Sweet Talk Boxed Set

Escape to New Zealand #8 included

by Brenda Novak, Melody Anne, Violet Duke

In 2014, the boxed set curated by Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research (titled A SWEET LIFE), raised almost $100,000 net to the charity in only one month. This year we’re back for a second helping, and you can indulge, too! This heart-warming, limited edition collection features ten BRAND NEW contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors...


You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of SWEET TALK will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.


Featuring a foreword by #1 NYT Bestselling Author Robyn Carr and a bonus story, the Brenda Novak classic, WHEN WE TOUCH, which kicks off her popular small-town contemporary Whiskey Creek series.


In this new tale from NYT bestselling author Melody Anne, Liam Felton had it all, or thought he did. That was until he lost his best friend and brother in arms all in one day. Then his life forever changes when his best friend's will is read and Liam discovers that he now has a child to raise.


When behind-the-scenes sports analyst Jackson Gray is assigned the task of teaching the ins and outs of college and pro football to the network’s newest on-camera beauty, sideline reporter Leila Hart, the last thing he expects is to become the one getting schooled—in lessons in love, that is—from a woman who clearly knows way more about sports than she lets on. JACKSON by NYT bestselling author Violet Duke.


From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes a new, sweet and sexy wedding romance, PROMISE MY LOVE, the follow-up novella to DESTINED FOR LOVE (The Bradens).


NYT bestselling author Gina L. Maxwell introduces her new military series with Macen "Mace" Barnett, ex-Navy SEAL and leader of the rebel G.H.O.S.T. Group in DEADLY OBSESSION. Going undercover as a stunt double, Mace works to catch the psycho stalking his brother's co-star, Ashlynn, while she works to prove that Mace's heart isn't dead after all.


From NYT bestselling author Linda Lael Miller we have a heart-pounding tale of unrequited love come to fruition in INTERLUDE, the story of a woman holding out for the man she’s never forgotten--the sexy cowboy she’s always loved.


#1 NYT bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes readers back to her beloved Chesapeake Shores for the story of a woman stuck in a dead-end job who discovers it's never too late for a whole new dream.


In the latest romance from NYT bestselling author Steena Holmes, Charlie Peters knew running away wasn’t the right thing to do, especially from her fiancé, but with her sister in the hospital, now seemed like the perfect time. And it wasn’t just him she was running away from, but the promise of the life they could have together. She wasn’t meant for happily-ever-afters, even though Marcus was her Prince Charming.


Rosalind James’s JUST IN TIME (ESCAPE TO NEW ZEALAND) brings you one bad boy of New Zealand rugby, one erotic modeling contract that doesn’t stay in Vegas, and one good woman to pick up the pieces.


Rita Award winning author Molly O'Keefe writes a heart-warming story of two friends who find love where they least expect it in A DATE FOR A CHRISTMAS WEDDING.


Join USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle in SAND DOLLAR COVE, where a determined shop owner faces the loss of her family’s business, and has the mayor making tough choices between what’s best for the town and what might win the heart of the woman he’s secretly loved from afar.


Don’t forget to check out SWEET DREAMS and SWEET SEDUCTION, two more limited edition collections from Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research... Read and help stop diabetes!

Genres: Anthologies, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Sports

2200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.

“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”

However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.

Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.

“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”

Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.

When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...

Reviews

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, I have an ARC with just the Rosalind James story, and that's the only one that I am reading ahead of the release of this anthology, so right now the 4 stars are just for her story.

Just In Time has bad boy Will leaving New Zealand for the US to Las Vegas for a tryout as pro football league kicker, and circumstances land him a job as a model for a photo shoot of BDSM themed stock photos. And it brings him in contact with Faith who is the photographer's assistant - along with two other jobs. The sparks fly between the pair, but daddy issues for both and the fact that their time together always comes with an expiration date keep the relationship between them as friends - and the sensual tension high - for a good long time. In addition to Faith and Will's story, the pictures inspire Faith to write a erotic romance about a secondary pair Hope and Hemi, and snippets of that story are woven in as a secondary thread.

I can say right now that I loved Will and Faith, especially the leading man, Will, who sees himself as a fun loving guy who 'doesn't stick' but who is so much more - Will is my favorite kind of hero, big, beautiful, but a generally nice guy which is not really the way we saw he in previous stories (I had forgotten that until I saw another review). And the main thread has all that I love about the series, some peeks into the beauty of New Zealand, the Maori culture and a smidge of rugby and the slow build relationship that overcomes obstacles to win a HEA.

The secondary thread has the story that Faith is secretly writing and I have to admit that I decided to skim/skip it on my first read-through because it's all italics - which is my bane- and I'd assumed based on the photo shoot that it would be a 'Billionaire Boss Bondage' story which is not my thing. But after seeing the Will's reaction to the inner story and reading its ending, I decided that my assumption was wrong and I went back and reread that thread in its entirety and it actually was very nice, the BDSM elements suggested by the pictures are only alluded to and there's really no actual sex in the snippets of the leading lady's erotic romance, plus the snippets don't portray that story's leads as the stereotypical pairing that I dislike as much as the unappealing-to-me dom/sub genre - he's not the cold dominating controlling man and she's not the submissive doormat with no power or self respect. So in the end my only remaining issue with that thread - besides the italics - is that in the overall context of the whole story it initially chopped up the main story flow, later on that wasn't the case because it actually augmented the development of the main story in the sense that it revealed some truths about the main characters and the views holding the back in their relationship.

So bottom line is that I enjoyed James's contribution to the anthology and I am looking forward to both more from her -in or out of New Zealand- and more from this anthology. 4 stars for Just in Time.

"I received a free copy of Just In Time by Rosalind James in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."

...But I've also preordered the entire collection, the proceeds of which go to diabetes research... and all my opinions are always unpaid and my own:)

Release date 5/1/15.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this amazing collection of authors I expected nothing less than amazing stories to be included. So far I have NOT been disappointed! I've read 4 of the stories and they have all been fantastic. This is a collection I will be recommending to everyone.

Once Upon a Dream by Melody Anne - 4 stars
After the devastating loss of her sister, Whitney Steele is doing the best she can raising her young niece and nephew on her own. When she suddenly discovers her brother-in-law has a father and brother living in New York and want to see the children, she has no idea how upside down their lives are about to become.

Jackson by Violet Duke - 5 stars
With this story, we have the beginning of what is a new series coming from Violet Duke and judging by Jackson, it is going to be a great one! Leila Hart is hardworking and determined and has just landed her dream job. Footballs newest sideline report. When she is set to work with Jackson Gray, one of the industries best analysts, she is thrilled. But there is a pull between them and that can't lead to anything good. Can it??? Oh I think it definitely can!!

Promise My Love by Melissa Foster - 5 stars
This is a great story featuring this author's Braden Family. After 4 years Jade and Rex are finally getting married. Everything is planned and ready to go. Or so they thought! When one mishap after another begins to happen, could this couples big day have to wait??

Sand Dollar cove by Nancy Naigle - 5 stars
Great story of coming home, community, and new love. Elli Eversol returns to Sand Dollar Cove to care for her grandmother and help the town residents repair their shops after a hurricane damaged them. What she discovers is that the pier is beyond repair, to town never gives up, and the help and kindness of one can motivate many. Loved this one!

[Connie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just In Time (Rosalind James)

This book is just THAT GOOD! Whether you're a fan of the Escape to New Zealand series or reading it on its own, you won't be disappointed. No cookie cutter heroine or hero here, just two people in two completely different literal and figurative places whose lives happen to intersect by chance. Faith follows the rules because that's who she is by nature. She is a quietly determined yet reserved woman whose current life leaves much to be desired. There's no room for a temporary relationship even if she it's all can think about. Will, on the other hand, follows the rules because that's what's expected of his job. He is a charming but low-key player (whom I really did not like from a previous book in the series or the beginning of this book) who has no desire for any strings and doesn't do so great with any relationship, and not just romantic ones, as it is. The pair meets as an indirect result of a devastating life event. The journey they take is funny, frustrating, exasperating, and even a bit of a tear jerker at points. Along the way there are moments that make you shake your head while thinking "what the heck were THEY thinking?", "did that really just happen?", "man, grow up!", "why are they surprised at that result?", and even "I didn't see that one coming!" The pair is believable from beginning to end as they evolve individually and together. Definitely will be re-reading this one because, like I said, it's just that good!

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

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is only for "Just in Time" by Rosalind James. I will update review to add the rest of the collection later. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated and all opinions are my own.

I'm a big fan of Rosalind James' "Escape to New Zealand" series, and have faithfully read them all. It is a smart, sweet, funny, and oh-so-sexy set of romances, and this is a wonderful addition to the series. Will and Faith are charming together, and both flawed in very believable ways. They spend a long time getting to know each other, developing their friendship and having romantic near-misses. So their story is slightly tamer than some of the other entries in the series, but they are still a delightful - and sizzling - couple. I thought the ending was maybe a little bit rushed and their HEA came a little too easily, but it was a quick, fun, sweet and enjoyable read. I especially liked switching up the setting a bit, starting out in Las Vegas for quite a long while, because it put our heroine on home turf and our hero off balance abroad, reversing the roles in most of the rest of the series. It was a refreshing spin on the formula, and Will and Faith were both immensely likable characters.

Overall, a delight.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great box set for a great cause to benefit diabetes research. The first story Once Upon A Dream by Melody Anne is very good. After losing her sister and brother in law in an accident Whitney Steele is trying to raise her young niece and nephew. Believing she is their only living relative. She finds out that he has a brother and a father still living in New York. The father is not well and wants to meet the children after finding out he has grandchildren. So off to New York the three of them go for an adventure of a lifetime.
I do not want to spoil the stories for you so just let me tell you that they are all heartwarming romance stories that will melt your heart. I loved them all especially the ones by Melody Anne,Sherryl Woods, Nancy Naigle, Robyn Carr and Brenda Novak. I loved every minute of this boxed set.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

JUST IN TIME by Rosalind James

I cried when I thought that their whole love story was coming to a screaming halt, just because it leaked out and Will's reputation couldn't take any more. It was a lovely story with two stories, because Faith was a writer. It was beautiful.

Favorite parts:
1. I'm not going to look down on women who do what they have to do to take care of themselves, or to take care of their kids. We're all just doing what we have to do to get by.

2. Men want women to be sexy. Then they look down on them for being sexy. Like if they're sexy, that's all they are.

3. "How wonderful is realism, though?" Lelei asked. "Real life is hard. Maybe it isn't in New Zealand, but here where I live, real life is bad bosses and car trouble and wondering whether your baby can wear those shoes for another month, because your January gas bill is going to be way too high. What's wrong with wanting to escape for a little while?"

4. "But the fantasy? Sure, it's a filthy-rich dude who's absolutely crazy about you, who can't imagine anything better than spending all Saturday morning in bed making delicious love to you, no matter who's playing in the ball game. He might even come on pretty strong, because he's so overwhelmed by how much he wants you. He can afford to make all your problems go away, and show you a really good time, too, and what's wrong with that?"

5. "All I want is to give you everything, and you're too stubborn to take it."

6. "So how was your date?" he asked, and then could have kicked himself. He didn't want to know.
"Well..." She sighed. "He was a back-door guy."

Note: That made me laugh so much! It was a repeated joke.

7. She was living in her mother's apartment building, doing two jobs she didn't care about to pay off her student loans, dreaming of living by the ocean, of living a different life, but so frightened to take the leap, to leave everything she knew. So afraid to try, because if she tried, she might fail.

Enough regrets. They would get her nowhere. Time to escape into another world, another story, one she could control.

8. He had to be able to show Hope his other side, even if -- especially if -- he showed it to nobody else. Because a man who would do that for you, a man who wanted to have fun with you without making fun of you, who enjoyed making you smile and laugh, and live? He was a keeper.

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

[D'Lana Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is only for Just in Time by Rosalind James which is only one book in the boxed set.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed everything Rosalind James has written, but I have to say the Escape to New Zealand series is my favorite. There is just something special about those rugby players! Just in time is the latest addition to the series.
This book is a little different because the main characters, Will and Faith, meet in the states. In Las Vegas to be exact. Faith lives in Vegas, Will is there on vacation or as he says "on holiday". One of Faith's jobs is as a photographers assistant and she meets Will when he agrees to pose for some suggestive photos for an online erotic romance writing contest. He thinks it is just something for fun, no-one he actually knows will find out. After all what happen in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Uh...wrong! They are attracted to each other, but decide to be "just friends". Will is only in the States for three weeks and Faith wants to guard her heart. Will goes back to NZ and Faith starts to secretly write a story based on the pictures of Will. A few months go by and the New Zealand press find out about the pictures. Will's reputation is in trouble and he needs Faith to come to New Zealand to help him. When they meet again the attraction is still there as well as the friendship, but this time it becomes much more.
Rosalind James's characters are so human a person can't helped but be touched by them and root for them. One minute they say or do something that make you cringe at the sheer stupidity then a couple pages later you get something so sweet it brings tears to your eyes. There is a scene at the airport near the end of the book that actually made me cry. I could just picture it.
There is a book within a book here as well. We get to follow along with the story Faith writes as well as the story she lives. I admit I didn't care for the breaks into Faith's writing in the beginning. I found them distracting, but it wasn't too long before I was looking forward reading the fictional story almost as much as the real story.
This book is about becoming who you're meant to be and about love in all its aspects. Love for family, love for friends and love for each other. There also some really good steamy parts!
Rosalind James doesn't write romance. She writes real and she writes heart! Thank you Rosalind for another great Escape!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 3 of the stories in the box set.

Jackson by Violet Duke-5 stars

Violet is one of my favorite authors. She really knows how to write characters that you fall in love with. Jackson is a spin off of The Cactus Creek Series. You first meet him in Love, Exes and Ohs. You do not have to read that book first. This story is about Jackson Gray and Leila Hart. Jackson is a sports analyst and Leila becomes the network's new sideline reporter. I think Leila is super awesome because she knows so much about football. I know zero! Haha! Both Leila and Jackson have secrets, add in a persistent ex and see what happens. I loved both of these characters and hope to see them in future books. Some of my favorite quotes are. "If you're going to call me the weatherman, I get to call you sunshine." And he does throughout the whole book. "I guess if you have to put a label on it. But I don't make anyone call me Mr. Gray or anything." I loved this FSOG reference. It made me laugh. :) I would definitely recommend this book.

Promise My Love by Melissa Foster-5 stars

I have been meaning to read about the Braden's for some time. This is the first book in the series that I have read and now I need to go back and read all of the others! Especially Jade and Rex's story. Even though this was the follow up story and it was about their wedding I still really enjoyed it. Melissa did a good job of telling who was who for those of us who haven't read any of the books in the series. Melissa writes so well that now I have to know how all of the other Braden's fell in love! I would definitely recommend this book but you should read the others in the series first. I love this quote from Rex to Jade. "No buts. I love you, and you love me. It's a pretty simple equation. Right now your world feels like it's crumbling around you. It's not. We're solid. I promise you that." Swoon!

When We Touch by Brenda Novak-4 stars

I have read all of Brenda's books from the Whiskey Creek series. When We Touch was the first one I read. It introduces you to Whiskey Creek. This is the story of Olivia Arnold and Brandon Lucero. Olivia comes back to Whiskey Creek to plan her sister Noelle's wedding to Olivia's ex-boyfriend Kyle. She meets up with Kyle's stepbrother Brandon. Yep this book is complicated! Haha! I was rooting for Olivia and Brandon from the start. What Kyle and Noelle put Olivia through was wrong. There are absolutely no redeemable qualities to Noelle at all. I would definitely recommend this book as a great start to the Whiskey Creek Series.

[Bungluna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for Just in Time by Rosalind James, part of Brenda Novak’s Sweet Talk boxed set.

This is book #9 of Ms. James Escape to New Zealand series which features NZ rugby players as heroes. This time, we have Will who is in the States, specifically Las Vegas, running away from his demons. Ever since his dad abandoned the family, Will has been trying to provide for them with his rugby playing. First he went to Australia but when he finally came home, his grandfather died. This throws him off and sends him to try out for a new NFL team in Vegas as a kicker, a position that will pay well.

Faith is a native Vegas girl who holds 3 jobs and is trying to get her life in order. She’s come up with an idea for a subscription web site where naughty pictures of a couple will be published and members can write stories about them and compete to see who’s most popular.

Somehow Will ends up posing for the pictures, little knowing that the website will become so popular that they will come back to bite him when he decides to go back home and play there for the National Team, the All Blacks. Faith flies to NZ to help him smother the ensuing scandal.

I liked Faith and loved her mom, a former show girl/stripper. Will was also a very likable hero, convinced he’s shallow when in fact his actions reveal just how caring and deep he truly is. I also liked that the story took place both in Faith’s home ground and in Will’s. This way I could experience the real differences in their background and outlooks.

Will’s mom was a bit problematic for me; the way she kept expecting Will to be just like his father rubbed me the wrong way. A secret that causes the twist at the end kept this from a higher rating for me. I hate big misunderstandings. Overall, though, I enjoyed the slow pace and the real friendship turned to love that developed between Will and Faith. I could believe in their HEA at book’s end, though I wish the ending had been a bit more developed.

This book can be read alone but I feel it’s more enjoyable if one has read the whole series. Some characters from previous books make an appearance. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated nor was I required to give a positive review.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Talk box set is a collection of short stories by award-winning authors that is perfect for summer reading. The proceeds from the sale of this book go to help fund diabetes research.
Ms Novak has managed to put together a collection of sweet, sometimes sassy, stories that are pure entertainment. This book would be a great download for a beach vacay. What a great way to support much-needed research!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreaming of Tomorrow
by Melody Anne
once upon a dream
Whitney finds herself raising two kids due to her sister and brother in law passing . but she also gains new family due to her brother in law sending word a year after his passing to his family his brother and father . and Whitney finds herself in a league where she feels she does not belong . but fights what she feels for Liam her now gone Brother in law Vincent's brother tries everything he can to be with Whitney but will she let it or deny what she wants and feels . and what does Fredrick think of Liam's attraction to Whitney the one who has taken care of his two grandchildren . can these people see that they can be a family if they only let it or will Whitney think she is not good enough and leave due to overhearing something that may or may not have been about her but thinks that it is and what do you do if you want the one who runs and so much more do you go after them or let them go find out by reading this book .



Jackson by Violet Duke

Jackson there is more than meets the eye with him and Leila who also is more than meets the eye . her family is into politics but she is into statistics and knowing her sports but her family only see someone to be disappointed in also who is Jackson and who is he really and why does he feel an attraction to Leila and know that she knows more about sports than she lets on to . find this and more when you buy this book in this box set

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Promise my love

Melissa Foster

Once upon a time these families you could be like romeo and juliet and one day Romeo aka Rex and Juliet aka Jade fell in love 15 years ago though they fought it due to their fathers but 4 years prior Rex saw Jade and knew he had to make her his so now its four years later from the time they dated to their up and coming wedding and they have one obstacle after another . first Jade loses her necklace that was Rex's mothers necklace that she considered fate . then Hope Rex's horse seemed depressed or something was wrong . then Jade's father had a heart attack and now they don't know if they should have the wedding or postpone it but fate has something else planned in the whispering voice of Rex's mother who died due to Cancer and also why does all the family seem to be getting pregnant and does that mean Jade will too and how will they get married in the way Jade had planned or in a different way to find this and more buy , read and review this book also i have never read this author but i want to read more ,.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Deadly Obsession
Ask me Again
Gina L. Maxwell
Trish who thought her world was great only to find out the man she was with was her soul mate her one true love . but decided to go back home and she found so much more . she reconnected with her best friend Tony . but Tony has always wanted more with her and she does not realize that she does want more but believes she will find her true love but not in her home town she believes that only true love happens outside of where you came from but Tony will prove her wrong. the question is will these two realize they should try or will their stubborness make them not to see how much they can be with each other . find this and more when you buy this box set and stay tuned to more .


Interlude
Linda Lael Miller
Cassidy is getting married she decides she wants to come back home for a time before her wedding . but when she gets home she wants someone else and not her fiancee but someone whom she had a crush on for as long as she was a teenager ,
G.W. whom has a son and is widowed but also has a longing in him for a woman whom he thinks is out of his reach . can these two figure out what they want will Cassidy marry her fiancee or throw caution to the wind and go after what she truly wants . find out by reading this and much more in this box set


The Memory Child Steena holmes


Bayside retreat
Sherryl woods
Emma who is a writer but has writers block so she works at the Library with her mom but she also has a hard time to take a chance on a new guy who got hurt by falling off a roof .
Jamie who fell off the roof has his work cut out for him when he first meets the one woman who intrigues him and keeping him at bay but for how long will she be able to do so to find out read this book in the box set .


The Memory Journal
Steena Holmes
Marcus and Charlie are in the field where they help where they can. but things are in their way why does Charlie not want children what happened in her past that makes her not want one . and why is Diane believing her family her husband and baby are alive and what happened to them . also why does Walter blame himself for Diane's health . and who is Nina really to Diane . and who or where is their Father . this story as in the prior The Memory Child i have not yet read it but will when i can but this story is emotional and yet can be healing if you have dealt with this type of thing in your own life . it does happen to real people as it can in stories like this so thank You Steena Holmes for writing . and fyi this story comes out the day before my birthday july 3rd be the big 37 and here is the irony 7/3 is the day but reverse the numbers and that will be my age lol.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just in Time
by Rosalind James

Will someone who is visiting the states for a break from New Zealand and his friend Solomon wants him to go with him to his interview to be having pics taken of him . but he meets someone who piques his interest she seems shy and yet intrigues him her name he learns is Faith . she is overseaing the pics and the online where there is apparently a contest on the pics that are taken and to write a story to go along the pictures . but the irony is they don't want his friend but him . so now he must decide to be a model in the pictures or walk away but can he cause he has an interest in Faith so what will he choose and how will Faith keep the tempation from her that is Will when or if he takes the job . and what will it cause for his team in New Zealand or his career. find out more when you buy the box set collection

Sand Dollar Cove
Nancy Naigle
Elli who has been away from her roots comes back due to her family needing help where they have shops and a pier in shambles but also a few twists and turns happen who is Holden and why is he back the one who broke Elli's heart . and who is Ed and why is he looking to get a place there and who is Brody and his reasons for wanting to move the time up and start the work on the pier . but what is the few things to shock and gasp is well you will have to find out there is betrayal , secrets and surprises in this story so get the box set so far every story in the book has kept me at the edge of my seat .

Christmas eve a love story
Molly O'Keefe
Trina and Dean both best friends but also have their families who are in a way in a romeo and juliet type of way due to their fathers . also Trina has trust issues and forgiving others or forgetting due to the past due to her mother . to find out why she has her issues and also why Dean has his own issues with his own family and even how Dean and Trina are to each other or even years later what type of relationship will these two have . to find this and much more read this box set while it is still available as well as for a great cause .

When we touch by
Brenda Novak

What do you do when the love of your life marries your sister and what do you do if you see someone else in a whole new light and wonder why things happened as they had . also why does Brandon seem to have eyes for Olivia and what is Noelles deal with Brandon and now with Kyle and why did Kyle do what he had find this and more when you buy this book as well as the box set .this was a very interesting box set and it took me a while but i read it and boy hardly could put it down ,

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melody Anne. Dreaming of Tomorrow. Very good.
Fairytale book by Melody Anne.
All the money from this boxed set is donated to diabetes. This is a great deal not only because of the cause, but if you bought these books separately it would cost a lot more.
The book started off sad, but has so many loving moments throughout the book. I love reading about how people get to know each other and can change outlooks on life. The fairytale ending to this book is what each of us would love to live.

Violet Duke. Jackson. Very good
This is the first book in a new series for Ms. Duke. It is my favorite book so far and I have read it three times! This is the story of Jackson and Leila who work at a sports network. I loved learning more about football and the NFL draft, especially with the draft got no on now in real life. Jackson is the kind of man we would all love to meet--good looking, considerate, cares about others and is sexy. The story was great and I was surprised with the ending. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Melissa Foster. Promise My Love. Very good
The book is from the series about the Braden brothers. This book is about Rex and Lacy's obstacles to getting married. The book had bumps in it to the alter, but the love between Rex and Lacy stayed strong. I enjoyed the book.

Gina L Maxwell. Deadly Obsession. 5/2015. Very good
This book is about Trisha and Tony. Trish comes back to her small home town from New York City after her fiancé of nine years or so breaks up with her. She meets Tony again who has been in love with her since elementary school but never acted on it. They become best friends again and things grow from there. Good story.

Linda Lael Miller. Interlude. Good
This was a very short love story. It was good.

Sherry Woods. Bayside Retreat Very good.
This was a good short love story. It was about Emma, a divorced woman, that is wary of men and meets Jamie who has never been married even though he is in his early 40's. Read about how Jamie meets Emma and works on earning her trust.

Steena Holmes. The Memory Journal. 5/2015. Good.
This story was a little depressing even though it was a love story. The two main characters work with Doctors Without Borders. The female doctor's sister becomes psychotic and she is afraid she will do the same if she has a baby. Some of this stems from their mother. There is a love story in the middle of this.

Rosalind James. Just in Time. Very good.
Will, a rugby player from New Zealand comes to Las Vegas to try out as a kicker for the LV pro team. Will's friend friend from New Zealand goes to try out for a photo shoot and Will tags along. Will meets Faith who is the photographers assistant. Will ends up getting the job even though he was not there to try for the modeling job. Will is only going to be in Las Vegas for a few more weeks, but it is enough time for the photo shoot, and Will wants to get to know Faith better so he takes the job.

Faith thinks he is a player and does not do short term hook ups. So they decide to be friends. They get to know each other and Will steals some hot kisses. Will goes back to New Zealand after the photo shoot ends.

A few months later there is a big blow out from Will's photo shoot. Faith ends up flying to New Zealand to help Will out. Read the book to see what happens. There are many other characters involved that makes the story more interesting.

Another piece I liked about this story is Faith is writing a book within this book that we get to read. It was a great story.

Nancy Naigle. Sand Dollar Cove. Very good
Elli Eversol spent her summers in Sand Dollar Cove, NC with her grandparents. She had her heart broke their on her last summer before college. Elli has a real estate company in Charlotte, but has come back to Sand Dollar Cove to help her grandmother. Elli's had been close to her grandfather, but he passed away a few years ago. Her great grandfather had built a pier with shops in Sand Dollar Cove. Her grandmother still had a shop there. The pier was damaged by a hurricane and a Nor'Easter. Elli is in town to try to get the town to fix the pier and get the shops ready for summer. She started a campaign for people to donate money and then the boards that went on the pier would have each name that donated engraved in a board.

Elli hired Brody Rankin to engrave the boards with the donor's name. He was also staying on her grandmother's property while he was working. Holden, the guy who broke her heart, is back in town. He wants another chance with her, but she doesn't trust him. After he fixes her dinner and a few kisses, she finds out he was hired to determine if the pier can be rebuilt. He determined that is was too costly, but never gave Elli a heads up.

Brody and Elli put their heads together to come up with a new plan fir where the shops can be built. It is a great idea what they come up with and how the community works together. It also puts Brody and Elli together a lot. I loved reading about the great community. I live in NC so it was nice reading about some place near me. I liked Brody very much and how he helped Elli. Read the book to see what happens. It is a good story.

Molly O'Keefe. Christmas Eve: A Love Story. Good.
This is a love story between Dean and Trina. The main problem is neither one get along with this father. Their fathers hate each other. They begin with w friendship that both are afraid to take further.

It was a little depressing. Toward the end things got better.

Brenda Novak. A Whisky Creek Novella Very Good
Olivia Arnold had even dating Kyle Houseman for over a year. Olivia took a break to move to Sacramento to open a wedding planner business. Kyle did the unthinkable while she was gone and hooked up with Olivia’s spoiled younger sister, Noelle. Noelle has always wanted what Olivia has. Noelle ends up pregnant so Kyle is going to marry her even though he is still in love with Olivia. Olivia’s parents (who I am not crazy about) ask her to plan Noelle’s wedding since she is in the business. Olivia is having a hard time with all of this. She runs into Brandon how is Kyle’s hot, skiing step-brother. Olivia went to prom with Brandon in her sophomore year and had a thing for him, but it never went any where. Brandon is known to have flings, but no commitment.

Brandon helps Olivia through the pre-wedding events and they get closer. Brandon had feelings for Olivia since the prom, but never acted on them. Kyle hates that Olivia is hooking up with Brandon as they have never got along. Noelle of course is jealous too as she used to stalk Brandon.

Read the book and see how everything turns out. You won’t be sorry you did. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Loved this book.

[Rose O'toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Not Mine Escape 6

Another great performance and another great story!
I am a fan of Rosalind James’ New Zealand series and now a big fan of Claire Bocking as well. This book in the series deals with Hugh, an injured All Black and Josie, a TV Star. Hugh has been left to care for his half siblings and Josie is a neighbor. James’s story is well crafted and I think she shows great insight into parenting, acting and even trying to hang onto a relationship when all signs are that it is over. Hugh’s interactions with his siblings are sweet and heartfelt. There is one incident with his 12 year old sister which he handles with such care and concern that I wanted to marry him or at least adopt him. What a well written character. I really felt bad for him when everything is thrown at him by his Aunt. I would like to have a word or two with her!! Anything that invokes that kind of emotion is good writing plain and simple.
There are a few differences between this book and others in the series. Josie is so darn perfect. She is tall, sexy and oh, so beautiful, where the other women in the series are normal. That being said, I think James does an amazing job at growing the relationship between Hugh and Josie. There is very little sex in this book because the time is spent getting to know each other and being friends first. Not much of the New Zealand Travel that is in the others of the series but I didn’t mind because there were so many other interesting things going on. Also there isn’t as much rugby, other than at the beginning, because he is inured and working on recovery.
Claire Bocking is an amazing narrator. She has actually spoiled me a bit for other books. As the series continues there are a lot of voices coming back from earlier books and I could still tell them apart. She has their pitch and nuances down to a science. The children in this book, there are 2 with pretty big parts, are easy to tell apart without being identified. She is that good
James does a great job with the written dialogue and Bocking does an amazing job bringing them to life. I would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Just in Time:
I love this series and this book did not disappoint! More than that, I love an author who writes character with depth, inner conflict and many dimensions. Ms. James does that and holds my interest in the process. I really enjoy how her characters are real people, not perfect, often conflicted and often very funny! Will is one of my favorites. He makes mistakes, underestimates his value and learn how to live a do what he thinks is best regardless of what those around him say or advise, especially when they have a financial interest.

This book is really two books in one. Book one is the main story of rugby player Will who, on a whim, poses for some pictures (sexy but not porn) while he is in Las Vegas for a break. There he meets photography assistant Faith. She is a busy woman with 3 jobs and rent to pay. They become friends, enjoy time together then he leaves to return to New Zealand. Book 2 (or at least 1.5) is when Faith takes the pictures and starts to write fan fiction to accompany the pictures that feature hunky Will. This storyline becomes a problem very late in the book but until then it is hot, steamy and quite profitable for Faith.

I feel the fan fiction part was very reminiscent of the Fifty Shades story and that is one of the reasons I couldn't give it 5 stars. EL James Fifty Shades started as fan fiction and then took off to become the book and movie. this storyline also features a very rich man who wants to give his girl friend everything. Money, health, a home-the story line was too similar and this distracts from the story.

The main story included will and Faith becoming friend and not pursuing a deeper relationship until the pictures come to light to the rugby fans of NZ. This book delves into the business end of rugby. bad press personally= bad press for the team= not playing. Hard working Faith was not as likable because I feel she used Will (albeit not expecting her fan fiction to take off as it did) yet she still held my interest as she worked through her Mom's issues.

There are characters in this book from previous books, but this can easily stand alone. In fact, it is probably the best stand alone in the series.

I liked it a lot and truly appreciate the multifaceted characters. No cookie cutter slam bam romance here. Great stories, great characters, great romance.

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

[KB Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars for Rosalind James' Just in Time: Escape to New Zealand. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To the best of my knowledge I have read everything this author has published, and while I may respond to some characters / stories more favorably than others, one thing which never wavers is my appreciation for this smart writer who writes smart romances for smart readers. Her female protagonists would be cheered by the panelists of To The Contrary (a political roundtable devoted to women's issues, dissected by uber-smart women), because even if they are in any kind of pickle, they aren't looking for a male to rescue them. They are no damsels in distress, even if they may be in a stressful situation!

In Just in Time, Maori New Zealander and professional rugby player Will Tawera has gone to Las Vegas (Nevada, USA) for a tryout with an NFL expansion team. There, he meets comely American Faith Goodwin, a jill of many trades, and is enchanted by her, in more than a one-night-stand kind of way (which is not on offer from Faith!).

Will ends up taking a short-term modeling job in Las Vegas, so he not only works with Faith (for she is the photographer's assistant), he becomes her neighbor when he moves into the apartment complex she manages. They become friends, friends who are attracted to one another. The dialogue is wonderful and plentiful: we the reader come to know Will and Faith through their honest exchanges with each other, and it is refreshing to read adults interacting (instead of all that silly rules business).

Faith has a rich imagination and, based on the photographs of Will, has developed and written a story (a romance), with Will's doppleganger named Hemi, and the blonde Caucasian female named Hope (as in not-Faith). Hemi and Hope's story is more akin to a "traditional" romance in that Hemi is Strong and Silent, a millionaire CEO, needs no one, etc., and Hope has too many problems to cope with independently.

I loved the extended italicized passages of Hemi and Hope's story because it only served to highlight the difference between (and inanity of) fantasy and what real romance is like.

And real romance we got in spades with Will and Faith. The Las Vegas photographs got Will in a bit of trouble with the NZ rugby association, so at Will's bequest Faith travels down to Auckland to help him out. Will lives with his very (overly by North American standards) involved family (grandmother, mother, high-school age sister), and it is awkward indeed for Faith. Even though Will's mother is at most a tertiary character and she most definitely comes across as rude, she felt like a complete character and made complete sense. Without her explaining herself (or anyone else excusing her), the author had given us enough of the overall story (through Will and Faith's abundant conversations) that she made sense, her behavior(s) made sense.

I like that kind of subtle story development, because so few of us exist in a bubble. I remember seeing a Sex in the City episode where one of the characters got married, and none of her (or his) family were in attendance. It seemed so weird to me -- even if people have a bad relationship with their families, their family still exists. I appreciate how in all this author's stories of which I can currently think she doesn't negate the characters' previous lives, including their families. They may not be front-and-center but at least they exist!

Their time together in New Zealand does ultimately lead to their coupledom (this is not a spoiler).

Unlike (most of) the rest of her Escape to New Zealand series, this book was very light on the rugby and light on the Kiwi travelogue. I'm not sure how I feel about those because I always so enjoyed the abundant NZ references in her previous stories (the explicit rugby scenes I always skimmed through because it's just not my thing). Additionally, the romance also felt light, too light for me. I read romance stories because I want Romance! I liked Faith and Will and greatly enjoyed their interactions, but it just took too long for them to ultimately act on their mutual attraction. I would have enjoyed spending more time with them as a couple.

But at the end of the day, I still so appreciate this author's niche and how she treats her reader. I'll be back!

[Sandi Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow This is one big book and if you don't have it yet you need to hurry before it is not offered anymore. This book is 10 full size book and they all my authors that i love so it was an easy one chose for me to pick,
Melody Anne
This story reminds me of a movie i watch at Christmas that came out in 2011 "A Princess for Christmas" with Roger Moore so i was a little disappointed

Just in Time – Escape to New Zealand – by Rosalind James
Had me stopping and buying all her books up until this book and blowing my book budget for the month of June, YEP new author for me and already hooked, Okay so this Will is a rugby player from New Zealand is in he States for a few months kinda on vacation seeing if he can land a job with 2 of OUR football teams and he innocently lands a job as a cover model for what ends up being erotica books online. He meets Faith and they are "friendly" while he is here and he never thinks it will creates issues back in OZ, well it does and the story is REALLY GOOD.So good I had to grab the ones before it and after it. Not only that I want to go to New Zealand now so badly, But i can't so now i need to talk to my friend who is from there.

Jackson – by Violet Duke
This is Jackson and Leila story. They both work at a sports network and I love football so this story was cool to me. This is the first in a series so I can't wait to read more in this series it is really good. Hot men, romance and Football...what is not to like.

Promise My Love- Melissa Foster.
This is one of the Braden brother series books. I was excited because i have read all of them and love them all. Rex and Lacy story and how they get to the alter.

Bayside Retreat-Sherry Woods
This was one of those books that I saw played out in my head like a movie as i read it. Jamie (i hear it in my head as "haymea") broke his leg so he is recovering in one of Mitch's places...of course. He is close to middle age and never been married because he has been married to his job. Down the street is Emma, home recovering from a very bad divorce. She works at the library and she has written one book and is working on a second one but has writers block. She has to walk past Jamie's place every day to go to work. And of course the meddling townsfolk get to work being matchmaker as well sending Emma on errands to the house and getting them working on projects together. I really enjoyed reading a love story about folks who were closer in age to me than my daughter's age! Well written, And of course more from the family saga.

A Whisky Creek Novella -Brenda Novak
You simply can't go wrong with Brenda Novak and this proves that once again, this makes up for the one book that disappointed me and the reason i gave this a 7* star. (every other book was a 5 star this novella and Just in Time.by Rosalind James were 7* for me)

You gotta read this story to get this story. If my sisters had been like Olivia sister Noelle lets say they would not be alive today, So Olivia likes Kyle Houseman and she has been dating him for a while. she take a break to state a wedding company and it is not a break break but let me get my business going over in Sacramento don't hook up with anyone else break but the man-ho goes and hooks up with her sister the HO, who always wants what Olivia has. Of course Noelle gets pregnant and Kyle is going to do the right things and marry her, NOW the weird things is THE PARENTS want OLIVIA to take care of the wedding, I am screaming at my kindle going WTF????
Anyways of course Kyle;s brother has always had a thing for Olivia and so he steps in to make things better for her. So i just have to say this book is down right GOOD and it did have me screaming at my kindle. I am super excited to know there is more to this series and of course it will be great because it is from Brenda Novak (one of my one clicks)


All in all if this book is still there to buy grab it. Not only is it a steal for the number of books you are getting, you are helping a great cause Diabetes research,

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review is only of Rosalind James ' book - Just in Time - Will and Faith's story.)

If you are reading this, you have discovered one of my favorite authors of romance. Ms. James is a master story-teller and weaves wonderful imagery and the flavor of the local environment into her tales. She had me hooked from the very first Escape to New Zealand story I read. I am so impressed with the details she writes into the background, scenery, the characters, everything really.

Setting / foreground/background
The descriptions of the geography and the New Zealand, in general are meticulous and compelling. All the imagery of such a beautiful country, and the mannerisms and local cultural references of the locals were fascinating.

What this book meant to me/ how I felt about the story:
This book introduces Will and Faith, who meet in Las Vegas, when Will unwittingly auditions as male model for a sexy photo shoot for erotic novels. Faith runs the back office and assists the photographer, and became good friends with Will, while trying not to fall for him at the same time. He goes back to New Zealand where his usual job is one of the famous All Blacks rugby team members, and he thinks all is forgotten of his little stunt in Las Vegas. Only, that is not the case, and we find out how our hero and heroine try to work together to overcome Will's media fiasco in New Zealand. This book has a lot of laughs and fun parts. I love the humorous things that happen to the characters.
A special part of the story for me is how Will rebuilds his relationship with his sister after some pretty intense family arguments. It really brings home how important family is and how we need to grab onto life while we have it. Life can end so quickly and unexpected and we don't know how much time we have left, so we should use it wisely. Oh, and by the way, this book is VERY steamy and sexy. Not for the faint-of-heart or those embarrassed easily. It doesn't go overboard with graphic sex scenes either. A good balance of buildup and tension -and the more sensual feelings developed - evolving to love.

The character development:
I fell in love with the characters and the setting of the book immediately. The characters were absolutely genuinely heartwarming and lovely to read about, very realistically drawn and compelling the reader to cheer them on.
The hero, Will, is everything us women love in a good hero: athletic and physically gorgeous, he's mysterious and smart, sexy, vulnerable, and emotionally sensitive . He has a very deep connection with his Maori heritage, and his family. He's well-respected by his teammates and family. He also gets a lot of attention from the press and women who are clamoring for his fame and fortune and attention.
The heroine, Faith Goodwin: sweet and strong-willed, a great friend. She handles two jobs a photographer's assistant and office manager, but manages her mom's apartment building on the side, and is a struggling romance writer by night. The secondary characters were so funny and well-drawn, I felt like I almost knew them, and could picture myself having conversations with them.

Conclusion: The story concludes with some pretty tear-jerking moments and I'm so happy these two worked things out in the end. The struggles they dealt with were very realistic and I hope you will discover and love these characters, and the scenery as much as I did. Now go find a new escape - Escape to New Zealand and meet many wonderful characters with fascinating stories.

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

[Heidi A. Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only a review of one book in this set: "Just In Time" by Rosalind James.

fallen in love with New Zealand through Rosalind James’ Escape to New Zealand series. I also rekindled a love for those darned Maori tattoos, first spotted during a stay at Walt Disney World when I was 12. Colors: the verdant greens of En Zed’s hills, the blue waters and the glorious bright flowers growing there, along with the rich dark tattoos are mainstays of these modern romance novels. But romance novel doesn’t seem to really cover all these books are; it’s too flat and salacious (too often today) a description. These books are so much more.

When Just In Time opened, there was something missing. The story line was kind of in the toilet. Literally, LOL. Somehow the Las Vegas desert and gaudy lights cannot compete with En Zed for a setting, and it was just the full color characters of Faith and Will that kept me reading. Next, a bit of a curve along the tones of Shades of Gray had me wondering where Rosalind was going with this book. I’m no prude, and if you are you REALLY might want to stop reading this review and find another series to enjoy. But still, I hadn’t enjoyed starting Shades of Gray so I began to feel a bit sad, thinking maybe this latest book in James’ Escape to New Zealand series wasn’t going to be for me.

Before I knew it, James had dragged us back across the Pacific. Do you recall that moment in The Wizard of Oz when it goes from B & W to Technicolor? Do you remember how that made you feel? That’s what James’ did in Just In Time. All of a sudden, the colors, sights and sounds of New Zealand flooded my brain. That familiar feeling of home swept over me and it was on. Gratuitous sex? No. Wild sex. Ummm… Yup, some. A wonderful, developing relationship with ups and downs along the way? Yup. It’s a trademark of James’ that I have grown to love. How will this new pair grow and bond, while becoming another couple on their way to joining the families in the All Blacks.

The most rewarding part of the Escape to New Zealand series, and actually The Kincaids series by James’ as well, is that family plays such a strong role in the lives of the characters. No matter the problems, issues or concerns that may be going on in the lives of the Main Characters, the strong bond with their families and friends make these books so comforting and strong. Healthy relationships between the other rugby players and their wives also bring a wonderful balance to the hot romance in each of the books. None of the relationships claims to be perfect, and that to me is the beauty of the series. They are real people, if very talented and pretty darned good looking (if my fantasies have anything to say about it). But honestly, these books simply suck me right in, time and time again.

Final words: If sex bothers you in a book, please choose another series; you won’t enjoy these. If you can handle some steam with your cup of tea, by all means read and enjoy these books about strong women, strong men and strong family ties. They truly are an Escape to New Zealand!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Tammy’s Timeout · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea surrounding this Boxed Set of books is fantastic! What a great cause to be supporting and wow so worth it with all these fabulous authors involved!

Firstly this review is for Rosalind James' book included in this set, Just in Time, book 9 in her Escape to New Zealand series. A series about New Zealand, and the mighty NZ rugby team, the All Blacks (works of fiction, but James' writing does depict the beauty and uniqueness of NZ and the strength and commitment of the national rugby team as a whole!)
As with Ms James other books in this series, New Zealand is the foundation of the story. The descriptions of this beautiful country are awe-inspiring and true. Ms James has done her research about the Maori protocols and history and writes it well, this is the same for her study of the rugby culture that is famous in NZ. The All Blacks are a religion here, they train hard, they have respect for their country and know it is a privilege to represent New Zealand. Rosalind James has captured this essence in Just in Time. However, a difference in this book from the others in the series, Just in Time has less about the actual rugby games and recurring All Black characters and focuses more on Will and Faith, the two main characters and their relationship.

This book pulled me in from the first line: "It all started with Mrs Johnson's toilet." I'm reading this and thinking, "Okay.... how does this relate to a famous All Black??" my curiosity was sparked and from there on in, I was hooked! Will is, of course a rugby player from NZ, an All Black. But this book starts it's journey in Las Vegas, where we meet Faith. Faith is working as a photographer's assistant (one of 3 jobs!) and this is where she meets Will. Will goes along to a photo shoot audition with a friend, Solomon, where Faith is working. But let's backpedal a bit... Why is Will in Las Vegas to start with? Is he running away from something? All this leads into the persona of Will, and as we discover more about Will, we realise his hidden depths and strength, what he does and why he does what he does. I enjoyed learning about Will's whanau (family), his Koro (grandfather) in particular and the Maori legends we learn as we read more into this book. Faith's family history and her upbringing is very interesting to read about as an insight to the way she is.
I loved this book for it's very real and funny banter between Will and Faith, for the way it travels from Las Vegas to Rotorua, NZ and in between and for the discovery of the true Will. Faith has her own journey, and the way she lights up and follows her dreams through courage and confidence makes for a wonderful love story. I think this is my favourite story in the Escape to NZ series, so thankyou once again Ms Rosalind James for creating such a magical Escape to NZ for all your readers to enjoy!

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

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for Just in Time by Rosalind James which appears in this anthology. I think the purchase of this book collection would be worth it just for that novel alone. Rosalind James' books are must-reads for me. Add in the other authors in this group and the benefit of helping fund diabetes research, and it's a win-win.

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

I've loved every single one of James' New Zealand books. I'm someone who didn't have any great urge to travel across the globe, but her books have intrigued me about New Zealand. I'll probably never get there, but I sure enjoy traveling there in her novels. And I never was interested in rugby and never knew anything about the sport, but now I've found myself searching out videos on youtube to learn more about the sport.

This book concerns Will and Faith and starts out far away from New Zealand. Will, a star NZ rugby player, has traveled to Las Vegas as he ponders if he wants to continue playing at home. He is trying out to be a punt-kicker for a Las Vegas football team. There he meets Faith who is working three jobs. She is launching an erotica fiction website and Will gets hired to be photographed for sexy pictures on the site. Faith is inspired by the pictures she is helping to photograph and upload and she starts writing her own erotic fiction based on those pics. Meanwhile, Faith and Will become good friends. For various reasons, Faith travels to NZ to be with Will. That is when the story really gets going and becomes more of a traditional Rosalind James rugby novel.

Will is one of my very favorite James heroes. He's funny, kind, and honorable. Any woman would be lucky to have him for a "partner," as they say in NZ. Faith is fine. I just wasn't as much of a fan of the whole novel within a novel as we read excerpts from her erotic fiction story. And I find it totally unbelievable that any man would read the novel as depicted and described in the book and be moved to tears by it. Please.

That is why I'm only giving the book 4 stars. It was very enjoyable and it's always fun to revisit the fictional All Blacks. The scenes of Will with his mates and the description of a match are loads of fun. Just about any conversation involving Will are winners. What a great guy he comes across as. He's interested in Faith, but willing to back off when she wants and immediately defuse the situation with humor and sweetness.

If any of the other stories included in this anthology are even half as fun to read as this entry, you'll get your money's worth.

[Penny Dellarocco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing Just In Time by Rosalind James. I was lucky to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will definitely be purchasing the collection as well. Rosalind James is one of my favorite authors and her Escape to New Zealand series is one of my favorites along with the audiobooks. The narrator is amazing with the NZ accent.

Will Tawera is a hot rugby player from New Zealand of Maori descent who is known in his country as a player with the ladies as well. He is in Las Vegas considering switching to the NFL for more money. Things are different for professional athletes in New Zealand. While they make good money, it's nothing like the kind of cash that he could make in the states. He goes with his friend to audition for a photo shoot just to keep him company and gets offered the job as model posing in compromising positions with not many clothes on with a half naked girl. Think trashy book covers - you know - the kind we like to read? That's where he meets Faith, the photographer's assistant. Faith is a down to earth kind of girl with 3 jobs. Will tries to hit on her and Faith is definitely attracted, but she knows he only in the states temporarily and she's not into casual sex and would just be hurt when he left. So they decide to be friends. Will decides to do the shoot, thinking that there's no way they'd ever be seen down under. Faith writes a story that goes with the photos, which I really liked. Rosalind, you should do a bad boy Billionaire book. It was great!

Will heads home and of course the website with the photos and story surfaces in New Zealand. Now here's another example how New Zealand "sportsmen" and US athletes differ. In New Zealand, they are held to a higher standard and are supposed to be role models, so these photos are a PR nightmare. His agent has an idea if Faith comes to NZ and acts like Will's girlfriend and that he did the shoot for her, it would look better. Of course, she comes to the rescue and they spend time together and Will shows her his country and his home town and his family. The descriptions of NZ and the Maori customs are so interesting. Will has some serious family issues he has to deal with along with a lot of growing up. The story has some ups and downs, but Rosalind comes through with an awesome HEA as she usually does.

Even though this is book 8 in the series, I really felt that this book could be read as a standalone since there was not much interaction with the other books or characters. I would have liked to have seen a little more of that. 4.5 Stars.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreaming of Tomorrow. Too unbelievable, like a fairy tale. His change was too abrupt.

Jackson. Cute story with football as a back drop. Would consider reading more from this author.

Promise My Love . Cutesy quick story--nothing too it. Married in the hospital because of the illness of bride's father

Deadly Obsession. Cute story line--sweet, funny ending
Interlude. Abrupt ending. Main character seemed too old for the women

Bayside Retreat. Like this story much more than some of the others. Surprised to realize based on Chesapeake Shore which is a series on Hallmark as well as books

The Memory Journal. Well written, but I found the subject depressing so have no interest in reading the other connected book.

Just in Time
Very interesting story! Because a big part takes place in New Zealand, it added a different dimension. Wonderful descriptions of the country and the culture of its people. Wonderful love story with a twist. Enjoyed it very much.

Sand Dollar Cove. My very favorite of this book. Loved the characters, story line, descriptions, ending. Will plan to read more of this author!

Christmas Eve A Love Story. Cute, but the story line has been told many many times.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreaming of Tomorrow - 3.5***

A very Cinderella like fairytale. Whitney is now the guardian of her niece and nephew after her sister and brother-in-law pass away. Such a brave young woman to take care of them. Liam is her BIL's estranged brother. They have an immediate connection. I loved the premise of this story and it had some very touching emotional parts. I wish it could have delved into Liam a little more or had more interactions between Liam and Whitney.


Jackson - 5 *****

I love Violet Duke and all her books. She just seems to pull you into her books and love her characters fromom the start. And this novella is no exception. Jackson and Leila are pure magic. Their extraordinary connection with the scientific brilliance in football statistics is so cool and unique. I loved how they "got" the other. Their innuendos, nicknames and mind reading was smoking hot. While this story was on the sweeter side, the relationship/friendship they had was totally swoon worthy. Loved this story and cannot wait for more in this series.


Promise My Love - 5 *****

I have to first say that I have not read any of the Braden books, yet. But that did not hinder my enjoyment of this novella. Rex and Jade are getting married, and despite everything going on around them distracting them, they realize what is most important...love and family. I love this message. This was a very lovely heartwarming story that makes me want to read all the Braden stories just to know them better.


Ask Me Again - 5 *****

Gina Maxwell is an auto buy author for me. Her men are always strong dominating hot men. Tony is no exception, but he also is very nurturing and gentle. From the beginning to the end of this novella, he was phenomenal. He gave Trish what she needed when she needed it. He is beautiful. Trish found herself again and it was a great journey, especially with her best friend Tony. I adored them together. Their fun times, flirty times, friendly times and for sure, their sizzle times.


Interlude - 4 ****

A sweet story of self discovery and moving on. Cassidy and G.W. danced around each other for a while. It was funny how others around them could see their feelings but not them. A great little story that tugs on your heart. I wish it was longer. You could see where it was headed, but didn't get the whole thing. I wanted more.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is only for Rosalind James’ story in the Sweet Talk Boxed Set. I have ordered the boxed set and will review the other stories upon release. I was just lucky to receive an arc of Just in Time.

Just in Time begins in Las Vegas.

Will is in the states for a few weeks to try out for the NFL’s Outlaws team. He is a rugby player from New Zealand, looking for extra money during the off season. If he makes the NFL, he might just give up rugby and move to the states. Since he has some down time, he accepts a modeling job that only takes a few days work, and pockets the cash. He knew the pictures would be controversial, but never thought they would make their way to New Zealand. But of course, they do!

Faith is the photographer’s assistant. She is optimistic and determined, holding several jobs, including being Will’s landlord while he’s in Vegas, and writing. She likes Will, but sees no future there since he will leave and she is tied to Vegas and all of her jobs. She convinces Will to be the male model for a website that is designing, and the hilarity ensues.

This book is laugh out loud funny in lots of places. It is also sweet. When Will returns to New Zealand and faces fallout from the photos, he gets Faith to come to New Zealand to help him out. They both learn a lot about themselves and each other, and find that not everything is as clear-cut as it may seem.

Note to readers: Faith writes a story, that is a story-within-a-story in this book. At first I was resistant to this, since it was all written in italics and I thought it would be more of an erotic read than romance. I was wrong. It is definitely worth the read!

I love the Escape to New Zealand series. Rosalind James does an excellent job of creating characters and describing locations - makes me want to travel more and meet all of the interesting people she knows. If you have not read these books, you should!

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

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is only for Just in Time by Rosalind James.

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

I've read all of James' Escape to New Zealand books and I've liked them all. Just in Time is fun and flirty but packs some serious emotional punch. Will is looking to heal a deep emotional cut and has run to the U.S. considering a career in the NFL instead of rugby. Faith knows she can only count on herself and her mother. No one else has her back so she works to make a brighter future for herself.

In a nutshell, Will and Faith are chasing money to make their lives and the lives of their loved ones better but end up realizing that the gift of themselves is more important than all the money in the world. It's a powerful message started by Koro, Will's grandfather, and echoed in Talia's pain and Malachai's partying. It's also in Faith's life with Calvin, the website, and highlighted in her serial book.

Will and Faith begin their adventure together in a precarious position but both grow into the relationship day by day. It's the little things: caring about Talia enough to get advice on how to help, cleaning the house to please his mother for Faith and wanting to show Faith the beauty of New Zealand and the stars for Will. Yes, they grow into the relationship but not through sex; it's about family and learning to love.

And to trust. Because that's how it all goes wrong.

Watching Will and Faith grow as people was a wonderful and satisfying read. I was a little disappointed that rugby was a very distant "also ran" in this book. Previous books included it extensively but this one was far more introspective and even when we saw the other players, it was more in the context of Will learning, not so much the playing. The plot device of a book within a book is one I am quite familiar with and I liked how it enhanced my understanding of Faith's dreams and what she really wanted in a relationship.

I very much enjoyed reading Will and Faith's book and can't wait for the next one.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm only reviewing "Just in Time" by Rosalind James, which I had the privilege of reading prior to today's release in exchange for an honest opinion, but this boxed set is full of favorite writers for me including Melissa Foster and Violet Duke, so I pre-ordered the set as soon as I learned about it and I can't wait to read them all!! And if you've never read Rosalind James before, you are definitely in for a treat with "Just in Time"...

Rosalind has an entire series - Escape to New Zealand - which centers on various (fictitious) members of the famous All Blacks rugby team of New Zealand. These guys are the best kinds of alpha male heroes - hot, sexy, all male, but with some sweet and sensitive sides as well. And the fantastic women who capture their hearts - along with the wonderful New Zealand setting - make the whole series a must-read for romance-lovers!! That said, while it might help here and there to have read the rest of the series prior to this one, I really think you will still enjoy "Just in Time" as a stand alone story... and you'll want to go read the rest!!

"Just in Time" starts outside of New Zealand in the U.S., where rugby player Will Tawera is taking a break and considering trying something new - U.S. football rather than the New Zealand kind. Always one to take risks and challenges, he takes one while he's in Las Vegas that ends up creating some serious complications for him back in New Zealand. But perhaps it's worth it, since he meets beautiful Faith Goodwin, who is as sweet as her name implies - and who never takes a risk if she can help it!! Can these two really come together when they're so very different??!! There's a story within the story that brings out bits of Faith's "naughty" side long before the sparks fly in her real life, but I don't want to spoil the fun you will have reading "Just in Time" for yourself... Don't miss it - or any of the other great stories by Rosalind James!!

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

[Michelle Formica Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review was done on the first book I read which was Rosalind James story.

I so loved this twist, I will go back later in month and do a deeper review, I just don't want to spoil it for anyone just yet!!
I am very formilar with Rosalind James New Zealand series. I found this a great twist of American customers and the Maori way's.
I loved the football and intro of the Ruby games ( even though I have read and know through her books I could probably be a sideline coach,if I could get past the hotness of the rugby players lol.The Author hit the desire and need for finical ways,each in a different way. I love the Maori humor side brought out in this book.
But what sold me was the deep love and strong bond she made,and the well written HOT HOT love scenes!
Rosalind James I love how you made faith is very strong and self deserved woman. Making our New Zealand men of the rugby team once again very hot and giving food for thought.
I love that we get good love in the afternoon without the verbiage and the over the top love scenes, she leaves us wanting more!
A MUST READ, YOU WILL LOVE IT,!!!
I wanted to take the time to thank each Author for doing this for something close to my heart. Diabetes research, and diabetes in general. I was Dx with Diabetes in1998 my mother has recently been diagnosed as well as her older brother. And the education is just not there for them nor the help for, Financial means without contacting the American diabetic Association so thank you very much to each and every author for helping spread awareness and helping out bringing this to light. Very well done I look forward to the other books and reading the reviews.

I have received a copy of Rosalind James's book in return for an honest review of the book, my review is of my own I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review the opinion expressed here is of my own.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for "Just in Time" only. It is Rosalind James' newest Escape to New Zealand novel.

I liked "Just in Time" and the change of pace it offered from other books in the series, all of which I have read and enjoyed. In this case, the story takes place in different locales, including a trip to Las Vegas. What happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas, though, as a naive (at least in regards to the long reach of the internet) Will Tawera discovers when he poses for some risqué pictures to be used for a website. Will makes this unfortunate decision while he is still reeling from a personal loss and with his head turned by the photographer's assistant, Faith Goodwin. While I felt this set-up was a bit contrived, the consequences of Will's decision, complicated by a couple of poor choices on Faith's part, drive much of what happens throughout the rest of the book.

There is a great deal of personal growth for both Will and Faith as they negotiate the sometimes rocky road to a relationship. I liked that the reader gets to know Will's family and the impact they have had on him and his life. In this book, the familial relationships aren't necessarily easy but these relationships encourage Will's growth. I especially liked Will's grandmother and his sister.

To a reader new to the series, I say, please get the other books and read them in order. This isn't necessary to follow the action of this book, but the previous books will add enlightenment and they are all very good reads, so why miss out? To those that have read the other books, I'll admit this isn't my absolute favorite--that being "Just Not Mine"--but you will enjoy this book and another trip to New Zealand.

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

[Midwest Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Just in Time portion only, but five stars also for the efforts of all the authors to raise money for Diabetes research.

Unique, funny, and sweet Just in Time by Rosalind James is a fantastic addition to the series and a great read for anyone who enjoys a good romance story featuring realistic characters. Neither of the romantic protagonists of this story, Faith or Will succumb to any stereotypes and are rich, fully developed characters that make the reader care about them and read until the wee hours of the night to see what will happen next, turning the page or clicking the Ereader button to see if the two will get together. I am impressed anew at how James brings a fresh story, characters, and setting to her readers. Each of her main characters in her books are individuals and never rehashes of characters from previous books. Just in Time bring new glimpses into exploring New Zealand and also shows the reader glimpses of Maori culture within the family and community, something I enjoyed reading about. Additionally, I found the family dynamics of both Faith and Will to be interesting to read about and liked and appreciated how things were never quite neat in that area. Humor worked its way throughout the book, but I have to say this book had a truly laugh out loud moment for Escape to New Zealand fans.

James masterfully weaves a story within a story into Just in Time, adding another dimension to the story, and leaving the reader wishing, in a good way, that the secondary story was its own novella or book.

As with all of James's Escape to New Zealand Books, Just in Time is completely stand-alone, so it is a perfect read for any romantic bibliophile and perfect for this anthology.

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

[Alima Livzletlivz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of Brenda Novak’s driving force behind Diabetes research, what can be more worthwhile than having the love of reading help her favorite fund-raisers?

Dreaming Of Tomorrow By Melody Anne: Whitney Steele becomes an overnight guardian of her nephew and niece, and learns of her brother-in-law’s rich family living in NY. Whisked away to the riches and uppity environment of money and power, she has reservations about the arrogant and snobbish Liam Felton, their uncle.

Jackson by Violet Duke: Sports fanatic and analyst Jackson Gray meets his match when Leila Hart is brought under his wing to be a trainee and sports reporter for college and pro football. And you get lets of shuffles, huddles, strategies and loads of passion and love.

Promise My Love by Melissa Foster: What better what than a Braden wedding to bring the entire Braden, Remington and Johnsons together as Rex and Judy get ready to tie the knot. But then what is a wedding without any hitches as Judy’s Dad has a heart attack and a few other things question whether Judy and Rex can have the wedding of their dreams with the family they love to death.

Ask Me Again by Gina L. Maxwell: Old school friends meet, get together and finally find the love they have been looking for. Trisha Maxwell moves back home after her boyfriend of nine years decides to move on. Tony DiAngelo is the ever lovable teacher and sports coach for kindergartners and who he loves his ass off of all of them. Now that his old love is back in town, his main mission is to convince her of his love and happy future with family, kids and a picket fence is a dream that can come true, even in small towns.

And there are six more love stories to go…”Sweet Talk” is one of the three bundles put together by some of the most amazing writers we have today and they don’t need any special introductions. And every bundled is well worth it’s weight for a good cause.

Received an ARC from the author for an honest review

[Amylou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is only about "Just In Time" by Rosalind James, but because money from the boxed set goes to help Diabetes Research I will be purchasing the set:)

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

I decided to wait to read this until my birthday weekend. What a present!!! When I first started the book I was a bit worried due to the fact that the characters weren't in New Zealand yet. They get there though. Boy do they get there!

That's the fantasy for me. New Zealand. I've never physically been there, but these books by Ms. James take me away to that beautiful far off place & what better place to go for your birthday.

I settled in with my tea & started to read about Will & Faith. I was hooked. In Ms. James's books, the woman are always beautiful, but not skinny, runway models. They are normal, regular beauties with worries & all the other things that go with not being societies image of perfect. I absolutely love the fact that the women chosen by the men aren't a size 2 & that makes me feel great! And it makes me feel that I am not the only woman who feels insecure about her weight or looks.

Back to Will & Faith. This love story was great! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Will she go? Will he stay? Will he settle down? Will she run away? There was something at every turn that kept me on my toes. That's one of the best parts about all of her stories.

The way that Ms. James describes NZ...it's like being there, smelling the beach, seeing all of the luscious greens, eyeing all of the beautiful men;)

Ms. James writes romance, but it's so much more. We all have our stresses in life. Her books sweep me away for 300+ pages & have me begging for more. Just to get away a bit longer.