Passion in Paradise by Jerry Cole

Bryan Callahan has always shared a tight bond with his little sister Rebecca. As kids growing up in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood, he would go out of his way to protect her from danger. And Becca, an outspoken champion for justice and a political activist, has a knack for getting into trouble while fighting for her causes. Some of Becca’s conspiracy theories can seem a bit far-fetched, but Bryan still loves her. In turn, she has been his biggest supporter since he came out as gay. Because of Becca—and following in the footsteps of their uncle, a first responder who had been on the scene during the September 11th attacks—Bryan put his early life-saving skills to work as an emergency medical technician for the FDNY.

Trouble never comes in trickles but in waves. When the family loses contact with Becca, an environmental blogger now living in Hawaii, it’s up to Bryan to investigate. He decides to take a few days off from work, and in the wake of an ugly breakup from his longtime boyfriend, he flies out to see what kind of mess Becca has managed to get herself into this time. Bryan soon realizes it goes well beyond the realm of any playground scuffle when, upon his arrival, he makes a shocking discovery: Becca is missing and her apartment has been ransacked.

Despite warnings from the local authorities, Bryan refuses to stand by and not do anything to help find his sister. He launches a personal investigation into Becca’s disappearance which puts him in contact with her friend Akoni “Koni” Hoapili, an attractive native tour guide, surfer, and part-time hula dancer. With Koni’s assistance, Bryan tries to find out what happened to Becca—but will he also wind up finding new love with the irresistible, outgoing Koni?