Book Reviews: Book 27-30

Books 27-30 were also a part of series.  When I read a series, I have a hard time stopping until I've completed the whole set.  The first 2 books in this series I downloaded onto my Kindle for Free.  Realizing there were 2 more and that they were only $2.99 each, I decided to splurge and get the rest of the series. 
 Book 1 Just This Once by Rosalind James
 The first book in the Escape to New Zealand series is about Hannah, an overworked clothing executive. She is desperately in need of a break not just from her job, but from being in charge of her little brother and sister.  Hannah has been in control for so long that she decides to do something crazy, in her world at least, and escape for a 3 week trip to New Zealand.  An avid swimmer she takes her first trip to the beach the day after arriving and gets stuck in a rip tide.  She is frantically trying to break free from it when she is rescued by Drew.  As a resident of the country he offers to show her around while she is there on her vacation.  Of course, the young couple suddenly finds themselves drawn to each other.  What will happen when it is time for Hannah to return to the States. Will she be able to leave Drew forever.  What will he do, can he turn his back on his homeland? Hannah is in for a surprise ahead as well when she realizes who he really is.  Will their relationship last through the new challenges it faces? You'll just have to read book one to find out.

Book 2  Just Good Friends by Rosalind James
The second book in the series follows the lives of Kate and Koti.  Kate is a American seeking refuge from a horrific past.  She comes to New Zealand knowing it might be the one place on earth she can truly escape.  Once there she meets Koti, the self absorbed, rugby hero.  She finds herself placing a bet with him that he can't be "just friends" with a female.  As they begin to spend time together they discover that it might be hard for both of them to keep the bet.  The closer their friendship gets, the more danger Kate finds herself in.  Her past is beginning to catch up with her, and it just may be that only Koti can help her finally escape.

Book 3  Just for Now by Rosalind James
Jenna has come to New Zealand with the love of her life, and after marrying him discovers he's not who she thought he was.  Instead of living the dream she imagined she finds herself creating a new one.  When her teaching time is up she moves on to another area of New Zealand so that she can start fresh.  Of course having a job is the only thing that will allow her to stay in the country so she applies to be a nanny.  Her love for children helps land her the perfect job as a nanny for Rugby star Finn.  As she falls in love with the children, and her now perfect little family, she begins to realize that in reality they aren't her family at all.  Is Finn interested in changing that situation?  Will they discover that together they can create the dream life for both of them?

Book 4  Just for Fun by Rosalind James
Emma has had to build a life for her and her son for the past 1several years, after a nonhoneymoon honeymoon leaves her expecting her greatest gift ever.  Nic has been making his way to the top of the rugby world.  One look at the little boy at rugby camp knocks Nic back on his heels.  Could this little boy be his? Will Emma except his apology for leaving her stranded?  Will this new parenting relationship change the rest of their friendships and careers as well.  Can something that was just for fun, become the piece of life they have been missing for so long?

In order to really understand these characters and their stories, as well as how they are interconnected you'll have to read the books.  They are all a bit "steamy", which is not typically what I read.  I was drawn into the stories of their lives though after the first book, and decided to just skim past the parts that I wouldn't normally read.

Overall I'd give the series 3 stars.  I liked the stories, but wished they could happen without the steam!

Book Review: Books 22-26

 

Book 22

Gone to Green

By Judy Christie

As I've mentioned many times I LOVE FREE books!  This entire series I downloaded from Inspirerdreads.com over the course of several months all for FREE!  Honestly though, having now read the whole series, it would be worth paying for. When I realized I had all of the books in the series I decided to make it my goal to read the series during spring break. I started on Friday, after school let out last week, and finished the last book this past Saturday.

 

The series focuses on the life of Lois Barker, a successful journalist in Dayton, Ohio who is approaching her late 30s. She's beginning to wonder if she is headed in the right direction.  When a promotion at work opens up, due to the untimely death of her mentor Ed, she decides maybe it is time to move on in her job.  Ed must have thought so too, as he leaves her a newspaper in Green, Louisiana in his will.  She loved Ed, and all he taught her, and while it was his dream to own and run this small town newspaper, she isn't sure it is really what she should be doing.  To honor his memory she decides to move to Green for a year and give it a try.  Her plan is at the end of the year she will sell the newspaper and be able to go back to her successful journalism career.

 

There is only one problem with her plan.  Green, Louisiana is not what she expected it to be.  Soon she finds herself drawn to the people and their issues.  This independent woman can't just let things go when she realizes there is more to the situation then meets the eye and through the newspaper she begins to see the town differently.  Will she really sell at the end of the year? Will she throw away the friendships she has made?



 

   Book 23 Goodness Gracious Green

Lois has found that leaving Green, at least right now is not an option.  She has uncovered serious allegations and must fight to keep the paper and herself alive during the aftermath.  When fires begin to surround her, she finds herself turning to her new friends, and her recovered faith to pull her through. She also finds herself falling in love, which she never planned on happening.  Will all of these changes keep her in Green, or will she be swept away, back to Dayton where life was simpler?

 

Book 24 The Glory of Green

 

From the cover alone, it's obvious that someone is getting married.  Most people dream of their weddings starting out wonderfully, and would never in their wildest dreams imagine them to start off the way Lois' does.  Now that another major storm has entered her life, she is forced with deciding how she will survive it.  Leaning on friends and now family to make it through helps.  Will the town survive as well?  Lois' strong personality and independent nature helps her to keep going.  The town turns to her to help them decide which way to go.  Loss surrounds them, but with faith and love they too can rebuild.

 

 

Book 25

Rally Round Green

What is a town without a school?  Why is the Mayor's ex husband in town?  All of these questions, and more must be answered by journalist/newspaper owner Lois Barker Craig as she lives through the next issue in Green.  She is in it for the long haul, but will the battle be worth it? Can she help Molly and Katy, 2 of her young journalists survive the storms of growing up, on top of the storms the city keeps facing.  What is next?  There always seems to be one more problem then she can handle.  Will this battle finally push her over the edge?

  





The only problem with reviewing books is trying not to give too much away!  Book 26, the final book in the series was also filled with new found problems.  Problems that small towns across America face all the time, how to survive.  Lois is fighting not only for her small town now, but also for her newspaper and her family.  Who will come out on top?  Guess to really find out all the answers you'll have to read the whole series!  

 

 

I would give the entire series 5 stars! Happy Reading

 

Up Next...Finishing Crazy Love by Frances Chan, and then I'm not sure yet where my Kindle will take me!