Sugar: READER QUOTES

This is the best book I've read that has to do with a distinct culture.

Wow! I think we should position this as a legal thriller and a romance. There have been legal thrillers set in Hawaii before, but nothing like this.

We read your book and couldn't believe how good it was.

Your book was superb. I started it and I couldn't put it down. While I was reading it, I felt like I was in Hawaii the whole time.

Once I finished reading Dan O'Connor's short stories and poems I immediately started on his novel, Sugar, and could not put it down. Dan is an excellent writer and poet. I enjoyed his writing style, familiarity with the islands of Hawaii and Hawaiian culture.

Finished your book--it did all the things a great novel does to a reader! I laughed, I hoped, I became immersed in Hawaiian culture. It's a novel that stays with you for a long time.

I loved this book. It's probably the best book I've read in the last two or three years, and it's easily the best book I've ever been asked to market. I started out reading it and thinking, "this was written by a man," and then I couldn't believe this was a man, writing from a woman's point of view." If it weren't for the name, you could've fooled me.

My wife loved your book. She started out planning to read about half of it and skimming the second half. She ended up having to read the whole thing--every word.

I loved your book. It was sort of a slow read until I got to around page 80. Maybe that had to do with the sobering influence of the subject matter. Then, I couldn't put it down. My husband rented a movie for us to watch on Friday night and I read right through it. In fact, that's what I did all weekend--read your book.

Your book is extremely well written. It also leaves you with a cliff hanger after every chapter. It keeps me hooked and involved with the book.

I read your short stories, poems and Sugar. I'm impressed at your talent. I had no idea the problems that plague the Hawaiians. It was quite upsetting to read about it.

I'm about 50% through Sugar and am already looking forward to Spice.

Your book was a page turner. I had to keep turning pages to see what happened.

I read your book from start to finish without putting it down. My husband and my family got mad at me, but I kept on reading. I felt like I was back in Hawaii the whole time. You've addressed issues that people hear about in Hawaii, but no one talks about openly. They need to be discussed. Next, I'm going to get my husband to read it and then, this summer I'm going back to Hawaii and when I get there I'm going to give it to a friend to read. When will Spice be coming out? I can't wait.

I enjoyed your book, and thought it was well written. the story line was interesting and the culture of Hawaii.

I read your Hawaiian novel. I thought it was very good. I'm sure it took a lot of work and energy and I'm also sure you had a lot of fun with it. I'll bet it's controversial--something the locals will talk about. I liked the disclaimer and the way you explained, "This is just fiction folks. Let's not get too excited . . . "

Loved the book. I also had a little trouble getting the first couple of chapters and then I couldn't put it down. I liked it for a number of reasons. The local angle is nice. I appreciate the culture and issues that were addressed in the book. Quality of the writing is great. I have a feeling it will do well in the Hawaii market.

I had a hard time understanding how you hit the profile of the abuser so precisely, but after I read the acknowledgements I could see how you did it. You were right on the mark, and a lot of people would have difficulty seeing this, understanding it, or appreciating it. But, you did it! What we need to do is to get people talking about this and they don't want to. It is the most heinous type of crime, i.e., against one's own children, and a lot of people don't believe, or choose not to believe that it happens, but it does--and the best way to stop it is to make people aware of it and get them talking about it. I also enjoyed your rendition of the culture, as well as your scene descriptions. Knowing the islands as I do, it was fun to visualize them as I read about them. You put me right there. Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend with your book.

I am enjoying "Sugar"--very entertaining, and I have the feeling the history & politics have a good deal of truth to them.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sugar. I loved it. I've tried to tell everyone who looks at it what a good book it is and how much I enjoyed it. It really grabbed me--right from the opening scene to the end. I sat and read it every free moment. It was so compelling that I couldn't put it down. I finished it in three or four days--often read until three or four in the morning. I couldn't stop reading it until I was finished. I got the rest of the staff reading it, too. We're making it the staff selection of the month.

I finished your book. I very much enjoyed it. The issue of child abuse was very disturbing. The lead character was very interesting and compelling. I skimmed over the trial details, because I was so anxious to hear more about the heroine and what happened to her. I'm going to go back and reread them. I can't wait to read Spice. You'd better get it done pretty soon, because I can't wait to read it.

I loved your book. I read right through it--in two or three weeks. I couldn't stop reading it; I kept picking it up. I loved your lead character. She is a fine person, and I loved the relationship between her and the Japanese attorney--the lifelong friendship, going all the way back into childhood and then into the trial. And, I absolutely loved the ending. There were lots of unexpected twists and turns and I was extremely caught up in the outcome, saying, "Don't go to jail. Get involved with your lawyer, and when . . . [don't want to give away the plot], I drooped." You've got to finish Spice in a hurry, because I can't wait to read on and see what happens. I want her to be together with this guy--to give us women hope that once in awhile, somewhere out there, occasionally--it works.

I read your book. We're passing it around the office and everyone is reading it. We're getting a chuckle out of knowing all of the sites. I can't wait for you to get the one done about Barbados. I want to read that one, too.

It was a great book. It's pretty impressive that you have time to write books and golf & restaurant guides and still practice law. I wanted to thank you for the book and tell you it was great. I'm going to pass it on to a friend.

Friday evening I took your book to bed with me. I had the intention to read a chapter before I fell asleep and then continue reading the next day. Well, I turned out the light with the book finished! My husband had been forced to head for another bed about midnight, since I had no plan to turn out the light! What a great read! I found it to be a real page turner. It's message has come to me often in the last few days--so profound. All I can say is--good for you! Keep it up!

Thanks for Sugar. I enjoyed it and promote it whenever I can. I am trying to get my wife to find time to read it.

Hi Dan, This is ***. Just wanted to call and let you know that I finished your book, Sugar, the other night and I was absolutely in awe. I think it's phenomenal and incredible and all those good things. I wasn't disappointed at all; thought I'd chat with you about it. I was just curious. You had mentioned that one guy actually had a problem with part of it and that it was a stylistic thing and I just wondered what that could be. Anyway, I'll send you an email or something sometime; just wanted you to know that I finished and thought it was great. I hope the best for you in your continued endeavors. I'll talk to you later.

well done!  I enjoyed your biofiction very much and appreciated the extensive research and pictures, the graphics and overall thoughtful concept of your story.  It was so much more than any one 'kind' of story and I hope it succeeds as much as it deserves to, which is a great deal.

I really enjoyed it. It's amazing to me how similar all cultures really are. And, how in tuned to God and God as nature the native Hawaiians, aftricans, American Indians--cultures are. What a shame we're losing that. What a crying shame these cultures are being diluted. But, your book at least gives us a wonderful look into the past and the hope of returning there.

Your book was wonderful. I can't tell you how good it was. When I finished it, I gave it to my friends to read and they all loved it. There was one woman in particlar, who was having some problems and it really helped her to face her situation in a positive and decisive way.

I liked your book. It held my interest. I believe we're going to start using it in some entry level courses [at Kauai community college.] You must have spent a long time researching it. There were things I didn't know [about Hawaiian culture] that I learned from reading your book.

Per Mrs. Bowman, her mother, "My daughter finished your book this morning. She really enjoyed it. She loved your book."

My wife really liked your book. I'm planning to read it as soon as I can.