Where the Honu Swim

by Birgitt Van Wormer

Join Sienna Brantley and Mark Baldwin on a whirlwind adventure on the tropical island of Maui – a story of rescuing honu, Hawaiian spirituality and hope

After leaving her job in a fast-paced Boston law firm, Sienna Brantley returned to a tranquil life in the Florida Keys. She is living in her childhood cottage behind the Turtle Sanctuary with Mark Baldwin and their patchwork family.
Mark, a world-renowned veterinarian in his field, is called to assist his friends and colleagues at the Maui Turtle Rescue and teach them a new minimally invasive surgery technique on sea turtles. Sienna travels to Maui to join Mark for a week, but her idyllic vacation is soon derailed. Mark’s former girlfriend, Palila, turns up with a child in tow that looks an awful lot like Mark. Palila, dying of cancer and refusing further treatment, is forced to make a decision about her daughter Nalu’s fate before it’s too late. A honu that usually hangs out at Ma’alaea Harbor disappears and everyone on the island is on high alert. Are the honu being disturbed by someone or something? Ana, one of the elders in Hāna, helps her friends and daughter Nalu accompany Palila on her last journey. Sienna becomes a bit too infatuated with Tom, the handsome lawyer she meets while hiking and soul searching, but to everyone’s surprise, Tom becomes the helper no one expected.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2022

About the author

After translating many "chick-flick" scripts for the TV industry for the past twenty years, Birgitt decided that it's time to write about her own ideas. In her spare time, Birgitt enjoys obsessively collecting orchids and spending time with her husband, two teenage sons, their three crazy hounds and beloved cats.

Reviews

[John Appler · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s a wonderful story of the Hawaiian culture and those who protect it. told through the eyes of a turtle rescue couple with huge hearts.

I live on Maui and appreciate the descriptions of the Hawaiian culture and legends included in this romance adventure story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to a most wonderful series. I have learned so much about the honu and am anxiously awaiting the next installment to this series. Thank you for many hours of educational entertainment.

[Corrie Formet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sweet story untwined into Hawaiian culture. I also enjoyed the geographic references in Maui. Easy read. Perfect vacation read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the crossover with the Hana Trilogy characters. There is a little bit of an action scene/mystery towards the end which added some interest. Hope the series continues!

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know much about Hawaiian culture, not as much as I want to, but this book was absolutely beautiful. If this is even a fraction of their culture, its even more stunning than I previously thought. I loved the descriptions of Maiu and the surrounding islands. I loved the sea turtle center. I don't even care about the drama. It was fine. I just love the descriptions and the way the story was told. Perfection!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I really enjoyed the second book in the series. It was interesting, informative and really drew me in. I'm a new reader of Birgitt's books, and glad I found her. I'm enjoying her books. Can't wait to read the next.