting one, to say the least. The place was originally owned by George Kama, who then sold it to Maya and Sampson Akamu. The couple was killed shortly afterward in a car accident, and their son Hale ran the place solo for about twenty years. Hale himself was murdered a couple of months ago, inside the actual restaurant. Now if that wasn't enough to make you never want to look at a plate of their pork hash again, this is what I have to say about my recent dining experience at the hole-in-the wall establishment:
Pass. That's all.
Service—Three stars. The server was attractive and pleasant but totally inept. I have my doubts that she could manage to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Beverages—One star. When I am served coffee in the beautiful state of Hawaii, it should not be in the form of mud, but a beverage that consists of freshly ground Kona beans. Eventually I did receive the latter after complaint, but the experience was already ruined for me. A bitter disappointment—yes, pun intended.
Cleanliness—Two stars. The best I can say is that the table wasn't sticky, and the server was nice enough not to place her gum underneath it.
Quality of food—Zero stars. That moment when you ask for ketchup but receive Tabasco sauce instead…well, what else is there left to say, except that I left the place in burning anger. Yes, another pun for you.
Average these ratings together and you come up with 1 ½ stars, or in my opinion a complete failure, so don't waste your time and hard-earned money here. Look elsewhere.
Skip the Loco Moco Café. You'll thank me for it later.
Vivian covered her mouth with one hand as she finished reading, and I sucked in some air. This would no doubt be very damaging to the café. I silently fumed about the line that stated the server couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. Excuse me? I never chewed gum while I was working. What a jerk.
"How are Terry and Ava taking this?" I wondered if Keanu knew as well.
Poncho pressed his lips together tightly. "Not well. You just missed the latest episode of Terry's screaming. I think Ava has managed to calm him down for the moment. The one thing they seem very curious about is how Tabasco sauce ended up in the ketchup holder." He glanced piteously at both of us.
"I didn't do it," Vivian said quickly.
I shook my head back. "I filled some the other day, but I'm positive it was ketchup." I distinctly remembered pouring the contents from the large container into the holders.
Poncho muttered something indistinguishable under his breath. "Anna filled a few the other day as well. Terry just called his royal highness—Cremshaw. Would you believe the man had the gall to tell Terry that he might remove the post from his blog if we would deliver breakfast and dinner to his room today? I am in the process of placing the breakfast items on a rolling cart. Carrie, he asked that it be delivered by the girl with the soulful dark eyes who waited on him the other day."
A giant knot formed in the pit of my stomach. Great. Ava and Terry were probably upstairs right now throwing me under the bus for the ketchup incident. How I wished Keanu was here. I'd asked him what had happened after they'd found us kissing—nothing, he'd assured me, and left it at that.
"Lovely." What was up with this guy anyhow? He didn't like me but commented that I had soulful eyes? Was he a pervert in disguise? I didn't want to go to his room alone. "Do I really have to wait on that creep again? I thought that food critics weren't allowed to say such nasty things. "Can't he be sued for slander because of the remarks he made about the Akamus?" Mercifully, he hadn't identified me by name.
Poncho did a palms-up. "Ava and Terry are only concerned with giving the man whatever he wants right now. He is a freelance food critic and contributes to the most popular cooking magazine in the world. In short, he gets away with murder, and there's nothing we can do about it."
Vivian snickered as she helped us load the food onto the cart. "I bet he's got more than a few people that would like to murder him."
Poncho snorted. "It is tempting, ho'aloha. Believe me."
Okay, this was not going to end well.
As my faithful readers know, Hawaii was my home for several years. I enjoy the tropical climate and always stay at the elegant Aloha Lagoon Resort whenever I return to the beautiful island of Kauai. I don't typically review cafés, but a recent visit to the Loco Moco, which wears the name "loco" well, has forced my hand.
The history of this restaurant itself is an interesting one, to say the least. The place was originally owned by George Kama, who then sold it to Maya and Sampson Akamu. The couple was killed shortly afterward in a car accident, and their son Hale ran the place solo for about twenty years. Hale himself was murdered a couple of months ago, inside the actual restaurant. Now if that wasn't enough to make you never want to look at a plate of their pork hash again, this is what I have to say about my recent dining experience at the hole-in-the wall establishment:
Pass. That's all.
Service—Three stars. The server was attractive and pleasant but totally inept. I have my doubts that she could manage to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Beverages—One star. When I am served coffee in the beautiful state of Hawaii, it should not be in the form of mud, but a beverage that consists of freshly ground Kona beans. Eventually I did receive the latter after complaint, but the experience was already ruined for me. A bitter disappointment—yes, pun intended.
Cleanliness—Two stars. The best I can say is that the table wasn't sticky, and the server was nice enough not to place her gum underneath it.
Quality of food—Zero stars. That moment when you ask for ketchup but receive Tabasco sauce instead…well, what else is there left to say, except that I left the place in burning anger. Yes, another pun for you.
Average these ratings together and you come up with 1 ½ stars, or in my opinion a complete failure, so don't waste your time and hard-earned money here. Look elsewhere.
Skip the Loco Moco Café. You'll thank me for it later.
Vivian covered her mouth with one hand as she finished reading, and I sucked in some air. This would no doubt be very damaging to the café. I silently fumed about the line that stated the server couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. Excuse me? I never chewed gum while I was working. What a jerk.
"How are Terry and Ava taking this?" I wondered if Keanu knew as well.
Poncho pressed his lips together tightly. "Not well. You just missed the latest episode of Terry's screaming. I think Ava has managed to calm him down for the moment. The one thing they seem very curious about is how Tabasco sauce ended up in the ketchup holder." He glanced piteously at both of us.
"I didn't do it," Vivian said quickly.
I shook my head back. "I filled some the other day, but I'm positive it was ketchup." I distinctly remembered pouring the contents from the large container into the holders.
Poncho muttered something indistinguishable under his breath. "Anna filled a few the other day as well. Terry just called his royal highness—Cremshaw. Would you believe the man had the gall to tell Terry that he might remove the post from his blog if we would deliver breakfast and dinner to his room today? I am in the process of placing the breakfast items on a rolling cart. Carrie, he asked that it be delivered by the girl with the soulful dark eyes who waited on him the other day."
A giant knot formed in the pit of my stomach. Great. Ava and Terry were probably upstairs right now throwing me under the bus for the ketchup incident. How I wished Keanu was here. I'd asked him what had happened after they'd found us kissing—nothing, he'd assured me, and left it at that.
"Lovely." What was up with this guy anyhow? He didn't like me but commented that I had soulful eyes? Was he a pervert in disguise? I didn't want to go to his room alone. "Do I really have to wait on that creep again? I thought that food critics weren't allowed to say such nasty things. "Can't he be sued for slander because of the remarks he made about the Akamus?" Mercifully, he hadn't identified me by name.
Poncho did a palms-up. "Ava and Terry are only concerned with giving the man whatever he wants right now. He is a freelance food critic and contributes to the most popular cooking magazine in the world. In short, he gets away with murder, and there's nothing we can do about it."
Vivian snickered as she helped us load the food onto the cart. "I bet he's got more than a few people that would like to murder him."
Poncho snorted. "It is tempting, ho'aloha. Believe me."
About Aloha Lagoon:
**Books can be read in any order and they're from multiple authors!**
There's trouble in paradise...
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget! visit us at www.alohalagoonmysteries.com
The Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
Ukulele Murder (book #1)
Murder on the Aloha Express (book #2)
Deadly Wipeout (book #3)
Deadly Bubbles in the Wine (book #4)
Mele Kalikimaka Murder (book #5)
Death of the Big Kahuna (book #6)
Ukulele Deadly (book #7)
Bikinis & Bloodshed (book #8)
Death of the Kona Man (book #9)
**Books can be read in any order and they're from multiple authors!**
There's trouble in paradise...
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget! visit us at www.alohalagoonmysteries.com
The Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
Ukulele Murder (book #1)
Murder on the Aloha Express (book #2)
Deadly Wipeout (book #3)
Deadly Bubbles in the Wine (book #4)
Mele Kalikimaka Murder (book #5)
Death of the Big Kahuna (book #6)
Ukulele Deadly (book #7)
Bikinis & Bloodshed (book #8)
Death of the Kona Man (book #9)
Catherine is the USA Today best selling 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 and the Aloha Lagoon (Carrie Jorgenson) mysteries. Her next Cookies & Chance mystery, Silenced by Sugar, releases in January 2018.
Website * Newsletter * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Website * Newsletter * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Louisa May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stephen King, Harper Lee, Mary Higgins Clark, KM Peyton.
What inspired you to write this book?
My publisher had the idea for a multi author series in Hawaii. I've been there twice and it's a favorite vacation destination so of course I was definitely in!
What can we expect from you in the future?
My next book scheduled for release is Silenced by Sugar and it comes out January 16, 2018. It is the fifth book in my USA Today best selling Cookies & Chance series about a woman who runs a bakery in Western New York that serves up fortune cookies with a side of foreshadowing. There's yummy recipes in that series as well as the Carrie Jorgenson books too!
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Not about the characters per say but the concept for this particular series came from a play I wrote and directed for my senior project in college, over twenty something (mumble) years ago, lol.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I grew up in Upstate New York and have lived there my entire life.
What makes a good story?
A writer needs to be passionate about their work and connect with their characters. A good plot is necessary as well.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I'm fortunate that I didn't start writing aggressively until my children were grown. I admire writers who can do it with small children in the house - I'm not sure that I could!
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
Since I was eight years old, I have always wanted to be a writer. I think it's just something that you're born with.
Advice they would give new authors?
Build your platform so more readers can find you.
What are they currently reading?
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was eight years old.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I do a rough outline and revise it a few times. I pretty much write by the seat of my pants, so to speak. My mind tends to go in a different direction during the actual writing process so things don't always stay the same.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Death of the Kona Man?
Death of the Kona Man is the second book in my Carrie Jorgenson Aloha Lagoon series. The first book is Death of the Big Kahuna but they can be read as stand alones. Carrie's from snowy Vermont and in the first book, she's just arrived on the island of Kauai. She's followed her boyfriend in an attempt to save their floundering relationship. She gets a job waitressing but has no previous experience. Her dream is to be an actress some day. Carrie's had a rough life so far but is determined to persevere. While waitressing at Loco Moco Café, she meets the hot assistant manager Keanu Church. Keanu has an enormous heart and sparks fly between them from the beginning. In Death of the Kona Man, their relationship grows closer.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Always at different times. Some are outlined before, and some come to me during the actual writing process.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I hate research, lol! I'm fortunate that I have several contacts who help me out, a retired police Captain, my former real estate manager and a few people in the medical field. Even though these are cozy mysteries and you can suspend belief somewhat, I like my books to be accurate and realistic.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Impatient, passionate, stubborn, determined (sensing a pattern here, lol?)
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The fact that the Aloha Lagoon series is set in Hawaii makes it so much more fun. I love my characters so every time I write a book in this series it feels like I'm coming home.
Who designed your book covers?
The entire Aloha Lagoon set of covers was designed by Estrella Designs but I have another artist for my two separate series.
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
I love to hear from readers. It's such a joy to know that my book has provided entertainment for a few hours so thank you so much for taking the time to read my work!
Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Louisa May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stephen King, Harper Lee, Mary Higgins Clark, KM Peyton.
What inspired you to write this book?
My publisher had the idea for a multi author series in Hawaii. I've been there twice and it's a favorite vacation destination so of course I was definitely in!
What can we expect from you in the future?
My next book scheduled for release is Silenced by Sugar and it comes out January 16, 2018. It is the fifth book in my USA Today best selling Cookies & Chance series about a woman who runs a bakery in Western New York that serves up fortune cookies with a side of foreshadowing. There's yummy recipes in that series as well as the Carrie Jorgenson books too!
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Not about the characters per say but the concept for this particular series came from a play I wrote and directed for my senior project in college, over twenty something (mumble) years ago, lol.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I grew up in Upstate New York and have lived there my entire life.
What makes a good story?
A writer needs to be passionate about their work and connect with their characters. A good plot is necessary as well.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I'm fortunate that I didn't start writing aggressively until my children were grown. I admire writers who can do it with small children in the house - I'm not sure that I could!
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
Since I was eight years old, I have always wanted to be a writer. I think it's just something that you're born with.
Advice they would give new authors?
Build your platform so more readers can find you.
What are they currently reading?
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was eight years old.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I do a rough outline and revise it a few times. I pretty much write by the seat of my pants, so to speak. My mind tends to go in a different direction during the actual writing process so things don't always stay the same.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Death of the Kona Man?
Death of the Kona Man is the second book in my Carrie Jorgenson Aloha Lagoon series. The first book is Death of the Big Kahuna but they can be read as stand alones. Carrie's from snowy Vermont and in the first book, she's just arrived on the island of Kauai. She's followed her boyfriend in an attempt to save their floundering relationship. She gets a job waitressing but has no previous experience. Her dream is to be an actress some day. Carrie's had a rough life so far but is determined to persevere. While waitressing at Loco Moco Café, she meets the hot assistant manager Keanu Church. Keanu has an enormous heart and sparks fly between them from the beginning. In Death of the Kona Man, their relationship grows closer.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Always at different times. Some are outlined before, and some come to me during the actual writing process.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I hate research, lol! I'm fortunate that I have several contacts who help me out, a retired police Captain, my former real estate manager and a few people in the medical field. Even though these are cozy mysteries and you can suspend belief somewhat, I like my books to be accurate and realistic.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Impatient, passionate, stubborn, determined (sensing a pattern here, lol?)
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The fact that the Aloha Lagoon series is set in Hawaii makes it so much more fun. I love my characters so every time I write a book in this series it feels like I'm coming home.
Who designed your book covers?
The entire Aloha Lagoon set of covers was designed by Estrella Designs but I have another artist for my two separate series.
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
I love to hear from readers. It's such a joy to know that my book has provided entertainment for a few hours so thank you so much for taking the time to read my work!
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
Oct 10
kickoff at The Silver Dagger Scriptorium
Mythical Books – GUEST POST
Jazzy Book Reviews – GUEST POST
Oct 11
Laura's Interests
Paulette's Papers
Girl with Pen
Oct 12
Book Bangers Blog
For Love of Books4
Lisa Book Blog @ LEL
YA Book Divas
Oct 13
Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
AC Squared Book Blog
A Mama's Corner of the World
Turning Another Page
Oct 14
Casia's Corner
Susan Heim on Writing
Books Dreams Life
Oct 15
Lukten av Trykksverte
Bound 2 Escape
Mello & June
Oct 16
Lovely Paranormal Books
Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways
Natashareadsbooks
Yah gotta read this
Oct 17
Slytherin Book Lady
Natural Bri
Sapphyria's Book Reviews
Oct 18
A Writer's Life
Books and Spoons
Cloe Michael's Reads Blog
Yearwood La Novela
Oct 19
Anna Del C Dye
Celticlady's Reviews
Circle of Stalkers
Oct 20
FUONLYKNEW
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Spunky N Sassy
Oct 21
Happy Ever After Romance Book Reviews
Must Read Faster
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
Oct 22
Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews
Rabid Readers Book Blog
The Book Town
Oct 23
Queen of All She Reads
Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom
The Bookworm Chronicles
Oct 24
Indie Wish List
Teaser Addicts Book Blog
Teatime and Books
Oct 10
kickoff at The Silver Dagger Scriptorium
Mythical Books – GUEST POST
Jazzy Book Reviews – GUEST POST
Oct 11
Laura's Interests
Paulette's Papers
Girl with Pen
Oct 12
Book Bangers Blog
For Love of Books4
Lisa Book Blog @ LEL
YA Book Divas
Oct 13
Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
AC Squared Book Blog
A Mama's Corner of the World
Turning Another Page
Oct 14
Casia's Corner
Susan Heim on Writing
Books Dreams Life
Oct 15
Lukten av Trykksverte
Bound 2 Escape
Mello & June
Oct 16
Lovely Paranormal Books
Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways
Natashareadsbooks
Yah gotta read this
Oct 17
Slytherin Book Lady
Natural Bri
Sapphyria's Book Reviews
Oct 18
A Writer's Life
Books and Spoons
Cloe Michael's Reads Blog
Yearwood La Novela
Oct 19
Anna Del C Dye
Celticlady's Reviews
Circle of Stalkers
Oct 20
FUONLYKNEW
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Spunky N Sassy
Oct 21
Happy Ever After Romance Book Reviews
Must Read Faster
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
Oct 22
Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews
Rabid Readers Book Blog
The Book Town
Oct 23
Queen of All She Reads
Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom
The Bookworm Chronicles
Oct 24
Indie Wish List
Teaser Addicts Book Blog
Teatime and Books
