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Off the Field #2
Settle The Score
Should you keep score when it comes to love?
As an adopted only child, Annabel Norton, has always wanted children of her own. Having recently retired from playing semi-professional football for the AFLW, now would be the perfect time—except she’s still reeling from the failure of her last relationship.
Special Operations Group police officer, Ben Naylor, loves the idea of a family, but with two marriages under his belt, he figures commitment isn’t for a man like him. Especially as he needs time to process all he’s lived through in his job. That’s why it makes no sense that he falls head over heels for Annabel the very first time he sees her. He does the right thing and keeps his distance…and then she moves in next door.
As their feelings become impossible to deny, Annabel starts to think that they might be made for each other. That is until she learns about an unexpected secret in Ben’s past. For a chance at happiness, can she open her heart and accept that a future with Ben could involve more than children of her own?
As an adopted only child, Annabel Norton, has always wanted children of her own. Having recently retired from playing semi-professional football for the AFLW, now would be the perfect time—except she’s still reeling from the failure of her last relationship.
Special Operations Group police officer, Ben Naylor, loves the idea of a family, but with two marriages under his belt, he figures commitment isn’t for a man like him. Especially as he needs time to process all he’s lived through in his job. That’s why it makes no sense that he falls head over heels for Annabel the very first time he sees her. He does the right thing and keeps his distance…and then she moves in next door.
As their feelings become impossible to deny, Annabel starts to think that they might be made for each other. That is until she learns about an unexpected secret in Ben’s past. For a chance at happiness, can she open her heart and accept that a future with Ben could involve more than children of her own?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2020
8 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Edwards
19 books111 followersNicki Edwards is a city girl with a country heart. Growing up on a small family acreage on the outskirts of Geelong, she spent her formative years riding horses and pretending the neighbour’s farm was her own.
After spending three years in a regional city in New South Wales, her love of small country towns was further developed. One day she plans to escape to the country with her husband Tim and live on land, surrounded by horses, dogs, cows and sheep. Until then she lives vicariously through the lives of the characters in the rural romance novels she loves to read.
In 2006, when Nicki’s youngest child started school, she returned to university, juggling full time study, part time work and raising four small children, to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Always a voracious reader, Nicki’s other dream was to be an author.
Nicki writes medical rural romance for Momentum and when she isn’t reading, writing or dreaming about rural life and medical emergencies, she can be found working as a Critical Care Nurse in a busy Intensive Care Unit, where many of her stories and characters are imagined.
Nicki and Tim reside in Geelong, Victoria with their four teenage/young adult children. Life is busy, fun and at times exhausting, but Nicki wouldn’t change it for anything.
Her debut novel, “Intensive Care” was released in January 2015 with Momentum, the digital imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia. Her second novel, “Emergency Response” comes out in October 2015. The third and fourth books in the ‘Escape to the Country’ series, “Life Support” and “Critical Condition” will be released in 2016.
After spending three years in a regional city in New South Wales, her love of small country towns was further developed. One day she plans to escape to the country with her husband Tim and live on land, surrounded by horses, dogs, cows and sheep. Until then she lives vicariously through the lives of the characters in the rural romance novels she loves to read.
In 2006, when Nicki’s youngest child started school, she returned to university, juggling full time study, part time work and raising four small children, to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Always a voracious reader, Nicki’s other dream was to be an author.
Nicki writes medical rural romance for Momentum and when she isn’t reading, writing or dreaming about rural life and medical emergencies, she can be found working as a Critical Care Nurse in a busy Intensive Care Unit, where many of her stories and characters are imagined.
Nicki and Tim reside in Geelong, Victoria with their four teenage/young adult children. Life is busy, fun and at times exhausting, but Nicki wouldn’t change it for anything.
Her debut novel, “Intensive Care” was released in January 2015 with Momentum, the digital imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia. Her second novel, “Emergency Response” comes out in October 2015. The third and fourth books in the ‘Escape to the Country’ series, “Life Support” and “Critical Condition” will be released in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 7, 2020
The christening of Jed and Georgie’s little Daisy was a happy affair in Glengarrick; Annabel Norton had driven from Geelong for the day to be Daisy’s godmother. The handsome man standing beside Annabel was Ben Naylor who was now Daisy’s godfather. That brief meeting was the beginning of a few unexpected encounters; it seemed the two were destined to know one another.
Annabel had recently retired from the AFLW – the Geelong Cats women’s football league – her three years as ruck was something she was proud of. Annabel had also worked in the Emergency Department of the Geelong Hospital and after a particularly nasty break-up, was looking for a tree change. Moving to Glengarrick after getting a job in the local doctor’s surgery seemed perfect. Annabel was astounded to discover Ben Naylor, Special Operations police office in Geelong, was to be her next door neighbour.
The peace and tranquility of Glengarrick was a balm to both Annabel and Ben, and as they became closer, their future seemed assured. But the road ahead would be rocky – could both, who had been hurt before, put the past behind them to become one?
Settle the Score is the 2nd in the Off the Field series by Aussie author Nicki Edwards and once again, I enjoyed it very much. The pace was fast, the tension high, when Ben was involved with episodes in his job. And when the ER department saw several ambulances heading in at once, the electric energy was heart stopping. Glengarrick is a lovely little (fictional) town set rural Victoria, not far from Geelong. I’m looking forward to #3 which is to be published in the new year. Recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Annabel had recently retired from the AFLW – the Geelong Cats women’s football league – her three years as ruck was something she was proud of. Annabel had also worked in the Emergency Department of the Geelong Hospital and after a particularly nasty break-up, was looking for a tree change. Moving to Glengarrick after getting a job in the local doctor’s surgery seemed perfect. Annabel was astounded to discover Ben Naylor, Special Operations police office in Geelong, was to be her next door neighbour.
The peace and tranquility of Glengarrick was a balm to both Annabel and Ben, and as they became closer, their future seemed assured. But the road ahead would be rocky – could both, who had been hurt before, put the past behind them to become one?
Settle the Score is the 2nd in the Off the Field series by Aussie author Nicki Edwards and once again, I enjoyed it very much. The pace was fast, the tension high, when Ben was involved with episodes in his job. And when the ER department saw several ambulances heading in at once, the electric energy was heart stopping. Glengarrick is a lovely little (fictional) town set rural Victoria, not far from Geelong. I’m looking forward to #3 which is to be published in the new year. Recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2021
What an excellent book I highly recommend that you read this book from Nicki.
February 25, 2021
Loved Loved Loved it.
December 7, 2020
The complexities of life touch us all, whether they be romantic, medical or mentally emotional.
Those on the frontline in health and law enforcement subjected to an abundance of issues and diligently serve our communities.
True heroes in any spectrum.
Annabel is a nurse and former AFL player in the Women’s league.
Adopted as a child develops insecurities that she must address to move on.
After a failed relationship she moves to a country town in Glencarrick to focus on nursing.
Ben is a special operations officer tasked with mediating volatile criminal situations. Unsuccessful in two marriages and involved in a sperm donor situation that never quite felt right he moves back to his family farm in Glencarrick.
After meeting at a christening earlier on these two reacquaint when both reside in town.
A connection imminent but will emotional baggage and secrets hinder any chance they have?
The eyes of the town adding pressure to any liaison.
A fantastic story that highlights the value of our frontline with medical dramas and criminal matters interwoven.
The scenarios written with authenticity and the crisp clarity we expect from Nicki. The storyline was detailed and kept giving as it climaxed.
This is in the second in the Off The Field series and can be read as a stand-alone and is one I can highly recommend.
Those on the frontline in health and law enforcement subjected to an abundance of issues and diligently serve our communities.
True heroes in any spectrum.
Annabel is a nurse and former AFL player in the Women’s league.
Adopted as a child develops insecurities that she must address to move on.
After a failed relationship she moves to a country town in Glencarrick to focus on nursing.
Ben is a special operations officer tasked with mediating volatile criminal situations. Unsuccessful in two marriages and involved in a sperm donor situation that never quite felt right he moves back to his family farm in Glencarrick.
After meeting at a christening earlier on these two reacquaint when both reside in town.
A connection imminent but will emotional baggage and secrets hinder any chance they have?
The eyes of the town adding pressure to any liaison.
A fantastic story that highlights the value of our frontline with medical dramas and criminal matters interwoven.
The scenarios written with authenticity and the crisp clarity we expect from Nicki. The storyline was detailed and kept giving as it climaxed.
This is in the second in the Off The Field series and can be read as a stand-alone and is one I can highly recommend.
December 7, 2020
Hopeful romance
Love the hope from the beginning of a romance in the making. Another great read involving my passions for AFL and the medical field which is part of my every day life. Love the small town atmosphere where everyone plays a part in the blossoming love match.
Love the hope from the beginning of a romance in the making. Another great read involving my passions for AFL and the medical field which is part of my every day life. Love the small town atmosphere where everyone plays a part in the blossoming love match.
January 23, 2021
I’m yet to read anything by Nickie that I didn’t love - and this is no exception. Thanks Nickie for another great read.
September 24, 2021
Settle The Score is book two in the Off the Field series by Nicki Edwards. Ex-professional football player Annabel Norton wanted children still upset about her last relationship. On the first meeting Special Operations Group Police Officer Ben Naylor, stay away from Annabel. Special Operations Group Police Officer Ben Naylor did not believe he was a man for relationships after two failed marriages. However, things changed for Ben when Annabel moved next door. The readers of Settle The Score will continue to follow Ben and Annabel to find out what happens.
Settle The Score is another fantastic addition to this excellent series. Nicki Edwards knows how to engage me with her plots and characters. I am never disappointed with Nicki Edwards books. I enjoyed reading Settle The Score. I love Nicki Edwards' portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Settle The Score is well written and researched by Nicki Edwards. I like the way Nicki Edwards describes the settings of Settle The Score.
The readers of Settle The Score will learn about the role of Sperm Donors. Also, the readers of Settle The Score will understand medical issues that law enforcement officers can suffer from during their working lives.
I recommend this book.
Settle The Score is another fantastic addition to this excellent series. Nicki Edwards knows how to engage me with her plots and characters. I am never disappointed with Nicki Edwards books. I enjoyed reading Settle The Score. I love Nicki Edwards' portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Settle The Score is well written and researched by Nicki Edwards. I like the way Nicki Edwards describes the settings of Settle The Score.
The readers of Settle The Score will learn about the role of Sperm Donors. Also, the readers of Settle The Score will understand medical issues that law enforcement officers can suffer from during their working lives.
I recommend this book.
January 9, 2022
Another great story by Nicki Edwards. I'm totally blaming her for my lack of sleep last night as I stayed up reading way past my bedtime to finish this one!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews