2014 brought all manner of good things my way. My journey with New England Hiking Holidays in
the Columbia Gorge and into the Mt. Hood region of Oregon ranks very high on my
not to missed adventures. In Get some
Forest in your Boots I share highlights.
From
there I drove to the coast of Oregon where I explored trails on my own. The Oswald Park below Cannon Beach was my
favorite hike but, If You’re Looking for
a Cozy, Friendly Community, With Mammoth Trees, Walking Trails and Whale
Sitings, You Won’t Want to Miss Yachats — Gem of Oregon’s Central Coast.
December found me in the Hawaiian Islands linking up
with two local authors to form the Aloha Trio.
Together we shared our wares at
Barnes and Noble in Lahaina, and at the exclusive Coast Gallery in Hana. Such
warm aloha for Wai-nani, A Voice from Old
Hawai’i made my heart sing. I was invited to stay with fellow author
Lorraine Brodek who lives in Hana.
She arranged
for me to canoe to the birthplace of Ka’ahumanu, the powerful woman in Old
Hawai’i, that inspired my novel.
Watching my life unfold in ways I had never dreamed of is quite magical.
2015 promises to be filled with more exciting adventures that I look forward
to sharing with you in my articles.
I’m off to
Maui to meet up with the Aloha Trio
for our book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Lahaina on Dec. 14th. I met hugely popular
Toby Neal, author of the Lei Crime Series,
online. I found her writing to be crisp, contemporary and fun. According to Toby, born
and raised in the Islands, my book Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai’i “Casts a
hypnotic spell that takes us to ancient Hawai’i. Coming from Toby, someone with
an intimate knowledge of the Hawaiian culture, this is quite an endorsement.
I was having lunch with book guru, Carolyn Howard Johnson, here in L.A. and she
introduced me to Lorraine Brodek, author of
A Nobody in a Somebody World. Lorraine's book is filled with insider juice on Hollywood celebs she grew up
with in Beverly Hills. Being a Hawaii aficionado, my personal favorite is her
rendering of her life in Hana, one of the last enclaves of old Hawai’i, where
the threat of wild pigs calls for a luau.
Lorraine read Wai-nani and said“The rhythm of Linda Ballou's writing is sheer poetic
dialogue. Her descriptions are as mystic as the ancient Hawaiian culture she so
graphically describes in this wonderful story that she tells using the voice of
Wai-nani (aka Ka'ahumanu, King Kamehameha's favorite wife). Chiefess
Ka'ahumanu's birthplace was in a cave at Puu Kauiki in Hana--a hill that exists
today in this charming town that truly evokes the beautiful spirit of old
Hawaii.
We became friends and
Lorraine invited me to stay at her exquisite home high on a knoll overlooking
Hamoa Beach in Hana. How could I say no?
Being a person who gets things done,
Lorraine arranged for us to have a reading at the Coast Gallery at the
luxurious Travaasa Hotel Resort on Dec. 17th, .
Writing the Hawaiian story
became a beautiful obsession for me that spanned twenty years. I had no idea
where it would lead me, or the doors that it would open. I can only say I am
grateful for what has come my way.
I have arranged a Kindle
Giveaway for Wai-nani, A Voice from Old Hawai’i on Dec. 14-17th on
Amazon for those who can’t make it to the Islands for our events. REVIEWS ARE
WELCOME
Wishing you all a very Maui
Christmas with warm Aloha-In the name of Wai-nani.
