Legend of the Coco Palms Resort

Rita
D’Orazio
Genre: 
Historical

Corporate lawyer Abby Parker has been charged with acquiring the Kauai property, is home to the old Coco Palms Resort, by her New York client. In 1992 Hurricane Iniki destroyed the resort and now, 23 years later, the Kelly Corporation wants to develop the land into condominiums. The Heritage and Cultural Associate on Kauai Island is fighting the sale - the resort is a landmark they would like to restore. As well, Coco Palms was originally built on land that belonged to royalty. The Heritages’ representative, Kanoa, and Abby share a tumultuous past and butt heads at every turn. Will they walk away forever or will they come to an understanding and do the right thing for the resort, regardless of how they feel about each other? 

 

Rita D’Orazio has created a wonderfully intricate story. Her characters are strong, interesting, and stand on their own two feet when it comes to personality. Ms. D’Orazio intertwines the paranormal with contemporary conflicts that readers can understand and imagine actually happening. Her characters are easy to relate to and empathize with. There are a few places where the story slows because of extra descriptions but it does pick back up and continues on at a steady pace. The plot is unique and has some great insight into the Hawaiian culture. "Legend of the Coco Palms Resort" is a tropical vacation for the mind, and will have readers looking forward to more books from Ms. D’Orazio. 

Mary-Nancy Smith