‘Words and Wine’ with Local Authors at Kona Stories

Brenda McConnell and Joy Vogelgesang. Kona Stories courtesy photo.

Kona Stories Book Shop will host its monthly Words and Wine event on June 6 beginning at 6 p.m. The meet-and-greet brings some of the Islands’ favorite authors together to share their work amid pūpū and wine. The authors in attendance will be Jill Marie Landis from Kauai, Francene Hart of Kona and Patricia Panachi from Hilo side.

Jill Marie Landis is the author of thirty completed novels. Her work has received distinguished awards and ranked on national bestseller lists like the USA Today Top 50 and the New York Times Best Sellers Plus. Landis is a seven-time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Historical and Contemporary Romance as well as a RITA Award winner. She recently wrapped up five novels in her

Author Jill Landis. Photo courtesy of Kona Stories Book Shop.

Tiki Goddess Mystery series which takes place on her home island: Mai Tai One on, Two to Mango, Three to Get Lei’d, Too Hot Four Hula and Hawai`i Five Uh-Oh. They are available for purchase at your local bookstore.

Francene Hart is an internationally recognized visual artist who has been working with sacred symbolism for more than three decades. She is the creator of the “Sacred Geometry Oracle Deck” and “Sacred Geometry Cards for the Visionary Path.” Her recent book, “Sacred Geometry of Nature: Journey on the Path of the Divine,” is a fully illustrated, 80-page inspirational art book painted by Hart. The book explores Hart’s artistic vision of the connection between nature, spirituality and geometry, as well as the role of spirit guides and power animals for creative inspiration and insight. Hart drew inspiration in her early works of art by studying Joseph Campbell and C.G.

Author Francene Hart. Photo courtesy of Kona Stories Book Shop.

Jung, and reflected the solitary life she led in the forest. She also chronicles her transformations through travel experiences around the world, including sacred sites in the Amazon, Central America, Egypt, England, Scotland, Paris, Cambodia and the Himalayas.

Originally born in Massachusetts, Patricia Panahi moved to Iran at the age of nine. She later returned to the U.S. and completed a graduate degree at San Diego State University. Panahi has taught English in Iran, California, Hawai`i, and directed English language programs for international students at the University of Hawai`i. Her first novel is titled, “Veil of Walls,” and chronicles the life of ten-year-old Anahita Sadeghi. The typical, happy-go-lucky American girl embarks on a month-long vacation with her relatives in Iran that turns into a nightmare when they refuse to let her return home. Anahita is forced to deal with an overwhelming maze of social customs, pressures to conform to the Persian restrictions of proper female etiquette, and fight to dodge her aunt’s schemes of marriage until she can find a way home. Only her missing aunt, Scheherazade, offers a chance at escape to find her way back home. 

Author Patricia Panahi. Photo courtesy of Kona Stories Book Shop.

Words and Wine will begin at 6 p.m. with an informal meet-and-greet, merging into a more formal book presentation by each author. The event will conclude around 8 p.m. after a Q&A session. Attendees are encouraged to dress in casual aloha wear.

Kona Stories Book Shop is located at Keauhou Shopping Center in Kona. For more information, call (808) 324-0350.