Red Hot HEMI on Hawai‘i Island

Returning Home for Book Research Trip Adventures

“Oh, I see you have the manager’s choice,” the perky rental car agent said, her pearly whites shining against her lovely hapa-Hawaiian skin. She typed into her computer and beamed even brighter. “Would you like a Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Mini-Cooper, or a Ford F-150 truck.”

My jaw slacked. “Excuse me?”

“That’s what we have available.”

I glanced at my husband’s broad grin.

“Mustang. Definitely.” This would be a treat for both of us and something really fun to drive.

He leaned in as she left to fetch the keys. “Same price?”

“Yeah. I signed up for the cheapest special. It’s the manager’s choice.”

The attendant returned with an apologetic pout. “I’m sorry. All we have left now is the Mini-Cooper and the Ford F-150 truck.”

“Wait, what?” I looked down at the enormous suitcase we had borrowed from our son, chosen specifically so we’d only have to pay for one checked bag. “This luggage is too big for a tiny car.”

She leaned over the counter to see. From her expression, I could tell she also had doubts.

“Okay, when you say truck, are you talking about a monster SUV, or let’s haul lumber and hitch up a horse trailer?”

“The latter. But I can show you both if you like.”

As she left to retrieve new keys, I gripped my husband’s hand. “I’ve never driven a truck, but I doubt a Mini-Cooper will make it up Mauna Kea and on the ranch roads I’m planning to drive.”

I had come to the Big Island to research my latest novel-in-progress. A truck would be more appropriate, but also very intimidating. I needed to absorb my surroundings, not become part of them if I ran us off a cliff. Plus there was the issue of parking and where to put our luggage without a covered trunk. Not to mention how my already overly burdened husband was going to heave a two-person suitcase into the truck’s cab or back seat. The damn rolling luggage came up to his waist.

“I thought I was saving money.”

He nodded in agreement but looked equally concerned. Since this was my show, he was strictly along for the ride.

“Good news,” the attendant said, returning with a single key. “The Dodge Challenger HEMI is available after all.”

Relief flushed away my worries. But as with a toilet bowl, the void quickly filled with another concern. I was a returning local girl, hoping to blend in, talk story, and observe. I did not need a muscle car announcing my presence and drawing everyone’s focus to me.

“No Mustang?”

“Sorry, but no.”

My husband shrugged. “It will be fine.”

Was that an excited glint in his eyes?

We rolled our giant luggage down the ramp to the lot where adorable convertible-top Mini-Coopers waited hopefully for some tourist to splurge. Apparently, I wasn’t the only bargain shopper around. Or did other visitors share my own concerns about their lack of power and traction on mountain our terrain?

Regret niggled at my mind. They were so dang cute. Had I made a mistake?

My hubby rolled the giant suitcase behind one of the teensy cars. “It never would have fit.”

“And a soft top is asking to be cut,” I added.

“They don’t have the power.”

“Right? I made the right decision.”

“You did.”

And then I saw IT—a testosterone fantasy in hot fire engine red.

“No, no, no… I can’t rumble into quiet Waimea in that.”

And yet, that is exactly what we did!

Traveling for Book Research

This is the fourth time I’ve traveled for book research. The first was to Rio de Janeiro in the 90s for what would eventually become Dance Among the Flames. The second was to Bali for an epic adventure that I hope to one day finish and publish. The third was an incredible trip to Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong for The Ninja’s Oath while visiting our eldest son and his future wife. Each time, I had researched extensively in advance. So much so, that I recognized streets and storefronts as I drove or walked down the streets. In Bali, my private tour guide exclaimed that I knew his island’s history better than him.

Hawai‘i Island was a little different since I hadn’t been there in decades. Although I had been researching for months, I still lacked a visceral sense of place. I needed to tread the ‘āina with my own two feet and let the makani whip through my humidity-frizzed hair. I needed to feel in the many kinds of mist and rain in the mountains, breathe in the hot dry air of the coast, and commune with the birds and roosters before dawn. I had interviews to do and places to visit, but mostly, I needed a clear and authentic picture of Hawai‘i ranching life.

As is usually the case, the book I’m researching and writing won’t be the next book my readers will find in bookstores. That will be Kuleana, the first book in my new Hawai‘i mystery series, coming next summer. It will introduce my Native Hawaiian national park ranger protagonist when she returns home to Kaua‘i.

As luck would have it, I had visited my favorite island for our son’s wedding before the idea for this idea emerged. So when I began research for that book, I already had many visceral and emotional memories in place.

How the Publishing Pipeline Works:

Authors usually have several titles in play: a book or two to research and write (in my case the second in a two-book deal), a book to edit for submission or (if we already have a book deal) to edit after receiving our publisher’s editorial notes, and our most recent release to promote. And that doesn’t include our backlist titles that still need our promotional love, and other projects like short stories and anthologies we need to write, submit, and/or turn in as well.

There is always a project in one stage or another that requires juggling our attention, time, and care.

My Recent Titles:

I’ve been promoting my fourth Lily Wong thriller, The Ninja’s Oath, which released in September 2023, followed by a Lily Wong short story, “Ninja Echo Charlie Mike,” in the Joe Ledger: Unbreakable anthology, and my thrilling new short story, in the upcoming Back in Black anthology, out July 16th.

Highlights include … Tori Eldridge’s “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution,” in which Dr. Candace Stone, the jaded host of a call-in radio advice program, snaps to when she’s taunted by a shooter.

I was absolutely thrilled to have my story mentioned in the highlights along with stories by Dave Bruns, Reed Farrel Coleman, and our marquee author, Andrew Child, who has written a new Jack Reacher short.

Exciting Transition for My Lily Wong Series:

As you have probably heard, my publisher for the Lily Wong series has shut down, so there will be an interim period when none of those books will be available to buy. But fear not, devoted readers: my series has been picked up by an exciting publisher with far more reach and infrastructure than I had before. They’ll be redesigning the covers for the splashy four-book debut. Stay tuned for the announcement and, in time, the new cover reveals, but know that—in true ninja form—my Chinese-Norwegian ninja heroine has landed in the most empowering place.

PS: I linked The Ninja’s Oath to my website, so you can stay up to date. I’ll be updating the headers and content as my publishing life evolves.

My motto, however, will remain the same:

When in doubt, choose the most empowering perspective.

That’s all for now.

Enjoy life. Embrace change. Be mindful of all the blessings that appear along the way.

Aloha,
Tori 🌺