S is for SWORDFISH AND SHRIMP #AtoZ

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.

*** *** ***  

 

Relaxing and enjoying a
view of Diamond Head before sunset

Dinner at House Without A Key in the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki is a treat for several reasons. The atmosphere is quiet and amazingly peaceful. The service is rated above-par because the wait staff is unconditionally Aloha Friendly. And Hawaiian music and hula dancing is offered for relaxing entertainment on the lanai, with the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head as a backdrop. Few thoughts, other than general goodwill, stick at a time like this.

Lovely Hula Hands
Elegant Hula Dancer accompanied by talented Hawaiian Musicians

Special Mai Tai cocktails relaxed us even further before the salads arrived. Several of us in our group chose the meal of Swordfish and Shrimp. Normally, I would be sure to take home half of the meal from such a nice establishment. But this fish was so tender and flavorful, I couldn't stop eating and the plate was suddenly clean! No left-overs for me.

 

Celebrating the evening with us were Left Coast Crime Lifetime Achievement Honorees and Authors Faye and Jonathan Kellerman. Those folks who worked hardest to make the entire conference possible were: Gay Coburn Gale, Honolulu Havoc Chair; Treasurer Stan Ulrich and Publisher Liaison Lucinda Surber (who were also Awards Co-Chairs) and Panel Co-Chairs and Authors Rosemary and Larry Mild.



Pleasant conversation over Swordfish and Shrimp,
and a backdrop of hula dancers and Pacific Ocean,
with Diamond Head off to the left.

As I mentioned above, few thoughts other than goodwill stick at such a time. But I wouldn't want you to take my word for it. Come on down to Hawai'i and check out the food and music for yourselves!

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.

*** *** ***  

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.

***   ***   ***
 

 

Pepper Bibeau Mystery Series Continues with Homicides

Pepper Bibeau novels

Blood Red Homicide at Amazon.com along with all the Pepper Bibeau mysteries

or click on a book cover to the right.

  

Left Coast Crime Conference comes to Honolulu, the setting: Hilton Hawaiian Village at the Ewa end of Waikiki. I'll attend many of the the panel discussions, participate as a panelist in one, as moderator in another. Also of special interest to me is socializing face-to-face with all the other participating authors and readers - not tweeting or face-booking! I look forward to everyone stowing their electronic devices for the duration of the conference and carrying on actual conversations.

Along with all the socializing will be sales and giveaways of books and other marketing items. With so many people flying in from the mainland for the conference and hauling lots of baggage, I decided some of them might appreciate a bargain that didn't involve lugging or mailing an abundance of heavy books back home.

An ebook sale seemed like the perfect answer.

(To take advantage of the 99c sale: click on a Pepper Bibeau cover to the right.)

No reason for others to miss out, so I am offering all of my Pepper Bibeau mystery novels for the sale price of #99c for the duration of the conference, starting March 14 and ending March 20.

Blood Red Homicide at Amazon.com along with all the Pepper Bibeau mysteries