Love Down Under: Eight New Zealand & Australian Feel-Good Beach Romances

by Rosalind James

100% pure escape.

Escape to the Land Down Under, where the sky is bluer, the living is slower, and the loving is sweeter. This summer, dive into eight heartwarming feel-good beach romances by bestselling Australian and New Zealand authors. And because size matters, they're all novel or long novella length! We've got cheeky, sexy, funny, steamy, sweet--and all with heaps of heart. Enjoy with a tall pitcher of iced tea or a bottle of chilled white wine--we'll never tell!

* Eight standalone novels (NO cliffhangers!) spanning 1,500+ pages
* Over 95% off retail for the individual books sold separately
* Only available through July--get your copy today!

Eight perfect indulgences to get your summer sorted!
ROSALIND JAMES, - Just For You
TRACEY ALVAREZ - Melting into You
DIANA FRASER - The Playboy's Redemption
H.Y. HANNA - Summer Beach Vets: Playing to Win
JOANNE HILL - Falling for Jack
KRIS PEARSON - The Boat Builder's Bed
ANNIE SEATON - Beach House
SERENITY WOODS - A Secret Between Friends

Genres: Romance, Anthologies, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Australia

1550 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 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

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I have only read one of the books in this anthology of eight fantastic stories. I hope to continue with the others but here is the review for the one I have read. I will edit the review later on as I read more of the wonderful books included.

Melting Into You is book two in the Due South series by Tracey Alvarez. I love books that include kids. This book was fantastic. It had every element I look for. Hot chemistry between the main characters, sweet romance, a tough guy that softens to a pussy cat, and two sweet little girls that will just break your heart. Yep, I loved this book.

Kezia Murphy has pretty much been let down by everyone that mattered to her. Her ex-in-laws, her own parents and her deceased husband. She and her eight year old daughter, Zoe, came to Oban on Stewart Island to start fresh. She loves her job as a school teacher and Piper and Shaye Harland, her two best friends, have made her feel like she belongs here. But then there is their brother, Ben. He makes her think and feel all sorts of things, none of them anything to do with being friends. But she will never allow herself to trust or depend on another man again. She can’t let herself. Not with her little girl to take care of.

“Lust and affection faded and grew brittle with time. It wasn’t okay to lean on him. Because leaning on him, depending on him now her heart was involved? Fool-proof recipe for disaster.”



Ben Harland is definitely a tough guy, or at least he thinks he is. He doesn’t do hugs or express any girly emotions. He works on his boat, has poker night with the guys, and other such manly things. Until a brief acquaintance of his from nine years ago, one wild and fun weekend, shows up on his door step with an eight year old little girl, telling him she is his, and that she is leaving her with him. What in the world is he supposed to do with a little girl? Especially one who seems to hate him. So Kezia steps in to help. He doesn’t really mind her help because he has been trying to find excuses to talk to her for awhile now. It’s against his own rule to date anyone on the island but he’s finding it harder and harder to resist her.

“What I need, Kez…” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his shoulders hunched as if prepared for rejection. “What I seem to need right now…is you.”



This was such a good book. Ben’s transition was miraculous. Ben who doesn’t cook, who would never, ever own a small, yapping mutt of a dog, who would never, ever, bake cupcakes, and who could never see himself as a father or in a committed relationship, gets a crash course in all of the above. Little Jade and Kezia’s daughter, Zoe, become fast best friends and Jade’s transition from a quiet, shy, introverted little girl to a laughing, outgoing little girl was beautiful.



“This is so cool, isn’t it, Jade? It’s like we’re a real family.”
“Yeah,” Jade said quietly.”

As Ben and Kezia slowly give in to the chemistry driving them crazy, will they just be able to get it out of their systems and then move on? Or will one night together never be enough?




“One night no one else could know about-a chance to be a woman first and a mother second. One night to be touched by a man who made her melt from the inside out.”



This really was such a good book. I did a lot of sighing, a lot of smiling, and a lot of worrying that these two wouldn’t find their way. And of course lots of updates with Piper and West from the first book and I got to know Shaye, Piper and Ben’s youngest sister, a little better. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Ready to Burn, which is about Shaye and West’s younger estranged brother, Del.

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Down Under: Eight New Zealand & Australian Feel-Good Beach Romances"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."

This is one of the best deals you’ll find. I usually am quite disappointed in anthologies, finding that there might be a couple of good entries, but they’re usually surrounded by substandard entries. That is not the case for "Love Down Under" which features stories set in either New Zealand or Australia. There a couple of books I didn’t enjoy as much as the others, but overall this was a very entertaining collection. It’s fun to read books set in a different setting and learning about New Zealand and Australia. I felt that I had taken my own little romantic travel tour while sitting at home in my living room. And I also appreciate that most of the entries are full novels.

In "Melting Into You" by Tracey Alvarez, the setting helps drive the plot. The novel takes place on Stewart Island at the southern tip of New Zealand. It has the atmosphere of a small town where everyone knows everyone else. Ben Harland, who runs a tour boat to take tourists out on the water, lives alone and has a crush on the new teacher in the town, a widow, Kezia. But he’s shocked to have a daughter he didn’t know he had from a one-night stand nine years ago. His daughter is dropped off without any warning on his doorstep. Now this gruff bachelor has to learn how to be a father for his surprise daughter. Who better to help him than the local schoolteacher who happens to have a dynamite daughter , Zoe, just the same age. You’ll love Zoe. I really enjoyed the story of how Ben overcomes his solitary nature and learns how to father his lonely daughter. This is a very sweet story and I enjoyed the setting. It has some of the feel of novels by Kristan Higgins as romance takes root in an isolated small sea community.

"The Playboy’s Redemption" by Diana Fraser was my least favorite entry. A wealthy bachelor decides to help out a woman he feels that he wronged a decade earlier. They come together, but their romance is totally unmotivated. I never like these stories where there is little character development and the H and h are just in love with each other because….they are.

"Playing to Win" by H.Y. Hanna is the second in her series about veterinarians in a small Australian seaside town. Ellie Monroe is an American transplant working at the resort. She meets up with a hunky vet who has an adorable chocolate Lab. This is a very sweet series and who can resist a hunky vet?

In another story about a surprise child being left with a bachelor, "Falling for Jack" by Joanne Hill, the wealthy hero must take care of the son he didn’t know he had when he’s sent to visit him for mysterious reasons (that I guessed right away). Jack has just happened to run into Robyn Taylor, a principal’s daughter whom he remembers from their high school. He finds out that she hadn’t fulfilled her academic promise when she had twins. So, of course, he asks her to help watch his son. And, of course, they fall in love while he learns to be a father. Although the plot is quite similar to Melting Into You, this is different enough and well written enough that most readers won’t mind the plot similarities.

"Just for you" is by a novella by one of my very favorite authors, Rosalind James. This is the story of Maori rugby star Hemi and Reka who have appeared in James’ other New Zealand rugby books. This book is basically a prequel to the later books, but I didn’t find that it mattered that I was reading it after reading other books. I especially enjoyed the Maori culture. Hemi had met Reka earlier for a one-night hook up at a wedding. Now he runs into her again and, as a more mature man, he realizes how special she is and how much he wants to build something with her. I enjoyed her feisty her demeanor. She isn’t going to buy any guff from Hemi. He’s going to have to earn her company this time. He’s willing to work for her affection because he realizes how special she is. If you’ve read Rosalind James’ other books in this series, I think you’ll enjoy finding how Hemi and Reka came together. Something I really enjoy about James’ books is that they’re driven by character and setting rather than unbelievable plot contrivances. I learn something about New Zealand and rugby with each of her books while being entertained by a lovely love story. If this is your first Rosalind James book, I bet you’ll want to read the entire series.

In the alliteratively named “The Boat Builder’s Bed" by Kris Pearson, Sophie Calhoun, an aspiring interior decorator, is offered the contract to decorate an unbelievably dramatic new mansion that seems to be built on the side of a seaside cliff. The tycoon, Rafe Severino, falls for Sophie after just one moment. I am tired of these instant love/passion stories. I’d prefer that the love affair be motivated by character as Rosalind James does rather than just something the H and h immediately sense in each other. For reasons that never ring all that believable, Sophie hides from Rafe that she has a daughter whom she has left with her mother while she tries to build her career.

In Beach House by Annie Seaton, Rosie and her two friends have been living in a lovely house on Bondi Beach while running their own businesses. The heroine is a masseuse. The house has been left to her and a champion surfer who just happens to be recovering from an injury and needs...wait for it... a talented masseuse. Romance and muscular comfort ensues in an entertaining read.

The one book I haven’t quite finished is "A Secret Between Friends" which features a NZ veteran of Afghanistan, Genie Sharpe. She has returned injured from the war to the Bay of Islands to her hometown where she must confront the family of her best friend who died in Afghanistan. Her friend’s mother blames her for the daughter’s death. And Genie begins a romantic partnership with her friend’s brother to complete her friend’s bucket list. It’s a different premise to have the heroine be the injured vet recovering her equanimity in her old life.

[KB Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my review for Rosalind James' lovely novella Just for You.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I was first introduced (you know what I mean) to Rosalind James with her yummy Escape to New Zealand series, starting with Just This Once. I've read them all, and both Just This Once and Just for Now are my favorites, mostly because of how much I plain liked the characters, their back stories, their adult way of approaching their issues, and the deft hand with how the author handled the romance. I like a sexy scene, sure, but I really like a real-feeling romance.

And this lovely expanded novella Just for You has that in spades.

It's the story of Hemi and Reka's beginning(s), greatly expanded from the short in It's in His Kiss, and for those of us who feel as if we well know the warm, lovingly henpecked Hemi and earth mother / bossy Reka, it is a delicious, welcome dive into their history(-ies). They feel like the long-married parents Hemi and Reka whom we've always seen, so no crazy about-faces or personality changes -- the author clearly knows, respects, and cares deeply about Hemi and Reka. It shows. But what's even better is to see them as individuals who are falling in love -- not driving a minivan, not hosting a barbecue, but an early-20s smitten, wary, couple.

For those who haven't already had the pleasure of reading James' Escape series (and you should!), Hemi is a famous, hard-working, and quite good national rugby player in New Zealand, and he's of Maori descent; Reka is his love interest, a kindergarten teacher who works part-time in her family's cafe in a small coastal town in northern New Zealand. Reka is also Maori, and close to her extended family. They'd briefly met the year prior at a wedding, where Reka was a bridesmaid and Hemi was the Big Man due to his recent fame as a stellar rugby player. Just for You picks up a year later when they reconnect in Reka's hometown.

I have to say, it is a treat to learn more about both New Zealand's northern end of North Island and more about the Maori culture. However, because I am not a rugby enthusiast the rugby scene went on a bit too long and in too much detail for my liking, but happily (for me) culminated in a romantic scene with lots of great dialogue.

I will get to the other books in this compilation, but I am already pleased I read this dolce of Just for You.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful introduction to fine writers of stories based in New Zealand and Australia! Many of these authors I have never read before but will read again in the future. Thank you to the authors for giving me this boxed set to read and review!

Melting into You by Tracey Alvarez: Book 2 in the Due South series finds Ben Harland faced with an eight year old daughter he did not know even existed. His steamy friendship with Kezia Murphy has its ups and downs as he learns to be a father.

Playing to Win by H. Y. Hanna: Another sweet story in the Summer Beach Vets series. This time Ellie is the one to find love. (Must confess this is the only one I still have left to read and am definitely looking forward to doing so when I finish typing!)

The Playboy’s Redemption by Diana Fraser: Book 3 in the Mackenzies series was my first book by this author. Mac and Susie knew one another when they were teenagers and come together again during the sale of a winery. Are there embers still smoldering or have they all been put out?

Falling for Jack by Joanne Hill: Jack Fletcher and Robyn Taylor meet years after attending the same high school. Jack has done well for himself and Robyn is pursuing a different dream from the one she had in high school. A previously unknown son appears in Jack’s life and Robyn steps in to help as a temporary nanny.

Just for You (Escape to New Zealand) by Rosalind James: The steamy story of Hemi and Reka introduced me to new Maori terms, a bit more about Rugby than I ever knew before and provided a wonderful read.

The Boat Builder’s Bed (Wicked in Wellington) by Kris Pearson: The big issue in the path to love in this story is decisions made regarding what one does with one’s child. Past experiences and lack of communication and trust creep in to foil love, at least for a while, but eventually there is a happily ever after.

Beach House by Annie Seaton: This story is wonderful! Rosie and her two friends live in a wonderful old house - the house that she lived in as the foster child of Aggie. Taj is a professional surfer and only relative of Aggie mentioned in her will. Annie and Taj get off to a rough start but grow closer as part o the terms of Aggie's will are fulfilled. Family is central to this story and family is not always just blood relatives. Great story and fun reading.

A Secret Between Friends (Treats to Tempt You) by Serenity Woods: Two friends go to war and one injured lieutenant returns. How she is received back home, who is still her friend, who blames her for the loss of the other who did not come and how grieving takes place are all included in this love story.

[D'Lana Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

What a fun read! This set contains 8 books of various lengths by 8 different authors. The only common denominator is that all of the books take place "down under" in New Zealand and Australia.

My favorite book in the set is one I had actually read before, but it is such a good story I enjoyed it just as much the second time as the first. The book is Just For You by Rosalind James and is a prequel of sorts to Rosalind's Escape to New Zealand series. Just For You tells the story of Hemi and Reka. They are the couple highlighted in supporting roles in most of the Escape to New Zealand series. They are both Maori so the Maori culture plays a large part in the story as does rugby, but don't let that deter you. I know nothing about rugby and I loved this story! The relationship between the two characters is hot, sexy, sweet and romantic. The writing is, as always with this author, stellar. The characters are three dimensional, all the dialogue is sharp and real and the sex scenes are steamy. It is a wonderful story of how two people can move past misunderstandings and over come obstacles because love is what is important. If you enjoy this story I guarantee you will love the rest of the Escape to New Zealand series!

This set is full of fun, well written stories and NO cliffhangers! Falling for Jack by Joanne Hill and A Secret Between Friends by Serenity Woods are my other favorite books in the set and I'll be looking for other things written by these authors in the future! The heat factor varies from book to book. Some are just sweet and some are pretty steamy. This set is a definite recommend from me!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

JUST FOR YOU by Rosalind James
I've already met Reka and Hemi, and I knew that I liked them already. Reka is a very strong female character, and I love that. I love the New Zealand patois that she throws in. She's quite sassy in the glossary section, and for that I love her. It's a part of the author that is purely her.

Favorite part, a description of Hemi:
Uncle Matiu: Mana. That's what matters. That he runs strongly, that he fights bravely, yeh. And that he can speak softly, that he uses his strength to protect, not just to hurt. That's what you know about him. That's what counts.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, all I have read from this boxed set is "The Playboy's Redemption" by Diana Fraser. I had already read this book previously. I am excited to read the rest of the stories featured in this boxed set. I will read more in this boxed set soon and update my review accordingly.

The Playboy's Redemption: Really enjoyed this book. They were probably my favorite couple from this series because I'm a sucker for second chance stories. Can't wait to read whatever comes next from this author.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Jeanine Walsh palinkas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin or how to describe the amount of love I had for every single book in this boxed set! Astounding, terrific, great, charming, heartfelt and very well written are just a few words that come to mind. I can't even pick a favorite story because I loved and would recommend every one. These ladies did a fantastic job!

[Judes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I received a free copy of Love Down Under and am providing an honest review of Rosalind James' book "Just for You". I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."

This book is actually a glimpse back in time, before the first book in the series "Just This Once", Drew and Hannah's story, where we first meet our main characters Hemi and Reka, who are so much a part of the series.
We see so much growth in these characters as Hemi, who is portrayed to have this quiet strength as Drew's right hand as he leads the All Blacks and Blues Rugby teams. We see Reka pretty much the same character, just a little wiser and stronger but like Hemi she is a strength for the female character.
But I digress... in Just For You we eavesdrop on how the couple meets, gets over the awkward hurdle of a one night stand that leaves a mark on both, especially an independent strong willed Reka. Both are Maori and face the tradition of their upbringing and the pull of what notoriety does to a young Rugby player and stardom, while Reka feels what it is to be a fling, a 'Funtime' girl which she is not.
But, as all Ms James' books, it's not only a steamy romance with strong male characters and sassy females, this book also laces the sites, sounds and culture of New Zealand, giving you just another side to this beautiful island and its people and their sense of tradition and family that seems to make up the average life in NZ. You become part of Reka's family and get to visit Northland and watch how romance, even with a shaky start can blossom into love and family.
This book answers all the how, when and oh mys that you may have asked in the beginning books of this series and boy did we get their story... Every spicy bit.
'Good on ya...' Rosalind James!
So for all you Escape to New Zealand fans and those who haven't tried it yet.... What you waiting for pick up a copy and make yourself cozy as this fills the warm spot that you need.

Now this boxed set "LOVE DOWN UNDER" is the best and most flavorful meal in town. You have your greenery of beautiful New Zealand and Aussie, your meaty, hunky guys and the stories satisfy and complete the plate. Of course there is dessert as we are given romance and in some there's the spicy bits too that add the icing and it's all in this box set.
We have alpha type males who bring us the grit yet the ladies aren't any pushovers either as they give as much as they get and sometimes more.
The descriptions of the places and each having a storyline that respects us readers who want the full experience of reading a good book and a value for money spent.
I recommend this box set as it checks all the marks, and so much more, as well as it satisfies sooooo many areas, so grab a box you won't regret it.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful box set by many very talented authors.
I have read a couple of the books including Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets 2) - sweet contemporary romance by H. Y. Hanna.
This is book 2 in the Summer Beach Vets series but can easily read as a standalone book. This story covers Ellie Monroe who works PR for the new beach resort coming to Summer Beach. She is the cousin to Sara who came to visit her from LA in book 1. Ellie becomes friends with Will and his Lab, Milo, who will eat just about anything, including her flash drive. Meet Dr. Dan O'Brien, a senior Veterinarian who is very familiar with Milo and his habit of eating things he shouldn't. Dan thinks Ellie, a true workaholic, should lighten up when it come to her work and enjoy life more. The story revolves around Ellie and her friendship with Will and Milo and Dr. Dan. Can Ellie learn to live more and work less? What about broken promises and hurting someone that cares about you? Is her time in Australia only for a year, or could her job be more permanent and possibly a future with a certain Doctor? This book has so much character with the people, wildlife, slang and culture that is shared in this delightful story. You will see people from the first book too.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great boxed set from Down Under. Awesome Collection of stories by 8 different authors that I have never read before. It is a great way to try out new authors to see if you like them. I loved them all and they keep you reading to see what will happen next. Great set of books for laying on the beach with a cool drink. Buy it today you will not be sorry.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole collection is 4.5 because most are 5 star reads!!

Melting Into You by Tracey Alvarez Ben and Kezia*****

In this second of the Due South series, Tracey again presents strong characters and intense emotions. Ben, a dive guide trying to keep his dead father's business afloat, has absolutely no interest in ever being in a committed relationship. Kezia, a hot widowed mother is also not ready to get involved with any man; not because she mourns her late husband, but because she doesn't want to make another mistake like she did in marrying the loser. **spoiler alert** Throw in a nasty ex (well, not even an ex—a one night stand from years ago with a big surprise) and you think there is no way these two will ever get together, even though Kezia's daughter thinks so. Their unrelationship seems to take the path it should, convoluted and scary to both of them at times. There is no "I know where this story is headed" moment. Keep the tissues handy, because there are a number of “Ben you dummy” and “No, Kezia, don't do it” moments when you will need them!
.


The Playboy's Redemption by Diana Fraser James and Susie ***

I wanted to love this story, but it just didn't make sense to me. Susie blames James and his rich family for destroying her father's life, her family and her own life 10 years ago. Yet, when he appears on the scene “just to make restitution,” with no intention of having a relationship with her and planning on leaving in a week, she lasts all of two days before she jumps into bed with him. Apparently she doesn't hate him as much as she thought, but still!! After the circumstances of their parting all those years ago, I can't imagine any woman being that forgiving. And at the end of the week he changes his “business plans” and ends up messing up another family's life to be with Susie. They both seemed to act out of character just for the sake of the plot.

Playing to Win by HY Hanna Ellie and Daniel ***

This was another book that made me ask “What???”. Ellie is a US transplant, working on a short contract at a resort in a beach town in Oz. All of her efforts are concentrated on her career and getting back to the US. Her cousin came to visit on vacation, met and become engaged to a veterinarian, yet she never met any of his partners. Then she meets one, Dan, because of an incident involving a dog and “his boy.” Suddenly she is madly in love. Then she decides Dan is manipulating her feelings that are counter to her career goals and dumps him. She blows off a promise to the boy to attend an event and stays late at work, even though most of her fellow employees leave early for the same event. But then, 24 hours later, she pulls a 180 and jeopardizes her job and whole career because the dog has a crisis. Dan melts and forgives her immediately. And instead of losing the job, she gets praised, and an extension of her contract. Sorry, again, just too contrived. Characters have to be believable and consistent and likable, and I just didn't get that from Ellie.

Falling for Jack by Joanna Hill Jack and Robyn *****

Enjoyed how this acquaintance to friendship to romance evolved. Jack and Robyn have had hardships and setbacks at different times in their lives. When they first knew each other in high school, he was the “bad kid” with a rough family life and she was the “most likely to succeed” treasured daughter of the high school principal. Now he is famous and a target for paparazzi, she is a working mother in a low-paying job. Monetarily he is rich now and she is not. And they are both estranged from their families. Even their misconceptions about each other are handled in a believable manner. Surprises and obstacles abound , not all pleasant, but James, with a great deal of help from Robyn, is able to surmount and overcome, with the result of ending up with the big prize, the love of Robyn herself.

Just for You by Rosalind James Hemi and Reka *****
This is a prequel to the Escape to New Zealand series. In the series, Hemi and Reka serve as the relationship role models for Hemi's rugby teammates and the women who might or might not end up with the men, for advice or consolation. Reka, especially, is calming and nurturing in these stories. So thank you Rosalind, for showing us how they went from their own fumbled beginning, through their misunderstandings and misconceptions, to their ultimate bond of love and trust. And now I can reread all the other books to remind myself just how strong and unbreakable that bond remains throughout the following years, showing their true HEA.


The Boatbuilder's Bed by Kris Pearson Rafe and Sophie ***

The setting was beautifully described, as was the natural beauty of the area where the action takes place; however, the plot line was just too contrived. Their “meet cute” was fine, except that Sophie is a former employee of his ex-wife, only Sophie doesn't know that she is now an ex. Rafe goes from totally angry at Sophie to lustful in 60 seconds, and offers her the job of a lifetime another 60 seconds after that. In the first hour he tells her twice that “children should be with their parents” and so she feels she must hide the fact that her daughter doesn't live with her and starts acting just like the driven career woman his ex-wife is. So how can he be madly in lust with someone who appears to be exactly like the ex-wife he just got rid of? He doesn't know her or anything about her and at first uses her just to get revenge on the ex. And she lets him, because she wants the money. Yet he is constantly thinking she likes him for him, not for the money. And then she says she does like him for himself, and yet she constantly thinks about how she will now be able to afford to bring her daughter home. Too many mixed messages from both of them for me to get a sense of who they really were,so I don't see how THEY could know each other's true self. Must say that the sex scenes were HOT!!

Beach House by Annie Seaton Rosie and Taj *****

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was not the usual “boy meets girl and instant lust/love blooms.” Rosie lived with her foster mother Aggie in her Bondi beach house since she was 8 years old. For the past 5 years, until her death, Aggie has lived in a home specializing in care for dementia patients. Rosie has paid for the home by taking out loans. At the funeral, her childhood (and still) crush, pro surfer Taj Brown, shows up with several other “relatives”, even though Aggie always claimed she had none. To the surprise of both parties, Aggie leaves the beach house to both Rosie and Taj, her grand nephew, IF they live together in it for 3 months. Suffering a possible career-ending injury, Taj is not thrilled about sharing the house, or giving it to Rosie, who he now remembers following him around the last time he visited—12 years before. They both start out angry, with misconceptions abounding. But after living together a while, and getting to actually know each other, she realizes he is a real person with flaws, not just a gorgeous body on a poster above her bed. He realizes she truly loved his aunt, and actually physically and monetarily cared for her, rather than taking advantage of her dementia. Rosie immediately realizes that Aggie is matchmaking from beyond the grave, and shares this with Taj. They both begin their three month togetherness period with completely different goals but both do NOT want a relationship or children. Bit by bit they start to get to know each other, care for each other, and WOW!! There is a lovely ending that is not totally unexpected, but feels “just right.”

A Secret between Friends by Serenity Woods *****!! Genie and Niall

Wounded combat veteran Genie returns home to NZ only to face blame and shame because she survived an IED blast but her foster sister , best friend, and fellow soldier, Ciara, didn't. Ciara's mother completely blames her daughter's death on Genie and refuses to talk to her or acknowledge her. Ciara's brother Niall, is somewhat ambivalent, yet glad she is home.

When Genie finds Ciara's bucket list in her bag, she and Niall decide to complete some of the tasks.

Through many thought-provoking twists and turns, performing the tasks draw Genie and Niall closer together, and they begin a romance. She was not expecting this as Niall had only five months earlier broken up with his girlfriend of 10 years. Turns out he had never been able to commit to his girlfriend because he had always had thoughts of Genie, since he had kissed her when she was 14 and he was 18.

All the kisses after, and all the rest of their physical connections are beautifully described and I wanted to be her!! (And now, whenever I put a load in the washing machine...)

Through worries of the family's continued blame or the possible return of the ex and completing the bucket list tasks, Genie comes to grips with the trauma she and Ciara endured, and begins to heal both mentally and physically. Finally, through Niall's maneuverings, Genie is able to absolve herself from blame for Ciara's death, and she is able to fully accept that she deserves his love and return it fully.



I received this collection as an ARC for an honest review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melting Into You(Due South #2) by Tracey Alvarez
Ben owns a Dive Tour Business. He is happy with his single life and has never had a long term relationship. He is not the type of man who tells people he loves them with words. He tells them with his actions. He never gets involved with local women and has no intention of ever having a serious relationship. All is well until a woman he had a fling with 9 years ago shows up unannounced with his 8 year old daughter, Jade. Ben has no idea how to care for a child but he is about to learn.
Kezia moved to Stewart Island with her 8 year old daughter, Zoe. They needed to make a new start after Kezia's husband died and Zoe finished treatments for Leukemia. They love their new life and the friends they have made. Kezia doesn't need a new man in her life and she doesn't do casual.
Ben has been secretly lusting after Kezia. Kezia has been dreaming about Ben. When Ben turns to Kezia for help with Jade, they end up spending quite a bit of time together. It doesn't take long for the sparks to fly. Are they able to see past the differences and get their HEA?
Another terrific story by Tracey Alvarez. She has a way of making not only her characters but also New Zealand come alive. I want to visit New Zealand after reading her books.
I loved the relationship between Kezia and Zoe. It reminded me of my relationship with my mom. I also loved the relationship they formed with Jade. More than those relationships, I loved the bond formed between Ben and Jade. The way he talked to himself about what he was doing wrong, the fact he was willing to try anything to make her happy, and especially the way he was willing to give up his way of life for her. Their relationship wasn't perfect but it grew to be beautiful and full of love.
Yes, this is a romance story! Ben and Kezia were HOT! Their relationship was combustible! The main problem for them was their differing ideas on romance. Kezia needed the words "I love you" and Ben felt he told her he loved her through his actions. Kezia believed you made decisions together. Ben had been taking care of his mom and sisters for years and made decisions on his own. Both of them were mule- headed! I wanted to shake them sometimes! I loved Ben's idea for finally getting through to Kezia. It was so sweet and romantic! "swoon"
You have to read this book! It is so good! 5 Stars


The Playboy's Redemption (Mackenzies #3) by Diana Fraser
James Mackenzie and Susie Henderson fell in love as teens. They were torn apart when James did something unthinkable. Now years later James has tracked down Susie. He intends to make sure she is financially set for life. She doesn't trust him and can't forgive him. However, the spark is still there. Will James be able to change her mind?
This was a well written, highly enjoyable story. The plot moves at a good pace. Background information was provided without being cumberson to the story. So often it is told in such a way as to drag down the present day story. That wasn't the case in this book. I liked the characters and felt they were realistically portrayed. I really enjoyed the interactions between Susie and Tom.
One problem with the book was when Susie ran off after finding out something she didn't like. I don't want to say what happened because I don't want to give anything away. I hate when someone simply takes off in a snit and doesn't find out the whole story. It is childish. It detracts from the story by adding unnecessary drama.
I recommend reading The Playboy's Redemption. This was my first book by Diane Fraser. I intend to read more of her books. 5 Stars


Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets #2) by H.Y. Hanna
Ellie Monroe moved to Australia 5 months ago as PR Manager for a luxury resort. She is an uptight, OCD, perfectionist. She has no idea how to have fun or relax. She believes anything less than perfection- even one tiny mistake- will be the end of her career and her personal downfall.
Dan O'Brien is one of the local veterinarians. He knows how to balance work with play. Serious with fun.
Will is a local little boy. Along with his dog Milo, he is friends with Dan. When Will meets Ellie, Milo eats her flashdrive. That leads her to Dan. Will romance ensue?
This book had a lot of potential. Great idea for a plot. Gorgeous beach locations. A loveable little boy. A mischievous dog. A hunky, caring, compassionate vet. Then there was Ellie. I found her totally unlikeable. Between Dan, Will, and Milo, they convince Ellie to let her hair down a little. Instead of balancing work and play, she gets so drunk one Saturday night that she sleeps all day Sunday instead of getting a couple hours work done. That isn't what they meant by loosening up a little. Of course, she takes her mistake as a complete disaster and goes off the deep end.
I loved the way Dan told her off- no holds barred- when she hurt Will. He pulled no punches. She deserved every word he said. Dan deserved a better woman. I'm giving this book 3 Stars


Falling for Jack by Joanne Hill
Jack is a wealthy man who discovers he has a son. He has no idea how to relate to a child. When his son comes to visit, Jack hires Robyn as a nanny. Robyn and her twins move into Jack's house while she works for him. Can they keep their relationship business only?
I enjoyed the way Robyn had a dream and no no one or nothing was going to stop her. Her twins were the most important part of her life. Jack was a good man who wanted to do right by his son. I found it refreshing that Jack didn't let a major misunderstanding keep him from going after what he wanted. That being said, I can't imagine anyone trying to keep their toxic family in their life like Jack did. Or that Robyn, who knew about his past, would urge him to introduce his son to his family. 3 Stars


Just for You by Rosalind James
Hemi Ranapia is a New Zealand Rugby star. He lives his life like he plays rugby--hard and fast. Reka Harata is a woman who believes in family, hard work, and forevers. She doesn't do one night stands. Until she has one with Hemi. Now a year later, he's back in town on holiday and wants to make amends for not calling after their passionate night together. Reka wants nothing to do with him but He i is persistent. Can he overcome her defenses? Can they find HEA?
I enjoyed this book. The story is well-written and flows nicely. I liked the fact that Reka took responsibilty for their one night stand. She didn't blame it all on Hemi. They worked out their problems together. I recommend reading this story if you like HEAs. 4 Stars


The Boat Builder's Bed by Kris Pearson
Rafe is a wealthy man. He is building a huge, beautiful new home and needs an interior designer. Sophie is an interior designer. They are both attracted to each other but Sophie wants to keep things on a purely business basis. She knows this job can make her career but only if she got the job because of her talent and not because she was sleeping with Rafe.
I can see Sophie's POV about their relationship. Sleeping your way to the top is not good for your reputation- even if it isn't true. I feel keeping her daughter a secret was wrong. I understand why she did but I thought it was cowardly. Rafe's ex-wife was an unnecessary addition. Her character added nothing to the story. The story was well-written and flowed nicely. Good, light HEA. 4 Stars


Beach House by Annie Seaton
Rosie was a foster child who was raised by Aggie from the age of 8. Rosie is still living in Aggie's house when Aggie dies. In her will, Aggie left her house to her great-nephew Taj and Rosie. They have to live together for 3 months before they can do anything with it. Seems Aggie is playing match-maker from the grave.
This was a cute story. It flowed nicely and held my interest. I can't imagine how I would handle living with my teenage fan crush. It would certainly fan the flames of my libido. I daydreamed about things like that as a teen and I know many others have as well. If you would like to read about one woman getting to live that fantasy, this book is for you. 4 Stars


A Secret Between Friends by Serenity Woods
Genie is home from Afghanistan to heal after being injured in the military. Her best friend, Ciara, was killed in the explosion that injured Genie. Niall is Ciara's brother. Niall and Genie have been secretly in love with each other for years. While they work on Ciara's bucket list will they finally admit their feelings for each other?
This book could have been better. I got sick of Ciara and Niall beating around the bush about their feelings. They are grown-ups for pity sakes. She is a Lieutenant in the military who has spent time in a hot zone. Even when things were said that seemed obvious about the way one of them felt, it didn't clear things up. I also thought the sex scene in the car wasn't needed. It was lust, not love. I have to say, on the plus side, all the characters were well-written and likeable.(Except the "villain", of course.) The story moved along at a decent pace. Family was important to both of them. 3 Stars

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Down Under

Just for You by Rosalind James
Reka and Hemi - one of my favorite couples in the Escape to New Zealand series by Rosalind James. Just for You is a prequel novella for the series, giving the backstory for an established and respected family. Hemi is a star rugby player and Reka is his earthy and hard working love interest. They are both Maori. I won't go into the storyline, as you can read that online. I will tell you that this prequel explains quite a bit about rugby (important since the series revolves around the sport) and the Maori culture, and explains the lusty relationship of the main characters.

I've never been a fan of prequels, but Rosalind James made a believer out of me. This novella is wonderful in its own right and holds its own place in the series' order. However, I would have loved a book instead of novella. I definitely recommend this story. You will not be disappointed!


Melting Into You by Tracy Alvarez
Ben and Kezia – Ben is in the tourism business, taking visitors out on shark watching expeditions. Kezia is an elementary school teacher with a daughter Zoe. Surprise, Ben finds out he’s a dad to a little girl named Jade from a weekend 9 years ago. Jade’s mom drops her off with Ben, then leaves. Ben has no clue how to raise a daughter, so Kezia and Zoe help.

Dyslexia and a lack of communication skills play roles in this story, along with childhood laughter and a few tears. Read this – it’s definitely worth the time!


The Playboy’s Redemption by Diana Fraser
James and Suzie – Suzie manages a winery, and James’ company buys it. Suzie and James were best friends growing up, until one fateful night when they became lovers. Ten years later, James is a wealthy playboy who wants to settle down and have a family, but he needs to make amends for hurting Suzie all those years ago. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I will tell you that James wants to find out if there’s a chance for them, without telling Suzie his backup plan. This was a good story, but the end came too soon!


Playing to Win by H.Y. Hanna
Dan and Ellie – Ellie is a perfectionist. She doesn’t make mistakes. She works in PR at an Australian resort and she is good at her job. However, she has issues with making friends and having a personal life. She lives for work. While walking on the beach she makes a friend in Will, a lonely boy with his dog, Milo. Milo will eat anything and ends up at the vet’s often. Enter Dan, the vet. He is taken with Ellie, but wants to see more balance in her life so that they might possibly be able to have a relationship. Dan is compassionate and an all-around wonderful guy. Twists and turns, lessons in friendship and love, and a softening heart make this story a sweet read. Enjoy!


Falling for Jack by Joanne Hill
Jack and Robyn – They went to the same high school, but were not friends. Jack had the rough upbringing, while Robyn won a scholarship to med school. Years later, circumstance brings them together. Robyn is busy raising her twins, divorced and working to support her little family. Jack has become one of New Zealand’s big businessmen. He has just been dumped by his model girlfriend (for his best friend) when he finds out that he’s a father from a fling 9 years earlier, and that his son lives in Canada but will be visiting Jack in NZ. Jack hires Robyn to be his nanny.

This is a sweet story with great character building. A story of life, circumstance and family. A story of children and hope. My first time reading Joanne Hill – won’t be my last!


The Boatbuilder’s Bed by Kris Pearson
Rafe and Sophia – Rafe Severino is a wealthy yacht builder, while Sophie is a decorator who used to work for Rafe’s ex-wife. Sophie is out on her own now, and has opened her own shop. Rafe helps her out one day and sparks fly. Rafe wants a family, but Sophie doesn’t know that was a main factor in Rafe’s divorce – he wanted kids and his ex didn’t. So, Sophie hides the existence of her daughter when Rafe hires her to decorate for him. This story may sound cliché, but it was incredibly well written and engaging. I found myself caring about the characters, knowing it would all work out. You won’t be disappointed when you read this story.


Beach House by Annie Seaton
Taj and Rosie – the terms of a will bring them together. Taj is a professional surfer recovering from injury. Rosie is a therapist who has had a crush on Taj since she was a teenager. Taj’s aunt took Rosie in as a foster child, and when she passed left her house to both Taj and Rosie – if they could live together for a stipulated time. Otherwise it would be sold. Matchmaking at its finest! A Bondi Beach story with heat. Be ready with an open mind and a surf board. Lots of fun and steam.


A Secret Between Friends by Serenity Woods
Niall and Genie – Genie and Ciara were best friends, like sisters. They even joined the Army together. Genie rose in rank and Ciara followed her, until Ciara was killed in a bombing that injured Genie. Now home on leave, Genie is blamed by Ciara’s family for her death, except Ciara’s brother Niall. Childhood memories, guilt and redemption, and love and family (Genie’s and Ciara’s) are all well represented in this story. The plot and storyline are detailed and well done. A story about coming home, when home was not a sure thing. An emotional read that is well worth your time.


I really enjoyed this collection of stories from down under. The authors are great at storytelling, and at giving us all a glimpse of their beautiful surroundings!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is only for Rosalind James' story "Just For You" portion of the book "Love Down Under".
If you are reading this, you have discovered one of my favorite authors of romance. Ms.James is a master story-teller and weaves wonderful imagery and the flavor of the local environment into her tales. She had me hooked from the very first Escape to New Zealand story I read. I am so impressed with the details she writes into the background, scenery, the characters, everything really.

This book is a prequel of a series called Escape To New Zealand. This prequel story (Just For You) was originally written as a short story/novella. I was very excited to learn that this was to be expanded to a full story and I would get to learn how Reka and Hemi overcame their obstacles to find their HEA.

We begin the story where the heroine, Reka, and the hero, Hemi, have just met again by accident after their initial meeting (a one night stand at a wedding over a year in the past). Hemi is eager to rekindle the sparks that he remembers about them together, and Reka is just as eager to forget him and keep him in the past. After the first few awkward encounters, the two recognize that they can start a friendship and a possible foundation for something more, which blooms to lasting love.

The descriptions of the geography and the New Zealand, in general are meticulous and compelling. All the imagery of such a beautiful country, and the mannerisms and local cultural references of the locals were fascinating. The author includes a helpful glossary of New Zealand local lingo and unique cultural references to help the reader connect to the story and the characters more deeply.

I fell in love with the characters and the setting of the book immediately. The characters were absolutely genuinely heartwarming and lovely to read about, very realistically drawn and compelling the reader to cheer them on. I felt that the characters were strong and had complex emotions and back-stories that were interesting.

Our Heroine, Reka, is sweet, savvy and world-wise. After being cheated on by her boyfriend she is done being taken for granted and used. Yet against her best judgment, she has a short-lived rebound affair with Hemi when they met at a wedding. After getting over the humiliation that it was not going to work out the way she wanted, she picked up the pieces and moved on with her life, and was clearly a strong, independent, yet vulnerable young woman who knew what she wanted in life. And strong enough to say no to the very temptation that got her in trouble the first time.

The Hero, Hemi, is everything us women love in a good hero: strong, sexy, emotionally sensitive but not afraid to take a strong stand for his convictions. He's not a classically handsome guy, but ruggedly good-looking and charming, yet not bad on the eyes. He's a leader and well-respected by his teammates and family. He also gets a lot of attention from women who are clamoring for his fame and fortune, and for a while, that went to his head and made him a bit of a pig-headed ego-maniac. Lucky for him, he found Reka and she made him come down a peg or two from his ego-trip. She really put him in his place!

Hemi and Reka together are adorable and their sensual scenes are very steamy!! WHEW!! This is not for the squeamish or for those looking for "light" romance, however I also didn't feel that it dwelled on that either. I think the story was incredibly romantic and I loved how they slowly learned to trust each other and put aside their baggage from past relationships. This was not an instant HEA. They had to work through some tough issues to get there. I was happy to see them work it out in the end.

I am eager to go back and re-read the series now (Escape to NZ) to revisit the highlights and impressions that these characters made on the lives of their friends down the road. In short, this story was well-written and I must say, had one of the loveliest endings I've read in a very long time. It brought tears to my eyes in happiness for this couple. That doesn't sound like such a big deal, but for me - I rarely cry from stories or movies. It just takes a lot to get to me. This one did the job! A BEAUTIFUL ending!! WELL DONE!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Diana in SC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how I review boxed sets: I ask myself whether I enjoyed some or all of the included books enough that the boxed set was worth more than I paid for it. For this Love Down Under boxed set, the answer is a very loud YES, and so I give it 5 stars! I received a free ARC copy, but if I had paid 99 cents for this, I would say that is is worth at least 7 times that amount. So far, I have read only 3 out of the 8 books, and I am sure that my estimate of this set's value will go up. (I will update this review as I read more of the books.) Here are my reviews of each book, numbered according to their order within the set:

3.) "Playing to Win" by H.Y Hanna: 3 stars. Maybe it was just me, but I found the main female character to be highly annoying. She was an American who has a job in Australia. She seems unprepared for her normal day-to-day life, and she barrels onward willy-nilly with her clumsiness instead of being careful like I would be. If I destroyed my laptop with coffee like she did, I would pause and be careful not to destroy anything else that day. Not her! I gave up on this novella, but other people might like it. Id did look well-edited.

5.) "Just for You" by Rosalind James: I loved this novella! This is the first book that I have read by Rosalind James, and I am so glad that I discovered her! I will definitely buy more of her books in the future. This is a second chance romance between two people in New Zealand who are about 20 years old. Reka, the very likeable female kindergarten teacher, and Hemi, the famous rugby player, first met about a year before the story starts. As it often happens in 19-year-olds, young women that age are more mentally mature than the young men. They had a one night stand, and Hemi never called her after he said he would. A year later, Hemi sees her again and would like another chance at a relationship. Hemi has matured some and continues to do so; I actually began to really like him quickly. Both of them are of Maori heritage, the native people of New Zealand, and I loved learning a little bit about their cultural traditions. I also loved that the hero played rugby, a sport that Americans like me hardly ever hear about. This novella was full of adorable slang from New Zealand and a few beautiful words from the Maori language. There is a dictionary at the end of the novella, but it was fun to figure out what these words meant. This wonderful novella had great romance, charming details, and excellent descriptions of the locations that made me feel like I was there. I highly recommend it. 5 stars!

8.) "A Secret Between Friends" by Serenity Woods: I actually bought this book separately before it appeared in this boxed set, and it was worth every penny. So far, this is my favorite book of this boxed set. Serenity Woods has written another beautiful contemporary romance full of warmth, love, vulnerability, strength, passion, sweetness, friendship, and the natural beauty of New Zealand. This author deserves to have her books read by millions of people because she writes romances that are as good as any other writer that I have encountered (and I have read a lot). This book touched my heart and made me smile countless times. The dialogue is absolutely lovely, so natural and flowing. The characters are so full of emotional warmth. I am always pleased at how likeable the main characters are in Serenity Wood's books, and this one is no different. The lady, Genie, is so easy relatable, with strength, vulnerability, and spunkiness. Niall, oh Niall! He is so hot and also romantic and sweet. His occupation is taking tourists out on his boat to swim with wild dolphins, and Niall sure looks good in a wet suit. The author truly has a gift for describing men and also for writing such memorable and steamy love scenes! This book is so well-balanced and multi-faceted, and for Americans it has the added bonus of being set on the beach in exotic New Zealand. It felt like I was actually there. The perfect summer book to read in any season! I highly recommend it. 5 stars!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Down Under: Eight New Zealand & Australian Feel-Good Beach Romances

Review of: The Playboy’s Redemption –Book 3 (The Mackenzie’s) By: DIANA FRASER
Other Authors in this collection reviews coming soon.

Book 3 -- The Playboy's Redemption -James Mackenzie /Suzie Henderson

I have read and enjoyed all of Ms. Fraser’s books in the “Desert King” series and was very happy to be able to review one of the installments for her Mackenzies��� series.

I enjoy Ms. Fraser’s books because she can paint you a picture and take you places you wouldn't ordinarily be able to go. I like the way she has a way for you to carry the characters in your heart mind long after you have finished the last page. You will not regret buying this book.

As we begin James Mackenzie has just purchased Whisper Creek winery on Waiheke Island much to his friend and financial adviser’s advice that it did not make financial sense to purchase. But he buys it anyway.

James Mackenzie is known as the Playboy of the Mackenzie brothers. He is seen in the media with lots of women on his arm. James is tired of his shallow lifestyle and wants a family. But before he begins his new life he needs to ease his conscience by securing the future of the woman he wronged ten years before.

The last thing Susie Henderson needs is her ex boyfriend buying the winery in which she works. How can she trust someone who she feels betrayed her 10 years ago.

When Susie Henderson finds out that James is on the Island and that he is the new owner of the winery that she runs, she is very upset. She has not seen James in 10 years when she was 17. She got pregnant and her family and his family told her to have an abortion. Even James recommended to her, “on the phone”, that she may want to get an abortion.

So, Susie could not trust James and she could not work with him. She has used her hate for him to get through the last 10 years and to support herself and her son, Tom. She told James all those years ago that she never wanted to see him again.
James had a secret too, he thought that she would come back, so he had taken the next college year off and stayed home waiting for Susie to come home, in New Zealand. But, she did not come home so he went on with his life.

The pain and hole that he had in his heart was filled with business and he was very rich because of this. He also filled the rest of his time with partying and women. He was a lonely and broken man.

As James and Suzie spend mandatory time together with the business plan for the winery, the same feelings are as strong as ever. But, neither will act on it because each knows that other hates them for the past transgression and James will be gone to his new life in just a few days.

Finally, somewhere around the 60% mark, Suzie and James put aside their pasts and make room again in each other’s hearts and lives. However, when James tells Suzie that he must go to California, where he now lives, and take care of some business and personal issues, Suzie wants to go too because James would only be a few days and they would be back on the Island.

During this trip, Suzie meets up with the woman that James had intended to marry and start a family life. No, they did not love each other, but it as an arrangement that would work for both and she had three children and James wanted children since he was not able to have them any longer.

Suzie leaves and goes back to the island alone. She refuses to sit down and listen to James and understand what was going on and that he loved her and wanted to make a life with her and Tom. At this point, Suzie is not being an adult and runs away like she did when she was 17. James lets her go and promises to abide by her wishes that he leave her alone.

To find out how this all ends, you must read this wonderful love story and see if James and Suzie get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, which is contained in the set Love Down Under in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Midwest Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read more from this Love Down Under, I will update this review. This anthology is a great value. Seriously, where else can you get hours, if not days worth of entertainment for such a price? I feel like there is a story for every romance reader and a great potential to find some new favorite authors. Additionally, I would like to say, the organizational structure of this book, which includes a blurb on each tale, makes it very easy to find which book or novella will best suit your mood.

ROSALIND JAMES - Just for You (Escape to New Zealand)

This was a great read. There is no need to have read any of the other Escape to New Zealand books before reading this as it takes place before the events of any of the others (although you can read any of the books in the series as a stand alone book). It is a satisfying novella and a complete story. Sometimes the novellas I find on Amazon can seem either like advertising for a series or just seem a bit too quick of a telling. This was satisfying as a novella and the story felt fully developed. Also, whether reading or listening, sometimes the novella length really hits the spot. One could easily read or listen to the complete tale during the course of a day for instance.

Having read the other Escape to New Zealand Books, I was already familiar with Hemi and Reka who feature in many of the books. Reading about them in those books as secondary characters, Rosalind James really gives you a feel for the chemistry and love between the characters and I was excited to read about how they got together. Reading this novella felt like visiting old friends (including some other old friends from the books) and I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect alongside my overall enjoyment of the book.

One of the things I love about these books, is that the experience of reading them does feel like "Escaping to New Zealand" in a sense. This novella is no exception to that and I love how James naturally interweaves Maori culture and language, as well as New Zealand colloquialisms and describes everyday life in the country. She does an excellent job at describing rugby action, that is easy to follow and read even if you don't follow the sport, but yet is thrilling and gets at the heart of why sports mean so much to people.


ANNIE SEATON - Beach House (Bondi Beach Love)

Beach House was a light easy romantic read of novella length set in Australia and is particularly a good read for the hot months of the year as their is some beach and surfing action. The chemistry between the characters Rosie and Taj is good and there are some good "steamy" parts to the story. There are some humorous parts and for the reader, the story really moves. Additionally, I love how Aggie has a real presence in her matchmaking and the sense of people making their own families.

Sometimes reading a novella length story hits the spot or is less of a time constraint during busy times. The downside is that sometimes the story can be a bit rushed. I found that, while Beach House was a complete story, the plot and the romance both felt somewhat rushed. I feel that it could have either been expanded to a full length book, or constructed a bit differently to be a more realistic time frame. The second factor is that to me, Rosie could seem like a weak character and never seemed to step up in actively taking a role in making decisions. This is unfortunate, because it is clear that she is a strong character based on how she cared for her foster mother and the fact that she runs her own practice.

I did find this to be a sweet and romantic story, with some steamy bits, and would recommend Beach House. I will be looking to see what comes next in this series!

I received a free copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melting Into You – 3.5 stars
I wasn’t sure about this one early on, I really didn’t like Ben at all. The author did a great job of peeling back his layers and showing that he could be a really good guy. His sisters and friends are an absolute hoot and were perfect for moving the story along. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Playboys’s Redemption – 3.5 stars
A great second chance romance. Susie and James reconnect 10 years after adolescent heartbreak and just when things seem to be perfect, James keeps a secret and trust goes out the window again. Parts of the story seem rushed to me, especially how Susie “falls back in love” with James after 10 years apart and then at the mere hint of trouble runs away. The author makes it work, but it would have been nice to see that a little more fleshed out.

Playing to Win – 3.5 Stars
A sweet, quick read. American PR executive, Ellie has moved to an Australian beach community to help get a new resort up and running. A no-good, very bad day leads her to meeting local vet, Dan, a cute little boy and his dog, Will and Milo. Romance and friendships bloom and Ellie discovers that there is more to life than work. She messes things up and gets in her own way before she gets her priorities straight. A great read for a relaxing afternoon.

Falling for Jack – 3 stars
A sweet story – Jack and Robyn knew of each other growing up and run into each other as adults where they discover roles have reversed to a certain extent. When Jack discovers that he has a son he never knew about, he turns to Robyn for help. The story is more about relationships and personal growth with elements of attraction and love woven through. I like both Jack and Robyn and the growth curve they each experienced, but I didn’t really connect with either of them.

Just for you – 5 stars
It was a true treat to see how Hemi and Reka came to be together. This is a fun read to be enjoyed by anyone just discovering the Escape series as well as anyone who has joined Ms James on her wonderful trips before.

The Boat Builder’s Bed – 4 stars
The build-up in this one is worth it! The beginning is a little slow as it seems like Rafe and Sophie have this odd tug-of-war going on, but once they finally give in they are great together. There is a snarky ex and secrets revealed at the worst time to deal with, but they make it through and they both get the ending they want.

Beach House – 3 stars
While I enjoyed this story, I felt like it really could have been so much more. The premise is a lot of fun; an aunt/guardian who meddles in the lives of loved ones by making them share a house in order to inherit. Rosie’s longtime crush on Taj complicates things for her. There are a couple of really fun moments and there is great chemistry between them, but we don’t get to know either of them very well. We see a little bit of what drive Rosie, but Taj’s motivations are a little murky for me even though what he does is very kind. My only complaint is that this story doesn’t seem to live up to its potential.

A Secret Between Friend’s – 4.5 stars
I think this may have been one of the books I enjoyed most in the set. Genie and Niall are both genuine and likeable characters who are also a lot of fun together. They have history together and a pretty big tragedy in between them that makes them and unlikely pair, but I loved how Niall fought for them. Interesting secondary characters add a great flavor to the story too.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for review. I was not required to leave a good review and the opinions are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great deal on an enjoyable collection of summer reading. Nothing too heavy, just a lot of spicy, fun romance, with something to please everyone. Most (if not all) of these stories are part of a larger series, so there are some great new authors here to try. But they do all stand alone nicely.

My favorites in the collection were "Just for You" by Rosalind James and "Melting into You" by Tracey Alvarez. Just for You is a prequel story in the "Escape to New Zealand" series, of which I am an avid fan. A prequel can sometimes be anticlimactic for me - after all, we already know how it ends, right? It's not my favorite storytelling device, but she manages to inject some drama and uncertainty into a relationship that is essentially at the core of the rest of the series. Reka and Hemi are the "old married couple" that all the other couples in the various books inevitably receive advice from about being in a relationship. This book starts at the beginning, and tells you how they got to be so strong as a couple before all the children and the advice-giving. And they are a wonderful couple and delightful characters. Although I might argue that Reka is fully fleshed out - smart, determined, feisty, vulnerable - while Hemi is a little less fully rounded as a character.

"Melting into You" was a delightful surprise. It is part of the "Due South" series, although not the first in the series (which is common to a number of other stories in this collection - disconcerting with some of the other stories, but this one didn't suffer from essentially being dropped into the middle of a pre-existing storyline). I adored Ben and Kezia, and found their flaws believable, their relationship issues legitimate, and their romance thoroughly engaging. Ben isn't funny, or charming, or any one of a hundred other romance novel cliches, but he is an appealing hero nonetheless, and Kezia is a smart, likeable and relatable heroine. I'm pleased to have found this series, and looking forward to reading more.

Another highlight was "A Secret Between Friends" by Serenity Woods, which is part of the "Treats to Tempt You" series, although significantly further down in the series. I have read the box collection of the first three books in this series (which is also worth a read), and although there's a different setting and different characters in the back end of this series, they are all pretty solid and fun. I especially liked the flip on the conventional soldier-returning-from-war-with-PTSD angle, by having our heroine as the returning soldier. Genie isn't the most sympathetic heroine sometimes, but the story is compelling, and the romance is engaging.

Less successful for me was Annie Seaton's "Beach House" and Diana Fraser's "Playboy's Redemption." Generally, I strongly dislike stories where the main characters fall into bed almost immediately, and ones that include too many cliches - the unloved billionaire, the secret baby, the childhood sweetheart, the too-precocious child characters, the "honey I'm pregnant!" HEA ending. And "Playboy's Redemption" includes nearly all of those cliches, which is about four too many for my liking. So this fell flat for me, and it's not a series I would continue. "The Beach House" was very predictable, neither of the main characters were well drawn, the romance was rushed, and the ending was incredibly abrupt. It started to get on a roll a bit, then the story just ended. It was a disappointing finish to an otherwise good collection.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated, nor required to write a positive review, and the opinions here are my own.

[MEF · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing reading set. Each book captures a flavour of NZ scenery and lifestyle. There is a mix of couples and situations but wrapped around them all are the themes of love, family ties, loyalty,my rust and some hot relationships.
There is no bad read. My favourites?
Just for You - Rosalind James
I have been a fan since her first book and am never disappointed. This features Hemi Ranapia, All Black rugby player and Reka the junior school teacher who has had plenty of time to reflect on and regret their first fuelled encounter.
We're all allowed one mistake,right? But the same one twice?
Just because a mistake feels good , doesn't mean it's not a mistake says Reka. Ouch! Hemi has some work to do and it makes a great read.
I felt very familiar with Reka and Hemi as they feature in the other Escape books but how they first got together was a total surprise to me . This Reka is direct as always but not as self assured, although she puts on a good front.
Hemi is single, adjusting to All Black fame and pressure and frankly, a bit too sure of himself. Well that has to change..
As ever, you get the feel for NZ lifestyle, beaches, family, people you can believe in and a hot relationship . Love it!
Melting in You - Tracey Alvarez
Be is a career single guy ,not big on conversation or emotional intelligence - he's never had to be because until Kezia arrives on Stewart Island he's been quite satisfied with easy short term flings available from visiting tourists.
With an island population of c.400 most of whom live in his home town of Oban, some things make easy sense!
When a previous fling turns up with his unknown daughter and then promptly departs, leaving him in charge, Ben views it as 14 days to get through until her mother collects her again.
Of course it's not that easy or temporary. But it turns out that whilst Ben might only have done casual relationships he is used to taking on responsibility. He's just not into greeting card sentimentality. But he is into Kezia...
A winning read. I have since read 2 more Stewart Island books, so can't say fairer than that!
Playing to Win - H Y Hanna
Loved this short book about the relaxed Aussie vet and the focused career girl who finally allows the NZ lifestyle and relationship to wind her down. I felt I could crack open a beer and sit on the verandah with Ellie and Will, watching the sun go down.
Falling for Jack - Joanne Hill
Jack, single, self focused is suddenly a father to an 8yr old son and enlists the help,of chance encountered single parent Robyn from his old school who has twins James and Ruby. In between the simmering attraction there are great fun descriptions of the joys and demands of young children. I loved seeming how Jack finds a growing response to his son. I chuckled at his sudden exposure to child minding. Never valued by his family, Jack has closed off that part of himself , whilst Robyn feels crushed by the weight of unrealised family expectation . Each sees and fulfils the need in the other.
A lovely, warm, wry and sometimes wincing read. Great stuff.
A Secret Between Friends - Serenity Woods
A nice twist here, because Genevieve is the returning soldier and Niall is the guy she left behind. Grief, loss, guilt, family and love. Lots to think about. Will be reading more from this author.

"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I am not obliged to be positive. This is my own opinion!"

[Becky]

Still working my way through this one! Reviews to come as I finish...

Melting into You by Tracey Alvarez:

Life hasn't been easy for Kezia Murphy. Four years ago, her precocious daughter Zoe fought and won an epic battle with leukemia. In the midst of that struggle, Zoe's dad was lost to them forever in a senseless accident. Once Zoe recovered, Kezia packed up their belongings for a fresh start on Stewart Island, determined to never again depend on people who would ultimately let her down. Ever since, it's been her and Zoe--with a tiny bit of help from a small group of select friends, Piper and Shaye Harland among them--against the world.

Enter Ben Harland. He's the oldest of the Harland siblings, and he is so absolutely out of the question as far as Kezia's concerned. Sure, he's hot. But can you say commitment phobe? Ben's got two rules: one, never mess around with local women; two, ditto friends of his sisters. Kezia's a check mark in both columns, thankyouverymuch. Soooo not going to happen.

Except they have a crazy attraction going on...which they maybe could have kept on ignoring. Until a major surprise shows up on Ben's doorstep one Saturday morning...

His eight-year-old daughter Jade. Whose existence Ben knew nothing about until that very moment--and suddenly, he's got a pint-sized house guest for two weeks. And not a clue what to do with her.

But, hey--Kezia teaches eight-year-olds. Heck, she has an eight-year-old--and Zoe's already decided that Jade's going to be her new BFF.

So, no problem. Ben can get a little help from Kezia for the next two weeks, squeeze in a one-night-only fling with her somewhere far away from prying Oban eyes, and send his daughter back to her mother at the end of the holiday, none the worse for wear. And then he'll have his life back, no sweat.

Riiiight. You know how well that's going to work out, don't you? ;)

Though it is the second in the series, Melting into You can be read as a stand-alone. Piper and West, the hero and heroine of In Too Deep , make just enough of an appearance to whet your appetite for their story, though--don't say I didn't warn you.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-


Beach House by Annie Seaton:

Beach House is a quick read with characters it's easy to like.

Taj and Rosie start their relationship off on the wrong foot--they're both the only beneficiaries in an elderly relative's will (her foster mother, his great aunt) and he's going on the (mistaken!) assumption that the house they've both been left is being used by her and her friends as a house of ill repute. Fortunately he soon sees the error of his ways; unfortunately he also sees the surfer god posters of him that still grace her bedroom walls before she can get rid of the evidence...

Though this story definitely could have benefited from a longer format--Taj's knee problem and their conflict over the house are both resolved fairly quickly and easily, considering--it's still a nice piece of escapism that can be read in a sitting or two.

A quick trip to the beach with an Aussie flavor! :)

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great bundle of books set to the beauty of down under. The stories that I have read so far are full of chemistry, passion, regret and second chances. And plenty of romance!!

Melting Into You by: Tracey Alvarez

As a single mom, Kezia has faced many challenges and is unwilling to put her trust and heart on the line again only to be let down. And she absolutely will not put her daughter through that. But a girl can dream can't she? Who wouldn't dream about her sexy, single, playboy neighbor Ben.

Ben has always been a no nonsense kind of guy. Buy when a blast from his young and wild past shows up with his unknown about daughter, Ben doesn't now what to do. Then he thinks about Kezia, the sexy schoolteacher with a daughter of her own. She will know what to do.

As these two come together as friends trying to make this little girl happy, Ben and Kezia fall in love. But can she let him fully in? And when someone threatens his little girls happiness will Ben sacrifice himself?


The Playboy's Redemption by: Diana Fraser

James walked away from Susie ten years ago after he and their families persuaded her to do something unforgivable. And he has regretted it every sense. Coming back into her life, if only for a week, to mae amends of a sort is all he wants to do.

Susie has lived with her choice for ten years and has kept on to her hatred for James. She thought they were friends. She thought they were in love. But what did she know.

As they embark on the remaking of the winery they come to realise that their love has never died. But can she ever trust him again? Or will he get bored with her and move on to the next woman?


Beach House by: Annie Seaton

The foster child of a wonderful woman, Rosie finally had a family growing up. And has had a crush on pro surfer Taj Brown for as long as she can remember. Now 10yrs later after Aggie passes away, Rosie is left having to live with Aggies nephew for 3 months before the estate can be settled. And she can't believe who it is. Taj Brown.

Taj is heartbroken when his aunt passes. He feels guilty for not being a part of her life for the past years. But the house has been in his family for years and he will not let it go to someone else.

With Rosie and her 2 best friend running a business out of the house and Taj living there, the attraction between Rosie and Taj grows until she dreams they can have a life together. But is this just another affair for him or could he really love the girl in the house on Bondi beach?
Full of romance and I loved it!! Can't wait for more in the series!!


The Boat Builder's Bed by: Kris Pearson

Rafe is rich and recently divorced. But he needs a decorator for his house now that his ex is gone.
And who better than Sophie, the girl who used to work for her.

Sophie has just opened her own decorating business and can't believe her luck. Getting to decorate Rafe's beautiful house above the water. But their overwhelming attraction may just get in the way.

As their work relationship begins, they spend more and more time together and grow closer everyday. And after their first kiss, she knows that she has lost her heart to him. But can she trust her heart and her daughter with him? With lies and deception coming out will Rafe even let her explain?

[Colleen Mcbrearty · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, so I confess I've only read 3 of the 8 books in this set. I'm confident in my 5 star rating based on those 3 already. I mean, if even one book out of 8 for $0.99 was good then it's worth buying. When I first got the set I wasn't sure I would like the books when I saw that almost all of them are part of a series. I quickly got over that... each book is a full story, there are no cliff hangers and each story is full novel length or long novella (at least so far). The lengths are perfect for a day at the beach. So here's what I thought of the stories I've read so far:

Just For You (Escape to New Zealand #0.5)- Rosalind James: 5 stars. I'm starting with this one even though it's 5th in the set because it's the reason I was given the advance copy. Reka and Hemi are the friends that everyone goes to for advice and when they need help in every book in the Escape to New Zealand series so I was already somewhat familiar with them but by no means do you need to read any other book before this one. It's set before all the other books and gives you the story of how they met. I love finally hearing their story. My only issue is I've come to view them as almost parental figures in the other books in the series and it took a couple chapters to get over the fact that they don't have their life together (and it was kinda like watching your parents kiss) but that didn't last long as I got immersed in their story. As with all her books, I love Rosalind James' writing style. It flows easily and makes me want to keep reading to the end in one sitting.

Melting Into You (Due South #2) - Tracey Alvarez: 4 stars. As romances go, the plot line was believable. I found the story interesting enough that I pretty much read it straight through in one day. I liked all the characters and felt connected with them. It felt a little drawn out about 3/4 through but not enough to take away from the story. I like the author's writing style, the chapters flow smoothly and the story comes to an easy close.

The Playboy's Redemption (Mackenzies #3)- Diana Fraser: 3 stars. This book was only "ok" for me. I didn't like James, the main character. He was pushy and selfish. I generally feel that way about the men "billionaire" romance novels and don't buy them as a rule, but this was in the set so I read it. I didn't mind Suzie, but I also didn't love her. As far as the plot goes, the story felt rushed. I mean, Suzie feels like James destroyed her family and caused her fathers death but 3 days after seeing him again she finds herself falling in love with him again. Not realistic, even in the romance story realm where I give a lot of leeway for unrealistic situations. I think if it was a longer story and more went into Suzie coming to terms with their past I would have liked it better. Overall not a bad book, just not my favorite.

“I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this collection in exchange for an honest review, a positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own. I am working my way through the books and will add reviews as I finish more of the stories. Also I'm not reading in order...

Just for You by Rosalind James 5 stars

I loved Hemi and Reka’s story and I'm so glad it got told! In the other Escape to New Zealand books they are the settled couple, they have a couple kids, good friends and they always seem to have the best advice. It was so nice to see how they got there (plenty of mistakes). Hemi and Reka have amazing chemistry (of course they do) and are incredibly drawn to each other but they make their fair share of mistakes along the way which makes their wisdom in later books hard won and that much more valuable. I would also like to thank Rosalind for her take on what happened at Aaron's party (sorry for being vague but I'm trying to avoid spoilers). I'm so glad she indicated it was a problem and not a good thing (or at least not a bad thing). I read another book with a similar scenario (but it went farther) and it was pretty much ignored and the guy figured well that's just the way it is and moved on and it was enraging for me, so thank you Rosalind for putting the shoe on the other foot and calling it like it is. This is another amazing story and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Playing to Win by H.Y. Hanna 4 stars

I really enjoyed this sweet story set in the charming Australian town of Summer Beach. This story is Ellie and Dan, we met Ellie briefly in the previous book but you won't miss anything (other than another good story) if you haven't read it yet. I enjoyed the interactions between Dan and Ellie. I liked that he seemed to recognize what he wanted right away while she was the one who tried to fight it. I loved young Will and his incorrigible dog Milo. This is a sweet, light easy read and an excellent way to warm up a cold winter afternoon. I can't wait to read more books in this series! I received an ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

A Secret Between Friends by Serenity Woods 4 stars

I enjoyed this story, I love the siblings best friend trope and this was a good one. I also really enjoyed that some of the traditional gender rolls were turned on their head, I loved that the stoic (or trying to be anyway) soldier was the heroine and the hero was the one trying to get her to open up. Genie and Niall have excellent chemistry and a long history and most of that works in their favor but they're both struggling to come to terms with his sister/her best friend’s death in combat. This is a very emotional story and I found myself tearing up more than once. I will be eagerly looking for more books with this group as I hope to see everyone else get their happy ending as well.

[Winnie Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Romantic, heartwarming love stories by 8 authors from Down Under - what more can you ask for? I went to New Zealand (North Island) for my honeymoon so New Zealand is a place close to my heart. I have also visited Australia several times and I really love it. These 8 stories bring back memories of my trips there and if you haven't been there, I'm very sure they will transport you to a very magical place.

My favorites in this box set are:

Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets #2) by H.Y. Hanna
This is my first book by H.Y. Hanna and I really enjoyed it. Being a dog lover, I really loved the addition of dogs in the story. I also loved H.Y's description of Summer Beach. It definitely reminds me of one of the towns in New South Wales that I've visited. If you have never been here, I'm sure you'll be longing to come here after reading this book. I also liked the additional of Aussie slang in the story. Even though I haven't experienced so much Aussie slang when I visited Australia, it was really fun to decipher the meaning of the slang and it also allows you to understand the Aussie culture. And of course, I loved the chemistry between Ellie and Dan. Definitely going to read the rest of the books in this series.

Melting Into You (Due South Book 2) by Tracy Alvarez
This is my first book in this series and I really can't wait to read Book 1 and the rest of the series. The chemistry between Ben and Kezia was smoking hot and I just couldn't stop reading. Amongst the 8 books in this anthology, I think this story was the most emotionally charged and heartwarming one. Even though Ben is the typical male who does not voice his emotions and he is a horrible cook, I loved how he tried to change himself after knowing he has a daughter. Lots of emotions, lots of humor and lots of cooking involved!

The Playboy's Redemption (The Mackenzies Book 3) by Diana Fraser
This is a great second chance story by Diana Fraser. Even though many readers may think that some parts are unrealistic or some wish for a different ending, I thought the ending was pretty good and I really enjoyed the book. Some steamy sex scenes but I thought it was acceptable. Love Diana's description of New Zealand. Makes me wanna camp under the stars and enjoy the beauty of the place.

Beach House (Bondi Beach Love Book 1) by Annie Seaton
I have read a number of Annie Seaton's books and I thought Beach House is one of the best ones. I have been to Bondi Beach and I thought it was a really lovely place. As I read Beach House, I could just picture myself back at Bondi Beach. This is a story of true love that warms your heart. I think it is a great start to a new series and I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series when they are out.

[Heidi A. Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently this review is for Rosalind James' book "Just For You", with a nod to one other book in the set, "Melting for You" by Tracey Alvarez.

While Rosalind James' Just For You novella is a prequel to her Escape to New Zealand series, don't let the order in which you read these books concern you. Coming along after I'd read almost all of the other "rugby romance" books, it was actually quite enjoyable to step back and read Hemi and Reka's story. While I believe almost all of the following books in the series (by the story, not publication date) involve women who travel to New Zealand, Hemi and Reka grew up together. Because of this, Just For You gives the reader even more of the cultural traditions than the later books, most of which involve introducing the female to the Maori culture. Reka already lives it. While I certainly won't claim to have picked up the first of James' books to get a lesson on Maori culture and New Zealand life, I cannot deny that is a large part of what keeps me coming back. James' has a comfortable way of fitting in culture, family and location details without making it obvious. It just flows. Hemi and Reka's past is one many women may be able to relate to, so their new relationship develops in what is to me, a very believable way. Real words are spoken, real issues are discussed. Reka has some trust issues to work through, and the physical romance is a long time coming, but plenty of sexual tension is worked off in rugby as the book progresses. Family is front and center throughout, and respect for Reka and her family stand out as well. Emotions fit the situation, and the long awaited sex is real. I think the lack of overused sexual cliches makes all Rosalind James' books fun to read. No throbbing manhood here if you'll pardon my antiquated romance lingo. If anyone had told me 6 months ago, that I'd be hooked on a romance series, if have laughed! I want to read a romance that makes me believe the people, Just For You fits the bill.

In addition to Just For You, I've also read Melting For You and wasn't disappointed. In Tracey Alvarez's book, Ben has to make some quick lifestyle changes when unexpected company arrives. His romance with Kezia develops at a nice slow pace, but the sparks between them are everywhere. I really liked the story; I'm a sucker for the blended family storylines, and this was well choreographed. The characters were comfortable, and if the sex talk was a little off to me, it was still well done. I look forward to editing this as I complete more in the collection.

[Pageywagey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great a great bargain! If you are looking for a fun beach read -- this is it. In case I forget, I need to say this first, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
OK, whew! Still, this boxed set is over 1,500 pages and I am only going to specifically talk about a few of the storylines -- otherwise, this review will also turn into a novel!
Just for You (Rosalind James) -- This is a prequel to her popular Escape to New Zealand series, one of my personal favorites! It sets up the story of All Black Captain Hemi Ranapia and his wife Reka, before he is the captain and she is his wife. We meet them after they have spent a night of passion together, then meet again a year later -- awkward!! This story has its steamy moments and its touching moments -- classic Rosalind James. I loved it!
Melting Into You (Tracey Alvarez) -- This is the second in the Due South series. On remote Stewart Island in New Zealand, we meet Kezia Murphy, school teacher and single mom, and fisherman Ben Harland. When his former hook-up shows up with an 8 year old girl, dropping her on his step and announcing that he is her dad, Ben is left trying to figure out how to be a father, right at the time when he is just realizing that he is having deepening feelings for Ms. Murphy. This is also a pretty steamy story and a good one, too! I had never ready any of Ms. Alvarez's book's before, but she is going on my to-be-read list for sure! Loved it!!
The Boat Builders Bed (Kris Pearson) -- This had a slightly different feel to it. We meet another single mom here, Sophie Calhoun. She is trying to do one more big project, so that she can get on her feet and make a good life for herself and her child. She knows that her client, Rafe, disapproves of mothers not being with their children, so she keeps her child's existence a secret from him. As they draw closer, she draws more fearful that he will learn her secret and she will lose her job and lose his heart... This was a good one, too. Very steamy, as well.
As for the others, (spoiler alert...) there is more steam and they are all great! I love to get boxed sets like this that show us some new authors to try. Thank you so much!

[Tammy’s Timeout · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better than a sizzling summer read set in the beautiful land of Australia and gorgeous islands of New Zealand? Love and romance abounds in this steamy yet sweet set of Love Down Under books.Highly recommended to all who love a good romance and enjoy the laidback life of the Southern Hemisphere. Beach, wine, vineyards, military life - this romance series covers it all, and with real laugh out loud moments!!

This next part of the review is for Rosalind James "Just For You" of which:

“I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

Just For You is a prequel to the popular "Escape to New Zealand" series written by Ms James. Fans of this series will not be disappointed by Hemi and Reka's story, where we go back to the beginning of the lively and lovely pair's meeting and romance. And those sparks sure do fly! Readers of the previous books have fallen in love with the characters Hemi and Reka, her with her quick-witted personality and love for her All Black man, and him as a senior player in the legendary All Blacks, rugby team of New Zealand.
Ms James sends us to Russell, a beautiful seaside holiday town in Northland where Hemi and Reka meet at a wedding. Prepare yourself for some steamy scenes between these two... but does their love run smooth? We meet their whanau and some of our favourite recurring All Black characters as well as an indepth look at the beautiful New Zealand and its unique culture.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Hemi and Reka's love story, learning about them and discovering the journey they have lead to be the couple we meet in "Just This Once" the first book in the series.
I should point out, even though these books are part of the "Escape To New Zealand" series, Just For You is a great stand-alone long novella and you will certainly be able to follow along happily without knowing any of the characters prior to reading. But ... you will be addicted to this series and want to read more! Especially as you meet those glorious All Blacks :)
Thankyou Rosalind James for another wonderful chapter in the Escape to NZ series!