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The Great Wedding Giveaway #3
The Australian Romance Collection
This set features USA Today Bestselling authors and The Honeymoon Trap was named a Best Book of 2014 by Publisher's Weekly. Get your set now before time runs out!
Books included:
Almost A Bride by Sarah Mayberry
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews
The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli
Books included:
Almost A Bride by Sarah Mayberry
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews
The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli
583 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2016
53 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
162 books1,153 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 19, 2016
An awesome set of 4 books! I have read them all individually and loved them. Here are a couple reviews:
Almost a Bride: I loved how this story consumed me. I laughed, shed some tears and shook my head throughout it. Tara has not been out of her comfort zone much in life. She is planning a safe and comfortable wedding to Simon, only to call it off months before it happens. Reid, Tara's police partner watches as she is going through a tough time, not sure how to help. Tara experiences a few life changing events and discovers what she really wants in life.
The Honeymoon Trap: I loved this story, Zoey and Eli, the gaming aspect, the Jackson brothers, the boats and the suite! The story was short, sweet, made me laugh and cry numerous times. Great ending that paired so well with the rest of the story. Makes you want to be trapped into a honeymoon, if it turns out like this.
The Bride Who Wouldn't: I enjoyed so many aspects of this story. How Kate meets Ivor Zaretsky and gets pulled into his family. How she meets Isaak and how they work together to figure out his families past. The letter that was left to Isaak, still tearing up from it. The padlock... priceless.
Almost a Bride: I loved how this story consumed me. I laughed, shed some tears and shook my head throughout it. Tara has not been out of her comfort zone much in life. She is planning a safe and comfortable wedding to Simon, only to call it off months before it happens. Reid, Tara's police partner watches as she is going through a tough time, not sure how to help. Tara experiences a few life changing events and discovers what she really wants in life.
The Honeymoon Trap: I loved this story, Zoey and Eli, the gaming aspect, the Jackson brothers, the boats and the suite! The story was short, sweet, made me laugh and cry numerous times. Great ending that paired so well with the rest of the story. Makes you want to be trapped into a honeymoon, if it turns out like this.
The Bride Who Wouldn't: I enjoyed so many aspects of this story. How Kate meets Ivor Zaretsky and gets pulled into his family. How she meets Isaak and how they work together to figure out his families past. The letter that was left to Isaak, still tearing up from it. The padlock... priceless.
June 29, 2016
Four books for a bargain price. I have read all four books and enjoyed them all. Perfect when you are looking for a short read.
Read
November 12, 2021Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry ?* ?/?/? (126) The Great Wedding Giveaway #3 (multi-author series)
Marietta, Montana; Tara Buck, Reid Dalton; cheeting fiancé, partners (cops) become loves
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter ?* ?/?/? (95) Jackson Brothers #1; Honeymoon #4 (multi-author series; #1: book 4 in this book set)
Gold Coast, Australia; Eli Jackson, Zoey Daniels
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews 4* 11/11-12/21 (173) Outback Heat #1
Jumbuck Springs, Australia; Lacey Weston, Cooper Grainger
best friend's little sister, star-crossed lovers, fake pregnancy; design student, ex-cop turned car mechanic/restaurateur of classic cars
The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli ?* ?/?/? (101) Honeymoon #1 (multi-author series), The Russian Billionaires #1
Paris; Kate Edwards, Isaak Zaretsky; modern marriage of convenience
*
Marietta, Montana; Tara Buck, Reid Dalton; cheeting fiancé, partners (cops) become loves
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter ?* ?/?/? (95) Jackson Brothers #1; Honeymoon #4 (multi-author series; #1: book 4 in this book set)
Gold Coast, Australia; Eli Jackson, Zoey Daniels
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews 4* 11/11-12/21 (173) Outback Heat #1
Jumbuck Springs, Australia; Lacey Weston, Cooper Grainger
best friend's little sister, star-crossed lovers, fake pregnancy; design student, ex-cop turned car mechanic/restaurateur of classic cars
The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli ?* ?/?/? (101) Honeymoon #1 (multi-author series), The Russian Billionaires #1
Paris; Kate Edwards, Isaak Zaretsky; modern marriage of convenience
*
August 6, 2016
This set is filled with some of the most talented writers in the romance genre. I own every book Sarah Mayberry and Kelly Hunter have written and love them!
They are filled with witty, charismatic, smart, sexy heroes and the heroines who manage to sneak into their hearts.
These books are guaranteed to leave you smiling. If you like your romance funny, steamy, and oh-so-sweet this set is for you!
I give The Australian Bestsellers Collection 5 lovely kisses
First posted on http://jacqbiggar.com
They are filled with witty, charismatic, smart, sexy heroes and the heroines who manage to sneak into their hearts.
These books are guaranteed to leave you smiling. If you like your romance funny, steamy, and oh-so-sweet this set is for you!
I give The Australian Bestsellers Collection 5 lovely kisses
First posted on http://jacqbiggar.com
June 16, 2016
The Australian Bestseller Box Set
This collection contains more than one story.
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews
The Bride Who Wouldn’t by Carol Marinelli
For a limited time, get four rural romance stories from bestselling Australian authors! From Brides to Bad Boys, Sarah Mayberry, Kelly Hunter, Amy Andrews, and Carol Marinelli will keep your reading list hot all summer.
This set features USA Today Bestselling authors and The Honeymoon Trap was named a Best Book of 2014 by Publisher’s Weekly. Get your set now before time runs out!
my review is for Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin. But when Tara learns her fiancé has been cheating on her with one of his school students, the orderly world she’s created for herself suddenly feels as if it’s falling apart. For years she chose the safe option, but from now on she’s going to live a little, stretch her wings…be a little daring. And if that means acting on the long-suppressed feelings she’s always had for Reid Dalton, then so be it! Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Even if anything did happen between them, it would only ever be temporary – Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta. So even if things are good between them, it seems their romance is destined to be short and sweet…
Almost a Bride Sarah Mayberry
the story of Tara and Reid.
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin.4 months before the wedding Tara's cop patrol partner , Reid see Simon leaving a motel with his 17 year old student and Tara realized that Simon is not the earnest, steady and goodhearted man she thought he was.
Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta.Tara and Reid, the heroine and hero of this book, were both born and bred in Marietta.
Tara and Reid are policemen on the same patrol.
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin.
Reid’s a born wanderer.
will Tara and Reid be more then friends? read this wonderful well written story to find out.
This book is set in Marietta, Montana, the fictional town in which all the Montana Born books are located. Surrounded by ranches, mountains, lakes, this is a small town of 10,000 souls, and over the coming months, many stories will be told about its residents.
This is a wonderful well written 5 stars book.
I highly recommend reading Almost a Bride by sarah mayberry.
I am looking forward to reading more books by sarah mayberry.
The Great Wedding Giveaway Series
Book 1: What a Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter
Book 2: Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey
Book 3: Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Book 4: The Unexpected Bride by Joanne Walsh
Book 5: The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride by Katherine Garbera
Book 6: A Game of Brides by Megan Crane
Book 7: The Substitute Bride by Kathleen O'Brien
Book 8: Last Year's Bride by Anne McAllister
Book 9: Make Believe Wedding by Sarah Mayberry
I have read all four of these stories.
four wonderful well written stories.
I highly recommend reading The Australian Bestseller Box Set
I got free advanced reading copies in exchange for an honest review.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Sarah Mayberry,Kelly Hunter,Amy Andrews and Carol Marinelli.
This collection contains more than one story.
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews
The Bride Who Wouldn’t by Carol Marinelli
For a limited time, get four rural romance stories from bestselling Australian authors! From Brides to Bad Boys, Sarah Mayberry, Kelly Hunter, Amy Andrews, and Carol Marinelli will keep your reading list hot all summer.
This set features USA Today Bestselling authors and The Honeymoon Trap was named a Best Book of 2014 by Publisher’s Weekly. Get your set now before time runs out!
my review is for Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin. But when Tara learns her fiancé has been cheating on her with one of his school students, the orderly world she’s created for herself suddenly feels as if it’s falling apart. For years she chose the safe option, but from now on she’s going to live a little, stretch her wings…be a little daring. And if that means acting on the long-suppressed feelings she’s always had for Reid Dalton, then so be it! Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Even if anything did happen between them, it would only ever be temporary – Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta. So even if things are good between them, it seems their romance is destined to be short and sweet…
Almost a Bride Sarah Mayberry
the story of Tara and Reid.
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin.4 months before the wedding Tara's cop patrol partner , Reid see Simon leaving a motel with his 17 year old student and Tara realized that Simon is not the earnest, steady and goodhearted man she thought he was.
Reid has wanted Tara from the moment he met her, but she’s always been out of bounds. Not only is she his patrol partner at the Bozeman PD, she’s also engaged. But then her relationship blows up, and Reid finds himself battling his own instinct to stake his claim with the finest, hottest woman he’s ever known.
Reid’s a born wanderer, while Tara’s roots run deep in Marietta.Tara and Reid, the heroine and hero of this book, were both born and bred in Marietta.
Tara and Reid are policemen on the same patrol.
Tara Buck has always been the good sister, level-headed by comparison to Scarlett, her flaky, impulsive twin.
Reid’s a born wanderer.
will Tara and Reid be more then friends? read this wonderful well written story to find out.
This book is set in Marietta, Montana, the fictional town in which all the Montana Born books are located. Surrounded by ranches, mountains, lakes, this is a small town of 10,000 souls, and over the coming months, many stories will be told about its residents.
This is a wonderful well written 5 stars book.
I highly recommend reading Almost a Bride by sarah mayberry.
I am looking forward to reading more books by sarah mayberry.
The Great Wedding Giveaway Series
Book 1: What a Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter
Book 2: Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey
Book 3: Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Book 4: The Unexpected Bride by Joanne Walsh
Book 5: The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride by Katherine Garbera
Book 6: A Game of Brides by Megan Crane
Book 7: The Substitute Bride by Kathleen O'Brien
Book 8: Last Year's Bride by Anne McAllister
Book 9: Make Believe Wedding by Sarah Mayberry
I have read all four of these stories.
four wonderful well written stories.
I highly recommend reading The Australian Bestseller Box Set
I got free advanced reading copies in exchange for an honest review.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Sarah Mayberry,Kelly Hunter,Amy Andrews and Carol Marinelli.
May 18, 2017
Almost A Bride - 5
What an amazingly sweet read!
Tara, the more cautious of the twin Buck girls, was wonderful. She had her share of hang-ups, particularly in light of her absent father. I cheered for her the moment she threw caution to the wind... and found the following scene smoking hot. Wow! Reid was so understanding, and you could sense just how much he cared for Tara as a person, as well as a co-worker. Mind you, he also had his weakness, which led to the central moment between them.
In all, it may have been a bit too perfect, but I'm willing to overlook it because the story was just so well-written, and could've easily been about real people, since the characters were so well fleshed out.
The Honeymoon Trap - 5
Zoey and Eli were such a sweet couple! An undeniable physical attraction, mixed in with an attraction that lasted through their Friday night gaming for the last two years, and you've got a gorgeous story!
Some parts were unrealistic: such as how his brothers arranged their room (as if they'd be able to get away with it without Eli realising it!), how the game played out (ordinarily, I don't think that it's easy for one character to kill another character who is in the same team, but it made for some rather funny moments). But there were some really gorgeous scenes, and I adored the entire story, hook, line and sinker!
Some Girls Do - 2
Umm, no.
There was just too much about introducing all of Lacey's brothers, Jumbuck Springs and the locals that there wasn't much space or time to get a feel for what Lacey and Coop's relationship was about. I felt that there hadn't been enough time to see the relationship develop beyond a simmering sexual attraction into something a lot more concrete.
The Bride Who Wouldn't - 3
This was a rather silly story. I really wanted to like it, because it's about one where the female protagonist (Kate) had to overcome her long-held hang-ups, and where the male protagonist (Isaak) works hard to pretty much get her to believe in herself and her feelings.
And in some places, it truly worked. I loved how he got her to voice her likes and dislikes, and I liked how he respected her enough to not to push the issue of sex with her until she was a lot more comfortable. And then... somewhere along the way, the pair of them decided that they fell in love a handful of days into their honeymoon. It's sweet, but I don't know if I'd consider it love... I just personally couldn't believe in it. There was just not enough pages to get through the family history that Ivor was looking into, as well as Isaak's feelings of deja vu, AND a blossoming romance between Kate and Isaak. Phew!
What an amazingly sweet read!
Tara, the more cautious of the twin Buck girls, was wonderful. She had her share of hang-ups, particularly in light of her absent father. I cheered for her the moment she threw caution to the wind... and found the following scene smoking hot. Wow! Reid was so understanding, and you could sense just how much he cared for Tara as a person, as well as a co-worker. Mind you, he also had his weakness, which led to the central moment between them.
In all, it may have been a bit too perfect, but I'm willing to overlook it because the story was just so well-written, and could've easily been about real people, since the characters were so well fleshed out.
The Honeymoon Trap - 5
Zoey and Eli were such a sweet couple! An undeniable physical attraction, mixed in with an attraction that lasted through their Friday night gaming for the last two years, and you've got a gorgeous story!
Some parts were unrealistic: such as how his brothers arranged their room (as if they'd be able to get away with it without Eli realising it!), how the game played out (ordinarily, I don't think that it's easy for one character to kill another character who is in the same team, but it made for some rather funny moments). But there were some really gorgeous scenes, and I adored the entire story, hook, line and sinker!
Some Girls Do - 2
Umm, no.
There was just too much about introducing all of Lacey's brothers, Jumbuck Springs and the locals that there wasn't much space or time to get a feel for what Lacey and Coop's relationship was about. I felt that there hadn't been enough time to see the relationship develop beyond a simmering sexual attraction into something a lot more concrete.
The Bride Who Wouldn't - 3
This was a rather silly story. I really wanted to like it, because it's about one where the female protagonist (Kate) had to overcome her long-held hang-ups, and where the male protagonist (Isaak) works hard to pretty much get her to believe in herself and her feelings.
And in some places, it truly worked. I loved how he got her to voice her likes and dislikes, and I liked how he respected her enough to not to push the issue of sex with her until she was a lot more comfortable. And then... somewhere along the way, the pair of them decided that they fell in love a handful of days into their honeymoon. It's sweet, but I don't know if I'd consider it love... I just personally couldn't believe in it. There was just not enough pages to get through the family history that Ivor was looking into, as well as Isaak's feelings of deja vu, AND a blossoming romance between Kate and Isaak. Phew!
November 1, 2017
Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry
Four stars.
Tara Buck and Reid Dalton are cops in the small town of Marietta, Montana. Reid only returned about a year ago after his father took a nasty fall in their orchards and took longer than expected to heal. Reid is shocked one day, on his way home from a basketball game, to see Tara's fiancé Simon leaving a motel with a woman that is defined rely not Reid's partner Tara. After he breaks the news to Tara she realises that she has got engaged to a 'safe' man to avoid the devastation her mother suffered when her father left - that didn't work out so well.
When Tara decides to do all the things she was afraid to try before, because she was playing it safe, her twin Scarlett gets concerned and calls Reid worried she might have crashed her motorbike or be in trouble at the rough bar with bucking bronco ride.
Tara and Reid as on the unspoken chemistry between them, but with Reid set to leave Montana soon and Tara with her family and roots firmly in Marietta it can only ever be a fling, or can it?
Sweet, sexy romance with a man in uniform not afraid to strip off for a good cause.
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter
Four stars.
As I think I said about the second book in this series of books about the Jackson brothers, the blurb for the book is totally misleading.
Eli Jackson, the youngest of three brothers who own a family boat building business is a bit anti-social, His girlfriend died five years ago and he has never got over it, Every Friday night he plays some role playing game with a group of friends, including a girl whose name is Fuzzy. On this Friday the other two players haven't turned up so Eli gets his brothers to help out. Soon they have wheedled all sorts of information out of Fuzzy, or Zoey as she is really called and laughingly presided over a mock wedding in the game (to get free weapons upgrades or something).
A few days later Eli's brother tells him that he has asked Zoey (pretending to be Eli) if she wants to join him at a gaming conference for a week - 'apparently' he has a spare ticket and bed in a twin room because one of his friends dropped out.
Of course when Eli and Zoey arrive at the hotel they discover that his brothers couldn't resist meddling and have booked them into the Honeymoon suite!
This is a short book but packed full of humour. I loved the gaming references, the steampunk costumes and the constant eating (hey, it's New Year's Day I've been eating solidly for a week). Zoey is a feisty character, full of fun and life. Eli is a bit angsty and there is a wonderful line when his brother says "Sounds like she has enough on her plate without you and your emo bullshit making it worse" - love that someone finally calls fictional characters on their angst.
Oddly, the first two books are actually part of two different series - Kelly Hunter seems to get involved in series where different authors write books in the series - this is the third one of hers I have read which is part of a multi-author series.
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews
Four stars.
I loved this book. For the first in a series it absolutely zings from the very first page.
Cooper is sitting in a Brisbane bar, a former police officer he has become a mechanic after being shot twice in the line of duty. Across the bar he gets the come on from a beautiful woman, Tracy, she seems to be suggestion a quickie in the toilets but he sits tight and they end up spending the night together.
A few days later, Cooper meets his best friend Ethan in the same bar. Ethan asks Coop to look after his baby sister, Lacey, who is in college in Brisbane. When Ethan asks why Coop is distracted he replies that he thinks he might have met "The One". Of course we know where this is going, Tracy is actually Lacey and instead of being 25 as claimed is actually 19.
A couple of years pass. Lacey occasionally asks Coop for help, usually of the "my car broke down can you give me a lift" variety, but sometimes of the "I'm drunk and made some bad decisions" variety. After her long time boyfriend turns out to be very married, Lacey turns up at Coop's door, cold, wet and distraught. After this latest catastrophe Lacey is determined to move back home - no matter what her domineering older brothers have to say.
Of course it all goes wrong as expected when Lacey's three older brothers try to guilt trip her into finishing college. When Ethan says the only way she is coming home is with a degree, married or pregnant Lacey lies and says she is pregnant. Coop assumes that the father must be the married low life and jumps into the breach when the shouting starts by saying he is the father.
Soon Coop and Lacey are living together in a hotel suite above the pub, pretending they are a couple whilst trying to keep their hands off each other.
I loved Coop, Lacey was sweet as a young woman who had made some silly life choices and whose brothers wouldn't listen to what she wanted. Of course what she wants is Coop, but he is adhering to the bro code that you never sleep with your best friend's little sister. Until he's not!
Although everything is a foregone conclusion I loved the way it got there and this was just as good as the last book (which I read first!).
The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli
Three and a half stars.
Read as part of the Australian Bestsellers Box Set.
This reads like an old fashioned category romance complete with fake relationships, marriages of convenience and a virgin bride. And yet, I did love it!
Kate entered into a bizarre contract with an elderly Russian millionaire called Ivor, a fake relationship including a marriage of one year, in return for three million pounds. Unfortunately, Ivor died before they could get married and under the terms of the contract she must repay the million pound downpayment to his nephew Isaak - money that her family has already spent/ wasted.
At first Isaak thinks Kate must be a bimbo fortune hunter but once he meets her he finds her very different to what he expected. In order to take press speculation away from his brother's recent bereavement and his own playboy lifestyle he offers her a deal. The same contract that his uncle offered her - a one year marriage. But the joke is on Isaak because Kate and Ivor had no intention of consummating their marriage and she has no intention of having sex with Isaak. Kate believes herself frigid and incapable of a normal sexual relationship, she thinks Isaak will demand an annulment once he discovers he is to remain celibate for one year or pay Kate in full - but she doesn't know her new husband that well.
As Isaak takes Kate to Paris for a romantic honeymoon and 'Pretty Woman's her in glitzy shops could they be falling in love?
Four stars.
Tara Buck and Reid Dalton are cops in the small town of Marietta, Montana. Reid only returned about a year ago after his father took a nasty fall in their orchards and took longer than expected to heal. Reid is shocked one day, on his way home from a basketball game, to see Tara's fiancé Simon leaving a motel with a woman that is defined rely not Reid's partner Tara. After he breaks the news to Tara she realises that she has got engaged to a 'safe' man to avoid the devastation her mother suffered when her father left - that didn't work out so well.
When Tara decides to do all the things she was afraid to try before, because she was playing it safe, her twin Scarlett gets concerned and calls Reid worried she might have crashed her motorbike or be in trouble at the rough bar with bucking bronco ride.
Tara and Reid as on the unspoken chemistry between them, but with Reid set to leave Montana soon and Tara with her family and roots firmly in Marietta it can only ever be a fling, or can it?
Sweet, sexy romance with a man in uniform not afraid to strip off for a good cause.
The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter
Four stars.
As I think I said about the second book in this series of books about the Jackson brothers, the blurb for the book is totally misleading.
Eli Jackson, the youngest of three brothers who own a family boat building business is a bit anti-social, His girlfriend died five years ago and he has never got over it, Every Friday night he plays some role playing game with a group of friends, including a girl whose name is Fuzzy. On this Friday the other two players haven't turned up so Eli gets his brothers to help out. Soon they have wheedled all sorts of information out of Fuzzy, or Zoey as she is really called and laughingly presided over a mock wedding in the game (to get free weapons upgrades or something).
A few days later Eli's brother tells him that he has asked Zoey (pretending to be Eli) if she wants to join him at a gaming conference for a week - 'apparently' he has a spare ticket and bed in a twin room because one of his friends dropped out.
Of course when Eli and Zoey arrive at the hotel they discover that his brothers couldn't resist meddling and have booked them into the Honeymoon suite!
This is a short book but packed full of humour. I loved the gaming references, the steampunk costumes and the constant eating (hey, it's New Year's Day I've been eating solidly for a week). Zoey is a feisty character, full of fun and life. Eli is a bit angsty and there is a wonderful line when his brother says "Sounds like she has enough on her plate without you and your emo bullshit making it worse" - love that someone finally calls fictional characters on their angst.
Oddly, the first two books are actually part of two different series - Kelly Hunter seems to get involved in series where different authors write books in the series - this is the third one of hers I have read which is part of a multi-author series.
Some Girls Do by Amy Andrews
Four stars.
I loved this book. For the first in a series it absolutely zings from the very first page.
Cooper is sitting in a Brisbane bar, a former police officer he has become a mechanic after being shot twice in the line of duty. Across the bar he gets the come on from a beautiful woman, Tracy, she seems to be suggestion a quickie in the toilets but he sits tight and they end up spending the night together.
A few days later, Cooper meets his best friend Ethan in the same bar. Ethan asks Coop to look after his baby sister, Lacey, who is in college in Brisbane. When Ethan asks why Coop is distracted he replies that he thinks he might have met "The One". Of course we know where this is going, Tracy is actually Lacey and instead of being 25 as claimed is actually 19.
A couple of years pass. Lacey occasionally asks Coop for help, usually of the "my car broke down can you give me a lift" variety, but sometimes of the "I'm drunk and made some bad decisions" variety. After her long time boyfriend turns out to be very married, Lacey turns up at Coop's door, cold, wet and distraught. After this latest catastrophe Lacey is determined to move back home - no matter what her domineering older brothers have to say.
Of course it all goes wrong as expected when Lacey's three older brothers try to guilt trip her into finishing college. When Ethan says the only way she is coming home is with a degree, married or pregnant Lacey lies and says she is pregnant. Coop assumes that the father must be the married low life and jumps into the breach when the shouting starts by saying he is the father.
Soon Coop and Lacey are living together in a hotel suite above the pub, pretending they are a couple whilst trying to keep their hands off each other.
I loved Coop, Lacey was sweet as a young woman who had made some silly life choices and whose brothers wouldn't listen to what she wanted. Of course what she wants is Coop, but he is adhering to the bro code that you never sleep with your best friend's little sister. Until he's not!
Although everything is a foregone conclusion I loved the way it got there and this was just as good as the last book (which I read first!).
The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli
Three and a half stars.
Read as part of the Australian Bestsellers Box Set.
This reads like an old fashioned category romance complete with fake relationships, marriages of convenience and a virgin bride. And yet, I did love it!
Kate entered into a bizarre contract with an elderly Russian millionaire called Ivor, a fake relationship including a marriage of one year, in return for three million pounds. Unfortunately, Ivor died before they could get married and under the terms of the contract she must repay the million pound downpayment to his nephew Isaak - money that her family has already spent/ wasted.
At first Isaak thinks Kate must be a bimbo fortune hunter but once he meets her he finds her very different to what he expected. In order to take press speculation away from his brother's recent bereavement and his own playboy lifestyle he offers her a deal. The same contract that his uncle offered her - a one year marriage. But the joke is on Isaak because Kate and Ivor had no intention of consummating their marriage and she has no intention of having sex with Isaak. Kate believes herself frigid and incapable of a normal sexual relationship, she thinks Isaak will demand an annulment once he discovers he is to remain celibate for one year or pay Kate in full - but she doesn't know her new husband that well.
As Isaak takes Kate to Paris for a romantic honeymoon and 'Pretty Woman's her in glitzy shops could they be falling in love?
June 17, 2016
Written by some of today’s best selling Australian authors, take a virtual trip with fun characters and steamy stories. These books will take you from Australia, to Paris and a small town Montana. Each will leave you feeling good with their happily ever after endings. They are all part of individual series, but each book has an ending and doesn’t require reading the rest of the series (but after reading one, you want to).
My favorite in the book is The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli
A exciting story with scenic Paris as the setting.
Kate Edwards specializes in genealogy and is helping her friend, Ivor Zaretsky, solve some mysteries of his family. They share a lot of secrets. One being Kate's family business is failing. Ivor decides to help Kate and her mother. Ivor has made a contract for them to marry for one year and she will have enough money to bring the business out of debt. There will be no sex and the marriage will be only acted out when they are in public. Ivor dies suddenly before the wedding. His nephew Isaak finds out about the contract and holds it over Kate's head forcing her to marry him instead. Little did they know, they are both pawns in a plan Ivor has already set.
Married and off to Paris, Kate and Isaak go to celebrate their pretend honeymoon where they discover some secrets of Issac's family. They also discover their own passion is building more then either expected.
This book is well written and made me crave more.
My favorite in the book is The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli
A exciting story with scenic Paris as the setting.
Kate Edwards specializes in genealogy and is helping her friend, Ivor Zaretsky, solve some mysteries of his family. They share a lot of secrets. One being Kate's family business is failing. Ivor decides to help Kate and her mother. Ivor has made a contract for them to marry for one year and she will have enough money to bring the business out of debt. There will be no sex and the marriage will be only acted out when they are in public. Ivor dies suddenly before the wedding. His nephew Isaak finds out about the contract and holds it over Kate's head forcing her to marry him instead. Little did they know, they are both pawns in a plan Ivor has already set.
Married and off to Paris, Kate and Isaak go to celebrate their pretend honeymoon where they discover some secrets of Issac's family. They also discover their own passion is building more then either expected.
This book is well written and made me crave more.
June 21, 2016
I had already read three of the books in this collection when they were originally released. This set gives a great variety of some good stories. Below are my reviews from a couple of the included stories.
Almost a Bride:
I loved this story. Tara and Reid were the perfect heroine and hero in this book. I could be best friends with both of them if they were real people.
After Tara's engagement ends when it's discovered that he's been having an affair with one of his students, Reid is there to support Tara.
I really enjoyed how Tara decides to evaluate how she has been living her life and discovers why she has always been the one to take the safe road in life.
The Honeymoon Trap:
This was a really fun story. Gamer/boat builder plus gamer/costume designer booked into the honeymoon suite as a gag by his brothers. I loved both Zoey and Eli. Their characters were wonderfully written, flaws and all. I was really rooting for them to get their HEA through the whole story. It was a very fun story to read, and I would love to read more about these two.
Almost a Bride:
I loved this story. Tara and Reid were the perfect heroine and hero in this book. I could be best friends with both of them if they were real people.
After Tara's engagement ends when it's discovered that he's been having an affair with one of his students, Reid is there to support Tara.
I really enjoyed how Tara decides to evaluate how she has been living her life and discovers why she has always been the one to take the safe road in life.
The Honeymoon Trap:
This was a really fun story. Gamer/boat builder plus gamer/costume designer booked into the honeymoon suite as a gag by his brothers. I loved both Zoey and Eli. Their characters were wonderfully written, flaws and all. I was really rooting for them to get their HEA through the whole story. It was a very fun story to read, and I would love to read more about these two.
June 30, 2016
The Australian Bestseller box set is a great collection from four great authors.
Almost a bride by Sarah Mayberry, The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter, Some Girls do by Amy Andrews, and The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli.
These can all be read as a standalone even though each one is part of a series. Great reads!
Almost a bride by Sarah Mayberry, The Honeymoon Trap by Kelly Hunter, Some Girls do by Amy Andrews, and The Bride Who Wouldn't by Carol Marinelli.
These can all be read as a standalone even though each one is part of a series. Great reads!
July 10, 2017
Sarah Mayberry, Almost A Bride: ***** 5 stars! I want to say to aspiring authors, "Look closely! That's how a well-crafted story is done!"
Kelly Hunter, The Honeymoon Trap: ***** 5 stars! Loved it! Another terrific story! AND it makes me want to read the other characters' stories.
Amy Andrews, Some Girls Do: *** 3 stars, because, while the writing was very good, the fake pregnancy plot twist and total alphhole brothers irked me - not gonna read those characters' stories... But that's just my opinion. Loved the beta hero, though.
Carol Marinelli, The Bride Who Wouldn't: * 1 star! Iffy prose (reads like a first-time author), moral values from the 1950s (really, at first I didn't think it was set in the 21st century) and magic-wang healing... See A.M.'s review from Jan 15 2017 for a more detailed review about the writing. The one star is for the entertainment value and negative example how NOT to write a story.
All in all, a very good compilation.
Kelly Hunter, The Honeymoon Trap: ***** 5 stars! Loved it! Another terrific story! AND it makes me want to read the other characters' stories.
Amy Andrews, Some Girls Do: *** 3 stars, because, while the writing was very good, the fake pregnancy plot twist and total alphhole brothers irked me - not gonna read those characters' stories... But that's just my opinion. Loved the beta hero, though.
Carol Marinelli, The Bride Who Wouldn't: * 1 star! Iffy prose (reads like a first-time author), moral values from the 1950s (really, at first I didn't think it was set in the 21st century) and magic-wang healing... See A.M.'s review from Jan 15 2017 for a more detailed review about the writing. The one star is for the entertainment value and negative example how NOT to write a story.
All in all, a very good compilation.
September 11, 2022
In "Almost a Bride", the two main protagonists were strong characters. I enjoyed their journeys and their conversations. The second and third stories didn't grab me, so I skipped them. The last was the most intriguing, although I guessed the twist at the end before it came. There was too much detail in places, so I tried to skip some of it and still follow the plot.
Neither of the stories I liked were set in Australia. As it's a selection from Australian authors, that was my expectation before reading the book, but there's no reason why they should be. Authors don't always have to write about their own country.
Neither of the stories I liked were set in Australia. As it's a selection from Australian authors, that was my expectation before reading the book, but there's no reason why they should be. Authors don't always have to write about their own country.
August 5, 2019
Couple of the stories in the book were quite lovely
November 28, 2019
Australian box set
Thoroughly enjoyed reading all the books a very relaxing read I found it hard to put it down.Very good book
Thoroughly enjoyed reading all the books a very relaxing read I found it hard to put it down.Very good book
October 25, 2022
lovely collection
As a collection this is strong, sometimes quirky, has four sweet HEA’s and a bunch of characters that blaze off the page. Well worth reading.
As a collection this is strong, sometimes quirky, has four sweet HEA’s and a bunch of characters that blaze off the page. Well worth reading.
January 1, 2017
This was a great deal- about 70 cents for 4 novellas. Originally I picked it up because it had a Sarah Mayberry story. I really liked three out of the 4 stories and I’ve discovered two new-to-me authors- I’ll now have the pleasure of exploring their backlist! There didn’t seem to be any interlocking theme between the stories, other than they are from Australian authors.
Almost A Bride Sarah Mayberry
I really like Sarah Mayberry’s writing. In this story Tara finds out her fiancé has cheated on her, and this prompts her to reassess her feelings towards he fellow cop and patrol partner Reid. There is a lot of emotional growth to get through in a novella and amazingly Mayberry pulls it off- I could have spent a lot more time with the characters though and one minor gripe- she relies on a TV show character (who I don’t particularly like) as a description of the heroine.
The Honeymoon Trap- Kelly Hunter
In a word? I loved this one. Eli and Zoey have been weekly online gaming partners for a couple of years, without having met. It’s the favourite time of the week for both of them. What would happen if they met in real life? I thought that the characters were set up quickly and skillfully- as they navigate the online game and a possible relationship. As one reviewer picked up, Zoey’s character verges on the manic pixie dream girl ideal- but Zoey’s character is more than just an idealized prop for Eli- I was amazed at how much the author could cover in such a short novella, with razor sharp, snappy dialogue, some surprises in the plot that I didn’t see coming and it left me quite emotional.
After I finished this novella, I immediately read the other 2 books in the series, as well as a stand alone by this author and really enjoyed them all- I will definitely follow this author in the future. I also loved how the descriptions of the sea are so strong in these novellas (the series is set in a sea-side town in Victoria, Australia) and central to the brothers’ lives. I could just about feel sand in my (imaginary bathers) and the swell of the waves.
Amy Andrews- Some Girls Do
I really didn’t like this one at all. It was a contemporary but the characters and situations just didn’t make any sense to me- it almost felt like it should have been set in the 19th Century.
Synopsis is spoilery:-
Who are these people? I really didn’t buy change from “you’re a pain in the butt” to “I love you” at all. I certainly don’t want to read about any of the brothers. I’ve got a couple of other stories by this author and I had heard some good things about her writing so hoping this was just a blip!
Carol Marinelli- The Bride Who Wouldn’t
Really enjoyed this one. Has a little bit of mystery, marriage of convenience, Paris setting, a virginal heroine who has a hangup about sex and a Russian billionaire who is determined to ‘help’ her with her problem. When I looked up the writer, I saw that she has books such as The Sheik’s Baby Scandal- I’ve avoided titles such as those thus far in my romance reading but this small taste has me thinking I might need to go forth into the Harlequin’s Presents range! I instantly purchased the sequel and am liking it as well.
Almost A Bride Sarah Mayberry
I really like Sarah Mayberry’s writing. In this story Tara finds out her fiancé has cheated on her, and this prompts her to reassess her feelings towards he fellow cop and patrol partner Reid. There is a lot of emotional growth to get through in a novella and amazingly Mayberry pulls it off- I could have spent a lot more time with the characters though and one minor gripe- she relies on a TV show character (who I don’t particularly like) as a description of the heroine.
The Honeymoon Trap- Kelly Hunter
In a word? I loved this one. Eli and Zoey have been weekly online gaming partners for a couple of years, without having met. It’s the favourite time of the week for both of them. What would happen if they met in real life? I thought that the characters were set up quickly and skillfully- as they navigate the online game and a possible relationship. As one reviewer picked up, Zoey’s character verges on the manic pixie dream girl ideal- but Zoey’s character is more than just an idealized prop for Eli- I was amazed at how much the author could cover in such a short novella, with razor sharp, snappy dialogue, some surprises in the plot that I didn’t see coming and it left me quite emotional.
After I finished this novella, I immediately read the other 2 books in the series, as well as a stand alone by this author and really enjoyed them all- I will definitely follow this author in the future. I also loved how the descriptions of the sea are so strong in these novellas (the series is set in a sea-side town in Victoria, Australia) and central to the brothers’ lives. I could just about feel sand in my (imaginary bathers) and the swell of the waves.
Amy Andrews- Some Girls Do
I really didn’t like this one at all. It was a contemporary but the characters and situations just didn’t make any sense to me- it almost felt like it should have been set in the 19th Century.
Synopsis is spoilery:-
Who are these people? I really didn’t buy change from “you’re a pain in the butt” to “I love you” at all. I certainly don’t want to read about any of the brothers. I’ve got a couple of other stories by this author and I had heard some good things about her writing so hoping this was just a blip!
Carol Marinelli- The Bride Who Wouldn’t
Really enjoyed this one. Has a little bit of mystery, marriage of convenience, Paris setting, a virginal heroine who has a hangup about sex and a Russian billionaire who is determined to ‘help’ her with her problem. When I looked up the writer, I saw that she has books such as The Sheik’s Baby Scandal- I’ve avoided titles such as those thus far in my romance reading but this small taste has me thinking I might need to go forth into the Harlequin’s Presents range! I instantly purchased the sequel and am liking it as well.
June 16, 2016
This is a wonderful bundle featuring a wonderful group of Australian writers, one of my favorites is The Honeymoon Trap:
This is a fun story of Eli and Zoey. They've been online gaming buddies--anonymously--for years, and their characters need to get married to have a stronger alliance. Thanks to Eli's overbearing, but well-meaning brothers, they end up at a gaming convention in the honeymoon suite! As they discover each other as real people, they learn not only do they like each other and get along, they complement each other due to their online friendship over the years. They also realize they are in love with each other. But, she has a health concern and he thinks he's still getting over the death of a girlfriend. Once they come to terms with everything, the only thing left is a crazy proposal and marriage at sea--in a storm.
This is a fun story of Eli and Zoey. They've been online gaming buddies--anonymously--for years, and their characters need to get married to have a stronger alliance. Thanks to Eli's overbearing, but well-meaning brothers, they end up at a gaming convention in the honeymoon suite! As they discover each other as real people, they learn not only do they like each other and get along, they complement each other due to their online friendship over the years. They also realize they are in love with each other. But, she has a health concern and he thinks he's still getting over the death of a girlfriend. Once they come to terms with everything, the only thing left is a crazy proposal and marriage at sea--in a storm.
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