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Kumul Cartel Trilogy #1
Connor
The time—early 1980s.
The place—Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
My name is Connor Masterton. My brothers and partners are Jake and Quinn.
I’m the eldest; and the one responsible for keeping our drug cartel alive and prospering.
Using the undeveloped country as a cover, we are able to operate with next to no chance of being caught.
Or so I thought…
Who will betray our operation and push us to the brink of destruction?
Can we survive the betrayal?
The place—Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
My name is Connor Masterton. My brothers and partners are Jake and Quinn.
I’m the eldest; and the one responsible for keeping our drug cartel alive and prospering.
Using the undeveloped country as a cover, we are able to operate with next to no chance of being caught.
Or so I thought…
Who will betray our operation and push us to the brink of destruction?
Can we survive the betrayal?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2022
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Susan Horsnell
240 books174 followersI was born in Manly on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, Australia and grew up in the west after we moved there to help my brother’s eczema which was made worse by salt air. I now reside in the beautiful sunny state of Queensland.
My dad had the biggest impact on my life. I have always had an overactive imagination and would often tell him stories which floated in my mind. He encouraged me to put pen to paper convinced that one day they would become published books.
Apart from marrying the love of my life, the highlight of my life was being accepted into Nursing just before my 16th birthday. It had been a long-time dream and one which encompassed 37 years of my life. Along with nursing, being married to a Naval Officer for almost 47 years, and posted in numerous places, gave me experiences which I have written into many of my books.
We enjoy traveling the country with our Caravan/RV, and Jack Russell puppy by the name of Gemma who will be joining us.
As my parents were British, never Australian citizens, I hold dual citizenship and we plan to take advantage of this to spend two years traveling the UK and Europe in the near future. It will also give me the opportunity to catch up with many family members who reside in England.
My books are in various genres - Western Historical Romance-both steamy and sweet, Contemporary Romance-steamy and sweet, Male/Male, Australian Outback and City Romance. I also have one menage and one paranormal romance along with two children's books. As I said earlier, I have a rather overactive imagination.
I hope you will pick up one of my books and when you close the cover on one of my stories it will be with a satisfied sigh.
Author Links
Blog:
http://susanhorsnell.com
Web:
http://www.susanhorsnellromanceauthor...
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/susanhorsnel...
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan...
You can email me at:
horsnells@yahoo.com.au
My dad had the biggest impact on my life. I have always had an overactive imagination and would often tell him stories which floated in my mind. He encouraged me to put pen to paper convinced that one day they would become published books.
Apart from marrying the love of my life, the highlight of my life was being accepted into Nursing just before my 16th birthday. It had been a long-time dream and one which encompassed 37 years of my life. Along with nursing, being married to a Naval Officer for almost 47 years, and posted in numerous places, gave me experiences which I have written into many of my books.
We enjoy traveling the country with our Caravan/RV, and Jack Russell puppy by the name of Gemma who will be joining us.
As my parents were British, never Australian citizens, I hold dual citizenship and we plan to take advantage of this to spend two years traveling the UK and Europe in the near future. It will also give me the opportunity to catch up with many family members who reside in England.
My books are in various genres - Western Historical Romance-both steamy and sweet, Contemporary Romance-steamy and sweet, Male/Male, Australian Outback and City Romance. I also have one menage and one paranormal romance along with two children's books. As I said earlier, I have a rather overactive imagination.
I hope you will pick up one of my books and when you close the cover on one of my stories it will be with a satisfied sigh.
Author Links
Blog:
http://susanhorsnell.com
Web:
http://www.susanhorsnellromanceauthor...
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/susanhorsnel...
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan...
You can email me at:
horsnells@yahoo.com.au
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 20, 2022
Holy smoke Batman, what a terrific story! Only problem is I now desperately need the next book!
This story is set in Paula New Guinea in the early 1980s and I really enjoyed this totally new setting plus the different era. The Kumul Cartel is run by three brothers: Connor, Jake and Quinn Masterton whose father is a mafia don in Melbourne, Australia. This story, of course, is about Connor but it does give good background information on the other brothers as well. It shares interesting and at times eye-opening facts about this country and the people native to PNG.
Connor is a man who likes things done his way but in saying that, he isn’t afraid of working hard. He plays hard too but respects women and although he has some preconceived ideas about certain women, he is ready to admit when he’s wrong. Being the capo comes with a lot of responsibility where he oversees the whole operation, so it’s only natural he is a tad arrogant too. Meeting a new woman isn’t on his agenda but then again it wasn’t on hers either. I liked them together a lot, they had great chemistry and are a perfect match really.
I am not in any way, shape or form an advocate for the use, sale or growing of drugs; however, I must admit this story lures you in and I found myself wanting Connor and his brothers to succeed. Such is the writing, it is more about the people, it doesn’t shy away from the drug business but I suppose I just liked these characters so much. 🤷🏻♀️
This first book is like the entree, it entices and once you’ve developed a taste for the flavour you are hooked! Did I say I can’t wait for book two, Jake? 🤣
This story is set in Paula New Guinea in the early 1980s and I really enjoyed this totally new setting plus the different era. The Kumul Cartel is run by three brothers: Connor, Jake and Quinn Masterton whose father is a mafia don in Melbourne, Australia. This story, of course, is about Connor but it does give good background information on the other brothers as well. It shares interesting and at times eye-opening facts about this country and the people native to PNG.
Connor is a man who likes things done his way but in saying that, he isn’t afraid of working hard. He plays hard too but respects women and although he has some preconceived ideas about certain women, he is ready to admit when he’s wrong. Being the capo comes with a lot of responsibility where he oversees the whole operation, so it’s only natural he is a tad arrogant too. Meeting a new woman isn’t on his agenda but then again it wasn’t on hers either. I liked them together a lot, they had great chemistry and are a perfect match really.
I am not in any way, shape or form an advocate for the use, sale or growing of drugs; however, I must admit this story lures you in and I found myself wanting Connor and his brothers to succeed. Such is the writing, it is more about the people, it doesn’t shy away from the drug business but I suppose I just liked these characters so much. 🤷🏻♀️
This first book is like the entree, it entices and once you’ve developed a taste for the flavour you are hooked! Did I say I can’t wait for book two, Jake? 🤣
January 30, 2022
I love that this is set in the 80's. It's got really good background information and gives some details regarding all the brothers but more focus on Connor given that this is his story. I couldn't put down the book once I started. It's really good and is only the beginning of everything with the Kumul family. I loved the storyline and how everything came together. Then the ending came as a surprise. Definitely wasn't expecting it to end that way. Overall great first book in a new series. I'm looking forward to reading more.
January 28, 2026
An interesting start to the Kumul Cartel trilogy.
Connor is the eldest son of the Masterton empire. Having branched out to PNG, leaving his home in Melbourne, his father put his trust in his three sons to start a successful business in heroin and arms trades.
All was going great until they found the Bonelli family from Britain was encroaching on their territory.
Meeting the Don Bonelli and his daughter, Tania changed the trajectory of how Connor dealt with his shut off feelings. Tania Bonelli! A beautiful woman, but smart, strong and sassy, pushed all his buttons. Made him feel things he didn't allow himself to feel!
When his first attempt to kiss her after a great dinner date, she flattened him....literally! LOL I don't think he thought his "balls" were used in the way he thought they would be.
Sitting in bed with ice on his scrotum to prevent any swelling, he needed to know why Tania reacted in the way she did.
She divulged her trauma, and understanding her "knee jerk" (LOL) reaction, they began seeing each other more frequently.
Whilst in the background, threats were looming and someone was trying to discredit his families business and reveal their true business in PNG!
Falling in love and keeping threats at bay should not be so hard!
Loved the brother's banter and especially the youngest brother Quinn...who seemed to have a huge chip on his shoulder and was the most unpredictable of all three brothers.
A soft cliffy keeps you vested in the story and now looking forward to reading Jake's story!
Connor is the eldest son of the Masterton empire. Having branched out to PNG, leaving his home in Melbourne, his father put his trust in his three sons to start a successful business in heroin and arms trades.
All was going great until they found the Bonelli family from Britain was encroaching on their territory.
Meeting the Don Bonelli and his daughter, Tania changed the trajectory of how Connor dealt with his shut off feelings. Tania Bonelli! A beautiful woman, but smart, strong and sassy, pushed all his buttons. Made him feel things he didn't allow himself to feel!
When his first attempt to kiss her after a great dinner date, she flattened him....literally! LOL I don't think he thought his "balls" were used in the way he thought they would be.
Sitting in bed with ice on his scrotum to prevent any swelling, he needed to know why Tania reacted in the way she did.
She divulged her trauma, and understanding her "knee jerk" (LOL) reaction, they began seeing each other more frequently.
Whilst in the background, threats were looming and someone was trying to discredit his families business and reveal their true business in PNG!
Falling in love and keeping threats at bay should not be so hard!
Loved the brother's banter and especially the youngest brother Quinn...who seemed to have a huge chip on his shoulder and was the most unpredictable of all three brothers.
A soft cliffy keeps you vested in the story and now looking forward to reading Jake's story!
January 22, 2026
A whirlwind read of romance, the mafia world and more. The three brothers are close I liked the relationship they had, the support and backup, the love. There is action and trauma which is full on and graphic, some making me wince at the visions they gave me. The romance is fast but felt right for this couple as they connected and were open, honest and caring. The plot being based in a different country, one easily pictured as being ripe for drugs, made it even more interesting and fresh. Fantastic characters all bring their own elements to the story. I just sat and read from start to finish, it was one of those books you don't want to put down in case you miss something and the end had me diving straight into Jake....
January 20, 2023
ARC review
It was a little hard to come into the story, since had to push myself to read it.
Everything was so rushed, I didn't got to enjoy the interactions between the characters.
Like the fact that Connor and Tania are starting to fall in love for after only seeing each other for a third time... I don't know, it just didn't do it for me.
I started to enjoy the story a little more when there was more action.
I feel disappointed, because the story had so much potential and i did not live up to my expactiations.
2⭐️
It was a little hard to come into the story, since had to push myself to read it.
Everything was so rushed, I didn't got to enjoy the interactions between the characters.
Like the fact that Connor and Tania are starting to fall in love for after only seeing each other for a third time... I don't know, it just didn't do it for me.
I started to enjoy the story a little more when there was more action.
I feel disappointed, because the story had so much potential and i did not live up to my expactiations.
2⭐️
February 1, 2022
I enjoyed reading this enthralling mafia romance by Susan who was a new author to me. Set in Papa New Guinea we have 2 mafia families operating their businesses here and when the families meet, the sparks fly between Connor and Tania but a romance between 2 mafia families is frowned upon. Unable to deny their chemistry they have a riveting courtship! I enjoyed reading this delightful book and I look forward to reading about Connor’s brother’s.
January 23, 2022
Connor, the eldest brother of the Masterson family. A family that could rival any Mafia family. Their business is heroin and arms. An ugly life where death to traitors is just in a day's work.
Interesting Country, this is based in Papua New Guinea, where life is still quite primitive or was when this story was based. Unique culture and food.
A new family moves in too close, who are these people and are they encroaching on their territory. Perhaps Connor has met his match. Can they collaborate peacefully?
Danger and betrayal, what can one expect as they deal with evil.
Great story, not my go-to genre but it was well written and I look forward to more in this series.
Interesting Country, this is based in Papua New Guinea, where life is still quite primitive or was when this story was based. Unique culture and food.
A new family moves in too close, who are these people and are they encroaching on their territory. Perhaps Connor has met his match. Can they collaborate peacefully?
Danger and betrayal, what can one expect as they deal with evil.
Great story, not my go-to genre but it was well written and I look forward to more in this series.
January 28, 2026
It is very interesting reading about Mafia in a different, non-tech environment. Connor and Tania are suprised by their attractions. Ends on a cliff hanger, so be prepared to read the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews