Showing posts with label The Parrot Talks in Chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Parrot Talks in Chocolate. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Monday, June 17, 2013
The Parrot Talks...and the bar patrons love it!
June love from the comment-sphere...."The Parrot Talks in Chocolate" on Amazon
an enjoyable light read, June 16, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
i love the title of this book and was curious as to the content...the parrot is fabulous...the writing is simple but grabs you from the beginning...is it a fabulous seriously important story? no...but it is a great fun story and worth the time...enjoy
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A great read!, June 14, 2013
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
Normally punctuation errors and misspelled words irritate me, but I was somehow able to forgive them in this book. As another writer said, there wasn't really a plot but it was a great read -- sort of like taking a mental vacation.This book beautifully illustrates the wonders of life -- the triumphs, the disappointments, and the magic of it all. The writer has a gift not only for drawing the reader in to such lovable characters, but also for realizing that even though many of us do not live on an island paradise, we shouldn't forget that life is a precious gift. When you really step back and examine it, if you really are able to see all the wonders and simple joys that life affords, it makes you realize that with the right attitude life can be just wonderful. Reading this book gives me that feeling.
This is not your typical novel, but it is definitely worth reading. The bird's answers were priceless.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great beach read!, June 9, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
This is a great book to take along on your beach vacation, or to read at home while you are dreaming about your next beach vacation! Peacock does a great job of appealing to the senses in his writing. His descriptions of the smell and taste of the salty air, the sounds of the music, the feeling of the warm water and sun, and the sights of a tropical paradise made me feel like I was watching the story in person. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
WOW!!, June 9, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
You would never know by the title what a spiritual not religious but spiritual book this is. It's sweet and funny, both sad and uplifting, it makes you realize that no matter how bad you may feel things are...today really is a gift, every breath is a gift. That sometimes things are as they are for a reason and that luck is something you have to make yourself available to, something you have to just believe in. If you only read one book this summer, heck this year...please let it be this one, you'll be glad you did!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Read it!, June 7, 2013
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
I loved this book. Is it great literature? No. It is, though, a great read with just enough depth to make you feel as though you've picked up a little philosophy along the way. Kick off your shoes, get a boat drink, settle into a deck chair and follow the parrot.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Fun and exotic, June 5, 2013
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate: The Life and Times of a Hawaiian TIKI Bar (Paperback)
A freewheeling romp through an island world few of us are lucky enough to experience. Well developed characters and a sweet sense of humor make this a book for the entire family. Especially good summer reading!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
FREE CHOCOLATE this WEEKEND
YES, you heard that right... "The Parrot Talks in CHOCOLATE" is FREE Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You folks on the East Coast will have a great read to weather that tropical storm ...
or
*it's also free in DE, ES, FR, JP, IT, CA and BR*
Friday, March 29, 2013
"Sweet, touching story with a dash of humor - loved it!"
"The Parrot Talks in Chocolate"
....here are the three covers in the series....click for links to Amazon.com (paperback and ebook)
Sweet, touching story with a dash of humor - loved it!, March 29, 2013
By
Nunja Business (LA (Lower Alabama)) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
This charming story was slightly unexpected and completely satisfying. I foresaw some of the events, but was surprised by others. The author has a very unique style and definitely one I enjoyed. Having visited Hawaii a number of times, I found the tone and setting was dead on accurate and descriptive of the feel of the place. The characters were likable, memorable and ultimately a big part of why the story worked for me. I was given a free review copy of this book, but having read it, I would not hesitate to buy more of Everett Peacock's works in the future. Hawaii and its residents should be proud of the representation given here.....here are the three covers in the series....click for links to Amazon.com (paperback and ebook)
Sunday, February 10, 2013
A Nice Review from Snow Country
What a wonderful story, February 9, 2013
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar #1) (Kindle Edition)
This is such a wonderful story. The title grabbed me right away but the story itself kept me reading. Such a beautiful use of language. In the midst of a northwest Pennsylvania winter, I took this wonderful armchair vacation to Maui and I didn't want it to end. I recommend this book to everyone.
Friday, January 18, 2013
BOOK REVIEW by D.C.
Have you come for a Coco Loco Moco? You haven't? Oh, you are here for The Parrot that Talks in Chocolate then? Yes? Ah, my friend, you have come just in time. Tiwaka has just left the last one to question him dumbfounded, with infinite wisdom pouring into his mortal mind.
No questions for the bird, you say, just here to watch? *smiles, while polishing a glass with a rag* Well, here's a question for you. Are you really thirsty?
... And so goes on the night, with our unnamed yet popular (and mysterious) surfer-bartender, as he takes care of one customer after the other. (Customers who, no matter what, always order a second Coco Loco Moco after having their first.)
As you sit in the bar-stool, amazed at the intelligent bird while watching-but-not-watching the sexy pareo-wearing beauties, you begin to breathe in a tinge in the air. Is it the smell of the barbecued grass-fed organic beef (that's so good vegetarians had to reaffirm their faith in its presence)? Is it the scent of the chocolate cashews, beckoning you to hand it over to the all-knowing parrot? Is it even the faint musk of to-be lovers, meeting for the first time in this secluded bar and leaving for the very rustic cabanas in the area?
No, my friend. I believe its the Tiki magic working its way on you.
This book of connected-yet-separate anecdotes features to us the life of one who grew up on The Island. An island where an active volcano lets out its Vog every so often to agitate the spirits of its residents. An island where pineapple pickers long for the blue, blue sky. An island where choice surfing spots abound, stretched out as so as if each was designed to be shared by only two people.
An island among the islands of Hawaii.
It can't be anything but Tiki magic that sprinkles the words here, words of a simple man living a simple life in a curious island. It dusts his daily living with different incidents he doesn't bother to think about - only to feel about and let happen. While he talks about his memories of his old beloved Ococ, the feel of his dried hair while surfing the wave, and the unattainable apple of his eye, he talks too of ghosts, of connected spirits, and of the Great Cosmic Gift Giver. And he lets them hover in the air, not bothering to explain anything.
(Let's not forget the interesting parrot as well, whose current tap of the toes - now at 1, 3, 6 - signify the 136th song on the portable media player. Lo and behold, it's the perfect song to signify the current mood. And he does it every single time.)
No, don't come in if you're looking for an unscrupulous joint selling nothing more than ice tea and moonshine. Turn and leave if you expect therapy, and not escapism. Don't try to find this place if you don't have faith. This is a Tiki bar, through and through. (It even has the parchment paper certificate guaranteeing that it has passed the standards for authenticity of the 1958 TIKI Convention!)
While this book seems like a bunch of well-written (and slow-paced) stories, it holds much more than that. It has the promise of green turtles that snort as they save your life, it has the promise of dreamy vacation landscapes with unique and captivating locals, it has the promise of sun-kissed love.
Don't rush, feel the wind against your hair, and relax. You've got some minutes of escape at your fingertips. Enjoy, and aloha.
(This is almost! a 5-star read for me. While I can't quite rate it with 5 stars, it's awesome! I lost myself almost completely to this world. Note that this is my first foray into Hawaii- / Tiki-related books :) Great read!)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
FREE eBook - December 26, for 5 days!
Happy Holidays!
A late present for all you fine folks... my most POPULAR title is FREE on KINDLE for the next 5 days!
Enjoy! You were actually pretty good this year!
http://www.amazon.com/
Sunday, October 21, 2012
We May Be Old...
This is a great excerpt from the almost-beselling book "The Parrot Talks in Chocolate" (downloaded over 40,000 times at Amazon) which paints a great scene at the Tiki bar there. Here's a little bit to enjoy now:
The
next evening was about as spectacular as they come. The sky was
brilliant and warm, replacing the previous day's rain with a mellow
dry breeze. Several nearby planets were reflecting the sun without
interference from any early stars, almost competing with the already
lit Tiki Torches. A fresh load of farm shrimp from Kahuku, Oahu had
been flown in that morning, Miho had brought up some Opihi from the
cliffs and Gregorio his best fillets down from his upcountry ranch.
Our
crowd was heavy, for whatever reason those anomalies occur, and the
Crew was feeling almost giddy with excitement. Coco had said it many
times, about her days as a skydiver groupie in Mokuleia: Skydiver
funerals were the best parties she had ever been to. Death had a
great talent for focusing appreciation in those left behind. An
extreme appreciation.
The
bar was filling up with a lot of happy voices. Turning up the iPod
just a notch I soon found myself moving in time to Stevie Wonder's
Pastime Paradise. The glasses came out of the coolers, sparkled soon
with cubes of ice and then moved down the bar full of color, garnish
and hope. My melancholy over Ococ was melting away under the music,
the smiling faces and the sweat of making it all happen. It was OK.
I knew. Knew it well. I had been to Mokuleia too.
The
crowd was thick, moving in some kind of rhythm as people made their
way to the bar, their tables or the bathrooms. Coco was flowing like
lava downhill, moving and grooving to the music and the orders.
Sandy was kicking it up a notch in the kitchen, singing so loud we
wished she was out on stage, with us. Ma & Pa were acting like
Mr and Mrs Claus, entertaining their Waikiki friends in true Tiki
style. Tiwaka was in fine form as well, taking chocolates and giving
advice. A true entertainer, I caught him putting some of the
chocolate aside, so he wouldn't get sick. I was keeping up, making
sure everyone had their first cocktail right away, and gearing up for
a steady night. The bar was well populated and so far, everyone was
watching the crowd. I got a few questions about this girl or that
guy, but nothing philosophical. Yet. The night was quite young, and
so was the mood.
Tiwaka
was at the end of the bar, slightly hidden behind one of the Tiki
lights obviously entertaining two lovelies from Lahaina. I kept
peeking down to see if he was behaving, or worse, losing feathers.
So far, so good. In front of my station was probably the most
comfortable bar stool we had and it was occupied by an elderly guy I
had never met before. He was nursing a Longboard Lager and
occasionally smiling. An old Aloha shirt, with coconut buttons,
draped itself over his light frame. As I moved down the bar, making
sure all was well, he pushed his empty toward the trough. He was
watching me, hoping to get my attention. In 2 seconds, I was there.
"Another
Longboard?"
"No,
thanks." He paused, looking up at our other selections, then
back to me. "What do you have that is new, maybe something
unheard of?"
I
looked at him for a moment, to gather his mood, to frame his question
and to think of something clever to respond with.
"Well.
Let me see. Unheard of you say?" Best to throw that item back
at him for some clarification.
He
smiled, pushed his weathered hands through his white mane and sat up
a bit before leaning forward. "You know, something you have
never made before. Got anything like that?"
"Ha!"
I exclaimed. "There's a wealth of things I have never made
before!" Thinking, thinking, what did this guy want? I could
offer him our Coco Loco Moco, in some unique variation, or risk
making something so horrible it could haunt him for days.
I
looked to see if I was falling behind, but Coco was not up yet with
new orders and the bar glasses were all full. I turned back to this
challenge. There had to be a clue, but I was getting nothing.
"I
heard about your dog," he said, catching me by surprise. "What
was his name? Something backwards I was told."
I
smiled broadly. Now I knew what I would make this guy.
"Ococ
was his name. He did everything backwards. So, sir, I will make you
a new drink, right here in front of you. History in the making."
"Great!"
He laughed at his luck and sat back to watch.
First,
a large Tiki mug, one of the custom Lee Ceramic models we had been so
fortunate to get. Second, the libation, 4 parts. Then, the mixer,
this time a nice combination of lime, coconut water and several spots
of cranberry. Finally, the ice.
"I
present the Ococ. Made backwards, of course." Sliding the work
of art toward the man, I knew I had something special. He held it in
both hands, feeling the carve of the smiling Tiki in the sides of the
beautiful mug, and slowly brought it up inhaling the subtleties. I
stood back, letting him enjoy something new. Glancing down the bar
at Tiwaka I saw he was now on top of someone's head, flapping his
wings slowly like a shadow dancer.
"Tiwaka!"
I chided softly as I quickly made my way down to rescue the scalp of
whomever he had anointed.
"He's
heavier than I thought," one of the lovelies from Lahaina said
shyly. She was indeed a looker.
"Tiwaka,
come down." I held out my hand, as he slowly gave me the left
eye, then folding his wings in slow motion, the other eye. I tilted
my head like him, closed one eye, then tilted the other way, reopened
and then closed my other eye. Finally, I stood tall and said his
name once more, a little deeper, holding out my hand, just above her
head.
He
took one long step, like bridging a puddle, coming back from what I
already knew was a new infatuation. Sitting him down onto the bar,
he turned and bowed his head a couple of times, saying, "Mahalo,
Mahalo"
The
girls giggled a little, feeling relieved of the unusual attention.
"Another
few minutes," I mentioned, "And he would have made you his
Queen." Her friend poked her lightly in the side, just as the
Boys of Summer swooped in to fill the gap.
Walking
back to my station, I found the old guy pushing his Ococ back toward
the trough. He looked very satisfied.
Wiping
the bar top in front of him, I smiled and asked, "So, how did
you like it?"
He
looked around to see if anyone was listening, as if anyone might, and
back up to me.
"I'm
an old guy, ya know."
I
nodded, and waited.
"'I'm
so stoked to be living in the future. It's so," he paused,
trying to catch his emotions. "Awesome." He looked at me
as if to discern any disbelief. He saw none, and so continued.
"This new drink, this Ococ you made me, is yet another new thing
that never existed for me before. It's something new, the future
again, brought to me now."
He
smiled again and leaned forward. "Isn't that the coolest
thing?"
I
didn't know how quite to make that, but I nodded. Maybe he had been
drinking a little before he got here. Maybe not. I had seen
stranger things that had less merit. The bar was still good, so I
asked him, "So, let me see if I understand this future thing.
You are saying that today is the future somehow. The future for
someone in the past I guess?" I tilted my head in a habit I had
learned from the parrot.
"Another
Ococ, and I'll explain. Please."
Picking
up his Tiki mug, I mixed him up, backwards of course, another
signature Ococ, and slid it slowly toward him.
He
watched it move across the monkeypod wood like a teenage boy watches
his first hula dancer, reaching out to touch it, hesitantly,
expectedly.
..... enjoy the rest either by obtaining this short here, or the full story at "The Parrot Talks in Chocolate"
Thursday, October 18, 2012
The Man From T.I.K.I.
The bartender is met by a bar inspector intent on confirming Tiwaka's Tiki Bar & Grill is authentically "tiki".
Read the entire book (downloaded over 40,000 times) @ "The Parrot Talks in Chocolate" Here's a taste....
Gregorio
was back the next week with a load of grass fed organic island beef
that was so good vegetarians had to reaffirm their faith in its
presence. We had the kiawe wood fires going early and by late
afternoon the coals were dancing. Kegs of Kona brewed beer were
being offloaded and the Kihei Ice Truck had made it all the way in
this time on our gravel road. The weather was doing its best to
impress even hard core islanders with clear skies and warm breezes.
Just another day in paradise.
Our
weekly luau was gearing up just nicely. Sandy and Coco were dressed
in some kind of outfits that reminded me of Trader Vic meets Walt
Disney. They were giggling and prancing around so much that it would
have made burlap bags look good. Ma & Pa had friends in from
Canada or some place really cold. These folks were breathing in the
72 degree air like it was some kind of incense. Hard winters were
always good for business in the tropics.
As
I was organizing the bar a gentleman walked up to where I had several
hemp towels stacked. He stood silently, waiting to get my attention.
Finally, he did.
I
turned to see who was standing there. His hair was quite gray but
had not yet made the leap to white. His eyes were well disguised
behind some authentic looking Texas Sheriff sunglasses. His lips
were drawn back in a half smile that hinted at sarcasm. On top of my
hemp towels was a law enforcement style badge attached to a flip open
wallet also containing his ID.
Glancing
at all that in one brief moment, I offered a little solicitously,
"What you drinking officer?"
He
didn't bite.
"Are
you the proprietor of this establishment?" His half smile faded
a little.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Review of "The Parrot Talks in Chocolate"
| Amazon.com $1.99 Kindle, $7.99 Paperback This book left me craving a Hawaiian vacation., By Cookie in Arizona (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)  This review is from: The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar) (Kindle Edition) I downloaded The Parrot Talks in Chocolate (The Life and Times of a Hawaiian Tiki Bar) to my Kindle when it was offered for $0.99, after reading rave reviews on the May 2011 Informal Poll.I'm so glad that I was referred to this book. It is uplifting and inspiring--with vivid descriptions of life, adventure, and romance on the beautiful island of Maui. The book is a fast read. I finished it in 3 days, mostly a chapter or two a night before going to sleep. After putting the book down each night, I would start visualizing moving from my Arizona home to live on one of the Hawaiian islands. I may just do that sometime. Hawaii is one of my all time favorite places. |
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Flying with the Parrot...
From Mokuleia, Oahu, this little girl was absolutely loving life! Born and so far, raised in Hawaii, she embodies the free spirit ambient in the very air here.
If you can't get to Hawaii soon enough, the book will take you there right away. Aloha.
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