The Historical Novels Review wrote this in its May 2011 issue:

“Tulagi Hotel is a wonderful, very readable novel which follows the life of ace US Marine fighter pilot Jack McGuire. Trying to rebuild his life post WW2, he moves to the Solomon Islands, where he builds a hotel on an island he flew over in his combat years and settles down to a life of sun and relaxation.

With his authentic well written language Hietala magically transports the reader into the hotel. It is a compelling, relaxed read. It really feels like a story written at the time it takes place. The reader is taken on holiday with the breathtaking scenery and the friendship the reader makes with the other guests in the hotel as its realistic and likeable characters come alive.

There are heart-wrenching stories to be told, lots of nostalgia and some sadness as we share the hopes and disappointments of Jack, a very gentle man who remains in your heart long after his story ends. There is love, friendships and strong bonds throughout the novel. Don Wheeler, the romantic hero, is the best friend and wingman Jack shares so many vividly descriptive adventures with and Kay, Don’s widow who comes to visit the island and manages to disrupt Jack’s orderly world.

The book is hard to put down once started, and the detailed descriptions of the dogfights contain lots of technical and accurate historical details. Along with the romantic engaging characters it is a brilliant mix. The location is beautiful, the hotel well worth a visit, and the lives of the guests are intriguing. The book moves at a gentle pace with emotional twists and turns along the way, and although the storylines brings tears on occasion and smiles on others, there are some quite funny moments as well. A great read.” review by Barbara Goldie – reprinted by permission

Booksquawk had this to say of Tulagi (read the rest here):

“Tulagi Hotel is several books. There’s a love story (two actually), an evocation of air warfare against the Japanese in the South Pacific, a story of growing up in Nebraska, a buddy story, and lots of anecdotes and characters en route, all with their own satisfying completeness. They’re described with restraint and a unifying narrative calmness and held together by the quiet charm and attractiveness of the central character, Jack McGuire. From his days on the family farm and the trauma of the loss of his twin brother, through his time at flying school with its clashes of personality and ego-fuelled conflicts, to his war service and eventual retirement to run the hotel of the title, we share his hopes and disappointments, his exhilarations and despairs.”

There are over a hundred reviews on Amazon – average 4.3 / 5.

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