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Baby, It's Hot Outside Romance Collection : A Christmas Down Under
100% pure SUMMER Christmas. Come read along…
I really wanna stay
Baby it's hot outside
I’ll lose my heart along the way
Baby it's hot outside…
Come Down Under for a hot and steamy SUMMER festive season.
Escape those winter blues with 12 summer Christmas novellas.
A fabulous collection of sexy Down Under summer Christmas romances. Hot sun and hotter men, friends to lovers, forbidden romance, reunion stories and more. Come visit a world of hot, sultry kisses and long, lazy days in the sun.
Join USA Today bestselling authors, Bronwen Evans and Joanne Dannon with ten of their fellow Australasian authors. Warm your heart, and maybe a little bit more, too, with twelve never before published sexy novellas of Down Under lovin’ in the Christmas sun. From the beaches and hinterland of Australia, across the water to the greenery of New Zealand, it’s nothing but summer loving for Christmas this year. So if you’re feeling like a summertime escape, pour a glass of wine or a hot mug of cocoa, curl up on the couch, and enjoy!
· Twelve standalone novellas (never before published)
· Only available to end of early 2022 – get your copy today!
Twelve perfect indulgences to get you in the Christmas spirit:
ANNA FOXKIRK – The Worst Noelle
ANNIE SEATON – Her Christmas Star
BRONWEN EVANS – Fast Track To Love This Christmas
JACQUELINE LEE – Unrequited Love
JAYNE KINGSLEY – Twelve Dates Of Christmas
JOANNE DANNON – The Christmas Pack
KENDRA DELUGAR – Something In The Water
KRIS PEARSON – Summer Santa
MEGAN MAYFAIR – The Season For Second Chances
RAY COLLET – Home For Christmas
SOFIA GREY – A Christmas Retreat (Falling for the Colonel’s Daughter).
SUSANNE BELLAMY – Red Dirt Christmas
I really wanna stay
Baby it's hot outside
I’ll lose my heart along the way
Baby it's hot outside…
Come Down Under for a hot and steamy SUMMER festive season.
Escape those winter blues with 12 summer Christmas novellas.
A fabulous collection of sexy Down Under summer Christmas romances. Hot sun and hotter men, friends to lovers, forbidden romance, reunion stories and more. Come visit a world of hot, sultry kisses and long, lazy days in the sun.
Join USA Today bestselling authors, Bronwen Evans and Joanne Dannon with ten of their fellow Australasian authors. Warm your heart, and maybe a little bit more, too, with twelve never before published sexy novellas of Down Under lovin’ in the Christmas sun. From the beaches and hinterland of Australia, across the water to the greenery of New Zealand, it’s nothing but summer loving for Christmas this year. So if you’re feeling like a summertime escape, pour a glass of wine or a hot mug of cocoa, curl up on the couch, and enjoy!
· Twelve standalone novellas (never before published)
· Only available to end of early 2022 – get your copy today!
Twelve perfect indulgences to get you in the Christmas spirit:
ANNA FOXKIRK – The Worst Noelle
ANNIE SEATON – Her Christmas Star
BRONWEN EVANS – Fast Track To Love This Christmas
JACQUELINE LEE – Unrequited Love
JAYNE KINGSLEY – Twelve Dates Of Christmas
JOANNE DANNON – The Christmas Pack
KENDRA DELUGAR – Something In The Water
KRIS PEARSON – Summer Santa
MEGAN MAYFAIR – The Season For Second Chances
RAY COLLET – Home For Christmas
SOFIA GREY – A Christmas Retreat (Falling for the Colonel’s Daughter).
SUSANNE BELLAMY – Red Dirt Christmas
1055 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2021
15 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Bronwen Evans
162 books971 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs Brandy and Duke.
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Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at Bronwen@bronwenevans.com
You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her website www.bronwenevans.com
Or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bronwenevans...
Or Twitter: https://twitter.com/bronwenevans_NZ
Join my book club newsletter and receive a FREE eBook.
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at Bronwen@bronwenevans.com
You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her website www.bronwenevans.com
Or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bronwenevans...
Or Twitter: https://twitter.com/bronwenevans_NZ
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 19, 2024
4 ⭐️s
A fun and heartwarming collection of 12 Christmas novellas, set in the gorgeous hot climate of Australia & New Zealand and written by an Australian or New Zealand author. No snow in sight 👍 just beach, sunshine and balmy days 🏖☀️🩴🕶
I read them all but two. I had already read Bronwen Evans Fast Track to Love book 4 before checking if any run in a series. I guess I’lll be looking for books 1, 2 and 3 now.
Really sucks when a story in an anthology is part of a series, in my opinion they should be one-offs. Even if they are part of a series and can be read as a stand alone, I won’t read it as they are still under the heading, ‘? and ? series.’
All in all, upset aside, I loved the stories I read and have discovered some new-to-me authors who I will be checking out soon.
(Loved loved Unrequited Love by Jacqueline Lee so I just bought the follow-up)
A fun and heartwarming collection of 12 Christmas novellas, set in the gorgeous hot climate of Australia & New Zealand and written by an Australian or New Zealand author. No snow in sight 👍 just beach, sunshine and balmy days 🏖☀️🩴🕶
I read them all but two. I had already read Bronwen Evans Fast Track to Love book 4 before checking if any run in a series. I guess I’lll be looking for books 1, 2 and 3 now.
Really sucks when a story in an anthology is part of a series, in my opinion they should be one-offs. Even if they are part of a series and can be read as a stand alone, I won’t read it as they are still under the heading, ‘? and ? series.’
All in all, upset aside, I loved the stories I read and have discovered some new-to-me authors who I will be checking out soon.
(Loved loved Unrequited Love by Jacqueline Lee so I just bought the follow-up)
October 18, 2021
Has anyone ever not heard of Baby It's Cold Outside by Idina Menzel? It's such a great song, and I was first introduced to it through this video on YouTube, check it out if you want to! Emerichu - Baby It's Cold Outside
Baby, It's Hot Outside is a romance collection filled with stories set in New Zealand or Australia. Here's an embarrassing fact: 10/11 authors in this collection are new to me. Yep. I've only ever heard of Megan Mayfair because of a previous arc review I did for her, Murder by Numbers. And guess how I ended up going for an arc copy for this as well? Her promoting this in her newsletter.
Currently I've only read 11/12 summer Christmas romances from the collection, and I can safely say that I'm not regretting my choice to sign up for this. All of the romances included were absolutely amazing, and I love how they were all exclusive to this collection only. This is the perfect anthology read for anyone wanting to have a taste of Christmas down under, especially with how sweet and cute most of the novellas included are.
Now, why am I reviewing this when I've only read 11 stories instead of 12, you ask? Well, being that the last story is a collaborative from all the 11 authors that participated in this, it's still being edited at the time the arc epub/mobi files came out. We need to provide our review links to the authors first and then we'll receive the last novella when it's finished. Even so, I've seen the blurb for it and I'm so excited to see how it turns out!
(Update: The novella has been finished, edited and finalized. I got the full copy of the collection this afternoon and I'm here again, satisfied with how everything turned out! It was so good.)
Ratings:
1. Something In The Water by Kendra Delugar - 5 stars
2. Fast Track To Love by Bronwen Evans - 4 stars
3. The Season For Second Chances by Megan Mayfair - 5 stars
4. Unrequited Love by Jacqueline Lee - 5 stars
5. A Christmas Retreat by Sofia Grey - 4 stars
6. Red Dirt Christmas by Susanne Bellamy - 5 stars
7. Her Christmas Star by Annie Seaton - 5 stars
8. Summer Santa by Kris Pearson - 4.75 stars
9. Home For Christmas by Ray Collet - 5 stars
10. Twelve Days Of Christmas by Jayne Kingsley - 5 stars
11. The Worst Noelle by Anna Foxkirk - 4 stars
12. The Week Before Christmas - 5 stars
Average Rating: 4.7, rounding up to 5 stars
p.s., Because there were a lot of pages in the collection, it took a few days for me to finish all 11 novellas and I forgot to write a separate review for each of the stories, so for that I apologize. I could go back and reread everything again, but I simply don't have the time, so there's only going to be individual ratings for this anthology, no individual reviews.
I almost forgot to mention, for the collaborative story, the 11 authors will be running a Christmas contest where you can guess who wrote each chapter and have a chance to win big prizes. I don't know about you, but doesn't that just peak your interest towards this collection that little bit? Especially since if you preorder the ebook now, it'll only cost you 0.99 us dollars?
Preorder this collection from the retailers below now!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions and thoughts are mine.
October 27, 2021
My stars are for the full book, not each story, but they were all worth 5 stars!
Firstly my thanks to the wonderful Sofia Grey for supplying me with an ARC to read. Silly me, I thought I was getting a copy of her novella, but no! Lucky me, I got the whole book!
Each of these awesome stories. . .12 of them, is written by either an Australian or New Zealand author, and gives the reader a look into just how different Christmas is in the world down under.
We get to indulge in all the fun summer activities over the festive season, backyard/beach cricket included.
Swimming and BBQ are par for the course on Christmas day, and in each of these stories we get an added extra of a beautiful romance.
Read each of these as the individual stories that they are, and enjoy a bit of kiwi/aussie culture along the way then enjoy the final novella an amazing co-write, with each featured author writing a chapter, to come up with what was my favorite story!
AND, guys and gals. . . . . There's a competition!
I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of these home grown romances. What a bunch of talented authors!
My advice, grab a copy of this and sit down and prepare to be transported to the beautiful places we down under call home.
Firstly my thanks to the wonderful Sofia Grey for supplying me with an ARC to read. Silly me, I thought I was getting a copy of her novella, but no! Lucky me, I got the whole book!
Each of these awesome stories. . .12 of them, is written by either an Australian or New Zealand author, and gives the reader a look into just how different Christmas is in the world down under.
We get to indulge in all the fun summer activities over the festive season, backyard/beach cricket included.
Swimming and BBQ are par for the course on Christmas day, and in each of these stories we get an added extra of a beautiful romance.
Read each of these as the individual stories that they are, and enjoy a bit of kiwi/aussie culture along the way then enjoy the final novella an amazing co-write, with each featured author writing a chapter, to come up with what was my favorite story!
AND, guys and gals. . . . . There's a competition!
I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of these home grown romances. What a bunch of talented authors!
My advice, grab a copy of this and sit down and prepare to be transported to the beautiful places we down under call home.
October 23, 2021
Baby, It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection – A Christmas Down Under
I have read four of the twelve stories; two authors I have read before, two I have not read, and there are still eight more novellas to look forward to reading and all take place “down under”, are steamy and will end with a happily ever after for the starring couple.
Kris Pearson is the author that drew me in – I love her steamy stories – and having other authors with holiday romances included in this anthology made it all the more intriguing.
The males in the stories read so far have been: a scientist injured on the job, a cowboy of sorts, a wounded military man, and a famous French actor.
The female love interests have so far been: a rather quiet solitary middle child sister, a horsewoman, a PR type daughter of a commanding officer, and a destitute woman thrown out of a job and taken in to be a nanny.
Some of the stories are no doubt part of a series but series that I have not read and some may be one-offs as they stand alone complete and perfect without a series to support them.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the future but want to get this review up now. The collection will disappear before the end of January 2022 so do pick it up before then, meet some new authors, and enjoy the holiday spirit…down under.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kris Pearson for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I have read four of the twelve stories; two authors I have read before, two I have not read, and there are still eight more novellas to look forward to reading and all take place “down under”, are steamy and will end with a happily ever after for the starring couple.
Kris Pearson is the author that drew me in – I love her steamy stories – and having other authors with holiday romances included in this anthology made it all the more intriguing.
The males in the stories read so far have been: a scientist injured on the job, a cowboy of sorts, a wounded military man, and a famous French actor.
The female love interests have so far been: a rather quiet solitary middle child sister, a horsewoman, a PR type daughter of a commanding officer, and a destitute woman thrown out of a job and taken in to be a nanny.
Some of the stories are no doubt part of a series but series that I have not read and some may be one-offs as they stand alone complete and perfect without a series to support them.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the future but want to get this review up now. The collection will disappear before the end of January 2022 so do pick it up before then, meet some new authors, and enjoy the holiday spirit…down under.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kris Pearson for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
October 25, 2021
I knew I wanted to read this collection before I even received an arc for it. I love reading new authors and this set has nine authors I’d never read before. I knew I wanted to read Fast Track to Love by Bronwen Evans because I love the Bad Boy Autos books and I was looking forward to reading Sully’s story. I wasn’t disappointed. Worth the price for this book alone, in my opinion. The first book I read in this set by a new-to-me author was Something in the Water by Kendra Delugar. I loved Mason and Rory’s story. Each book has many interesting characters and the potential for more stories to be written. That’s always a win-win in my book. I won’t leave any spoilers, so do yourself a favor and grab this collection, while you can.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2021
This anthology plays with my North American sensibilities a little bit. It seems very strange to view my winter festivities happening during summer vacations. However, I kind of love the juxtaposition of replacing snow and cold with sun and sand. And having spent a couple of Christmases in tropical destinations, there’s something to be said for experiencing winter without, well, winter. Each of the stories in this anthology is unique, and every one of them pulled me into their world. Some are set in an existing series, while others appear to be fully stand-alone. Whatever the case, they all contain the magic of the holiday season and they’ve inspired me to read more by these authors.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
October 22, 2021
Heartwarming Christmas stories from Down Under
In this Christmas anthology, 11 authors from Australia and New Zealand team up to offer heartwarming stories with varying degrees of heat. Just as the writing styles differ, so do the settings - from the Australian bush to lush seaside towns in New Zealand. The main characters come from different age groups, different walks of life and different family situations. A great mix, guaranteed to offer something for everyone. But there is something unique that makes this collection extra special: The 12th story is a combined effort, with each author contributing one chapter. Great reading - before, during or after Christmas!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this Christmas anthology, 11 authors from Australia and New Zealand team up to offer heartwarming stories with varying degrees of heat. Just as the writing styles differ, so do the settings - from the Australian bush to lush seaside towns in New Zealand. The main characters come from different age groups, different walks of life and different family situations. A great mix, guaranteed to offer something for everyone. But there is something unique that makes this collection extra special: The 12th story is a combined effort, with each author contributing one chapter. Great reading - before, during or after Christmas!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2021
Finally, a Christmas story or actually a collection of them that I can relate to. No snow, no cold, just pure Aussie, dust and all.
I started with Annie Seaton as I enjoy her work, she had the actor and the nanny. Then on to Susanne Bellamy who I've heard of but not read before. A second chance romance set in rural Australia.
The rest are either in Australia or New Zealand, both countries enjoy a hot summer Christmas time. These stories were so much fun and I loved discovering new to me authors.
I started with Annie Seaton as I enjoy her work, she had the actor and the nanny. Then on to Susanne Bellamy who I've heard of but not read before. A second chance romance set in rural Australia.
The rest are either in Australia or New Zealand, both countries enjoy a hot summer Christmas time. These stories were so much fun and I loved discovering new to me authors.
October 24, 2021
An amazing collection of Christmas stories set down under. Not only is it a hot Christmas but things get hot between the characters.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
October 26, 2021
Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under- Anthology
I received a free copy of the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Deluger et al and this review was given freely.
1. Kendra Delugar: SOMETHING IN THE WATER (This Christmas)
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Something in the Water by Kendra Delugar in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Deluger et al and this review was given freely.
A fast-paced novella with realistic characters and a touch of steam containing a story of insecurity, attraction, and finding love when and where you least expect it.
Frustrated and accustomed to a life of solitary Holidays after a childhood of being shuttled around in foster care, American ski-patroller Daniel Mason finds himself on a forced mental health leave at Christmastime, away from the job he loves and his matchmaking teammate family, with his New Zealand born teammate Aurora ‘Rory’ Kinsella’s large family in their seaside vacation cabins in Solitude Bay.
2. Bronwen Evans: FAST TRACK TO LOVE (This Christmas)
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Something in the Water by Kendra Delugar in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A poignant dual continent instant attraction romance with the dark undertones of infertility, Alzheimer’s, and alcoholism that has a heartwarming ending.
Resigned to a life of short flings after her fiancé left her at Christmastime, infertile NZ Hotelier Kara O’Regan dreads the Christmastime reminder of what she has lost until the equally Holiday cynical divorced, recovering alcoholic, part-owner of LA, USA’s based Bad Boys Auto, Jake “Sully” Sullivan, tries to buy her family’s vintage Jag.
3. Megan Mayfair: THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy football-based novella The Season for Second Chances by Megan Mayfair in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A poignant story of love, forgiveness, and attaining your dreams.
The former golden boy of professional football, Lachlan Walker’s plans to quietly regroup in his small town of Emerald Cove after being traded to a lower-ranking Melbourne team and being dumped by his famous model girlfriend drastically change when he meets the inspirational but guilt-ridden bartender and kids swimming coach, Emilia Morelli.
4. Jacqueline Lee: UNREQUITED LOVE
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Unrequited Love by Jacqueline Lee in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
Steamy with touches of humor, some indecision, sibling rivalry, and a happy ending.
Flustered and frustrated, New Zealand resident Benji awaits the Christmastime two-year reunion with his childhood best friend and summer neighbor, Eva Taylors.
5. Sophia Grey: A CHRISTMAS RETREAT
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the paramilitary novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A short snippet in time depicting a childhood crush turned love story that contains realistic characters being in love and working together to form a safe and nurturing environment for wounded military personnel. Contains cute kittens, bouts of humor, and moments of attraction which are low on the steamy scale but high on emotion.
When the Colonel orders recently head injury Major Jack Logan to spend two weeks at Christmas in the seaside Aroha sanctuary halfway house and rehab helping to market the sanctuary run by the Colonel’s friend Pip and his marketing and PR firm daughter Gabby Rochford, Jack laments his physical restrictions and the required handicraft requirements while trying to ignore his attraction to Gabby.
6. Susanne Bellamy: RED DIRT CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Red Dirt Christmas by Susanne Bellamy in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A love finally realized story with vivid descriptions, some family and town strife, and some steamy moments.
Ten years after a family scandal has her leaving suddenly, Nick Farrington brings
Penelope Grace back to Garrett’s Crossing at Christmastime where he woos, tempts, and manipulates her in hopes of keeping her with him forever.
7. Annie Seaton: HER CHRISTMAS STAR
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Her Christmas Star by Annie Seaton in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A complicated fast-paced instant attraction start of a nanny-employer romance that contains a fair amount of drama and takes place over a few days before Christmas.
Abandoned, homeless, and destitute two weeks before Christmas, Lisa Greer finds herself sick and working for the vindictive and selfish aging movie star, Tasha LeClair only to be fired, hit by a car, and rescued by her fantasy man, the handsome French actor and new father Julien Joubert.
8. Kris Pearson: SUMMER SANTA
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Summer Santa by Kris Pearson in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
Cute and steamy. A brother-in-law with sister-in-law to more romance where the couple in question are at times socially awkward and unfiltered. Contains some humor, touches of steam, and a heartwarming Christmas Day family moment.
Introverted Rebecca “Becca” Wynn is happy with her quiet solitary life of landscape design and plant procreation until she accidentally knocks down her new brother-in-law, the fun-loving but recently injured Antarctic scientist Colin “Mack” Mackay, who decides to play up the severity of his ankle injuries in order to keep her close.
9. Ray Collet: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the mildly steamy novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
Contains an overall dark presence with the themes of sexual abuse, attempted raped, murder, anger management, PTSD, constantly arguing siblings, and depression. But is balanced with attempts at cheesy horse-related humor, the antic of three you boys, and the steadfast caring strength of Tanner Martin who starts the family healing.
After ten years of roaming, Tanner Martin decides to take a permanent position as stable manager at his dream location, Braided Brooks Stud, but instead of the quiet peaceful setting he anticipated, he finds his teenage crush, Ellie Brooks, a broken shadow of the vibrant girl he saved, and her siblings at war with each other.
10. Jayne Kingsley: TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the sweet novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A fast-paced opposites attract romance with a base of tragedy, humor in the form of an over-the-top matchmaking grandmother, and a happy ending.
The death of her parents and her fiancé’s betrayal at Christmastime lead to the promotion-focused accountant, Felicity Langmore’s detesting the Holiday until her persistent Nan Maise manipulates Doctor Jackson Becker into a twelve-date pact for a motorcycle.
11. Anna Foxkirk: THE WORSE NOELLE
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the sweet novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A lot of negativity but the end is happy with the promise of a romance.
Frustrated by her degrading boss and feeling underappreciated by her family, who forgot her birthday again, the depressed and comfort-loving socialite Noelle Foley flees America to become the last-minute Maid of Honor in her childhood best friend’s Christmas time wedding in New Zealand only to make an unfavorable and unfiltered first impression on Hollywood stuntman, Sam, who happens to be the best man.
12. Anna Foxkirk: THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the mildly steamy novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing best friend and a childhood crush realized romance
A flood and three nearly drowned puppies cause widowed gift shop owner Shelby Mathieson and her five-year-old son Oscar to invite lifelong friend and local veterinarian Ryan to stay with them, resulting in temptation, longing, and Christmas dreams of a complete family.
I received a free copy of the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Deluger et al and this review was given freely.
1. Kendra Delugar: SOMETHING IN THE WATER (This Christmas)
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Something in the Water by Kendra Delugar in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Deluger et al and this review was given freely.
A fast-paced novella with realistic characters and a touch of steam containing a story of insecurity, attraction, and finding love when and where you least expect it.
Frustrated and accustomed to a life of solitary Holidays after a childhood of being shuttled around in foster care, American ski-patroller Daniel Mason finds himself on a forced mental health leave at Christmastime, away from the job he loves and his matchmaking teammate family, with his New Zealand born teammate Aurora ‘Rory’ Kinsella’s large family in their seaside vacation cabins in Solitude Bay.
2. Bronwen Evans: FAST TRACK TO LOVE (This Christmas)
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Something in the Water by Kendra Delugar in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A poignant dual continent instant attraction romance with the dark undertones of infertility, Alzheimer’s, and alcoholism that has a heartwarming ending.
Resigned to a life of short flings after her fiancé left her at Christmastime, infertile NZ Hotelier Kara O’Regan dreads the Christmastime reminder of what she has lost until the equally Holiday cynical divorced, recovering alcoholic, part-owner of LA, USA’s based Bad Boys Auto, Jake “Sully” Sullivan, tries to buy her family’s vintage Jag.
3. Megan Mayfair: THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy football-based novella The Season for Second Chances by Megan Mayfair in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A poignant story of love, forgiveness, and attaining your dreams.
The former golden boy of professional football, Lachlan Walker’s plans to quietly regroup in his small town of Emerald Cove after being traded to a lower-ranking Melbourne team and being dumped by his famous model girlfriend drastically change when he meets the inspirational but guilt-ridden bartender and kids swimming coach, Emilia Morelli.
4. Jacqueline Lee: UNREQUITED LOVE
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Unrequited Love by Jacqueline Lee in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
Steamy with touches of humor, some indecision, sibling rivalry, and a happy ending.
Flustered and frustrated, New Zealand resident Benji awaits the Christmastime two-year reunion with his childhood best friend and summer neighbor, Eva Taylors.
5. Sophia Grey: A CHRISTMAS RETREAT
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the paramilitary novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A short snippet in time depicting a childhood crush turned love story that contains realistic characters being in love and working together to form a safe and nurturing environment for wounded military personnel. Contains cute kittens, bouts of humor, and moments of attraction which are low on the steamy scale but high on emotion.
When the Colonel orders recently head injury Major Jack Logan to spend two weeks at Christmas in the seaside Aroha sanctuary halfway house and rehab helping to market the sanctuary run by the Colonel’s friend Pip and his marketing and PR firm daughter Gabby Rochford, Jack laments his physical restrictions and the required handicraft requirements while trying to ignore his attraction to Gabby.
6. Susanne Bellamy: RED DIRT CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Red Dirt Christmas by Susanne Bellamy in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A love finally realized story with vivid descriptions, some family and town strife, and some steamy moments.
Ten years after a family scandal has her leaving suddenly, Nick Farrington brings
Penelope Grace back to Garrett’s Crossing at Christmastime where he woos, tempts, and manipulates her in hopes of keeping her with him forever.
7. Annie Seaton: HER CHRISTMAS STAR
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Her Christmas Star by Annie Seaton in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A complicated fast-paced instant attraction start of a nanny-employer romance that contains a fair amount of drama and takes place over a few days before Christmas.
Abandoned, homeless, and destitute two weeks before Christmas, Lisa Greer finds herself sick and working for the vindictive and selfish aging movie star, Tasha LeClair only to be fired, hit by a car, and rescued by her fantasy man, the handsome French actor and new father Julien Joubert.
8. Kris Pearson: SUMMER SANTA
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy novella Summer Santa by Kris Pearson in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
Cute and steamy. A brother-in-law with sister-in-law to more romance where the couple in question are at times socially awkward and unfiltered. Contains some humor, touches of steam, and a heartwarming Christmas Day family moment.
Introverted Rebecca “Becca” Wynn is happy with her quiet solitary life of landscape design and plant procreation until she accidentally knocks down her new brother-in-law, the fun-loving but recently injured Antarctic scientist Colin “Mack” Mackay, who decides to play up the severity of his ankle injuries in order to keep her close.
9. Ray Collet: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the mildly steamy novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
Contains an overall dark presence with the themes of sexual abuse, attempted raped, murder, anger management, PTSD, constantly arguing siblings, and depression. But is balanced with attempts at cheesy horse-related humor, the antic of three you boys, and the steadfast caring strength of Tanner Martin who starts the family healing.
After ten years of roaming, Tanner Martin decides to take a permanent position as stable manager at his dream location, Braided Brooks Stud, but instead of the quiet peaceful setting he anticipated, he finds his teenage crush, Ellie Brooks, a broken shadow of the vibrant girl he saved, and her siblings at war with each other.
10. Jayne Kingsley: TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the sweet novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A fast-paced opposites attract romance with a base of tragedy, humor in the form of an over-the-top matchmaking grandmother, and a happy ending.
The death of her parents and her fiancé’s betrayal at Christmastime lead to the promotion-focused accountant, Felicity Langmore’s detesting the Holiday until her persistent Nan Maise manipulates Doctor Jackson Becker into a twelve-date pact for a motorcycle.
11. Anna Foxkirk: THE WORSE NOELLE
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the sweet novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
A lot of negativity but the end is happy with the promise of a romance.
Frustrated by her degrading boss and feeling underappreciated by her family, who forgot her birthday again, the depressed and comfort-loving socialite Noelle Foley flees America to become the last-minute Maid of Honor in her childhood best friend’s Christmas time wedding in New Zealand only to make an unfavorable and unfiltered first impression on Hollywood stuntman, Sam, who happens to be the best man.
12. Anna Foxkirk: THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
5 Stars
I received a free copy of the mildly steamy novella A Christmas Retreat by Sophia Grey in the steamy anthology Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under by Kendra Delugar et al and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing best friend and a childhood crush realized romance
A flood and three nearly drowned puppies cause widowed gift shop owner Shelby Mathieson and her five-year-old son Oscar to invite lifelong friend and local veterinarian Ryan to stay with them, resulting in temptation, longing, and Christmas dreams of a complete family.
September 26, 2021
BABY, IT’S HOT OUTSIDE is a Christmas Down Under collection of 12 romance books, including 2 by my favorite authors, Bronwen Evans and Annie Seaton and new authors that I will read again.
All the stories are well written, the love scenes are steamy, the theme is basically the same, yet the characters make spending Christmas down under. I want to visit to see Santa on a surfboard.
I highly recommend this box set!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
All the stories are well written, the love scenes are steamy, the theme is basically the same, yet the characters make spending Christmas down under. I want to visit to see Santa on a surfboard.
I highly recommend this box set!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2021
A "Down Under" Christmas Collection . . .
Just as winter is approaching where I live, we have 12 hot seasonal romance reads advertised to let us “escape the winter blues with these twelve top-value summer Christmas novellas”. So regardless of the temperatures, these books will provide a nice collection of “Down Under” romances touching on friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance, reunion stories and more. Warm your heart with these never before published stories.
Titles included are:
♥ KENDRA DELUGAR – Something In The Water
♥ BRONWEN EVANS – Fast Track To Love
♥ MEGAN MAYFAIR – The Season For Second Chances
♥ JACQUELINE LEE – Unrequited Love
♥ SOFIA GREY – A Christmas Retreat (Falling For The Colonel’s Daughter)
♥ SUSANNE BELLAMY – Red Dirt Christmas
♥ KRIS PEARSON – Summer Santa
♥ ANNIE SEATON – Her Christmas Star
♥ RAY COLLET – Home For Christmas
♥ JAYNE KINGSLEY – Twelve Days Of Christmas
♥ ANNA FOXKIRK – The Worst Noelle
These intriguing stories are all different to satisfy everyone’s quest for variety. Each one has a little drama and some problems to overcome before the couples eventually achieve their HEA. I hear there may even be some hot chemistry going on in these books. Grab your copy and enjoy having such a great selection of books at your fingertips.
Just as winter is approaching where I live, we have 12 hot seasonal romance reads advertised to let us “escape the winter blues with these twelve top-value summer Christmas novellas”. So regardless of the temperatures, these books will provide a nice collection of “Down Under” romances touching on friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance, reunion stories and more. Warm your heart with these never before published stories.
Titles included are:
♥ KENDRA DELUGAR – Something In The Water
♥ BRONWEN EVANS – Fast Track To Love
♥ MEGAN MAYFAIR – The Season For Second Chances
♥ JACQUELINE LEE – Unrequited Love
♥ SOFIA GREY – A Christmas Retreat (Falling For The Colonel’s Daughter)
♥ SUSANNE BELLAMY – Red Dirt Christmas
♥ KRIS PEARSON – Summer Santa
♥ ANNIE SEATON – Her Christmas Star
♥ RAY COLLET – Home For Christmas
♥ JAYNE KINGSLEY – Twelve Days Of Christmas
♥ ANNA FOXKIRK – The Worst Noelle
These intriguing stories are all different to satisfy everyone’s quest for variety. Each one has a little drama and some problems to overcome before the couples eventually achieve their HEA. I hear there may even be some hot chemistry going on in these books. Grab your copy and enjoy having such a great selection of books at your fingertips.
Read
October 27, 2021I was excited to be asked to join this Christmas Down Under Multi-author anthology. I love writing Christmas novellas. I only started writing Christmas stories in the last couple of years and found out how much fun they were to write.
I really enjoyed al the other authors stories in this set and I'd be hard pushed to pick a favourite. They were al so different.
My story in the boxed set FAST TRACK TO LOVE is part of my Drive Me Wild series set in Bad Boy Autos. It's about my hero who is a lonely American who has struggled through life meeting his perfect woman - problem is she lives in New Zealand. Sully can't fall in love because he has to go home - or does he?
But the biggest fun and stress of this box set was the collaboration novella THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Each of us wrote one chapter. I plotted out the story and gave a chapter to each author in the set to write. It worked far better than I thought and we are running a contest where you can #WIN a Kindle Fire by guessing who wrote what chapter. Check out my blog for entry details.
I really enjoyed al the other authors stories in this set and I'd be hard pushed to pick a favourite. They were al so different.
My story in the boxed set FAST TRACK TO LOVE is part of my Drive Me Wild series set in Bad Boy Autos. It's about my hero who is a lonely American who has struggled through life meeting his perfect woman - problem is she lives in New Zealand. Sully can't fall in love because he has to go home - or does he?
But the biggest fun and stress of this box set was the collaboration novella THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Each of us wrote one chapter. I plotted out the story and gave a chapter to each author in the set to write. It worked far better than I thought and we are running a contest where you can #WIN a Kindle Fire by guessing who wrote what chapter. Check out my blog for entry details.
October 25, 2021
Baby It’s Hot Outside Romance collection
A Christmas Retreat - Sofia Grey
5 stars
Quick but entertaining! Grump man meets perky woman…in a nutshell.
But there’s so much more to both Jack Logan and Gabby Rockford. Jack (a Major in the army) is stuck at a veterans’ sanctuary (which Gabby is involved with), a place for him to recover from a recent service-related injury, AND is expected to act as a model to promote the sanctuary while there. All of this at the behest of his commanding officer, who also happens to be Gabby’s dad.
Being a short story within a collection does accelerate their romance but in no way detracts from the story. Light, fun and entertaining!
Unrequited Love
4 stars
Friends for a lifetime? Benji and Eva reconnect after a few years apart…are they still friends? More than friends? Definitely an unrequited love story!
Summer Santa
4 stars.
Christmastime in summer? Living in the way north northern hemisphere, it’s a little hard to grasp. Definitely makes these stories interesting!
A Christmas Retreat - Sofia Grey
5 stars
Quick but entertaining! Grump man meets perky woman…in a nutshell.
But there’s so much more to both Jack Logan and Gabby Rockford. Jack (a Major in the army) is stuck at a veterans’ sanctuary (which Gabby is involved with), a place for him to recover from a recent service-related injury, AND is expected to act as a model to promote the sanctuary while there. All of this at the behest of his commanding officer, who also happens to be Gabby’s dad.
Being a short story within a collection does accelerate their romance but in no way detracts from the story. Light, fun and entertaining!
Unrequited Love
4 stars
Friends for a lifetime? Benji and Eva reconnect after a few years apart…are they still friends? More than friends? Definitely an unrequited love story!
Summer Santa
4 stars.
Christmastime in summer? Living in the way north northern hemisphere, it’s a little hard to grasp. Definitely makes these stories interesting!
October 25, 2021
Baby it’s hot outside-This is a wonderful set of books.
Wonderful stories that take place at Christmas time in New Zealand. They are all different but centered in the same place. 5*
Something in the water-during a Christmas vacation love slips right in and finds Mason.
Fast track to water-two broken hearts find love.
Season for second chances-Lachlan and Emilia teach each other.
Unrequited love-Two childhood friends realize how deep their feelings really went.
A Christmas retreat-Gabby finally meets her idol, it soon turns to love.
Red dirt Christmas-old love rekindled.
A Christmas star-a down on her luck Lisa ends up with her idol.
Summer Santa-Two people that usually don’t fit in, find they match well.
Home for Christmas-Tanner and Ellie find love and peace in each other.
Twelve dates of Christmas-A Nana plays at matchmaking.
The worst Noel-A friends wedding brings two people together.
Wonderful stories that take place at Christmas time in New Zealand. They are all different but centered in the same place. 5*
Something in the water-during a Christmas vacation love slips right in and finds Mason.
Fast track to water-two broken hearts find love.
Season for second chances-Lachlan and Emilia teach each other.
Unrequited love-Two childhood friends realize how deep their feelings really went.
A Christmas retreat-Gabby finally meets her idol, it soon turns to love.
Red dirt Christmas-old love rekindled.
A Christmas star-a down on her luck Lisa ends up with her idol.
Summer Santa-Two people that usually don’t fit in, find they match well.
Home for Christmas-Tanner and Ellie find love and peace in each other.
Twelve dates of Christmas-A Nana plays at matchmaking.
The worst Noel-A friends wedding brings two people together.
December 14, 2021
I loved the first book! This collection is written by Authors from New Zealand, Kiwis! I think some of the best Authors come from New Zealand, they are their hidden resource! Of course this is the Christmas Collection and you find a fellow from Aspen, CO spending Christmas in tropical New Zealand! It was done very well and am anxious to get on to the next one. ! I would recommend this collection! I have spent Christmas in NewZealand & it’s great! Just know that this review is coming from a Southern CAL one city north of Disneyland!
October 27, 2021
I really loved all of theses stories. They range from steamy to sweet, from friends to lover to strangers to lovers. Most were not too emotional but The Fast Tract to Love by Bronwen Evans was packed full of all sorts of emotions. I had to stop reading it and go back later to finish was worth it but heavy. Great holiday collection of stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2021
12 holiday romances that are enjoyable, heartwarming, and captivating. You can choose to read one, read two, or read them all. Each story is about a different couple but each one is fun to read. Perfect for those weekends when you just want to curl up with a good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 28, 2021
This boxset was great. Every story was different and entertaining. These stories were funny, romantic, steamy and hot, sexy, and makes the reader crave the beach sun and heat for Christmas time.
October 15, 2021
I kind of liken this book to a small town romance. The stories are quaint and at times quirky but are so well written. I have discovered some new authors through this book.
October 19, 2021
Totally enjoyed the twelve hot romances from down under. Love reading about that country and the locales. The characters in the stories were all quite different as there are eleven writers and they co-wrote the final book. Found a few new favorite authors to check out later on. The stories come from a lot of different types of romances, from reconnections to friends turned lovers. My favorites were Twelve Days Of Christmas and A Season Of Second Chances. Definitely will be rereading some of these again down the road. Great endings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2021
This book provides days and days of enjoyment. There are 11 stories by different authors. There is something for everyone, so if you do find one not to your liking, just move on, because there is so much fun inside the covers of this book. I enjoyed stories by so many new-to-me authors! And there’s a twist! The 12th story is written by ALL of the authors!
October 25, 2021
This is a real mixture of romance stories. The compilation has everything: friends to lovers; instalove; workmates to lovers; family drama; holiday romances; enemies to lovers. The stories also vary widely in heat, from sweet and sentimental, to seductive and steamy. It's also excellent value. All multi-chapter novella length, and none feel rushed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this collection, and there really is something for everyone. My personal favourites were 'Unrequited Love', 'Red Dirt Christmas' and 'Summer Santa', but I will be seeking out more of all of the author's works (I've already bought the follow up to 'Unrequited Love!)
**I should note that as I have read an advanced reader copy, I have not yet read story 12, but look forward to doing so*
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review
Overall, I really enjoyed this collection, and there really is something for everyone. My personal favourites were 'Unrequited Love', 'Red Dirt Christmas' and 'Summer Santa', but I will be seeking out more of all of the author's works (I've already bought the follow up to 'Unrequited Love!)
**I should note that as I have read an advanced reader copy, I have not yet read story 12, but look forward to doing so*
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review
September 29, 2021
Believe me when I say it's a hot Christmas, and here's why.
There was SOMETHING IN THE WATER which led to a FAST TRACK TO LOVE. And hence it was found that it's THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES and UNREQUITED LOVE. This led to them attending A CHRISTMAS RETREAT that made it all a RED DIRT CHRISTMAS and of course, SANTA was forced to visit in the SUMMER so he could give HER CHRISTMAS STAR that will ensure she got HOME FOR CHRISTMAS in time for her TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS, hoping she won't get to meet THE WORST NOELLE in THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
There definitely is hope for Christmas because it's going to be a hot one you don't want to miss.
There was SOMETHING IN THE WATER which led to a FAST TRACK TO LOVE. And hence it was found that it's THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES and UNREQUITED LOVE. This led to them attending A CHRISTMAS RETREAT that made it all a RED DIRT CHRISTMAS and of course, SANTA was forced to visit in the SUMMER so he could give HER CHRISTMAS STAR that will ensure she got HOME FOR CHRISTMAS in time for her TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS, hoping she won't get to meet THE WORST NOELLE in THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
There definitely is hope for Christmas because it's going to be a hot one you don't want to miss.
October 26, 2021
ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout 4.5 stars
Baby, It’s Hot Outside is an anthology written by 11 authors of which I have read before and some who are new to me. Christmas anthology from Down Under in the summertime! You get friends to lovers, second chances, reunions, forbidden romance, all well written and totally enjoyable. Will put you in the Christmas spirit!!
Baby, It’s Hot Outside is an anthology written by 11 authors of which I have read before and some who are new to me. Christmas anthology from Down Under in the summertime! You get friends to lovers, second chances, reunions, forbidden romance, all well written and totally enjoyable. Will put you in the Christmas spirit!!
April 12, 2022
BABY IT'S HOT OUTSIDE is a holiday anthology set in New Zealand and Australia, containing stories from 11 authors.
Kendra Delugar's Something in the water has Aspen ski patrol team mates Mason and Rory on a holiday break with Rory's Kiwi family. He used to be a neglected foster kid and doesn't believe in lasting relationships but he fits in with Rory and her family. I liked this but there were some references that were a bit unclear to me.
Bronwen Evans wrote Fast Track to Love. Recovering alcoholic Jack is in NZ to buy a vintage car from Kara's father. He doesn't know that her father is in no condition to sell. They have an instant attraction but do they have a future, living on different sides of the world? I liked this as well. It's a dual POV.
Megan Mayfair's hero Lachlan in Season for Second Chances is an athlete who is having a bad year. He runs into a fan of his team in the pub and she changes his life while he helps her let go of her guilt regarding an old accident that injured her sister. This was also sweet.
Jacqueline Lee's story about Unrequited Love was one of my favorites in this collection. Benji and Eva are childhood friends. He has always had a crush on Eva but he's attempted to put some emotional distance because Eva is attracted to jerks. But a Christmas holiday changes things. I liked the emotion here. It's a dual first person point of view.
Sofia Grey's A Christmas Retreat tells the story of Jack and Gabby that is half a longstanding crush (on her part) and instalove (on his). Jack got TBI in Iraq and is recovering at a retreat where Gabby works at. I enjoyed this.
In Susanna Bellamy's Red Dirt Christmas Penny is back in town after fleeing in disgrace ten years ago when her father got in trouble. Her old boyfriend Nick wants her back for good. This story was a bit frustrating to me because the back and forth hot and cold from Penny gave me a whiplash.
Annie Seaton's story is about Lisa who is broke, sick and just got fired from her PA job with the ultimate movie mean girl. This turns out to be a stroke of luck as she gets hired as the nanny for the French movie star she has the hots for and it's instalust for him too. This wasn't one of my favorites in this collection.
Jayne Kingsley's Twelve Dates of Christmas lets us know Felicity and Jackson who start dating because her whimsical grandmother thinks she needs some holiday joy in her life and uses a motorcycle to draw Jackson in. This was a fun story.
Kris Pearson's Summer Santa is an instaluv story featuring an insecure landscape designer and a scientist who comes home from Antarctica, injured. Lots of flirty banter here. I liked it.
Ray Collet's Home for Christmas packs an awful lot of family drama in a few pages. There's a sexual assault, PTSD, grief, family feuds and a lot of tension. A little less would have been enough.
Anna Foxkirk's The Worst Noelle was a fun tale from a first person POV. Noelle flies to NZ for a wedding and on the flight she meets Sam. She's a bit out of balance and much too drunk and she and Sam don't get along. Imagine her embarrassment when Sam turns out to be the bestman at the wedding. There are more embarrassing mishaps but eventually it starts to seem like Sam doesn't dislike her as much as she thought at first. I liked this one a lot.
It turns out my favorites here were the ones that were written in the first person point of view. I guess it just usually works for me better than the third person in contemporaries. But everything was a good read here. I liked the Christmas down under theme because Christmas is a dark, cold and dreary time of year where I'm at. A girl can dream.
There's a bonus story co-written by all the authors that I have not read. I got a copy of this book from Booksprout and this is a voluntary review.
Kendra Delugar's Something in the water has Aspen ski patrol team mates Mason and Rory on a holiday break with Rory's Kiwi family. He used to be a neglected foster kid and doesn't believe in lasting relationships but he fits in with Rory and her family. I liked this but there were some references that were a bit unclear to me.
Bronwen Evans wrote Fast Track to Love. Recovering alcoholic Jack is in NZ to buy a vintage car from Kara's father. He doesn't know that her father is in no condition to sell. They have an instant attraction but do they have a future, living on different sides of the world? I liked this as well. It's a dual POV.
Megan Mayfair's hero Lachlan in Season for Second Chances is an athlete who is having a bad year. He runs into a fan of his team in the pub and she changes his life while he helps her let go of her guilt regarding an old accident that injured her sister. This was also sweet.
Jacqueline Lee's story about Unrequited Love was one of my favorites in this collection. Benji and Eva are childhood friends. He has always had a crush on Eva but he's attempted to put some emotional distance because Eva is attracted to jerks. But a Christmas holiday changes things. I liked the emotion here. It's a dual first person point of view.
Sofia Grey's A Christmas Retreat tells the story of Jack and Gabby that is half a longstanding crush (on her part) and instalove (on his). Jack got TBI in Iraq and is recovering at a retreat where Gabby works at. I enjoyed this.
In Susanna Bellamy's Red Dirt Christmas Penny is back in town after fleeing in disgrace ten years ago when her father got in trouble. Her old boyfriend Nick wants her back for good. This story was a bit frustrating to me because the back and forth hot and cold from Penny gave me a whiplash.
Annie Seaton's story is about Lisa who is broke, sick and just got fired from her PA job with the ultimate movie mean girl. This turns out to be a stroke of luck as she gets hired as the nanny for the French movie star she has the hots for and it's instalust for him too. This wasn't one of my favorites in this collection.
Jayne Kingsley's Twelve Dates of Christmas lets us know Felicity and Jackson who start dating because her whimsical grandmother thinks she needs some holiday joy in her life and uses a motorcycle to draw Jackson in. This was a fun story.
Kris Pearson's Summer Santa is an instaluv story featuring an insecure landscape designer and a scientist who comes home from Antarctica, injured. Lots of flirty banter here. I liked it.
Ray Collet's Home for Christmas packs an awful lot of family drama in a few pages. There's a sexual assault, PTSD, grief, family feuds and a lot of tension. A little less would have been enough.
Anna Foxkirk's The Worst Noelle was a fun tale from a first person POV. Noelle flies to NZ for a wedding and on the flight she meets Sam. She's a bit out of balance and much too drunk and she and Sam don't get along. Imagine her embarrassment when Sam turns out to be the bestman at the wedding. There are more embarrassing mishaps but eventually it starts to seem like Sam doesn't dislike her as much as she thought at first. I liked this one a lot.
It turns out my favorites here were the ones that were written in the first person point of view. I guess it just usually works for me better than the third person in contemporaries. But everything was a good read here. I liked the Christmas down under theme because Christmas is a dark, cold and dreary time of year where I'm at. A girl can dream.
There's a bonus story co-written by all the authors that I have not read. I got a copy of this book from Booksprout and this is a voluntary review.
November 21, 2021
This is a great quality compilation. A real rarity where every one of the books is well written & enjoyable in their own right. Each one is a standalone with a real mixture of tropes, for example friends to lovers, second chance romance, strangers to lovers etc. Similarly, there is a real mixture of heat levels in the books; some are sweet and some are hot and heavy! It’s difficult to pick out favourites, but especially enjoyed Kris Pearson’s Summer Santa – great meet cute, loved the romance between the slightly introverted gardener and the broken legged scientist. Lots of heart and some fun comedic moments.
October 16, 2021
BABY IT'S HOT OUTSIDE is a collection of 11 books by authors from New Zealand and Australia. They are all sexy fun reads. The last book was written by 11 authors. Each one took a chapter to write and move the story along. More on that later.
1)SOMETHING IN THE WATER - Kendra Delugar - Mason, an American and Rory a Kiwi are on their way to New Zealand to celebrate Christmas together. Teammates on a ski patrol Mason had no family and no where to go so Rory invited him to spend a Kiwi Christmas with her family. Things heat up on the beach for a sexy love story.
2) FAST TRACK TO LOVE - Bronwen Evans - Kara, 35, owns a hotel in the town of Havelock North, N.Z. Jack Sullivan, an American is in town to buy a vintage car from her father. Surprise!! Kara has no intentions of selling but she doesn't tell Jack that because she wants him to stay in town for a while. Good read.
3) THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES - Megan Mayfair - Lachlan a hometown boy is a pro league ball player. He is having a run of very bad luck and is down on himself, life, and ball games. He runs into an old classmate at the local pub and she turns his life around. Good read.
4) UNREQUITED LOVE - Jacqueline Lee - Benji and Eva have been best friends since childhood. They have a great friendship, always being there for each other. Benji decides he wants to be more than a friend. However, afraid of losing the friendship if it doesn't work out, he keeps his feelings to himself. Leave it to a woman to take charge. Eva turns his life around with one midnight visit to his room on the beach at Christmas time.
5) TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS - Jayne Kingsley - Felicity is a woman scorned. She is determined to be at the top of the ladder in her firm and is off men. That is until the big motorcycle riding man comes along and starts to show her what she is missing. Loved this guy.
6) RED DIRT CHRISTMAS - Susanna Bellamy - Penelope left town as a young woman when her family was shamed when her alcoholic father stole money to feed his gambling habit. She also left the love of her life without a word. He is still angry but he also still loves her. Pen learns some lessons regarding the sins of the father. Good story.
7) HER CHRISTMAS STAR - Annie Seaton - A young woman down on her luck and her last penny meets a French movie star looking for a nanny to take care of his 8 year old daughter. The child was put on a plane with an escort in America and send to him in London. He didn't know he had a child. The mother passed away and knew he would take care of their daughter. The nanny gets a bit more than a job. Her luck was certainly starting to look up.
8) SUMMER SANTA - Kris Pearson - Fun, sexy read. Becca, an introvert, is a landscape artist. She likes the flowers and the solitary work. Then she meets Mack, a Scientist, in a very unexpected way. They hit it off right away! In fact that is what caused a few problems. He had been in Antarctica for several months and without female companionship and Becca was looking pretty good. Becca had a few favors she needed and Mack looked like just the guy that could fix her issues.
You will love both these characters.
9) HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - Ray Collet - Ellie is the baby sister in a big family that is fraught with emotional issues. There is screaming, fighting, etc. and then Tanner walks in on all of this to be the new Stable Manager on the big ranch. Ellie is bent out of shape because the job should have been hers. Her older brother runs things his way and no way is he giving Ellie a chance. Tanner is the one to save the day. Good story about a big dysfunctional family.
10) THE WORST NOELLE - Anna Foxkirk - Noelle, an American, is flying to New Zealand to the wedding of an old classmate. She is sitting next to a hunk that would rather read than listen to her praddle on and on for 16 hours. However, he has little choice as Noelle won't shut up and with every word her foot is going further in her mouth. At first you might not like Noelle (or maybe it is just me) but the story is really good. Some great lessons and that fellow passenger on the plane turns out to be more than just an irritated seatmate.
11) A CHRISTMAS RETREAT - Sophia Gray - I like military guy stories so this one was good for me. Jack has been injured in the war. He is being sent to a retreat to help him heal. Jack is a man's man. He is rough, tough, and has your back. I loved this guy. The retreat is not his idea of healing but the Colonel picked him to go and he really has no choice. He meets the woman in charge and suddenly the assignment is looking a whole lot better. Jack doesn't do relationships. In his work there is no room to leave the little lady behind while he fights the war. Little does he know Gabby has a secret and a mission of her own. Good story.
This is a bonus story. You read it and then pick which author wrote which chapter. The winner will receive a very nice surprise as well as other gifts. It is not going to be easy!! These ladies are all very different in their writing style.
THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Shelby, a widow with a 5 year old son Oscar lives in a small town. Her husband was killed when she was 8 months pregnant with Oscar. As children, Shelby, Paul (the deceased husband) and Ryan were all best friends. Ryan had always been in love with Shelby but Paul asked her out first so that ended any chance Ryan had with her. Ryan went off to college and Paul and Shelby married. It has been 5 years since he passed and Shelby has come to realize that even though she loved Paul she was not in love with Paul. She feels guilty for thinking that but she knows it is true. She has always had a thing for Ryan but he is too good a friend to take a chance on him not being interested and then making their friendship awkward.
Ryan is the local vet in town. He is a terrific guy. No longer the boy but a very attractive man. This is a very good love story. Ryan is just too good to be true. Great guy, loved him. Oscar and his pups almost steal the story. Good read.
1)SOMETHING IN THE WATER - Kendra Delugar - Mason, an American and Rory a Kiwi are on their way to New Zealand to celebrate Christmas together. Teammates on a ski patrol Mason had no family and no where to go so Rory invited him to spend a Kiwi Christmas with her family. Things heat up on the beach for a sexy love story.
2) FAST TRACK TO LOVE - Bronwen Evans - Kara, 35, owns a hotel in the town of Havelock North, N.Z. Jack Sullivan, an American is in town to buy a vintage car from her father. Surprise!! Kara has no intentions of selling but she doesn't tell Jack that because she wants him to stay in town for a while. Good read.
3) THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES - Megan Mayfair - Lachlan a hometown boy is a pro league ball player. He is having a run of very bad luck and is down on himself, life, and ball games. He runs into an old classmate at the local pub and she turns his life around. Good read.
4) UNREQUITED LOVE - Jacqueline Lee - Benji and Eva have been best friends since childhood. They have a great friendship, always being there for each other. Benji decides he wants to be more than a friend. However, afraid of losing the friendship if it doesn't work out, he keeps his feelings to himself. Leave it to a woman to take charge. Eva turns his life around with one midnight visit to his room on the beach at Christmas time.
5) TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS - Jayne Kingsley - Felicity is a woman scorned. She is determined to be at the top of the ladder in her firm and is off men. That is until the big motorcycle riding man comes along and starts to show her what she is missing. Loved this guy.
6) RED DIRT CHRISTMAS - Susanna Bellamy - Penelope left town as a young woman when her family was shamed when her alcoholic father stole money to feed his gambling habit. She also left the love of her life without a word. He is still angry but he also still loves her. Pen learns some lessons regarding the sins of the father. Good story.
7) HER CHRISTMAS STAR - Annie Seaton - A young woman down on her luck and her last penny meets a French movie star looking for a nanny to take care of his 8 year old daughter. The child was put on a plane with an escort in America and send to him in London. He didn't know he had a child. The mother passed away and knew he would take care of their daughter. The nanny gets a bit more than a job. Her luck was certainly starting to look up.
8) SUMMER SANTA - Kris Pearson - Fun, sexy read. Becca, an introvert, is a landscape artist. She likes the flowers and the solitary work. Then she meets Mack, a Scientist, in a very unexpected way. They hit it off right away! In fact that is what caused a few problems. He had been in Antarctica for several months and without female companionship and Becca was looking pretty good. Becca had a few favors she needed and Mack looked like just the guy that could fix her issues.
You will love both these characters.
9) HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - Ray Collet - Ellie is the baby sister in a big family that is fraught with emotional issues. There is screaming, fighting, etc. and then Tanner walks in on all of this to be the new Stable Manager on the big ranch. Ellie is bent out of shape because the job should have been hers. Her older brother runs things his way and no way is he giving Ellie a chance. Tanner is the one to save the day. Good story about a big dysfunctional family.
10) THE WORST NOELLE - Anna Foxkirk - Noelle, an American, is flying to New Zealand to the wedding of an old classmate. She is sitting next to a hunk that would rather read than listen to her praddle on and on for 16 hours. However, he has little choice as Noelle won't shut up and with every word her foot is going further in her mouth. At first you might not like Noelle (or maybe it is just me) but the story is really good. Some great lessons and that fellow passenger on the plane turns out to be more than just an irritated seatmate.
11) A CHRISTMAS RETREAT - Sophia Gray - I like military guy stories so this one was good for me. Jack has been injured in the war. He is being sent to a retreat to help him heal. Jack is a man's man. He is rough, tough, and has your back. I loved this guy. The retreat is not his idea of healing but the Colonel picked him to go and he really has no choice. He meets the woman in charge and suddenly the assignment is looking a whole lot better. Jack doesn't do relationships. In his work there is no room to leave the little lady behind while he fights the war. Little does he know Gabby has a secret and a mission of her own. Good story.
This is a bonus story. You read it and then pick which author wrote which chapter. The winner will receive a very nice surprise as well as other gifts. It is not going to be easy!! These ladies are all very different in their writing style.
THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Shelby, a widow with a 5 year old son Oscar lives in a small town. Her husband was killed when she was 8 months pregnant with Oscar. As children, Shelby, Paul (the deceased husband) and Ryan were all best friends. Ryan had always been in love with Shelby but Paul asked her out first so that ended any chance Ryan had with her. Ryan went off to college and Paul and Shelby married. It has been 5 years since he passed and Shelby has come to realize that even though she loved Paul she was not in love with Paul. She feels guilty for thinking that but she knows it is true. She has always had a thing for Ryan but he is too good a friend to take a chance on him not being interested and then making their friendship awkward.
Ryan is the local vet in town. He is a terrific guy. No longer the boy but a very attractive man. This is a very good love story. Ryan is just too good to be true. Great guy, loved him. Oscar and his pups almost steal the story. Good read.
October 15, 2021
welve perfect indulgences to get you in the Christmas spirit & no snow in sight
KENDRA DELUGAR – Something In The Water
BRONWEN EVANS – Fast Track To Love 5s
New Zealand Hotelier Kara O’Regan hates the silly season. Growing up she’d wanted to find that special person and settle down, having the big family she’d never had. Four years ago on Christmas Day, when her fiancé learned she couldn’t have children, he walked out taking her heart and future with him. So when sexy as hell, American Jake Sullivan breezes into town, she knows he’d be perfect to help chase away the festive blues. Jake (Sully) Sullivan avoids Christmas. Estranged from his ex-wife and children many years ago through being an alcoholic, the festive season is pointless. So eight days before Christmas when his boss asks him to go check out a vintage Jaguar, he jumps at the chance.
I loved the chemistry between Sully & Kara, what started as insta lust quickly changed & grew. I’m also glad that Sully found his HEA, the epilogue was the icing on the cake. A well written lovely novella
MEGAN MAYFAIR – The Season For Second Chances
JACQUELINE LEE – Unrequited Love
SOFIA GREY – A Christmas Retreat (Falling For The Colonel’s Daughter)
SUSANNE BELLAMY – Red Dirt Christmas
KRIS PEARSON – Summer Santa
ANNIE SEATON – Her Christmas Star
RAY COLLET – Home For Christmas
JAYNE KINGSLEY – Twelve Days Of Christmas
ANNA FOXKIRK – The Worst Noelle
And
COLLABORATIVE - THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS – A collaborative novella with a chapter from each of the authors in this box set. I fun way to finish the set
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
KENDRA DELUGAR – Something In The Water
BRONWEN EVANS – Fast Track To Love 5s
New Zealand Hotelier Kara O’Regan hates the silly season. Growing up she’d wanted to find that special person and settle down, having the big family she’d never had. Four years ago on Christmas Day, when her fiancé learned she couldn’t have children, he walked out taking her heart and future with him. So when sexy as hell, American Jake Sullivan breezes into town, she knows he’d be perfect to help chase away the festive blues. Jake (Sully) Sullivan avoids Christmas. Estranged from his ex-wife and children many years ago through being an alcoholic, the festive season is pointless. So eight days before Christmas when his boss asks him to go check out a vintage Jaguar, he jumps at the chance.
I loved the chemistry between Sully & Kara, what started as insta lust quickly changed & grew. I’m also glad that Sully found his HEA, the epilogue was the icing on the cake. A well written lovely novella
MEGAN MAYFAIR – The Season For Second Chances
JACQUELINE LEE – Unrequited Love
SOFIA GREY – A Christmas Retreat (Falling For The Colonel’s Daughter)
SUSANNE BELLAMY – Red Dirt Christmas
KRIS PEARSON – Summer Santa
ANNIE SEATON – Her Christmas Star
RAY COLLET – Home For Christmas
JAYNE KINGSLEY – Twelve Days Of Christmas
ANNA FOXKIRK – The Worst Noelle
And
COLLABORATIVE - THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS – A collaborative novella with a chapter from each of the authors in this box set. I fun way to finish the set
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
September 29, 2021
'Baby, It's Hot Outside Romance Collection: A Christmas Down Under' Is a collection of twelve novella's written by multiple authors all set in either Australia or New Zealand at Christmas time. Each story is a standalone and and there are no cliffhangers. Plus there is an added bonus, a contest is included! The twelfth story is written by all the authors, each writing an individual chapter. The readers gets to guess who wrote which chapter.
These books offer something for everyone with alpha males, feisty heroines, all set against a sunny, warm holiday backdrop. The stories are diverse tropes from friends to lovers, second chances, instalove, and so much more.
The books are well written with great characters, interesting plots, and wonderful dialogue. The stories are emotional, with some angst, laughs, secrets, family issues, passion, and plenty of steam. I enjoyed these books and recommend them to anyone who likes some Christmas with their romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
These books offer something for everyone with alpha males, feisty heroines, all set against a sunny, warm holiday backdrop. The stories are diverse tropes from friends to lovers, second chances, instalove, and so much more.
The books are well written with great characters, interesting plots, and wonderful dialogue. The stories are emotional, with some angst, laughs, secrets, family issues, passion, and plenty of steam. I enjoyed these books and recommend them to anyone who likes some Christmas with their romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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