5 hearts from Love Romances for THE BIGGEST KAHUNA! "THE BIGGEST KAHUNA is a very unusual story, which will enchant the reader from the first page onward. Ms. Cullen’s idea to use the Hawaiian mythology for a novel is simply brilliant. It is fascinating to get to know the different deities of the Hawaiian mythology. No matter if you take Kal, the Shark God or his sister Pele, the Goddess of Volcanoes, they are really interesting characters. The whole cast of the characters is unique in their own way and absolutely lovable."
THE BIGGEST KAHUNA wins Just Erotic Romance Review's Gold Star Award! I'm shocked, grateful, and really happy! Thanks to Sakura Kai for an awesome review! "This was hands down, the best book of erotic romance I’ve read all year! I was completely blown away by the original storyline, excellent characterization, fantastic dialogue, gorgeous tropical setting, not to mention the scorching sex scenes. I was absolutely hooked from the first line."
THE BIGGEST KAHUNA wins the Romance Weekly Reader's Choice Award! Woot! "Don't let the title of this romance keep you from checking out one of the best books on the market this month. The Biggest Kahuna takes you to the exotic Hawaiian Islands for a romantic story as old and compelling as the Greek myths. Prepared to be swept off your feet as Nikkie falls in love and Kal discovers a love far deeper than his love for the ocean. You'll be savoring this for weeks after."-Romance Readers Weekly
Check out this 5-heart review from The Romance Studio! "This book is an exciting, fun read...I was drawn into the story from the first page and fell more and more in love with Kal as I began to know him. He and Nikkie couldn't be more perfect for each other and I found myself hoping for them to find some way to be together. They were both such good people and so deserving of happiness; as were Val and Sam. I loved the ending. In fact, I loved everything about the whole story. You will too. Pick up your copy right away. The Biggest Kahuna is a book you don't want to miss."
THE BIGGEST KAHUNA was chosen as a featured erotic read by The Road to Romance!
The ancient Shark God, Kalahiki Kamahoili and his Volcano goddess sister, Pele, make life tough for the mortals who come to love and worship them.
EXCERPT
Nikkie approached the new patron apprehensively, wondering why the stranger in the corner made her nervous; deciding exhaustion was to blame. She was tired to the bone—tired of being hit on, pinched, and gypped out of tips, tired of watching Sam work all night after a full day shift at the hotel in town. Her feet ached in her high heeled sandals and her head pounded from the music and chatter.
With an hour to go, the crowd was winding down. She tucked her order pad into her sarong and pushed the pencil behind her ear, then stopped at a table to pick up a candle in the shape of a tiki god, intending to give the man a little touristy ambience.
As she got closer, she saw how big he was, broad-shouldered, muscled arms in a worn surfer logo t-shirt, very long legs propped up on the table. Worn jeans and bare feet. A surfer.
“Welcome to the Big Kahuna!” She tried to sound as cheerful as possible as she lit the candle. She looked up and felt a sudden need to sit before he legs gave out.
“Holy cow.”
He didn’t smile, but arched a brow in question.
“Holy cow? Is that Sam’s latest cocktail? I’ll take one holy cow, then. On second thought, make it a double, with a twist.”
Nikkie felt the mortification crawl to her face and flush her cheeks. There was no getting around it. She’d taken one look at him and said “holy cow.” Yep, there it was, out in the open. He’d be the type to run with it, of course. Hot and slick and sure of himself.
She pulled herself up stiffly and took out her pad, pulled the pencil from behind her ear and waited. She wouldn’t look at his face again, because that was like looking at heaven. She wouldn’t be able to look away.
You’re simply a sucker for long dark hair. Nikkie tried to focus on his arms. That had to be safe. It wasn’t. Holy cow. He was built, beautiful, and young.
“How old are you, sir?”
“You don’t want to know. If you’re asking me if I’m 21, the answer is yes. Think of me as about…hmmm…28. How old are you?”
“I’m not the one ordering a drink.” Nikkie felt the blood rush to her cheeks again, wondering why she couldn’t hold her own against a surfer dude. Well, not exactly a dude. Probably a model. That’s it, a model. Dark, dark eyes with the slightest exotic slant, thick dark lashes, and perfect caramel colored skin over a bone structure Michelangelo might sculpt. Full lips that now curved up slightly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Sit down.” He pulled out a chair and smiled wryly.
“I’m working.”
“I’m a customer. I’d like for you to sit while you take my order.”
“Bull shit.”
“Sit.” The order was soft, but it drilled to her soul, and she found her body moving as if in a trance. “What’s your name?”
“Nikita.”
She stared at him, unable to do anything else. He held her gaze and then studied her carefully. She felt naked, crossed her arms over her breasts, and then let them drop to the table at his smirk.
“Aloha, Nikita. You come from a solid family.”
“You know Sam and Val?”
“I do. Everyone within a hundred miles knows them.”
“And you are…?”
“I am thirsty. I think rather than a holy cow, I’ll drink my usual.”
“Which is?”
“Sam knows it. Save you from writing.”
“Do you want something to nibble on, or will Sam know that too?”
He lowered his gaze to her breasts and then up to her lips, cocking his head to one side as if making a decision.
“You’re about to say something really inappropriate, aren’t you, Mr.….”
“Kal. Simply thinking something inappropriate. Wouldn’t do to hit on Sam’s sister, no matter how tempting. How…excruciating not to.”
“Good. I’ll be back with your…with whatever your usual is.”
Nikkie practically ran back to the bar, heart racing wildly. Shark. Shark. Shark. It had to be, because Val would have warned her about anyone that beautiful, that smooth, that dangerous. He could tell her to strip down and sit on his lap and she’d probably do it.
“Sam!”
“Uh huh.” Her brother was washing out glasses and didn’t look up.
“Sam!”
“What Nik?” He saw her face and stopped cold. “My God, what’s wrong with you?” He looked to the corner of the bar and saw Kal, who nodded briefly.
“Oh, yep.”
“Yep? What’s that supposed to mean? Yep?”
“What do you want me to say? An odd, good looking guy comes here nearly every night. You’ll need to learn to deal with him. Does that help you?”
Sam reached for a plain unmarked bottle and pulled out the cork, poured a few fingers’ worth into a glass. “This is his.”
“You take it to him.”
“He’s not a serial killer, Nik. What’s the matter with you? Simply set the glass on the table and walk away. It’s on the house, by the way.”
“Why doesn’t he pay?”
“He owns the place. Well, the land, the building. The hotel on the hill. The estate up the road. Billionaires, he and his wacko sister. He’s our landlord.”
“He doesn’t wear shoes.”
“He can afford shoes. Look, the guy is a little eccentric, but he’s harmless. At least I think he is. There are stories…”
“Stories? What stories? Tell me!”
“Geesh, calm down. It’s only some local bull shit about Kal and Pele, his sister. I think it’s jealousy.”
“Tell me, Sam. I need to know. He looked at me as if he could read my mind. I swear, I think he hypnotized me for a minute.”
“I think that’s called not going on a date for a year and having a guy hit on you.”
“I’m not that pathetic. There’s something about him…”
“Yep, that’s the exact phrase everyone uses. ‘ There’s something about him.’ All I know is that he’s fair, he likes to buy things for Angie, he’s the best surfer in these parts, and that he goes through women like Grant through Richmond.”
“Burning them?”
“You know what I mean. Now give him the damned drink. He has a bit of a temper, and I don’t want to deal with it tonight. Come on, Nik, he won’t bite.”
“Like hell he won’t. He’s the Shark, isn’t he?”
“Do not call him that. For my sake.”
Nikkie groaned and picked up the drink. She’d put it on the table without a word and walk away. Not one word. Arrogant so and so.
Kal smiled broadly as she approached, unnerving her completely. His eyes glimmered with a hint of silver and his teeth gleamed in the candlelight. Shark, shark, shark. They’re predators.
Nikkie put the drink down and tried to turn away, but found herself frozen in place, inches away from him. He looked up and gestured for her to sit. Walk away, Nikkie. He’s a womanizer; he’s slime, like Kenny. Only better looking. Than everyone on the planet.
“Please.” His voice was so soft this time she wasn’t sure he’d actually spoken.
“Stop doing that thing.” Nikkie felt the overwhelming urge to sit near him battle with the overwhelming urge to run.
“What thing is that?”
She slowly lowered herself onto the chair and blew out a deep breath. “I don’t know what it is. You, however, do, because you do it on purpose. Some kind of charisma thing.”
He sniffed a quick laugh and threw back his drink in one swig. “Come on, your shift’s over.”
“Like hell it is.”
“We’re taking a walk.” To her amazement, he bounded out of his chair and went up to the bar. A half dozen men gathered around him instantly, Geter included, patting him on the back and shaking his hand. Kal motioned to Sam who leaned across the bar, exchanged a few whispers with him, and returned to Nikkie. He held out his hand.
“I gained your brother’s permission to court you.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“What language. I think my statement was clear enough.”
“You’re insane. As if…”
“As if what?”
“As if I need my brother’s permission to go out with someone. As if you’d ask. As if he’d tell you it’s all right. What the hell century do you think it is, Mr. Shark?”
“So formal. Shark will do, but I prefer Kal. I didn’t hear you say that you didn’t want to go for a walk?” His smirk returned and he motioned again with his hand for her to rise.
“Look, Kal, Shark, Bob, Frank, whatever—I’m exhausted and the only thing I’m doing when my shift is over is going to bed—alone. You’re obviously used to women jumping when you call. Well I’m not jumping. Find someone else.” She gestured to the bar, where a dozen single women were looking a little desperate for companionship as the evening ended.
“I want you. I don’t need you to jump. Simply get the hell up and walk with me. You don’t want to make me angry, Nikita.” The threat seemed like a joke, but there was a hint of seriousness that set Nikkie’s nerves tingling.
