Escape to New Zealand Boxed Set: Just This Once, Just Good Friends, Just for Now

Escape to New Zealand #1-3

by Rosalind James

Three sweet and steamy New Zealand rugby romances--Just This Once, Just Good Friends, Just for Now

With more than a quarter million ebooks sold since the release of Just This Once in 2012, the Escape to New Zealand series has rapidly become a contemporary romance reader favorite, as strong, sweet, sexy New Zealand rugby players find the women destined to win their hearts. Now, for the first time, Books One through Three are available as a boxed set in this special offering.

Book One – Just This Once
Everyone needs to be rescued sometimes. Everyone but Hannah Montgomery, that is. She just needs a vacation. Three weeks in New Zealand to sort out her life, figure out what she wants, seems just right. Oh, and to relax. She should definitely put that on the agenda. She certainly isn’t looking for a sexy fling with a professional rugby player, no matter how attractive he is. Hannah doesn’t do casual. But maybe just this once …

Book Two – Just Good Friends
Some bets were made to be lost. Kate Lamonica can’t believe she’s made a bet to be “just friends” with playboy star Koti James. New Zealand had seemed like the perfect escape from the stalker who’d threatened first her peace of mind, and then her life. She certainly doesn’t need any more trouble. Why on earth has she agreed to spend time with a Maori rugby player who’s far too handsome and charming for his own good—and knows it? But there’s more than one game Koti’s good at playing …

Book Three – Just for Now
There’s no place like home ... For teacher Jenna McKnight, nothing spells “heartbreak” like finding her husband with somebody else--in her bed. It’s clearly time to reinvent herself. A new body, a new city, and a new job later, she’s done just that. The beautiful Auckland villa isn’t really her home, though. Finn Douglas and his kids aren’t really her family, however much she wishes they were. And playing house can be a dangerous game.

Read on in the series for more New Zealand rugby love! With eight books available and two more coming in Spring 2015, your own Escape to New Zealand awaits!
Prequel - Just for You (Reka & Hemi) Read free with Kindle Unlimited!
Book One - Just This Once (Hannah & Drew)
Book Two - Just Good Friends (Kate & Koti)
Book Three - Just for Now (Jenna & Finn)
Book Four - Just for Fun ( Emma & Nic)
Book Five - Just My Luck (Ally & Nate/Kristen & Liam)
Book Six - Just Not Mine (Josie & Hugh)
Book Seven - Just Once More (Hannah & Drew again/reunion)

Coming Spring 2015!
Book Eight - Just Say Yes (Chloe & Kevin)
Book Nine - Just in Time (Faith & Will) - available for preorder in Melody Anne & Brenda Novak's Sweet Talk boxed set

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook

843 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Rosalind James writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense published both by Montlake Romance and independently. Her stories are set in New Zealand, Idaho, California, New York . . . really, anyplace that seems cool. (Research trips, especially those involving lots of rugby, are a bonus.) Her books are available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. Rosalind is a former marketing executive who spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries. She attributes her rapid success to the fact that "Lots of people would like to escape to New Zealand! I know I did!"

Reviews

[Midwest Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually purchased all of these books separately rather than as a set. I would definitely recommend reading this set. All three are quality reads. I have included below short reviews for all three books.

Just This Once

One of my favorites in the series and Drew is definitely one of my favorite romantic protagonists in not only this series but in general. A great one to read and reread. I love the characters, and this book really does a wonderful job of introducing the reader to New Zealand-its people, land, culture, colloquialisms, and of course rugby!

Just Good Friends

This book is one of my favorites in Rosalind James's Escape to New Zealand Series (and I have read them all). Not only is it a great romance, but a great book, and you truly feel like as a reader you "escape to New Zealand." James's passion for the country, people, and culture really shines through. The chemistry between the two main character in Just Good Friends is tangible and realistic. It is very re-readable. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good romance, anyone who likes a story with a strong female protagonist, and anyone who would like to explore New Zealand in the rereading.

Just For Now

I have a personal theory when it comes to romance books that depending on where you are in life (married, single, divorced, parent, non-parent, etc) or your personality different books and characters will appeal to you in specific ways and to different degrees. Its one of the things that makes rereading or relistening to a book so much fun. The female protagonist Jenna is a very maternal and nurturing sort of woman, very likeable and intelligent (which I love). Even though I would normally gravitate towards a different kind of female protagonist, I found this book to be as infectious as the previous books and hard to stop reading and I found Jenna to be a very enjoyable character to follow and to root for. I respect her and I think she is one of those characters the more I think about her is one you can learn from. Finn is likeable and believable, and not too perfect but everything you could hope for in a romantic lead. I love how Rosalind James focuses on relationships-romantic, friendships, family. I am also coming to realize how much James does not gravitate towards the recent literary trend of consumerism porn where the book is littered with expensive labels and just enjoy the financial security and opportunities in a relaxed way just as Finn does.

[Wendy Bianco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought each of these books separately and love each of them.

Just This Once introduced me to the world of En Zed and rugby. Responsible, dependable Hannah spontaneously decides to take a 2 week vacation to New Zealand alone and meets Drew, rugby star, when he fishes her out of the ocean. This is their story of how 2 weeks wasn't enough for Drew and his attempt to convince Hannah, she didn't have to shoulder the weight of her world alone.

Just Good Friends is the story of Koti and Kate's story. Kate is starting over, leaving behind family, friends and a stalker. Koti plays rugby and is too good looking and too used to getting his way. A bet made in the heat of the moment gives Koti a chance to change Kate's mind and Kate the opportunity to make a new friend...at the very least.

Just For Now is the story of Finn and Jenna. Jenna takes a temporary job as a nanny and housekeeper while looking for a permanent position as a teacher. Finn is looking for a nanny when his takes an emergency leave. She's starting over and he is trying to do what's best for his children. They find playing house hard to resist and harder to deny they're feelings.

[Ronda Eberhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fell in love.

Absolutely love this series. Fell in love with these stories from the beginning. Learn something about New Zealand also. The characters are amazing.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I totally enjoyed the three stories and I will read the next set in this series. Totally recommend this series.

[Robin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed these books mixing romance with sports and learned so much about new Zealand. a little too steamy love scences but I can look over that

[Brandan WH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series

What a wonderful collection of the first 3 books in this series.
I loved them all because of the following:
It introduced me to NZ rugby
All of the men were strong, handsome and kind (nice to know those attributes are not mutually exclusive)
The women were beautiful but more so, genuinely kind. One was on her first vacation in a long time and, after raising her younger siblings and for being made to feel less beautiful than her sister, was trying to find a life for herself outside of her family and work. Another was hesitant of men because her last boyfriend become a stalker and made her flee all the way to New Zealand to escape his attention. And the last was in a relatively sexless marriage and was made to feel like she was undesirable you her husband. While all of the books were a little different there was 1 prevalent thread that I found a smidge annoying- while the women were lovely, they each spoke negatively and jealously of any woman who cane around the men they were interested in. I could appreciate where they were coming from (their men were professional and popular rugby players) but it was disappointed how often the language drifted that way.
I also found it interesting that these men all ended up with typical American women. I was happy to see that there were enough examples of the other men on the team married to fellow New Zealanders so it didn’t seem like a fetish’s but I’ll be curious to see who the love interests are for the remainder of the series.
Outside of those lapses, I really enjoyed these books and look forward to reading more of this series.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pack your bags!

If I could I would be on a plane to NZ right now! I liked these books and they are all really well written with an incredible attention to detail and to NZ’s culture which I love and always appreciate on the books I read.

Drew and Hannah’s story is the one I liked the most and what pushed me to read the other 2 books, which ended up being quite nice themselves.

I give them 3.5 stars, because although I liked the books there are a couple of things that prevent me from giving a higher rating.

First, many times it felt like they were dragging on, it was “too much” of the same type of interactions between the main characters. Then a climax towards the end that resolved quite fast which after all the preamble it felt rushed. And even though there is an epilogue, after all the effort to build the character you are expecting a bit more. We got more from Drew an Hannah on the second book but it did not follow into the third nor we heard about Koti and Kate either after the end of the second book. That was a bit disappointing but I liked the story in the third one all the same. Finally, it took me a while to finish them, which is not a good sign for me but I am really glad I did because overall I enjoyed them and I look forward to reading more from this Author.

[Kerry H · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three books are scrumptious

• Just This Once - Escape to New Zealand Book 1 I could not put this book down, finished in one sitting. I found the characters, Hannah and Dre, intriguing and absolutely loved their development throughout the story. I would read this one again, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
• Just Good Friends - Escape to New Zealand Book 2
Another spectacular story with characters that truly come alive. The banter between Kate and Koti was witty and so realistic I felt I was in the room with them privy to their conversations. Very well written and impossible to stop reading.
• Just For Now - Escape to New Zealand Book 3
My second time reading this story of Jenna and Finn and picked up a new understanding of Jenna this time around. She has many hidden layers which leads to an intriguing character and combined with an interesting plot with a few twists... a very good read.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven

The second book in this set deserves 5 stars. Both the male and female heroes were well- rounded and grew throughout the story. The plot was fresh and unoredictable enough to stay interesting. The first was pretty good as well, maybe a four. But I would have to give the third just two stars. The woman had no faults, the man was also just about perfect, and how two reasonably intelligent, otherwise perfect adults didn't know that going at it like rabbits, even with condoms, is likely to have unwanted results I'll never know. Stale, shallow, and too mych graphic sex that went on too long. Disappointing.

[Rachel Brunello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting peek into New Zealand!!

Another author recommended this series to me and I’m so glad she did! The characters are interesting and diverse, and the storylines had a nice flow. I LOVED the tidbits I learned about New Zealand and look forward to actually visiting there sometime. If you’re looking for a romance in a lovely setting, then this series is for you. The culture is fascinating and the couples are amazing together. Each book is so different even though there is a Rugby theme throughout them all.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear your schedule and gather the tissues! These are some of my favorite stories in the Escape to New Zealand series and they will not disappoint. Just This Once was the beginning debut of Rosalind James' fantastic romance writing career and this is no slouchy start. Beautiful, picturesque settings, eloquently described, well-drawn heroes and heroines, funny side-characters, and lots of depth of emotion and wonderful story-telling. Pull up a chair and cuppa, this series is going to let you escape to a faraway land and fall in love with the characters!

[Karen O'Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories and learned about the New Zealand dialect and rugby. It was easy to pick up the meaning of the new words thru context. There is a mini dictionary of terms so you can check meanings. The rugby info was fascinating. The stories were good; the characters well developed. I liked the characters. It was fun to read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories

Not feeling at my best, I was looking for escapism books, and this trio fitted the bill! I liked all three females, enjoyed reading how they overcame their challenges with the guys in their lives. Thoroughly recommend these books hope you enjoy them as much as I did:)

[Cristina Menchu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books so much I visited New Zealand because of them! Believe me you’ll want to buy the rest of the series after finishing these. Rosalind James writes characters with personality, grit and mana. Both her heroes and heroines will win you over.

[Catherine Geist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

All 3 books were great. They were well written & the storyline was great. The characters were such that you could relate to & put yourself in their shoes. I highly recommend it.

[Gaby Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I couldn't put these books aside. They are full of love, fun, tears and so much family and caring moments in these books. Very easy to read and to get pulled on as you are right there with the people in these stories. Love it

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape to New Zealand

I love this series. I have read each book quite a few times and they never get old. Very romantic and you feel a part of the story.

[Carol Tietsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read them all in sucesssion and loved each and every one.

[Gaayathri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not read if you are actually from NZ you will find these very annoying.

[Lynne Ernst · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Zealand fun!

3 stories in one. Easy to read separately. I really enjoyed the feel of New Zealand and discussion of the culture . Enjoyable romance .

[Marjorie E Wieweck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic

Enjoyed the book with its setting in New Zealand & the characters. Want to travel to New Zealand & see a rugby game.

[Paula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series makes me want to fly to New


Zealand and find me a rugby player. I enjoyed learning about the history and the culture. It's really well written.

[Sara-jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't always read romance involving sports but this was not any ordinary stories involving sports. I felt drawn in and I want to reread it again and again

[Mandi Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all of these stories

Great love stories. Each unique in their own way! Made me want to visit New Zealand. And what great swoon worthy book boyfriends!

[Willa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this set. I enjoyed everything especially the Aussie dictionary at the end. Hope to read more by Rosalind James.

[Jcsportmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find myself wanting to learn about and watch the rugby and the All Blacks!!

[Tina Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the best romances I've found lately. The New Zealand setting and characters combine to make them unique.

[Christen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read book 1 & 2

[sharon sobzak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape to NZ

Three stories with interesting characters set in NZ with a backdrop of rugby. Enjoyable to experience the fun vocabulary and some Maori traditions too.

[ShuneF · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the characters in the first three books of the series are strong and independent. The back drop of New Zealand provides descriptions which you can visualize of the island.
The women learn that being independant does not mean they can not rely on the men they come to love.