Kiwi Strong

New Zealand Ever After, Book 3

By: Rosalind James

Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Tom Janson

Length: 15 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

People who say “love is trust” probably didn’t grow up in a cult.

My name is Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge. I chose it myself. As an RN in the emergency department in one of New Zealand’s largest hospitals, there wasn’t much left in me of the 16-year-old girl, covered from neck to ankle and not allowed to make eye contact with a boy, who’d run away with five dollars in her pocket and terror in her heart.

Or maybe there was too much left of that girl because I was still slow to trust. Slow to share. And a whole lot slower to get intimate. Which doesn’t put men off much, right?

Unless the man’s a tough Samoan ex-rugby player with sweetness and strength to spare. One who keeps fronting up to help even when you tell him you don’t need it. And what’s even harder to resist - one who wants to help your sisters, too.

I was going to end up sharing. I wasn’t going to be able to help it. But when my walls came down, would he want the person behind them?

Also - who was the person behind them?

©2020 Rosalind James (P)2020 Rosalind James

I love this story!!

As always I love this book. Rosalind definitely went a different way this time but she always comes back to such strong family units. I actually looked up to see if there was such a cult(there isn't) but she gives the disclaimer at the end. It is very sad to know there are places like this though. I also love how she has such a strong female character, although sometimes it doesn't seem that way but they really are. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the 2 narrators but they both did an amazing job.

Even Better the Second Time Around

Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge is on her way on a dark and rainy night to run a mysterious errand. She is on a dark stretch of road when something white darts out in front of her car causing her to land her car into a river.

Grayson Loto Tamatoa is a former All Black who is dealing with some medical issues from way too many concussions playing footie. Gray is a rather large Samoan who now makes a living as a builder and is on his way to his mum's house when he first meets Daisy after hitting her car and rescuing her from the river.

Gray takes Daisy home and than on to help her complete her errand which is to rescue her sisters from Mount Zion the cult she and her family had been born into and raised. Daisy and her twin brother had escaped when they were 16 and of age. Daisy was on her way to rescue her sisters when the accident happens. And this sets off the chain of events that leads to wonderful love story that has tons of twists and turns and many familiar characters from other books in the rugby romances of previous books. (But you don't need to have read them in order to read this book or any of the other books by Ms. James.)

Mount Zion is based loosely on the Gloriavale Christian Community in New Zealand. I had just watched a documentary on this community prior to reading this novel. If you are not familiar with how religious cults work, I would suggest either watching the documentary or doing some reading.

This novel like all of Ms. James' novels is well written and with wonderful characters. The scenery of New Zealand is also important character not only in this book but in all of her books. Having read probably 99% of what Ms. James has written, I have to say this is her best book to date. I can't wait to read what she writes next.

I did read this novel before listening to it as an audio book. And like always, there are things you pick up you miss when reading it. Plus you get to hear the En Zed accents of the narrators. And somehow it is easy to visualize the scenery described in the novel. I know want to redecorate my studio to include a photo of the Wanaka Tree just like Gray has in his bedroom.

I did receive a copy of this audiobook novel from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review

This book is a wild ride so hang one

I really enjoyed this book it made me laugh and made me mad and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and characters they certainly are.

I am sure you will fall in love with some of the characters as I did

If you have read other books by Rosalind or a new reader then you are in for a treat as I think she is getting better all the time

I look forward to the next book in this series

Wow! What a ripper story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was a fantastic addition to this series and I was excited to see some old favourites along for the ride.
The Mount Zion cult story was captivating and had me holding my breath a few times, so I really hope Ms James continues with this storyline in future books.
As always, there was great characters and beautiful descriptions of New Zealand that make you want to get on a plane.
It was well read by the narrators and I couldn’t put this one down.
After purchasing this book in print format earlier this year I was really happy to listen to the audio version.
Well done Ms James.

Cheers Michelle in Australia.

Narrators are fabulous!

I have all of Rosalind James's books, and this is the third of the New Zealand Ever After series. They do not need to be read together as they are all stand-alone, although characters from previous books appear as cameos. The book has some suspenseful and tender moments, due to Daisy's former connections, but her unexpected (and seemingly unwanted) savior, Gray, ingratiates himself pretty quickly and becomes invaluable to her goals.

Although Daisy is a strong and determined girl who made the best of her situation and tried to help everyone around her, the most likable person in the book was Gray's mother. She was the gem of the book and gets all of the stars :)

The narrators were great. Tom Jansen is a relatively new narrator to me (I've only heard one other book he read) and he is wonderful. Emma Wilder is amazing and does a fantastic job with the accents and male/female voices. Their readings really added life to the story.

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Not just strong, but Kiwi Strong

Rosalind James does it again with a wonderful new book based in New Zealand.

This is story of Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge, formerly known as Chastity Worthy. I fell in love with Daisy in Stone Cold Kiwi, but I could not have imagined what had made her the strong and independent woman she is. This story begs the question, what would you do to help you sisters? Would you risk it all? Risk your life breaking back into a religious cult to free them? Then there is Gray Tamato, a former All Black player, who is struggling the effects of multiple concussions from playing rugby.
Wondering if CTE is in his future. It shows the true ties of family, both family of blood and family of the heart.

Emma Wilder and John Hartley are the narrators of this book. They are two of the best, bringing a level of emotion and intensity to make you love the main characters even more.

This is a fantastic story, filled with challenges not familiar to many of us, all set in the beautiful country of New Zealand.

Fabulous Story

What’s it like to live in a cult? What’s it like to escape from that cult? This story is about turning a life or two around with the help of a stranger. This is a story you won’t want to stop listening to. Rosalind writes with her heart on her sleeve. Great characters, a fabulous story. You won’t regret listening to this one.

So Much More Than A Romance - Not To Be Missed

My best and favorite description of Rosalind James' stories is that they are not just love stories but life stories. And Kiwi Strong is no exception to that. Kiwi Strong is an emotional ride featuring a cast of strong women and men. While the story focuses on Daisy and Gray - the supporting cast are just wonderful. And they are all brought to life by the exceptional vocal talents of Emma Watson and Tom Janson. Although the steam doesn't rise in this book as early as some other of Rosalind's books - the heat does rise in this story. This story and performance are not to be missed!

You never know how strong you are...

Wow... another excellent book by Rosalind James! “Kiwi Strong” is the story of Daisy Kittredge, who we meet when she is on her way to rescue her younger sisters from Mt. Zion, the cult community they were all born into. Unfortunately, on her way there, she swerves to avoid a dog and her car ends up submerged underwater. Grayson Tamatoa, retired All Black, happens to be driving behind Daisy, and helps to rescue her (and the dog!) and then goes with her that night to Mt. Zion to get the girls. As the story develops, we learn more about Gray, his reasons for retiring early from rugby, more about Daisy, her determination to get an education & a career, her work as a nurse, and her commitment to help the women at Mt. Zion.
There are some difficult topics in this book that go beyond a “normal” romance: traumatic brain injury, sexual assault, domestic violence. However, I appreciate the candor and honesty that Rosalind James takes in her approach. You really don’t know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Highly recommend!

EXCELLENT!

In a way this book is a little different than I thought it would be when I read it but I do have to say I was amazed the directions she took us. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
I love the narrators they do an excellent job!