Esther’s Gift ~ The Lei Crime Series: (Kindle Worlds Novella) @BetteLeeCrosby #TuesdayBookBlog

• Author: Bette Lee Crosby
• Published: November 2015 by Kindle Worlds
• Category: Contemporary, Romance
• 

In the days before hurricane Iniki hit the island of Kauai the forecasters predicted it would stay south of Hilo. But Esther Ka’awai, a psychic and gifted wise woman of the ancient culture has seen the future. She knows of the devastation that will come to the island. She has warned those she loves; now all she can do is pray.

Esther describes her gift as ‘a knowing’. She doesn’t have visions or tell fortunes, it’s more the certain knowledge that something will happen. She can’t explain it but she always listens and pays attention to the warnings, although she never knows the outcome. The story is set on beautiful Kauai, one of the Hawaiian Islands where Esther lives with her husband of more than twenty years, Keoki. 

When she dreams of the terrible storm heading their way Esther warns as many people as she can, although few heed her warning as the weathermen forecast that the storm is far to the south and no threat to the island. So Esther and Keoki are the only ones prepared when the devastating storm lands.

Bernie Messenger was warned about the legend and the claim that the land he was about to buy was an ancient burial ground. He ignored any possibility of angry spirits and progressed with building his luxury resort which took two years and all his resources. When the storm hit most of the guests at the resort lost all their possessions. Bernie lost everything.

In the weeks and months following the storm almost everyone on the island went hungry. Esther’s family was luckier than most; they had the food they’d harvested in the days before the storm. When she and Keoki sat down to a supper of fish and pieces of taro, Esther bowed her head and thanked The Lord for his grace.

This really delightful story follows Esther’s life, the sorrows of endings and joys of new beginnings, as the years pass and she becomes a valued member of the community. And when the resort is restored to it’s former glory by a newcomer to the island, Esther’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Bette Lee Crosby’s books have a magical quality and always manage to gently convey a sense of warmth, love and morality without being preachy. Well written with rich and empathetic characters, beautifully scenic descriptions, folklore and legend.

My review is based on a digital copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion or the content of this review.

I hadn’t heard of the Lei Crime Series before this novella and did a little research. The series follows Detective Lei Texeira and is set in the Hawaiian Islands. The author of the series is Toby Neal and from what I can gather authors have been invited to write a story involving a character from the series.  Esther Ka’awai appears in Torch Ginger, the second book.

It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win twenty awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal, Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award.

Author links ~ Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads