They weren't supposed to fall in love, but they did. Now dark forces conspire to keep them apart, in this life and the next.

After an auspicious encounter with a sea turtle, young princess Leilani's family guardian spirit animal, she unexpectedly falls in love with someone she is forbidden from - Kanoa, a commoner. But when the young lovers seek the blessing of the gods, their relationship ends in tragedy. Ever after, the symbol of their love, the naupaka flower, mourns Leilani and Kanoa by growing with only half its petals.

Centuries later, Liz finds herself navigating a new life in Hawaii, the land of her ancestors. Between job hunting and romantic pursuits, she learns of the naupaka flower and its tragic love story. She has a strange encounter with a sea turtle and then learns that the sea turtle is her ancestors' guardian spirit animal. And then she finds herself intensely drawn to Aaron, a local man she's never met before. Or has she? When she starts having vivid dreams about him in what seems to be a prior life, she wonders. But dark forces gather against Liz now, much as they gathered against Leilani so long ago. Will Liz finally find the love she's always wanted, or will she - like Leilani before her - be caught up in a tragedy as old as the naupaka story itself?

Naupaka Blooming is a contemporary coming-of-age love story set on the beautiful island of Oahu. If you like tropical settings, cultural exploration, a little romance, and compelling stories linking the past and present, then you'll love this exotic novel from J.L. Eck.