Too Hot Four Hula by Jill Marie Landis is really a funny mystery with a touch of romance. And if you are familiar with Hawaii and Hawaiian culture or just like learning more about it, the book also provides for that in subtle ways. Bits of culture and words are sprinkled throughout and explained within context giving the book even more of a Hawaiian feel.

My synopsis:
Em's Uncle Louie, owner of the Tiki Goddess bar and master mixologist, has entered the Cocktail Shake Off Competition in Honolulu on Oahu. Em and the Hula Maidens have accompanied him from Kauai. Louie's "Booze Bible" was stolen. And to make things worse, Em's ex-husband was killed shortly after she met with him. Who has the drink bible? Em's alibi stinks for the murder. Will Roland, her lovely cop and part-time fire dancer from Kauai, be able to keep her out of jail? Will the Hula Maidens provide more help than hindrance as they take it upon themselves to solve the mysteries? Throw in a monkey and even more chaos ensues.

This is the fourth book in the Tiki Goddess Mystery series. Jill Marie Landis continues to write winners in this series. The characters that are most active are fleshed out. Both their virtues and their faults are visible and yet they are lovable. For example, the Hula Maidens wouldn't be the same without Kiki Godwin, who craves attention, to lead them and Pat, who is former military, but has no sense of rhythm, to keep them in line. The Hula Maidens also provide comic relief at times when the mystery is getting too heavy.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a great addition to the series. All the characters act true to themselves. The book has mystery, humor, and a dash of romance - a wonderful combination. I would recommend it to people that like to read about the Hawaiian Islands and people who enjoy humorous cozies. ( )

Too Hot for Hula by Jill Marie Landis (Book 4 of The Tiki Goddess Mysteries)

5 STARS

I was waiting for this book. I love the Tiki Goddess Mysteries. They are full of laughter, wacky characters that are fun to follow,
mystery, some romance. You can't read the series without smiling.

Uncle Louie owns the Tiki Goddess Bar on Kauai. He is entered the Cocktail Shake Off. They had one season on reality tv filming of life in Tiki Goddess Bar. So he is well known. He has been mixing drinks and long tales for decades and hand writing them all in a binder he calls it his Booze Bible. His parrot helps him perfect his drinks.

Em Johnson went through a bad divorce and came over from mainland to help her Uncle Louie manage his bar. She is dating Roland.

Roland is Kauai police detective and part-time fire dancer. They met over a murder.

Hula Maidens perform for free at the Tiki Goddess Bar. They are terrible. Most of them are older women. They are famous from the reality show too. They have lots of fans. They get into trouble all the time. They love to perform wherever they can. Em tries to keep them out of trouble.

The Hula Maidens surprise Louie and Em by joining them in Honolulu to support Louie in the Shake Off. Uncle Louie gets his Booze Bible stolen with in the first half hour of checking into the hotel. Em's ex-husband calls her up and asks her to meet him for lunch. He is going to be in Honolulu the same time as she.

The book is full of the troubles they all get into in Honolulu. Rolland takes vacation to come over and help Em get out of trouble, clear her of murder, help find the Booze Bible.

If you like cozy murder with lots of good humor this series you will love. It is a clean read. I hope their is more books in the series I will want to read them.

I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give honest review of it by Net Galley and Bell Bridge Books ( )