Did you know Tori had to audition to narrate her own audiobooks?

In traditional publishing, authors can (and have) requested to be considered. But very few are given the chance. The combination of Tori’s acting, voiceover, and characterization experience combined with her familiarity with her own Native Hawaiian language and Hawaiian Pidgin English, made her the perfect narrator for her Ranger Makalani Pahukula audiobooks.

Listen to spirited paniolo songs and Hawaiian music about Waimea, and Hawai‘i Island. Tori even includes non-Hawaiian songs that add to the vibe. (The playlist may evolve.)

Listen to Tori’s episode on Hawai‘i’s “It’s Lit” podcast in which two fabulous hosts (one an actual paniolo!) chat about the three excerpts she reads and the five songs she choose that are sprinkled throughout. The question and answer at the end is super fun as well.

The Writers Dossier with Jeff Circle
Hilarious and Fun Videocast

In Conversation with Terry Shepherd
In-depth, high-production, and ever-entertaining Podcast

The Poisoned Pen Book Launch with Barbara Peters
An interesting conversation with an iconic bookstore owner

CrimeReads: Tori Eldridge on Capturing the Culture of Hawai‘i’s Cowboys i Her New Novel

Mystery Fanfare: May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i

Killer Nashville: Making History Relevant to Story without Slowing the Pace

When writing her books, Tori often does a full genealogy of her protagonist and/or her main guest character. With Kaua‘i Storm, the genealogy was for Makalani Pahukula’s ‘ohana, beginning with her great-grandmother Punahele. The genealogy  at the front of Hawai‘i Rage is for the Hiapo family and the ancestors that began Hiapo Ranch. Their family history is entwined with and reflects the origins of paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) in Hawai‘i.

Glossary and Character List

Tori also includes a list of main characters and a full glossary at the end of the paperback and e-book versions of both of her Ranger Makalani Pahukula Mysteries. books.

RECIPES FROM HAWAI‘I RAGE TO COME!

Meanwhile, please enjoy this recipe for my Not-to-Sweet Banana Macadamia Nut Bread from KAUA‘I STORM.

As Ranger Makalani Pahukula hunts for her missing cousins in Kaua‘i Storm, her mother, Julia, prepares loaves of banana macadamia nut bread for her mother-in-law’s birthday lū‘au. Since the macadamia nuts are grown on Tūtū’s homestead, Julia must shell, roast, and smash the nuts by hand. An abundance of mālama (care) and aloha (love) goes into each loaf—not to mention plenny kine nuts! If only Julia could work and laugh alongside her daughter, her ono banana macadamia nut bread would taste three times as good.

INGREDIENTS:
3 large very ripe bananas (mash um good)
1 ½ cups macadamia nuts, ¼ cup reserved (baking pieces are cheaper)
2 ½ cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup sugar (plenny sweet to me, but add ½ cup more if you like)
1 cup vegetable oil (better than butter, no joke)
4 eggs (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
Mix sugar and oil in a larger bowl. Add in eggs and vanilla extract.
Add sifted ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.
Add mashed bananas.
Add macadamia nuts (reserving ¼ cup to sprinkle on top).
Pour batter into a greased springform cake pan.
Sprinkle remaining macadamia nuts on top.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
Bread should smell delicious. Top should be golden brown, and an inserted cocktail pick should come out clean.

SERVE:
Cut loaf in half then slice perpendicular. Eat as is or toasted, buttered, with Greek yogurt on the side.

[Adapted from Cara Fasone’s recipe at Hawaiian-Culture-Stories.com]

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