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Hawaiian Sunrise
Maddy Morton is used to being on the run. . . .
Years ago, she ran away from home with a man her parents warned would be the ruin of her. Now she’s on the run again, with her ten-year-old son, Nicholas, to escape that man, her abusive ex-husband, Gabe. Destitute, angry, and determined never to trust a man again, Maddy returns to the only place she’s always felt safe—home. That means facing Jesse, her depressed father, who told her never to return.
But Maddy is determined to make a go of the ranch now poised on the brink of foreclosure. Then she meets a handsome and caring county extension agent, Kam Waiano, who reminds her of the God she thought she’d left behind. Will she keep running?
Years ago, she ran away from home with a man her parents warned would be the ruin of her. Now she’s on the run again, with her ten-year-old son, Nicholas, to escape that man, her abusive ex-husband, Gabe. Destitute, angry, and determined never to trust a man again, Maddy returns to the only place she’s always felt safe—home. That means facing Jesse, her depressed father, who told her never to return.
But Maddy is determined to make a go of the ranch now poised on the brink of foreclosure. Then she meets a handsome and caring county extension agent, Kam Waiano, who reminds her of the God she thought she’d left behind. Will she keep running?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
111 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
160 books2,052 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 31, 2017
**Update** The low expectations carried over to this read-through as well. I have a higher standard this time around so the "decent" aspect, barely adequate actually, meant that the book failed to survive round two of the purge from my personal collection.
I started this book with low expectations and that likely helped improve my opinion of the book.
I used to love Lauraine Snelling's books, particularly her young adult series. However, as I read more of her adult novels I became increasingly disappointed in her writing style. This book managed to avoid most of the cheesy Christian fiction clichés that I hate. (Though the ending was absolutely fantastically cheesy; I almost gagged.)
It's a decent story with decent plot and character development so it survives this round of personal library shelf purging.
I started this book with low expectations and that likely helped improve my opinion of the book.
I used to love Lauraine Snelling's books, particularly her young adult series. However, as I read more of her adult novels I became increasingly disappointed in her writing style. This book managed to avoid most of the cheesy Christian fiction clichés that I hate. (Though the ending was absolutely fantastically cheesy; I almost gagged.)
It's a decent story with decent plot and character development so it survives this round of personal library shelf purging.
January 20, 2015
What a hard life for Maddy but when she finds out her ex-husband is killed in a prison breakout she can finally let down her guard. Kam was the ever patient man who loves Maddy from the start and is there in the end to capture her love. Nicholas is a typical teenager and it is fun reading about interaction between Maddy and him. Children can be so hard to raise at times. Loved the Hawaiian setting - something different than I've read before.
September 10, 2019
Wonderful
Love this author and her books. I thought I had read them all but this must have been a release of an older book of hers. I truly liked it.
Love this author and her books. I thought I had read them all but this must have been a release of an older book of hers. I truly liked it.
July 2, 2025
Back to my favorite author of late and her wonderful characters and locations. I been to the Big Island of Hawaii and I agree it's paradise. She covers a couple of hard topics - wife abuse and all the horrors that are around that; moving back to your parent's home after 20 years of hard feelings, living from pay check to pay check and unpredictable Mother Nature and working really hard to help change your life and your son's life. But woven in this story is the kindness of strangers when they see that help is needed with no expectation of pay back. I love that part of all her stories - it makes my faith in people grow stronger with each story.
July 20, 2021
I read this book for book club. It's an interesting story of a young woman and her son trying to begin again after a divorce from a dangerous, abusive man. She returns to her father's farm, not sure of their welcome, to find he has become a recluse after his wife's death several years ago. It is difficult for Maddy to accept help, especially from the handsome county extension agent. There were many who needed new beginnings. Faith was portrayed very realistically, from those who were of strong faith and also those who struggled to believe. I enjoyed the book.
July 7, 2020
Wonderful story
This is a story of an abused woman who finds freedom from her abuser and goes back to God. Learning to trust and find confidence took her on a hard journey. This would be a good book for anyone who has dealt with abuse.
One thing I am disappointed in was the editing of this book. It had many misspelled words, many incorrect words, bad punctuation. Too bad. I would recommend this book.
This is a story of an abused woman who finds freedom from her abuser and goes back to God. Learning to trust and find confidence took her on a hard journey. This would be a good book for anyone who has dealt with abuse.
One thing I am disappointed in was the editing of this book. It had many misspelled words, many incorrect words, bad punctuation. Too bad. I would recommend this book.
October 28, 2023
Enjoyable for a random pick off the library shelf. I loved the story, the redemption for abused women and people who have wandered far from God. Hawaii is a gorgeous setting for the story and the relationships that were in disrepair between so many characters really made the whole story flow in a purposeful way. So many beautiful reminders of God’s love, presence and faithfulness throughout this book.
March 14, 2023
A light novel about a recovering journey of a woman who was a victim of abuse. She luckily met a good guy and overcame her trauma. Setting in Hawaii, the story was easy to read. That aside, it was predictable, and rather cliché.
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August 7, 2024Poison-Things that are good for us-a book about walking away.-An abused mom of a teen flees for their lives and goes to live with her estranged Dad. He is struggling since a crop failed and his wife died. She struggles with fear and a resentful son. A lot of religion but a good story overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2021
Great book!
Great read! Enjoyed the setting and content. Would like to see a series. Love Snellings books. No complaints at all.
Great read! Enjoyed the setting and content. Would like to see a series. Love Snellings books. No complaints at all.
July 6, 2021
Honest, believable and true.
Christian writings... Good and sad perspectives together give reality a shot. Easy read. Nice and real looks at life. You will not be disappointed.
Christian writings... Good and sad perspectives together give reality a shot. Easy read. Nice and real looks at life. You will not be disappointed.
September 3, 2021
Wonderful !!
July 17, 2022
This book was just kinda meh. Predictable.
March 31, 2023
Good read.
January 20, 2024
Great details about Hawaii, for those interested in that especially! I read this is Hawaii actually so it was so fun to imagine the story taking place before me. The emotion and hardship the main character faces is so great…,and she bears it all alone. Lauraine Snelling writes her character and every other character so beautifully!
November 30, 2012
When Maddy Morton ran away to marry Gabe against her parents’ wishes as a strong willed teen, her father told her to never come back. But now she has returned to the Big Island of Hawaii with her ten year old son Nicholas to try to make a new life for them. Her abusive husband has been imprisoned on drug charges, but has threatened to harm them when he is released. Her father Jesse reluctantly allows them stay, but offers no support.
Since the death of Maddy’s brother and mother, her father has let the farm become rundown. Since he has not paid the taxes, it will soon be foreclosed. Maddy finds a job as a waitress to support herself and her son, and also works every spare moment on the farm to try to make it productive again. Her depressed father and her rebellious son are no help. Added to that, Maddy is plagued by nightmares of Gabe’s attacks. She is drawn to the faith of her childhood that she learned at her mother’s knee, but resists relying on God or anyone else.
Kam Waiano, the County Extension Agent, offers his help and advice, but Maddy is determined never to lean on a man again. In spite of that, Kam persists in assisting her and also befriends Nicholas.
When Maddy recognizes signs of abuse in a coworker and offers her protection, God begins to chip away at the walls she has put up. Several tragedies force Maddy to make a life changing decision and return to her faith. God’s love, often shown through Kam and his family, touches the lives of the many hurting people in this story, and illustrates how He can use all things for our good and His glory.
I had not read any contemporary fiction by Snelling before, but had enjoyed several of her historical fiction books. She writes equally well in both genres, and I’m happy to recommend this book.
Reviewed by Suanne Shidler
Since the death of Maddy’s brother and mother, her father has let the farm become rundown. Since he has not paid the taxes, it will soon be foreclosed. Maddy finds a job as a waitress to support herself and her son, and also works every spare moment on the farm to try to make it productive again. Her depressed father and her rebellious son are no help. Added to that, Maddy is plagued by nightmares of Gabe’s attacks. She is drawn to the faith of her childhood that she learned at her mother’s knee, but resists relying on God or anyone else.
Kam Waiano, the County Extension Agent, offers his help and advice, but Maddy is determined never to lean on a man again. In spite of that, Kam persists in assisting her and also befriends Nicholas.
When Maddy recognizes signs of abuse in a coworker and offers her protection, God begins to chip away at the walls she has put up. Several tragedies force Maddy to make a life changing decision and return to her faith. God’s love, often shown through Kam and his family, touches the lives of the many hurting people in this story, and illustrates how He can use all things for our good and His glory.
I had not read any contemporary fiction by Snelling before, but had enjoyed several of her historical fiction books. She writes equally well in both genres, and I’m happy to recommend this book.
Reviewed by Suanne Shidler
August 10, 2016
This book makes the fear of an abusing spouse seem real!
Maddy Morton looked around the empty apartment, leaving was hard. Nicholas didn't want to leave & her teeth ached from her reaction to the frustration. Nicholas reaction mirrored hers. He told her that he hated her. He used forbidden words, trying to be tough. She was hoping that pop would let her stay with him, where they'd be safe. She would do anything to save her son, even go back with her dad. Rita came & picked them up, Maddy assured her that he would let them stay because of his grandson. When she had left her father threatened to cut her out of the will if she left with Gabe, but she was going to have a baby. At the airport, the good-bye's were emotional, Rita had been like a second mom to Nicholas, & her son had been his best friend. Once on the plane, she returned to her memories, including her mother's funeral. Once they were on the ground, a familiar looking man approached who she probably knew him from high school. He had overheard her asking about Waimea & could drop her off on his way to Hilo. Kam was friendly, but she knew that she was "haole" because she had left the island. She told him she had been gone a long time as they traveled, Nicholas had closed his shell around himself. Maddy gave directions, & Kam finally asked if she were Mark Morton's sister. As they were unloading here things, Amos, the dog, greeted them. When Kam went to leave, Maddy realized how kind he had been & wondered why she had gotten soft. As her pop opened the door, Maddy told him they had come home, & only her foot in the door prevented it from closing.
Maddy Morton looked around the empty apartment, leaving was hard. Nicholas didn't want to leave & her teeth ached from her reaction to the frustration. Nicholas reaction mirrored hers. He told her that he hated her. He used forbidden words, trying to be tough. She was hoping that pop would let her stay with him, where they'd be safe. She would do anything to save her son, even go back with her dad. Rita came & picked them up, Maddy assured her that he would let them stay because of his grandson. When she had left her father threatened to cut her out of the will if she left with Gabe, but she was going to have a baby. At the airport, the good-bye's were emotional, Rita had been like a second mom to Nicholas, & her son had been his best friend. Once on the plane, she returned to her memories, including her mother's funeral. Once they were on the ground, a familiar looking man approached who she probably knew him from high school. He had overheard her asking about Waimea & could drop her off on his way to Hilo. Kam was friendly, but she knew that she was "haole" because she had left the island. She told him she had been gone a long time as they traveled, Nicholas had closed his shell around himself. Maddy gave directions, & Kam finally asked if she were Mark Morton's sister. As they were unloading here things, Amos, the dog, greeted them. When Kam went to leave, Maddy realized how kind he had been & wondered why she had gotten soft. As her pop opened the door, Maddy told him they had come home, & only her foot in the door prevented it from closing.
June 23, 2016
As someone moving to Hawai'i, and someone who has been there before, I was taken aback at how well the culture was in this book. Throughout the book the Hawaiian words "lanai" "haole" and I'm not sure it ever said "aloha" but "mahalo" was there and it was all spelled right and just <3. The abuse was dealt with sensitively. The details are not graphic. It's just referred to as her remembering having her arm broken or being beaten and then references to her husband being a drug dealer. Most of the story is focused on Maddy's journey to healing. Kam was... Amazing to read about. I have a friend just like him and I was like huh... how serendipidous.
The writing was beautiful with the scenery and just so beautiful overall. There was none of the coconut bra nonsense most fiction set in Hawai'i contains. I love the book so much.
The only two heads up I would give are 1) There are Bible quotes. If those annoy you, don't bother.
And then 2)... The ending was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But for many abused people healing is not... That quick. In fact most never heal, they just learn to cope. So if it bothers you that there's a happy ending that maybe is a bit too fictional again, stay away.
I did like the 'ohana presented in here, taking care of our own. And then there's a Hawaiian saying I think goes well here. Ua 'Ola Loko I Ke Aloha. Through love, is life.
Also... Kipona Aloha. Deep Aloha. I think that applies too. ^_^ I absolutely love this book and it's coming with me to live in Hawaii, it is very special to me.
The writing was beautiful with the scenery and just so beautiful overall. There was none of the coconut bra nonsense most fiction set in Hawai'i contains. I love the book so much.
The only two heads up I would give are 1) There are Bible quotes. If those annoy you, don't bother.
And then 2)... The ending was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But for many abused people healing is not... That quick. In fact most never heal, they just learn to cope. So if it bothers you that there's a happy ending that maybe is a bit too fictional again, stay away.
I did like the 'ohana presented in here, taking care of our own. And then there's a Hawaiian saying I think goes well here. Ua 'Ola Loko I Ke Aloha. Through love, is life.
Also... Kipona Aloha. Deep Aloha. I think that applies too. ^_^ I absolutely love this book and it's coming with me to live in Hawaii, it is very special to me.
February 19, 2014
Lauraine Snelling is one of my favorite authors. I have read several of her books and hope to read many more. Until now all I have read by her were historical fiction,but Hawaiian Sunrise is contemporary. Like much of Christian fiction one or more of the main characters is dealing with serious doubts about God, ranging from anger at Him to wondering if He even exists. This is caused by trials, usually traumatic ones,such as spousal abuse, or the loss of a child or other loved one.
In this story Maddy Morton has just escaped with her 10-year-old son from an abusive marriage, and has returned, penniless, to her childhood home. She wasn't even sure if her father would let her stay, since he had told her angrily when she left with Gabe Hernandez that if she left she could never return. Grudgingly he allowed them to stay but things were very difficult for her and her son Nicholas. As the story unfolds she gradually encounters people and situations that eventually bring her back to faith and love. Her father, too, returns to the Lord. All this is accomplished by God through people and prayer, and that is a fact that all Christians need to remember.
In this story Maddy Morton has just escaped with her 10-year-old son from an abusive marriage, and has returned, penniless, to her childhood home. She wasn't even sure if her father would let her stay, since he had told her angrily when she left with Gabe Hernandez that if she left she could never return. Grudgingly he allowed them to stay but things were very difficult for her and her son Nicholas. As the story unfolds she gradually encounters people and situations that eventually bring her back to faith and love. Her father, too, returns to the Lord. All this is accomplished by God through people and prayer, and that is a fact that all Christians need to remember.
October 8, 2019
Maddy Morton's husband abused her regularly. when he's convicted on drug charges, she divorces him even though he vows to get her and their son. Broke and on the run, she leaves Honolulu to return to her father's farm on the Big Island. Years before, her brother had been killed in Vietnam and her father had retreated. Knowing she was making a mistake in her marriage, he disowned her when she left. Now her mother is also dead and he's withdrawn even more. They return to find things in a mess. Maddy works hard, but things don't improve much at first. Kam Waiano is the extension agent and very spiritual. He's attracted, but Maddy's not interested. Eventually he wins her and Nicholas over and everyone comes back to life - spiritually, mentally and physically.
Reasonably good story - different locale and storyline. Heavy into the after effects of physical abuse. clean.
Reasonably good story - different locale and storyline. Heavy into the after effects of physical abuse. clean.
September 1, 2016
Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.
Diana enjoyed this story of an abused young woman, who with her ten year old son, fled from her situation to return home to live with a bitter father on his farm in Hawaii. The story of this segment of her life was difficult, always an uphill struggle until......
Diana liked the book, she would encourage your reading Maddy's story. I'll not give away the ending, but it ends well as you know it will and she thinks that you will enjoy it.
Diana enjoyed this story of an abused young woman, who with her ten year old son, fled from her situation to return home to live with a bitter father on his farm in Hawaii. The story of this segment of her life was difficult, always an uphill struggle until......
Diana liked the book, she would encourage your reading Maddy's story. I'll not give away the ending, but it ends well as you know it will and she thinks that you will enjoy it.
July 7, 2017
The second book I've read by this author, and although I enjoyed it, it is the second story where two people know one another for a fairly short amount of time and end up deciding to get married. This is without ever having acknowledged their growing feelings for one another or even really have dated. Yes, that is romantic, but highly improbable. I like books that have a more realistic plot!
Also, I chose this book because it is set in Hawaii, but there wasn't much about that setting, or the customs and people of HI in the book, which I found disappointing.
Also, I chose this book because it is set in Hawaii, but there wasn't much about that setting, or the customs and people of HI in the book, which I found disappointing.
May 24, 2016
Perseverance
The Word of God tells us if we fight the good fight of faith that we can overcome fear. It also tells us that if we persevere to the end that we will overcome . I saw this through the lines of the written words on the pages if this penning. I would have liked maybe a sequel to follow up on the days after the storms of life.
The Word of God tells us if we fight the good fight of faith that we can overcome fear. It also tells us that if we persevere to the end that we will overcome . I saw this through the lines of the written words on the pages if this penning. I would have liked maybe a sequel to follow up on the days after the storms of life.
April 22, 2008
I learned that parents care about you and that even if you dislike one of your relatives to try to be nice because even when you think you are going to dislike them for the rest of your life; you won't because you love them too much.
June 17, 2016
As I have many times before I have truly enjoyed reading another exceptional book by Lauraine Smelling.
What a great author. I think I have read every book she has written and some of them more than once.
What a great author. I think I have read every book she has written and some of them more than once.
November 4, 2019
The Lord's everlasting love and mercy
This wounded and fearful woman finds out she has been loved, prayed for and embraced by her family, her home, and by the Lord Himself...all along.
This wounded and fearful woman finds out she has been loved, prayed for and embraced by her family, her home, and by the Lord Himself...all along.
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December 1, 2008LP Sne
May 23, 2024
Nice story of healing set in HI
September 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book which deals with domestic violence, set in the beauty of Hawaii.
November 10, 2019
Learning to live,love and pray again is what Maddy, her son and her father need to do!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews