Pacific Paradise by Kurt CarlsonPacific Paradise is the tale of two coming-of-age stories, one of a small island-nation, and the second of a young girl, the daughter of the nation’s president.While citizens of Sumonajob battle between isolationism and an open country welcoming tourism, Mimi must decide which side to choose as her relationship with American businessman Jason Richards grows from hatred and misunderstanding to friendship and alliance.Among the subplots of the story include the European colonization of the island, the separation of political factions on the future of Sumonajob, and the various characters who show up throughout the story.Whether it’s the weeklong crab races, the deadly trip down to Shanty Town, the abduction of Richards’s secretary on their second day on the island, or the comings and goings of Luana and Jeanie, the story twists unexpectedly at every point.Kurt Carlson was born and raised on Long Island, New York.  He spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, having spent approximately 14 of those years in the Pacific Theater of Operations.Carlson was stationed in the Philippines, Thailand and Okinawa, Japan.  It was while on Okinawa that the idea for this story began to develop.  The island-nation of Sumonajob is a compilation of all these countries where Carlson was stationed.  Some of the events were loosely based on world events which happened during the time frame that Carlson was there.After retiring from the military, Carlson settled in Winter Haven, Florida.  He has a son living in Massachusetts, one step son and one step daughter, both in North Carolina, and a fiancee, Jo Anne, making her own adventures in the Middle East.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NFMKZFR/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1https://www.kurtcarlson.net/http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/5522pmg.mp3