New murder mystery by local author hits shelves
“Blood on the Orchids,” by local author Jill Steele, is a murder mystery that takes place on an orchid farm in the hurricane battered, lava threatened Puna district of the Big Island.
Early on in the story, beautiful, renowned orchid grower Ellen Jenson is found dead in a greenhouse at the large nursery she and her estranged husband own. In her hand is an unusually vibrant cattleya orchid spray.
The reader will experience the rural Big Island local style and learn about orchids and orchid growing as Lauren and Jenny, both nursery employees, talk story with local fishermen, orchid growers and surfers as try and solve the murder.
Steele, has lived on the easternmost tip of the Big Island for the last 25 years and has experienced many extreme conditions while living in Hawaii, most recently Hurricane Iselle and Kileaua volcano’s latest eruption.
Steele moved to Hawaii from Los Angeles to work at an orchid and tropical flower nursery. She started her business Hawaiian Magic Tropical Flowers at the same time she started her family.
“Blood on the Orchids” is available locally at Kona Stories, Basically Books, Big Island BookBuyers, Island Naturals and Pahoa Used Books. Meet the author book signings are scheduled for April 7 at Big Island BookBuyers located at 14 Waianuenue Ave., directly following the Merrie Monarch Parade, and again in May at Basically Books to commemorate their themed May is for Mystery month.
“Love and Errors” author Dark promoting poetry collection
Kimberly Dark, in conjunction with PunaPress Publishing, has released her first collection of poetry, “Love and Errors.”
Join Dark for the book release party at Kalanihonua in Pahoa at 7:30 p.m. on April 27. “Love and Errors” then launches at Basically Books in Hilo at 2 p.m. on April 28, where Dark will read from her new book alongside writers Tanya Yamanaka Aynessazian, Jim Larsen, Alex Stitt and Zach Street. Dark will also be the featured poet for Kukuau Studio’s 4th Friday Poetry Slam in Hilo at 7 p.m. on May 25. Dark will then do a featured reading for Kona Stories’ Words and Wine event at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7 . All events are open to the public.
In “Love and Errors,” which features both personal and fictional accounts, intimate poems navigate experiences with love, gender roles, violence and survival.
Dark divides her time between Hawaii, California and various international and domestic airport departure lounges.
“Love and Errors” is now available for pre-order from PunaPress’ site for $12.
For more information on “Love and Errors,” visit kimberlydark.com, or contact info@kimberlydark.com.