H is for HAWAIIAN FRUIT an Excellent FOOD FOR THOUGHT #AtoZChallenge

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

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Left Coast Crime: Honolulu Havoc, held at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, is now ended, but my thoughts linger on the great gatherings, delicious food and delightful exchange of entertaining and educational information.

A good time was had by all, beginning at the Great Lawn opening ceremony with its excellent Hawaiian Blessing, lei presentations, and pupus (local hors d'oeuvres). I wasn't able to take photos as I was pleasantly busy presenting lei to honored guests and an award-winning student.

This wasn't the only time food and drinks were mixed and enjoyed, but the event did set a precedent for everyone to imbibe in multiple servings of fresh island fruit, including pineapple and mango, along with chilled POG (passion-orange-guava juice that is a favorite of many islanders.)

Ingredients for POG

4 passion fruits

2 cups water

2 large oranges (or 1 cup juice)

5 small, soft guavas (red if possible)

½ cup water and Up to ¼ cup sugar

One evening, we walked to the Halekulani Hotel for dinner (and drinks) to celebrate the opening of Left Coast Crime. Author Colin Cotterill, a conference guest of honor and quite an entertaining fellow, raised his glass more than once to toast the week ahead.



My friends and fellow authors, Rosemary and Larry Mild listen intently to
Author Colin Cotterill (on the right) at House Without A Key Restaurant,
while I eavesdrop and take a photograph.

 

Allow me to share with you my review of

Six And A Half Deadly Sins

by Colin Cotterill

 

 

When authors entertain me from cover to cover, this solidifies my belief that the art of writing is fun. Every writer knows to balance reading with writing. How easy to meet that goal with books that are fun to read - from cover to cover; books like Six And A Half Deadly Sins.

Six And A Half Deadly Sins by author Colin Cotterill is a Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery set in Laos. When I learned that Mr. Cotterill was invited to be a guest speaker at the 2017 Left Coast Crime Conference in Honolulu (another event where you can have fun being a writer), I checked out this book from the main library. How lucky of me to have found this book, one of my “fun-est” reads of the year.

Protagonist Siri Paiboun

Dr. Siri Paiboun’s witticisms make him a loveable character who never becomes overbearing or boring. The novel's humor is subtle, woven into the fabric of the story. It creeps up on you with a quick punch while the action continues to move forward . . . leaving you to catch up.

Retired coroner Siri and his wife are the quintessential happily-married couple; their love undying. When the doctor receives a mysterious package containing a handwoven skirt, known as a “pha sin” with a human finger sewn into the hem, it sends them on a scavenger hunt of clues around the countryside of Northern Laos.

Adventure within the pages, the historical narrative, clever clues, and dangers encountered along the way make this a unique mystery. After experiencing first hand this author's terrific sense of humor, I will enjoy his other novels even more.

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