Descended from the Hawaiian royal line, Jonathan Napela became one of the first—and most influential—converts to the Church in Hawaii. A man of intelligence, social status, and wealth, he used his considerable position to further the gospel in his native land. He developed a lifelong bond of brotherhood with Elder George Q. Cannon, helping to translate the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian and establish a gathering place for the Hawaiian saints in Laie, Oahu. But when his beloved wife, Kitty, was stricken with leprosy, Jonathan made the defining decision of his life. He would leave his life of privilege to become her caretaker and spend the rest of his life on Molokai, the island of lepers. To those who suffered similar heartbreak and banishment, Jonathan’s self-sacrifice became their lifeline. Based on true story, this is an extraordinary novel of a man who chose love in the face of death.
Gale Sears is an award-winning author, known for her historical accuracy and
intensive research. Gale received a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young
University and a master’s degree in theater arts from the University of
Minnesota. She is the author of the bestselling The Silence of God and several
other novels, including The Route, Christmas for a Dollar, Autumn Sky, Until the
Dawn, and Upon the Mountains. She and her husband, George, are the parents of
two children and reside in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Book Excerpt
Catherine Keliikuaaina
Richardson walked beside his son in regal splendor. Her brown hair hung in waves
down to her knees. She wore a white holoku in the style that was part missionary
and part Hawaiian. Long sleeves covered her arms and a high collar came up to
cover her neck.The soft fabric hung loosely from a square yoke that was edged
with white ruffles. On her head she wore a wreath of bright
yellow ‘ilima flowers woven
with ferns and the golden tail feathers of the o-o bird. Her golden brown skin
glowed in the morning light and the sight of
her drove reason from Waaole’s head.
Jonathan chuckled as he
helped Catherine and then his father into the carriage. He leaned over and
whispered to him. “When we are out of
sight of the village we will take off our suit coats.” He climbed up, took the
lines in his hands, and commanded the horses to walk on.
As he waved to the villagers, Jonathan smiled. It was a smile that felt its way
through his entire body. Today was a good
day.
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Sharon x
http://www.beckvalleybooks.co.uk
http://www.beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com
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