Kathleen Rowland

Marine biologist Veronica Keane is in Cuba to attend an oceanography conference in the hopes of winning a grant, but her main competitor for the grant is the gorgeous and intelligent Dr. Carlos Montayo, so she thinks her chances are slim. After she stumbles upon a drug smuggling operation taking place on her cruise ship, she seeks refuge on Carlos’s boat, never expecting Carlos to also be aboard.
Even though Carlos is a biologist, he works part-time surveillance for the Cuban government in order to catch and track drug smugglers. As he’s recording the activity on the cruise liner, Veronica’s appearance near the ship makes the smugglers nervous, and the military decides to raid the ship. Carlos is determined to keep Veronica safe, and if passion happens to draw them closer, all the better.
The sexual chemistry between Veronica and Carlos was off the charts. Though they only spent one insanely erotic night together, they found a kindred spirit in each other and formed a deeper connection neither expected. They’re both good people with deep beliefs in right and wrong, but Carlos lives more in the gray area to survive his environment. Together, they bring out the best in each other and sometimes they became very emotional. Love bloomed out of lust at a fast pace, and I can easily see their HFN ending turning into a HEA.
Though I liked the novella, it could use a light edit to fix some typos. The historical descriptions of Cuba were detailed and interesting, so were all the scientific facts about octopuses, but it slowed the pacing a little, at least for me.
Still, it’s a good story with an unusual setting, and I’m happy I read it.
4 Stars

Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. Thank you, Kathleen Rowland, for sending me an ebook copy. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
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Bittersweet Alliance by Kathleen Rowland
Donahue Cousins #3

Seven years can be a long time but when two people grew as close as Danker and Jolene did, meet again and find that the chemistry is as hot as it was years before well then the conclusion is a given, right? This was a wonderful second chance romance that I totally believed in. I understood why the two didn’t stay together seven years before and why it worked out for them when they met again. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them today. I loved Jolene’s feisty personality and big heart and how it clicked so well with tough take-charge Danker. I also enjoyed seeing how the two managed to mesh their lives by the end of the book. How did they meet up again? Over a case they are to solve together that includes kidnapping on Jolene’s home turf, Hawaii. The evil people were EVIL and their eventual capture was what I eagerly looked forward to. AND...boy oh boy did Danker and Jolene burn up the sheets on the page and in the bedroom ;) Definitely recommend it and look forward to reading whatever book comes next in this series.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (more)

One Night in Havana by Kathleen Rowland
One Night Series #34

Cuba is a place that fascinates me and what I read about Havana was intriguing. Roni and Carlos are scientists vying for the same grant and both study octopuses…and they interest me, too. Throw in a criminal element that deal in drugs, a chase, some conversation and more and you have a book that kept my interest and made me root for the two to manage a HEA even though their politics and countries may not be on the same page.

This series allows readers to visit cities without leaving their cozy armchair and while the visit they get to vicariously experience a steamy fantasy. Each of the books I have read in the series has been a fun easy read with the potential for a HEA…if the main characters can manage it before the end of their time together.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars… (more)

Unholy Alliance by Kathleen Rowland
Donahue Cousins #2

Can you imagine how you would feel after you had spent ten years in a maximum security prison for a brutal murder you had not committed? Can you imagine how you would feel about the lawyer that appealed your case and won? Can you imagine how you would feel about the person or persons who put you in prison for ten years? AND can you imagine how you would feel if one of your cousins, with you when the murder took place, disappeared?

Victoria Morningstar, once Tori Rourke – Irish mob princess, has three goals when she gets out of prison: find out what happened to her cousin Vivienne, set up her food truck and bring Seamus McGinn to justice. In her pursuit of these goals she has her past knowledge, a degree she picked up in prison and the support of her appeals attorney and his staff.

Attorney Grady Donahue Fletcher is a man driven to appeal wrong court decisions and he is good at it. He is also the divorced father of a seven year old and love-phobic. He also wants to find and put Seamus McGinn in prison.

With overlapping goals Grady and Victoria begin to work together and in so doing have some madcap, scary and other adventures. Add in a bloodhound, Halloween costumes, the FBI and both good and bad cops and you have another sometimes steamy, action-packed, fast-paced adventure in the Donahue Cousins Series.

I am looking forward to finding out who will have their story told next. Will it be Danker Donahue or someone else AND I also wonder what will happen to Vivienne.

Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.

4 Stars… (more)