Reviewed by Kristine Morris (Foreword Reviews)
March 18, 2016

Naturally beautiful locations and cultural clashes and expectations are brought to life in this graceful love story.

The son of a wealthy businessman must decide between worldly ambition and a life built on a foundation of truth and integrity in Gita Audhya’s graceful love story, In Pursuit of Love, Spirituality and Happiness.

Brought up in luxury and ease, Jonathan Foster is slated to carry on his father’s legacy in the family business, but he finds his world crumbling around him when he learns of his father’s unscrupulous business practices. On a solo trip to Hawaii, Jonathan meets Oliana, a lovely young Hawaiian woman, and the two fall in love. The contrast between Jonathan’s wealth and social position and Oliana’s simple, traditional, family-centered background is stark, and the emotional turmoil it creates comes close to tearing them apart.

Set in the natural beauty of Hawaii, the upper-class society of Houston, and India, the story blends the passion of young love with concerns over family expectations and personal responsibility; business ethics; and issues of class, race, and social status. The young couple’s struggle to reconcile their love for their respective families with the desires of their own hearts is rendered with skill and compassion, as each, in his or her own way, is forced by events to evaluate and decide upon the most authentic course to follow.

The text explores how exposure to new ways of thinking can provoke both inner conflict and awakening without becoming pedantic or “preachy,” and shows how trusted and faithful friends can provide support and encouragement. Learning from Oliana, as well as from ancient Hawaiian beliefs and customs and the teachings of Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism, Jonathan realizes that happiness cannot be bought, but comes out of “the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to cherish life, and to be needed.”

The book contains some errors in word usage, punctuation, spelling, and syntax. Idiomatic expressions are not always rendered correctly, and there are some factual mistakes, as with the height given for Kilauea. The title does not accurately reflect the genre of the book—it is a title more appropriate to the self-help or personal development genre than to a delightful fictional love story. The cover art is colorful, dramatic, and tasteful, and the layout and page design are attractive and easy on the eye. Skillful pacing, natural dialogue, convincing and realistic conflict, and well-rounded characters whose inner lives are revealed as they confront the events of the story make this book a pleasure to read.

Gita Audhya’s In Pursuit of Love, Spirituality, and Happiness powerfully portrays the contrast between lives that honor spirituality, ethics, and community and those that are based on greed and selfishness. Going beyond mere entertainment, this book offers a commentary on what is truly important for a rich, meaningful, and happy life.

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

In Pursuit of Love, Spirituality and Happiness
Gita Audhya

Publisher: Xlibris Pages: 205 Price: (paperback) 14.99 ISBN: 9781503542051
Reviewed: April, 2016
Author Website: Visit »
There’s certainly no false advertising in this book’s title. Readers will indeed find a tale that delves into the search for love, spirituality and happiness—with a Hawaiian twist.

The novel tells the story of Jonathan Foster, who grew up rich and privileged in Houston. After graduating from college, Jonathan finds himself unhappy and unfulfilled; he lives in the family mansion and works in the family business, but doesn’t share his family’s obsession with wealth and status.

While on vacation in Hawaii, Jonathan meets Oliana, a beautiful native Hawaiian college student. He’s instantly attracted to her, but Oliana is leery of Western men. Her family has warned her they don’t understand how spiritual traditions and a love of nature shape Hawaiian beliefs and lifestyles. Nevertheless, Jonathan and Oliana fall in love, and within a month, they’re married and living in Jonathan’s parents’ house in Houston. But as Jonathan becomes more entrapped in the corrupt family business and Oliana is pressured to become a society grand dame, their happiness erodes. To rekindle it, they both must follow a spiritual quest.

The plot is familiar to anyone who’s ever read a romance, but the author enlivens it with descriptions of Hawaiian traditions. Readers learn, for instance, the history of hula dancing, and how it began centuries ago as a type of storytelling for a culture that had no written language.

The author is at her best when describing these traditions and the Hawaiian scenery. Her use of imagery elevates the story, and her evocative language helps readers become invested in the characters. Unfortunately, the dialogue isn’t as accomplished. In particular, the author’s frequent use of repetitive attributions feels amateurish and detracts from the flow of the story. (One of many examples: “‘That’s true,’ she said agreeing with him.”)

Nonetheless, this book is a cut above a traditional romance overall and will appeal to readers who enjoy learning about spirituality and Hawaiian lore.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.

KIRKUS REVIEW
Romance, Hawaiian history and spirituality intertwine in Gita’s first novel.

Centered on a couple’s romance and life together, Gita’s book subtly informs readers about Hawaiian history and finding faith—whatever form it may take. The story begins when Jonathan, a wealthy, big-shot banker for his father’s company, takes a vacation to Hawaii to escape his miserable job and oppressive parents. There he meets Oliana, a full-blooded Hawaiian beauty. The plot development is sudden: Their relationship quickly progresses and they get married before he leaves for the continental U.S. Occasionally, the story tells readers rather than shows; while well written, additional detail and buildup could improve the early sections of the book. Even so, the couple’s love and passion is on full display. Oliana teaches her new husband much about Hawaiian history and religion, but after moving to Houston with him, she has a difficult time adjusting to a ritzy lifestyle; she also feels suppressed by her possessive mother-in-law and cold father-in-law. Likewise, Jonathan soon becomes consumed by work, and the passion they shared slowly dwindles. When Oliana returns to her first love—Hawaii—Jonathan searches for and discovers the true meaning of love, happiness and spirituality. Many married readers will be able to relate to Gita’s novel. Despite an engaging story line and a well-rounded supporting cast, the novel could benefit from more description and dialogue to fully flesh out the story line. In covering Hawaiian religion, Christianity and Buddhism, the novel draws attention to spiritual discovery, emphasizing the age-old adage “money can’t buy happiness.”

A refreshing blend of romance, history and religion that entertains as it informs.