Burning Up the Rain (Hawaiian Heroes #4) by Cathryn Cade

It has been the blessing/curse of the Ho’omalu ohana (family) to serve as the protectors of the Hawaiian Islands.  They have served in this capacity for a long time in a lot of different ways.

Cousin Lalei Kai-Ho’omalu has come to Nawea for Daniel and Claire’s (Rolling in the Deep, Hawaiian Heroes #2) wedding.  She has always felt like the outsider in the closely knit family.  Her mother is a socialite widow whose financial stability has suffered in these rough times and she wants to Lalei to marry well so she can continue to live the she has become accustomed to it doesn’t really matter what Lalei wants.  Lalei has been the good daughter up to now but the man her mother wants her to marry makes her skin crawl. 

California Realtor Jack Nord played football with David, Daniel, and Malu and has come for the wedding.  He has seen Lalei at other Ho’omalu functions and thought she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, also a bit stuck up.  When Lalei offers no strings sex he isn’t about to turn her down even though she is just using him to get rid of the guy her mother wants her to marry. 

While visiting Jack and Lalei learn that developers are trying to carve up Ho’omalu lands for a new resort and using unscrupulous means to do so.  So angered by this Lalei comes into her powers as a guardian and uses them to delay the developers while the rest of the family attempts to get an injunction against the developers. Jack finds himself falling for the Hawaiian warrior woman hidden inside Lalei.  But is he going to be able to handle a woman who can throw lightning? 

I adore this unique series.  Lots of hunky Hawaiian men, beautiful wahines, and exotic scenery.  This steamy installment has a lot going on not the least of which is Lalei growing into her skin as a person and a guardian.  I look forward to future  Hawaiian Heroes.