October 8, 2012

Middle-Grade Mystery: Wholesome Fun, Sun & Surf


Author Cheryl Linn Martin releases Pineapples In Peril, the first of her 3-book middle grade mystery series The Hawaiian Island Detective Club this month (October 2012) from Comfort Publishing.

I have long followed Cheryl’s writing and path to publication, so it is a special treat to see and read this book as a published work. Though the HIDC series is aimed at middle-grade & young teens, it is a refreshing, interesting read for all ages, woven with suspense, fun, friends, family, and a wholesome Christian worldview.

While solving their first real case, long-time friends Leilani, Maile and Sam deal with typical eighth-grade frustrations and fears, the ups and downs of family life, and the awesome adventure of growing up in a tropical paradise. The story offers fun, interesting facts about Hawaii young readers will soak up right along with the sun and surf.

A note to parents, grandparents and teachers - this book would make a great Christmas gift for your 8-13 yr old readers.

About Pineapples In Peril:
Thirteen-year-old Leilani Akamai and her two best friends, Maile and Sam, have been the only official members of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club for years. Until this summer, they've only been solving pretend mysteries. But when vandalism starts taking place in the pineapple fields near their homes, they finally get their chance to solve a real crime. Unless Kimo, Leilani’s annoying ten-year-old brother, ruins everything . . .  And then there’s Maile’s 16-year-old brother, the love of Leilani’s life . . .

Hawaiian Island Detective Club Series release dates:
Pineapples In Peril – October 2012
Menehunes Missing - Spring 2013
Ukuleles Undercover – Fall 2013



About the Author:
Cheryl Linn Martin lives in Washington State with her husband and Lilly, their Persian cat, and is mom to 3 amazing adult kids. After graduating from The University of Oregon and pursuing a successful Parks and Recreation career, she now focuses on her passion--writing mystery novels. The Hawaiian Island Detective Club (ages 8-12) combines her love of all things Hawaiian and her fascination with intrigue. 




Connect with Cheryl at:
her WEBSITE  
her fun Hawaii blog, LIFE IN FLIP FLOPS
FACEBOOK
Pineapples In Peril TRAILER
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ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. . . .

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:

I've published five novels and 2 novellas (more about those on my website.) I've been writing all my life, but decided in 2007 to get serious about being published.

I love action movies and Jane Austen. (she’s dead, I know. I found that out when I tried to get her to endorse my novel)

They let me play Bass guitar and sing in a worship band.

I can produce 4 dozen homemade cinnamon rolls in a flash for a crowd of drooling young adults. Or publishing house editors.

I used to have a Harley. Now we have seven grandkiddos. Decent trade, really.

I am a proud Grammy. Don't even think about taking candy from my babies.

I hate shopping (Yes, I'm aware that I'm a girl)

MY ROOTS:
I've lived in Oregon all my life, spent time in Eugene (Go DUCKS!), Springfield, Reedsport, and Smith River. Which is not really a town, but a river, about 70 miles long, a tributary of the Umpqua River in southwest Oregon.

Although it's not a town, it is a community with a strong sense of pioneer history. It's cool to say you've lived there, especially if you lived there during the days when you had to take a boat to school. No joke! The old farmhouse my grandfather and my mother grew up in still stands, nestled into a narrow, pasture carpeted valley, complete with a swimmin' hole and its own 'crick'. It may turn up in one of my novels.

There's a rumor that my ancestors had a connection with the Mafia back in Sicily. I used to fantasize as a kid about a big black limo with tinted windows pulling up and whisking me away from school. Ahhh. So THAT'S why I'm having so much trouble conjugating my dangling participles now.

NOT RANDOM: I am challenged by the truth and amazed by the grace of God. And it's either in spite of or because of that grace that I hold a PhD in Learning Stuff the Hard Way.