Tori Eldridge is the bestselling author of the Lily Wong mystery thriller series—The Ninja Daughter, The Ninja’s Blade, The Ninja Betrayed, and The Ninja’s Oath—as well as a two-time Anthony Award nominee, Lefty and Macavity Awards finalist, and winner of the 2021 Crimson Scribe Award for Best Book of the Year. She penned the standalone Dance Among The Flames and, on May 20, 2025, will introduce her new Ranger Makalani Pahukula Mysteries with Kaua‘i Storm.

Before writing, Tori performed as an actress, singer, dancer on Broadway, television, and film in such shows as the original first national company of Cats, The Love Boat, and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Born and raised in Honolulu—of Hawaiian, Chinese, Norwegian descent—Tori graduated from Punahou School with classmate Barack Obama. After living in NYC and Los Angeles, for over 35 years, she now lives and writes from Portland, Oregon. Her deep interest in world culture has prompted her to visit nine countries, including Brazil, China, and Japan. Tori holds a 5th degree black belt in To-Shin Do ninja martial arts and has taught classes and seminars across the U.S.

Kaua'i Storm

Returning to Kaua‘i, park ranger Makalani finds her family divided and their way of life at risk in this rich and emotional adventure by the bestselling author of the Lily Wong series.

After ten years as a national park ranger in Oregon, Makalani Pahukula is back on Kaua‘i for her grandmother’s birthday. Having been gone for so long, Makalani finds the disconnect with her people and her struggles have never been more profound. Neither has her need to reacquaint herself with everything she left behind. When she reaches the homestead, she finds a bickering family and the disconcerting news that her cousins—a failed college football player and a rebellious teenage girl—have gone missing.

Makalani hopes they just ran off, too careless to realize the worry they’ve caused. But when hunters find a dead body in the Keālia Forest Reserve, Makalani fears something ominous is at play, and the search for her cousins grows more desperate. Although her help may not be welcomed by family and locals, Makalani is determined to solve a mystery that poses a greater risk than anyone imagines.

The investigation will open her heart, reawaken her love for the land she calls home, and strengthen her bond with her family. Because no matter how long she’s been away, for Makalani, Hawai‘i is in her blood.

Tori Eldridge:
https://torieldridge.com/
X: @ ToriEldridge
IG: @ writer.tori

Jeff Circle:
www.jeffcircle.com
X: @Jeff_Circle
IG: @jeffcircle_books

John Stamp:
www.johnstampwriter.com
X: @JohnStampWriter
IG: @JohnStampBooks

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Thanks to Forget the Whale for the music.