"Ukulele Heroes: The Golden Age," by Ian Whitcomb (Hal Leonard Books, $24.99): Former British pop performer Ian Whitcomb, who authored four ukulele songbooks, continues his love affair with the instrument in this illustrated history book filled with archival photos, sheet music and anecdotes that trace the "little flea’s" journey from Hawaii to mainland vaudeville stages during the Great Depression.
"Island Danger," by Margo Sorenson (MuseItUp Publishing, $4.50 ebook): The former Oahu resident and Punahou School teacher’s most recent ebook for tweens is a mystery involving a teenage soccer player who goes in search hidden weapons that Hawaiian sovereignty activists plan to use in their rebellion against the U.S. government.
"Truman Black-Iron," by Robert Blum (Whiskey Creek Press, $15; also ebook): The former Honolulu resident’s latest historical novel takes place in the Antebellum South. A former slave enlists in the Union Army and finds himself with psychic powers that let him see what will happen in battle.
"Oceana: A Love Story," by CC Lindh (Singing Trees Production, $19.99; also ebook): This novella follows the budding romance between the title character, a lifelong surfer and former fashion model, and a British professional golfer. The idyll is disrupted, however, when Oceana doesn’t come home from surfing one night.
"The Last Dream Before You Die," by Paul Dalzell (Abbott Press, $19.99): The Hawaii writer by way of the north of England takes on a horror tale involving a detective who investigates England’s last wool mill and finds out the night shift is made up of vampires. The bloodsuckers prove to be of the friendly variety when they offer him sanctuary from Russian gangsters who are smuggling illegal aliens into the country.
"Wipeout & Hanging Ten in Paris," by Chip Hughes (Slate Ridge Press, $14.99; also ebook): The latest entry in the Kai Cooke, Surfing Detective mystery series offers two stories: The first, originally published by Island Heritage in 2007, has Cooke investigating the disappearance of a big-wave rider; the second is a shorter story about the apparent suicide of a surfer on a study-abroad trip to Paris.
Page Turners highlights books by Hawaii authors and books about Hawaii or of interest to Hawaii readers. To submit a book for consideration, send a copy and information to Features Department, 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. For more information, email features@staradvertiser.com.
