Hawaii, 1944: Marines come to Hawaii for training, and one is the brother of Jean, a local teacher, who lives with fellow teacher Violet and Violet’s daughter, Ella. Her brother and his friends visit often with their mascot, Roscoe, trying to cheer up Ella, who has become withdrawn since her father vanished without a trace a year ago. Life on the home front is as challenging in Hawaii as it is all over, especially for the large Japanese population residing there, but people still manage to have fun,  fall in love, and enjoy the beauty of the island. An enjoyable read , for both teens and adults.

n the midst of World War II, tensions are high in Hawaii. Violet’s husband has been lost somewhere in the Pacific, and as if the horror of that situation isn’t bad enough, there are those who question whether he had been loyal to his country or not. Violet and her friends try to pass the time by making pies for the soldiers that are stationed on the island. All the women know is that the soldiers are on a top-secret mission. In the midst of all this, racism rears its ugly head, and the Japanese residents of the island begin to be discriminated. Violet takes a stand for them and is accused of spying for the enemy. She’s saved by a tough marine sergeant, a man she might be able to learn to love, but as he prepare to ship off to Iwo Jima, she question whether she can risk her heart being broken again. A lovely historical novel that demonstrates that while ignorance and prejudice can destroy, love and knowledge can redeem