Vengeance in Paradise, a New Novel Written by Will Espero, Author and Former Hawaii State Senator

In Vengeance in Paradise, the sequel to Passion in Paradise, Espero masterfully tackles the issues of loyalty, honesty, guilt, justice, and vengeance that lay between two prominent families at war for whom wealth could not guarantee peace, harmony, and inner security.

By Daria Trifu with exclusive excerpts from Vengeance in Paradise

The political and business worlds of Hawaii are the background for these intriguing fictional novels. Vengeance in Paradise is the sequel to Passion in Paradise, authored by a former Hawaii state senator and current Global Film Studios board member, Will Espero. The public and private lives of Hawaii’s privileged are on display in these fictional stories about power, relationships, and consequences.

“The blazing sun cast a heated embrace across the baby blue sky as floating seabirds drifted on the high winds. A few bloated clouds touched the top of the Ko’olau mountain range as a cool breeze raced over the aina (land). Tourists and locals gathered at the beaches to allow fresh ocean waves to invigorate their bodies and souls. There’s nothing like being immersed and surrounded by the living waters of an island paradise. A sense of revitalization consumed the senses as the underwater world refreshed spirits and attitudes.”

In Vengeance in Paradise, Espero continued the saga of the wealthy and prominent Wong family and Henderson family. Jarod Wong and Thomas Henderson were political adversaries who challenged each other for the office of governor of Hawaii. After Henderson’s win, Wong concentrated on running his family’s hospitality empire, operating hotels and restaurants in the Aloha state. Due to his adulterous affair, Jarod did eventually lose his coveted position as head of the family business to his brother, and his string of bad luck continued throughout Vengeance in Paradise.

An incident on a Wong hotel property which led to the death of Wong’s former mistress, Anaka Traviski, was revisited when businessman Herbert Hashimoto hired a private investigator to look into the cold case which had stumped the local police.

“Word got back to Jarod that a witness had seen the encounter when Anaka was injured, and the witness was a hotel employee. Wong hired Stefan again to find the witness. Two private investigations were now being conducted, and the race was on to solve the mystery of Anaka’s death.

Espero created several storylines which were also connected to the disappearance of Malia Wong. A terminated restaurant employee, an abandoned business partner, relatives of the deceased, and a worker with mental issues were possible suspects in the case with very few leads. 

Thoughts of revenge became real as the death of Anaka Traviski, Hashimoto’s partner and lover, lingered in his mind. Rumours of an eyewitness to a physical encounter by Traviski and an unknown person were tracked down as justice seemed within reach for this unsolved case.

Espero tackled the issues of loyalty, honesty, guilt, justice, and vengeance as a shooting terrified the Wong family, and a fleeing suspect remained on the loose. The pinnacle of power and strength became precarious and fleeting as wealth could not guarantee peace, harmony, and inner security. 

“Malia stood and gave her dad a hug as he sat. She went inside the house to help her mom with dinner as Jarod sat alone in the backyard. He heard a branch snap where the shooter had been lingering the day he was shot, and Jarod quickly  turned his head as a strong wave of fear filled his body. Beads of sweat appeared on his head.

Is there a connection between the assassination attempt of a hotel tycoon and the death of Anaka Traviski? Is Malia’s disappearance connected to Anaka’s accident? 

Espero’s novels are an easy read filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense. Readers are transported to a Pacific island oasis where the rich and powerful work and play.

Vengeance in Paradise and Passion in Paradise are available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book-buying platforms. Espero commented he would love to see his novels turned into a movie or series one day.

A poetry book titled Be showcasing Will Espero’s poetry and prose will be published before the end of summer. D!

About the Author

William (Will) Espero is a Filipino-American born in Yokosuka, Japan, at the U.S. Naval base where his father was stationed in 1960. He grew up around the world and moved to Hawaii after graduating from Seattle University in 1982 with a degree in business management. He worked for Mayor Frank Fasi as the executive secretary of the Neighbourhood Commission in charge of Oahu’s Neighbourhood Board system for 8 years.

Espero served in the Hawaii State Legislature for 19 years, three years in the House of Representatives, and 16 years in the State Senate. The Senate leadership positions he held included Senate Vice President and Majority Floor Leader. He was also chairman of the Senate Housing Committee and the Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs Committee. In 2018, he retired from state government and has lived in Ewa Beach since 1989. In the state legislature, Espero was a strong supporter and advocate for culture and the arts.

In 2019, Will Espero and his partners created a series of television shows called Hawaii on Art, highlighting local Hawaii artists. He created a series titled Hawaii Cannabis TV, which focused on the cannabis renaissance occurring locally in Hawaii and nationally in the United States. Espero was also a producer of the documentary titled HI on Art, filmed in Hawaii.

Espero has a love for writing. He is a published author of fiction and poetry. He completed his first novel in 2021, titled Passion in Paradise. Its sequel, Vengeance in Paradise, was published in 2024. He lives in Hawaii with his family.

Since 2022, Espero has served as a Board Member of Global Film Studio.

In 2022, Espero was a member of the jury for the Global Nonviolent Film Festival, and since then, he has been writing for DARIA! Magazine all the articles about the films that are selected in competition. The Global Nonviolent Film Festival is a Canadian international festival showcasing and awarding films that do not contain gratuitous violence. The 13th annual edition will take place from September 26 to October 7. Film submissions are still open until August 31: nonviolentfilmfestival.com