Published by Amira Press, Windward Whisperings is a cross-racial romantic suspense, available in both print and ebook formats.
WINDWARD WHISPERINGS is a sensuous, cross-racial reunion story. Former heiress, KITRINA PIERMONT of Black-French descent, and up-from-poor GARRETT MACKENZIE (white) meet again when he returns to save a sailboat manufacturing company from bankruptcy. Ms. Chocolat Francais has lost her family fortune along with another tragedy, her parents' double suicide. During Kitzie and Garrett’s time apart, he’d been her inspiration to take care of herself, and she now works as a sailboat designer. More brazen than he used to be, Garrett returns to his hometown as a wealthy consultant. Kitzie works for him but won’t let him buy her love. When they’re thrown onto a trail of corruption, murder, and arson, it isn’t long before they have become each other, as they were ten years before. Except for their sultry attraction, there is no middle ground.
Excerpt
Garrett was the only one standing when Bud shoved the throttles forward, and the double-engine raged. The bow shot up from the water and then whammed down with a jar. It twisted and then leveled onto a plane at a fierce speed. Garrett grabbed the handhold on the back of the captain’s bench. “You’re an ass, Bud.”
“Just kidding around. Look how wet I am.” Bud’s hat flew off. His beer bottle fell from its holder and spun on the deck floor. Garrett’s feet left the floor each time the boat dropped from crest to trough. From the corner of his eye, Garrett knew Jovanovich had come up behind him, was unprepared when his arm came around his throat, lifting him. Garrett gagged, worried that the thug would snap his neck. A second later he was dragged backward across the deck. The hairy, thick arm had his neck in a squeeze. Garrett dug his fingers into his arm, thrashed his legs, and felt his chest slammed onto metal. He was pushed down an incline and then conscious of being underwater. Jovanovich’ fist held the back of his pullover. The boat moved up and down which gave him a chance to breathe. The waves swirled over his head. Jovanovich let go but he’d grabbed onto the swim platform. He managed to find a tighter hold on a brace under the walk-through. The boat dipped again and again, but he held his breath for each wave. He didn’t dare cough.
Guests from the cabin were screaming and complaining. Someone crawled out and heaved. “Where the hell is Garrett?” The shrill voice sounded like Cherry’s.
Bud threw the engines into reverse. “Calm down, baby. He went down below to make a sandwich.” The boat slowed and weaved drunkenly. The pitch of the engines began to increase again, but by this time, Garrett was securely lodged.
It was still dark when the boat approached the narrow channel. Bud finally closed in on a rundown dock, obviously not a point of official entry. Garrett slid into the water, hoping he hadn’t been seen. Under the dock, he hid in the shadows.
Both Bud and Jovanovich threw lines to an old Vincentian man in an unbuttoned shirt. He wondered how long they’d tender there. Bud said, “What did you go and do that for? I just wanted to scare him.”
“How was I supposed to know?”
“Son of a bitch. You can’t tell Biltmore.”
Garrett heard the clink of metal when a lid snapped shut. He smelled petrol and then the gas pump nozzle was snapped into place. The Vincentian said, “Five hundred dollars.” In another moment, Garrett felt engine vibrations and heard water splashe with the wake of the boat. He moved to shore, went behind a pile of netting, got his bearings and ran.
He looked backward now and then. He stopped running after a quarter of a mile. He shook his head to rid his ears and throat of seawater. Salt felt encrusted around his eyes. He pulled his wet sweater over his head and tied it as his waist but kept walking.
He knew he was at the edge of Kingstown. The town was nestled against a steep cliff. The island’s extreme topography made it beautiful, but he knew about the wet summers and fall hurricanes. Feisty tropical storms would take away from its pristine perfection. He didn’t know the layout of the town. He passed marinas and bars in the early morning light. Cinderblock houses, some painted pink, had tin roofs and chickens in the yards. He walked onto Upper Bay Street, and it appeared to be a main road with cafés and dive shops. He smelled coffee and entered a restaurant with the door open.
“Do you accept US dollars?” he asked.
Professional Reviews
Five Stars from Joyce Jackson, Reviewer
Windward Whisperings is a
very well done romantic suspense tale, and relationship novel. The sensuality scenes were tastful and well-done. The story well constructed and author Kathleen Rowland was well researched in the areas the book covered. I enjoyed it.
10/22/2007 by Joyce Jackson
Five hearts from Linda L. at The Romance Studio
Windward Whisperings
Kathleen Rowland
Romantic suspense
Available from Amira Press
ISBN: 978-1-934475-17-1
October 2007
Kitrina Piermont, Kitzie, hasn’t had a happy life with the death of her parents, not to mention the one man that was no longer in her life. To make matters worse, the black-French descendant even lost the family fortune. Only one person has been her inspiration throughout her ordeals, but even the ten years apart from him, never once did she shed a tear for the rotten rat. Garrett Mackenzie cannot believe it when he runs into Kitzie. It has been ten years and he is no longer the poor little white boy, but whether a wealthy consultant but Kitzie refuses to accept any help from him, and she certainly doesn’t wish him to buy her love, no matter how much money he has. No matter how hard he tries to fight his urges, he is twisted with just as many knots over her as she is him. Kitzie believes Garrett is as unique as the love they held. They were certain they would never be able to admit their true feelings again until they find themselves in the midst of a murder, and arson. Now they are forced to discover what they once had all over again.
Windward Whisperings is a charming read. I liked the part where Kitzie and Garrett had been together for a week and she thought of how it had been five months and three weeks, and she was looking for the other half of her heart. I had never looked at relationships in that aspect. Not to mention Garrett being the balm that cured the ache in her soul. Such touching writing that reaches out and makes the reader feel wonderful all over. Kitzie and Garrett are an ideal couple that makes this read most gratifying. Kathleen Rowland spins a creative story with romance, passion and suspense making it an adventure hard to put down. The banter she creates between the two lovers is spine-tingling robust in this keeper of a read.
Overall rating: 5 hearts
Sensuality rating: Very sensual
Reviewer: Linda L.
January 29, 2008
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