A Hero For Ku'uipo (Delta Force Hawaii Book 2)

by Reina Torres

  “Anything?” She couldn’t help the giddy grin or the rush of heat to her cheeks, but Efrain seemed to have the same problem.

  “Absolutely anything, my love.”

  Reaching her arms out to him, he swooped in and swept her up into his arms. “Then I want you to get us to that cottage because I have this itch that I need to scratch-”

  “Mmmhmm,” his voice deepened a bit, “that sounds like you need some help.”

  “Then let’s get going!”

  Somehow, Efrain managed to hold her gently and still not jostle her when he twisted the doorknob and stepped out into the lobby.

  It might have been a little disconcerting to see all of the people milling about, seemingly waiting for them to leave the privacy of the office, but what didn’t bother her at all was how a do-it-herself woman was so very comfortable with having her very own hero.

  Glossary

  Hawaiian Word Pronunciation Guide

  Twelve Letters in the Hawaiian Alphabet: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w)

  Pronouncing the Vowels

  A = AH

  E = EH

  I = EE

  O = OH

  U = OO

  And because the Hawaiian language was purely verbal until the arrival of the Missionaries in Hawaii, no letter is ever silent. It is a purely phonetical language.

  The words that I’m entering into this glossary will also appear on my website/blog and will include pictures to help illustrate some of the words

  Hawaiian Words (alphabetical order)

  Ahfong – last name of Hiilani – a surname of Chinese/Hawaiian descent

  Aloha no – a welcome to others

  Auwē – expression of upset – oh no!

  Haku lei – a flower garland made by winding or braiding the various items of flora together – one of the more time-consuming lei to make

  Hānai – fostered child, child informally adopted into a family unit – common practice in Old Hawaii and still done in a ‘general sense’

  Hiʻilani – name meaning ‘beautiful heaven’

  Hulihuli – popular method for cooking – like a rotisserie – literally means ‘turn’ ‘turn’

  Imu – in ground oven

  Iniki – hurricane 1992

  Kalalau Trail – the trail along the Na Pali coast

  Kamaʻāina – local resident – automatic for those born in Hawaiʻi, some long term residents may be considered so

  Kauaʻi – one of the eight major Hawaiian Islands

  Keiki - child

  Kolohe - mischievous

  Kumu Hula – Hula Teacher

  Kuʻuipo – Name meaning Sweetheart – nickname Ipo

  Kuʻu home o Lihue (phrase) – my dearest home Lihue

  Lānai = porch or veranda

  Lihue – second largest town on the island of Kauaʻi

  Lūʻau – Hawaiian party/feast

  Maka’ainana – common people

  Malo – a loincloth worn by Hawaiian men

  Muʻumuʻu – local garment developed from the neck to toe clothing of the missionary women in the early 1800s

  Moa – chicken

  Naupaka – bush/shrug with small white flowers that look like ‘half’ a flower – Beach Naupaka are called Naupaka Kahakai, Mountain Naupaka are called Naupaka Kauihiwa

  Nounou – Sleeping Giant

  Nuʻuanu – centralized community on the island of Oʻahu

  Oʻahu – one of the eight major Hawaiian Islands

  Pōpoki - cat

  Ti leaf – a plant with waxy leaves that are well loved and respected by the Hawaiian people

  ʻUkulele – an instrument from the guitar family, generally smaller in appearance

  Uluwehi – Name meaning Flourishing Plants

  Wahine - woman

  PIDGIN

  Hanabuttah days

  Small kid time

  (both refer to childhood)

  Stink eye – glaring look

  JAPANESE

  AJA – Americans of Japanese Ancestry

  Hibachi – cooking grill

  Konichiwa – a greeting

  mochi – pounded rice cake - soft

  About the Author

  Who would have thought that I'd start off as a painfully shy child writing stories and end up as a painfully shy adult writing books and publishing them for others to read? Crazy? That's me!!

  When I was a little girl, I read every book I could get my hands on and if I didn't have one available to read, I'd get out my pencils and paper and write down stories and scenes. Waiting for my mom to finish working, I'd duck into the ladies' break room and use the typewriter. I'd feel like Jessica Fletcher, happily tap, tap, tapping away until I got to 'The End.' Couldn't quite get the flourish after that and end up tearing the paper, but it was cool and scary to sit down and read the book or give it to my friends to read.

  Now my 'typewriter' doesn't clack the same way and the I don't even have paper to pull out of it with a nod of satisfaction, but I have the joy and excitement of sharing my characters and books with people all around the world!

  I hope you'll enjoy reading my books, because I'm going to keep writing as long as the characters are feeling chatty!

  Also by Reina Torres

  Reina writes a variety of romance books from Heat to Sweet and back again…

  **ALL of Reina’s books are available in

  KINDLE UNLIMITED**

  First Responders & Military Romance with Heat-

  Justice for Sloane

  When Sloane’s life is in danger, FBI Agent Vicente Bravo steps in to make sure she’s safe, but his heart isn’t safe from falling in love.

  Justice for Miranda

  Retired Game Warden Miranda finds herself in the crosshairs of a drug smuggler. Her former partner, Trace Carson, is ready to protect her, but is he ready for love?

  The Mechanic

  When offered a job with the Brotherhood Protectors, Adam Masterson refuses, determined to live a quiet life until Blake Lennox walks into his life running from someone determined to keep her quiet. He’ll fix it for her, he’s the Mechanic.

  Shifter Romance that will bring the Heat

  The Orsino Security Series – Three Bears who find their fated mates (BBW)

  Her UnBearable Protector

  He may be the one hired to protect her, but she brought him to life.

  His UnBearable Touch

  Her music calmed the beast within him and he brought light into her darkness.

  Their UnBearable Destiny

  He may be the youngest, but he’s no baby bear, and she’ll make him earn his place at her side… and love every minute of the chase.

  Sylvan City Alphas –

  The Tiger’s Innocent Bride

  When his mate’s life is in danger, Devlin has to make the choice between keeping his animal a secret or saving her life. To him there’s sonly one choice. Love.

  Too Much to Bear

  A single dad to a whole house of foster shifters, Boone asks for help from a Dating Agency to find his mate. How could he know that the first try would be the only one he’d need?

  The Fighter

  When Cage has a hard time understanding how to keep his teenage foster’s moods and asks for help. Who knew that the answer to his trouble was also the missing piece of his soul?

  Bear His Mark

  He’s looking for a mate to have and hold and she’s afraid she’s full of broken pieces. These two opposites might just make the perfect whole.

  Small Town Contemporary Romance with Heat –

  St. Raphael, CA Series –

  Finding Home (this book also has a SWEET version)

  Neither of them wanted to find love when they moved to St. Raphael. Fate & his Nonna had other plans.

  Playing With Fire

  She swore off ‘True Love’ – He wants ‘Happy Ever After.’ How could this end badly?

  Healing Hearts

  They’re both going aft
er their dreams. Little did they know that they’d find love along the way, with each other.

  Taking A Chance

  They dedicated years of their lives to their careers. When they met, they decided to take a chance on love.

  Sweet Western Historical Romance –

  Bower, Colorado Series –

  Home to Roost

  He wasn’t looking for love, so he wasn’t expecting the perfect woman to stumble across his path.

  Imogene’s Ingenuity

  She came to Bower hoping to work in the print shop and ends up falling for the printer

  Three Rivers Express Series –

  Always, Ransom (Book 1)

  He rode for the Pony Express through a score of dangers on the trail. Danger followed her to her doorstep. Would their love end before it even began?

  Always, Wyeth (Book 3)

  Tillie lived a life driven by her father’s ambition, when she met Wyeth she found joy and love. Will her father allow her to be happy?

  Always, Ellis (Book 5)

  Ellis spent years in prison for trusting the wrong people, but when he meets the Marshal’s daughter he finds himself working harder than ever for redemption… and love

  Ellingsford, Montana Series-

  Stay With Me

  In a world trying to bend their wills, these two lonely souls will find their strength together.

  Her Gentle Heart

  A man who never asked for help, a woman who gave him what he needed, Her Gentle Heart.

  Hold Her Close

  A world-weary gambler meets a young woman trying to keep her family together. Is he ready to make a bet on love?

  Stand Alone-

  The Sailor & The Siren

  He found a job on a paddlewheel boat and fell in love with a young woman whose voice and beautiful soul was the melody his heart was searching for.

  Sweet Holiday Romance

  A Dance for Christmas

  His daughter’s favorite dance teacher agrees to join them as part of their family on stage in the Nutcracker. What a perfect Christmas miracle to fall in love and make their family real!