Falling in love can be bloody inconvenient. Let’s inventory, shall we?State of my professional life: Brilliant, if counted in terms of sales of my Hazel the Hippo books, the substantial proceeds from selling my New Zealand glamping business, and any number of glossy magazine articles about my charmed existence. Of course, I couldn’t seem to write or draw anymore, but that would pass. Surely.State … anymore, but that would pass. Surely.
State of my personal life: Murky. A mysterious siren I was not, in my nursing bra and only-kind-that-fits maternity panties.
My three redheaded children? Good thing. Good, exhausting, frustrating, terrifying, wonderful thing.
My marriage? Living with a failing marriage is like living with a toothache. It’s not going to get any better, and eventually, it’s going to get heaps worse, but who wants a root canal?
Beginning to fall for the much-too-charming, not-quite-available, stone-cold-beautiful Dr. Matiu Te Mana, on the day he delivered the third of those children on the grass outside Dunedin Hospital, a few short minutes before my marriage began its spectacular and very public final implosion?
Possibly tricky.
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This book is amazing!! This is not fluff and a light read. It is a textural masterpiece. Very deep and multilayered and excellent characterizations. A family you fall in love with and wish you were a member. One is drawn into this world and it becomes so real. This is NOT your typical Indie book. This is a very gifted writer with an incredible insight about human nature and our world. If only there was a separate rating system for books of this quality. A joy to read and perfect escape. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Matiu found his match with Poppy!
Children’s author Poppy Cantwell is having a crappy day, she went into labor with her third child and found out that her soon to be ex-husband was having an affair with one of his employees. She had met Dr. Matiu Te Mana at her brother’s wedding but having him deliver her daughter and being a witness to the implosion of her marriage wasn’t what she had planned.
Matiu and Poppy had to navigate her starting her separation before she could get divorced and her soon to be ex-husband being a jerk about him even being around Poppy.
Stone Cold Kiwi is the second book in the New Zealand Ever After and reading the first book Kiwi Rules isn’t required but it helps with the enjoyment of the book.
Stone Cold Kiwi is book two in the New Zealand Ever After series. This is one of those books that you easily find yourself thinking about days after finishing. I really enjoyed it, and I definitely recommend it.
This newest installment in Rosalind James’ New Zealand Ever After series, is just amazing! Poppy, a young mother of three, is a wonderful character. She’s funny, warm, sexy, strong and independent. She shows us all the emotions you would feel as a single, newly separated woman, trying to do her best with her three small children. Matiu comes into her life and she realizes that having true love can enhance her life and her children’s while trying to navigate through their new life as a split family.
As always, Rosalind’s writing drew me in from the very first page. Her descriptions of New Zealand, allow me to feel as if I’m right there, and her characters are lovable and believable. I highly recommend this book!
I was given an ARC of this book, but my opinions are strictly my own
Stone Cold Kiwi is the second book in Rosalind James – New Zealand Ever After Series, and what a wonderful follow-up it is. Although it’s #2 in the series it could easily be read as a stand-alone without any difficulty.
I felt like I hit the jackpot with this one because, in my review of book one, Kiwi Rules, I said this: “I’m secretly hoping that maybe Poppy or Matiu will have the next story (or maybe the two of them together?).” And woo hoo—here they are. Thank you, Rosalind!
As many have said, Poppy is not the usual romance heroine. She’s pregnant with her third child and has just discovered that her husband has been cheating on her so she has to make hard decisions for herself and her children during a time when she is overwhelmed with stress. But seeing her strength and perseverance is inspiring. Matiu is a successful ER doc, who never really expected to settle down even though he’s always been surrounded by a loving supportive family. He’s always been a player with no long term commitments, but there’s something about Poppy that he just can’t resist.
I loved the book and look forward to future stories.
Have you ever finished a book that is so good, you don’t want it to end? And you don’t want to share how good the book is with other readers because they may not love it as much as you do? I do because that is how I feel about Stone Cold Kiwi.
It has also meant, I have delayed posting my review for this book as well. I don’t want to share it with others but it needs to be shared. It is that good.
Most people have a slight fear of Friday the 13th including Poppy Caldwell since that is the day her life as she has known it implodes. She is 10 months pregnant (or so it feels) and already has 2 kids under the age of 6. Her husband is on a “business trip” and has promised to be there for the birth of this child. Poppy has had some suspicions that his business trips are not quite really business trips. But she doesn’t want to upset the boat right now. Until things implode.
Poppy has taken her kids to the zoo and goes into early labor. She manages to find a way to get to the closest hospital with both kids in labor and ends up giving birth out in the grass in front of the ER. Her son, Hamish, is a hero and a very strong and responsible young man for 5 and is the one who goes into the ER to ask for help for his mummy even if it means crossing a busy street.
Hamish leads the doctor who comes with him across the street back to the park where his mother and sister are. Dr. Matiu Te Mana is the new ER physician at the hospital and he is impressed with the courage of a small young boy who did everything he could to help his mum. Matiu has moved to the South Island for a change of pace. Koro, yes, that Koro, has encouraged him to make the move because he thinks his grandson needs the change.
Poppy also discovers that her SOB of a husband is cheating on her right after giving birth when as she is being wheeled into the ER on a gurney from the park she hears him whinging as he is taken from an ambulance with his mistress. Just one of these things is enough to make most people really develop a fear of Friday the 13th but Poppy is stronger than she realizes and she soars high from this low. And she also discovers that the wonderful Maori warrior who is the man who helps deliver her daughter and saves her life after the delivery is the man she is meant to be with.
Matiu needs a little kick from his Koro before he wakes up to realize the gem that Poppy is. But he falls in love with all of her kids without any help from Koro. He just needs to work through a few issues first.
And I would like to state that one slightly odd thing I enjoy about Ms. James’ books is that they lead me to new recipes. Matiu orders a salad of soba noodles and tiger prawns at one point in the novel and I now have 2 new recipes to try.
I did receive a copy of this book ahead of time from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. But I always have her books pre-ordered as soon as I can.
What does it say about your life when the worst thing that happens in your day isn’t when you give birth on the lawn in front of the hospital? And the ER doctor who delivers the baby and also probably saves your life is not only super hot….but you also happen to know him? (still not the worst thing that happens that day). Indeed, Poppy’s life takes a sharp turn toward disaster from that point, and then, slowly, we get to see her turn it all around to get the life she really wants, not the life everyone thinks she should have.
Matiu, aka hot ER doctor, is in the middle of trying out a new life for himself as well, moving far away from his close knit Maori family. Barely settled in to his new job, the day he meets Poppy again while delivering her baby sends his life in a most unexpected direction and it doesn’t take him long to figure out it’s exactly where he is supposed to go.
The fun is seeing how they get there, and the amazing people who populate their world. Adorable children, wise elders, older brothers, younger brothers, crazy parents, exasperating exes….they’re all here and make this a book you will not want to put down until you’ve blasted through to the end (and then, you’ll want to go back and savor).
So much more than a romance, this is a book about all kinds imperfect people and how they all love each other.
So, so many feels in this wonderful book! I really love this authors style of writing romance. She never, ever fails to win me over!
I couldn’t wait to read Poppy and Matiu. Being a fan of the series, I’ve been curious what their story would look like…
I love Poppy’s character! She’s a fighter, goes through so much. Matiu is such a good man, his role in Poppy’s life becomes so strong, honorable and loving.
I loved this story so much! Highly recommend the book, series and author
I’m always so excited to be back in New Zealand with Rosalind James characters and her latest story Stone Cold Kiwi was everything I expected and more. I was captivated from the first page and I really didn’t want this emotional read to come to an end and I think Poppy and Dr Matiu Te Mana are very near the top of my favourite characters from this very talented author.
Poppy’s day is not going well , she doesn’t feel herself and she is not making wise decisions but that could just be the fact she is 37 weeks pregnant, with her husband away she takes her other 2 children out to the children’s museum and that’s when things really go wrong….. after realising she is in labour she calls an Uber but the driver refuses to take her so Poppy decides its only a few blocks and she grabs the children’s hands and start to walk but as she gets close to the hospital she realises she won’t make it and she has to send her eldest 5 year old Hamish for help ……
Hamish does well and brings back Dr Matiu Te Mana who calmly delivers baby Isobel and then gets Poppy and the children to the hospital to wait for the relatives.
Poppy’s marriage is not a happy one and as things go from bad to worse she starts to lean on the Doctor who not only saved her baby but who has also become a friend.
Friends to lovers may be a way to describe this book but to be honest it’s so much more than just a romance, this is story about friends, family and loyalty at times it will break your heart and at times you will be left smiling like a Cheshire Cat. Hamish and Olivia have some classic one liners than only children can deliver, this book touched me on so many levels, I laughed, I cried and I wanted more. This is a must read for all romance lovers
Rosalind James is the master of descriptions whether emotional or scenic. She will draw you into a book as if you are one of the characters feeling those emotions and immerse you into the setting with her analogies. You may read this book as a stand alone, but if you read book one of the series you will already have fallen in love with Poppy. She is so strong, yet vulnerable; shy, but outgoing; she has so many dimensions. We met Matiu in the Not Quite a Billionaire series and book one. He is a confident, hunky ER doctor who is more than what he appears to be. No author depicts children as perfect as Ms. James ; Hamish, Olivia and even new born Isobel come to life on the pages. You will love Poppy and Matiu’s story of finding love when you least expect it (and not like in any other book!), perseverance and compassion. From the start of the book to the last page this story keeps on giving. Just a perfect read all around!!
Stone Cold Kiwi is the second of Rosalind James’s New Zealand Ever After series, but is a complete stand alone in its own right. This is the story of Poppy and Matui. We’ve met both characters in previous books. Poppy is going labor when she discovers her husband is cheating on her with another woman. Matiu, an emergency room doctor, delivers her baby in the grass outside the hospital. Poppy is left to rebuild her life from the ground up, and in doing so finds her voice and strength that she never thought possible. Matiu was always a bit of a player, and he will find that his reputation may be hard to overcome with someone who has gone through what Poppy has. But Rosalind has a gift for writing heroes that are sexy and strong, but are also sweet and steady. She writes women with backbones and voices. She writes true to life stories with every day struggles and happy endings. She is one of my favorite authors and it is because of books like this one. I hope she never grows tired of the New Zealand setting because she brings it to life like no other. I had never considered a trip to NZ until I started reading her books. Now I can’t wait to visit one day.
If the blurb for this book doesn’t hook you, I don’t know what will!
Stone Cold Kiwi starts with a bang, immediately immersing you in the story. And talk about an awkward, uncomfortable, and very dramatic beginning! Right away, an unexpected emergency occurs, establishing the strength of character of Poppy and of Matiu, and even the personalities of Poppy’s children and husband.
As usual, Rosalind James magically brings everything to life with her deft descriptions and dialogue. Although in reality writing takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to pull it off so flawlessly, it sure feels effortless and natural in this book. It’s so very real that it feels as if you are there yourself.
I love that Rosalind’s stories are fresh and unexpected. We never know for sure what’s coming ‘round the next bend in the road, except that it will definitely be interesting and wonderful!
If you’re new to Rosalind James’ books and love this one, you’ll want to go back and read her original Escape to New Zealand series, as well as Kiwi Rules, the first book in this New Zealand Ever After series.
Stone Hot, HOT, H.O.T. Kiwi
This book is among my favorites from Ms. James, which is saying a lot.
I’ve read all of her books and have been anxiously awaiting this one. What makes this one at the top of the heap? The characters and the writing.
As far as the characters go, Poppy and Mathiu are realistic main characters. Poppy is a Mom (mum in NZ) who is busy with two young children and an infant, a busy career as a children’s book author … and as someone who is busy trying to get a well earned separation underway. She’s trying to get her body back while breastfeeding, surviving on little sleep … and while being distracted by the hottie doctor who delivered her infant (awkward!) … who happens to be related to her sister-in-law’s brother-in-law (get your head around that one … but if you’ve read Ms. James it WORKS!!!)
Mathiu has moved to get a change of scenery. He’s not near his family (whanau) or so he thinks … until the latest emergency has him delivering a baby in the most unusual circumstances for a woman that he met at a family event. He’s played the field and has a collection of beautiful women in his circle everywhere he goes.
Both Poppy and Mathiu are fighting family expectations, realizing that in order to live the life they want they need to make hard choices, and are struggling with growing attraction towards each other. If you’ve read other books by Ms. James, you’ll be happy to see that Karen, Koro, Jax, Hemi, Hope, and the kiddos are woven into all aspects of the story … just like visiting old friends you haven’t seen for a while. But, if you haven’t read any of Ms. James’ other books, it’s not going to be a problem because the writing is so descriptive that it will all make sense to you (but you’ll want to clear your calendar and binge read them!)
This book brought out a wide range of emotions for me … laughter (my daughter said “Smoothie” the other day and I nearly spit out my coffee), tears, and hope. It’s jam-packed with tidbits that will make you smile and think: Scottish proverbs, cir de coeur, flowered pink PJs, life lessons, meddling family members, Kiwi customs, jungle felines, orchids, and more! This is a book that goes well beyond the romantic story and has family (blood and what goes beyond blood), facing your fears, and realizing that you can belong to someone in an instant.
When I finished the book, I immediately started a re-read of my favorite scenes … which is to say I basically started the book again! Throughout the story, Ms. James, an American author who has spent time in NZ, weaves in all-things NZ, which are completely realistic.
Download this book and clear your calendar. You’ll be happy you did!
Rosalind James
I pre-ordered this book as I’ve loved every one of Rosalind James’ books. They’re funny, heartwarming, wonderful love stories. This one is no exception – I laughed, I cried, I loved. We have met Poppy and Matui in previous books – other reviewers say it’s not necessary to read the others first and I suppose that’s true but for me, I love catching up with the characters from other books. If I had read this first, I would not be disappointed in any way – but I would be excited to read the other stories. This is a bit of a departure from ‘normal’ romance books in that Poppy is pregnant with her third child and Matui – an emergency room doctor – delivers the baby on a lawn just outside the hospital. They have met before as Poppy’s brother is married to Matui’s cousin’s sister-in-law but they really don’t know each other. Poppy has her husband’s cheating confirmed as she is about to give birth. Both characters have past difficulties that have affected their lives and thinking. There are wonderful messages about dealing with children, parents, grandparents – but you are never hit over the head with these. They are woven into the story and add to it. A big thank you to Rosalind for more hours of reading pleasure!
This is an amazing book. A book that is inspiring and emotional. A book that makes you look deep within yourself. A book about two people, Matiu and Poppy, surviving what life has thrown at them. Two people finding out about themselves and about each other. A story about making mistakes, about recover, about finding joy again, and about love. If you choose to choose to read only one book this year I highly recommend this book.
I would rate this book at 4.5 stars. I think Matiu and Poppy’s story truly shows people taking a leap of faith.
I also may take a lot of heat for this, but I think Matiu was mislabeled as being a “player”. His relationships were short lived, and he was honest, gentlemanly, and attentive. He didn’t promise long term, HEA, or even the possibility of any of that. The whole scenario while shopping bothered me.
My heart went out to Poppy and her kids, especially with how the book began. Both outside of the Emergency, and on the way in to the Emergency. A testament to her strength and inner fortitude.
I loved the way Poppy handled her brother, father, and ex. I loved the way Mathiu took care of Poppy, her kids, and the rest of his family. He was always solidly by her side.
Mathiu and Poppy’s relationship was a gradual development of growth and commitment. It was not always smooth, but it was fun, funny, gentle, sensual, and oh so sweet.
This was a good read, it starts off with the hero meeting the heroine while she is giving birth to her husband’s baby in the parking lot and then it just continues to go far outside the traditional romance novel box after that opening scene. I love Poppy and Matiu as they are caught up in crazy events and trying to figure out how to come out of it with their sanity intact. I do think the establishment of the relationship was a little fast given the dramatic birth but that is the fantasy of romance novels and the husband was out of the picture as a viable partner in the marriage from the first 2 chapters so that issue was handled quickly. I love the integration of the children in the story and recognise some of the actions and feelings that they experience as being very reminiscent of what I have seen from children in similar circumstances (thankfully not including giving birth in public). The sex scenes are great, steamy and yet emotionally thoughtful at the same time. I love that Karen and Jax from the previous novel make an extended appearance as Karen is such a lively character and adds so much humour to the story. This is an entertaining and different kind of romance and I recommend it.
5 Star Review of Stone Cold Kiwi (New Zealand Ever After #2) by Rosalind James by Rosalind James
From the first to the last chapter I was drawn in hook, line and sinker. Ms. James writes with such expression that I find myself transported to New Zealand and can easily see it in my mind’s eye.
Poppy is such a great character and I really liked her. The poor woman has been having a rather trying time of late and when she suddenly finds herself about to give birth while out with Hamish and Olivia, she has no choice but to handle everything herself since she is unable to contact her husband or any of her family. That’s when Dr. Matiu Te Mana, rides in to save the day.
The characters were strong and realistic and I found I could easily relate to them. I loved five year old Hamish and his three year old sister Olivia, who almost steal the book, to be honest.
As Poppy’s marriage unravels, she comes to lean on the doctor who stepped in to help her. What an emotional and at times heart wrenching story this book was. It was an extremely well written story of self doubt, of finding love in the most unexpected places and I loved it.
Stone Cold Kiwi is a story about family and as such there is plenty of laughter, tears, sadness, regret and a whole lot of love.