The Billionaire's Bid

The Billionaire's Bid is an engaging romantic novella from "new to me" author Kaira Rouda. This is the fourth book in a series that takes place on Indigo Island and it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I definitely plan on reading books 1-3 and anything else Ms. Rouda has written thus far. This story gives the reader a real appreciation for environmental preservation, with the added benefit of a smoldering love story.

Reporter Aubrey Templeton lost her parents in a tragic car accident about a year ago. Not only is her grief all-consuming, she is trying to find a way to pay down the tremendous debt her parent's accumulated. With the walls of desperation slowly closing in, Aubrey hires an unscrupulous forestry consultant and he convinces her to accept bids for logging the opulent and meaningful land her parents bequeathed to her. James Putnam, acting CEO of Putnam Industries, is one of the many bidders in the running. His family owns many acres on the island as well, and the thought of destroying the island's pristine land is harrowing. However, he needs to win the bid in order to solidify his position in his family's company. James is also the man Aubrey slept with the night of her parent's funeral, seeking comfort in a one night stand. Aubrey and James had incredible sex that night, and Aubrey is hopeful that another evening with James will provide her with some much needed closure. Unfortunately, James has no recollection of their night of passion.

This is both a hot and sweet love story. Aubrey and James have amazing chemistry and Ms. Rouda evolves their relationship with a unique combination of business ethics, warmth and desire. These two characters transported me to Indigo Island, as I witnessed their relationship unfold in real-time. Aubrey and James are well-defined as well as interesting, and I could not get enough of them.

Ms. Rouda beautifully combines excitement, heat, and intense drama into this romantic novella. I immediately connected with Aubrey and James, and there was never a moment that I did not want them to be together both personally and professionally. The secondary characters are important in their own right and add a ton of intrigue to the plot. Overall, a solid read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved the story and loved the characters. Would love a second book with the characters.

Book Review: The Billionaire's Bid by Kaira Rouda
Unexpected and undeniably sweet, “The Billionaire’s Bid” is a love story that was actually unforeseen by the two lovers. There are some points in the story that you actually scratch your head and ask, “Now what? They really screwed the pooch!”

James Putnam and Aubrey Templeton are in very different points in their lives. James was done sowing his wild oats and wants to go into the straight and narrow. Aubrey on the other hand was tired of being a good girl and wants to live dangerously for a change.

To get to their happily ever after, they have to find a common ground which seem to disappear every time they turn around.

The Billionaire's Bid is Rated M for Mature due to sexual content.

Although this is the fourth book in a series, it works great as a stand alone short novel. The characters and plot are well developed and I really enjoyed it.
The story takes place on Indigo Island. Aubrey has inherited land on the island but also a heap of debts. To raise funds Audrey puts a lease on the land out to bid to loggers and she hires local forester Dirk Cooly to develop a forest management plan. She invites billionaire James Putnam, a former one night stand, to make a bid.
Things don't go according to plan. James doesn't remember his drunken hookup with Aubrey and makes a mess of his presentation. Dirk hates James and will do anything, including sabotaging Aubrey's business plan and her future on the island, in order to ruin him.

I enjoyed the environmental angle to the plot. I could imagine the residents of the island, their unique customs and the beautiful trees and landscape. The book is well written. It is a quick read and I would enjoy reading the others in the series.

Aubrey Templeton is still reeling from the death of both her beloved parents and the mountain of debts they’ve left behind. She believes her only chance of remaining solvent is to use the 2.500 acres of land she now owns on Indigo Island to raise the money. She seeks advice and hires Dirk Cooley to help create a management plan to offer to lease the land to logging companies.

James Putnam is trying to prove to the board of his family business that he’s the one to act as CEO whilst his father is ill. However, Walter is definitely against him, determined to show James in a bad light and to take over the role himself as the obvious choice since he’s been the CEO’s right hand man for so long.

Dirk Cooley doesn’t like the Putnam family and has long had a vendetta against them. He see’s Aubrey’s dilemma as a fantastic opportunity for revenge! He might have events from a year ago as an unexpected ally - that’s when James and Aubrey first met and had a night she’s never forgotten but he can’t remember anything about it! The chemistry between the two is still volatile but with everything else between them will love stand any chance?

This is a fantastic addition to the series. You don’t need to have read the previous books to appreciate this novella. It introduces environmental issues, especially the need to use sustainable sources of wood, the impact of inappropriate logging and the alternative ecologically positive options of land use which may be available without going on a soapbox to do so. The characters, as usual for this author, are so easy to relate to. Their turmoil becomes that of the reader. The story is told from the points of view of Aubrey and James, giving readers added insights into their attitudes, turmoil, tragedy and how their past impacts on them now. The setting is superbly brought to life, too. This is a delightful story to get lost in for an hour or so . . . I have no hesitation in highly recommending it!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting story with nice outcome. The heroine actually has the hots for the hero who doesn't remember her. Yet it works out.

This was an excellent read. Nothing to heavy and a quick entertaining read. It's very well written, as I would expect from this author, with some very interesting twists and turns. I particularly enjoyed Aubrey's character. Outwardly she seems sweet and quiet but she is a strong woman who will not let anyone sway her opinion. Dealing with the "good ole boy" mentality can be tough and her character handled it beautifully.

Really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Aubrey is longing for family and to keep what she has "left" in tact. She has one night she can not wait for the meeting with the one and only James Putnam, she really would love to "see" him again and knows he will to, or will they?
James is on the another path and is ready to help build his families logging company, he has a one chance meeting to make everything go right with his life and with his family. I really liked this book such a fun read, it was quick to the point. However there were a few twist and turns that has you turning each page to find out what happens. The chemistry from the first page to the last was HOT and coming off the pages. This book is worth the read. Book 1: Weekend with the Tycoon Book 2:Her Forbidden Love Book 3: The trouble with Christmas

Cela Esqueda's review Apr 11, 15 · edit 3 of 5 stars bookshelves: romance Read in April, 2015

I have not read any other books in this series, but I felt it was well written enough that it was not necessary to the story line. Honestly, I did not know it was part of a series, until I started writing this review.

Overall it is a quick and fun read. I do enjoy the plot twists and turns and even felt that the resolution was the right one. I do believe that the character's may have had a dynamic reaction to one another in the past, as described by Aubury, but since James cannot really remember, it feels very one-sided. It also feels this way because James is making a conscious effort not to mix business with pleasure and so he is holding back a lot.

Was not sure if I would like this story. It turned out better than I expected. James and Aubrey had a one night stand a year ago. She has never forgotten him, has he forgotten her? Although, that was a major aspect of this story it was not the deciding factor to me. What sold me on this story is that both James and Aubrey are trying to do the right thing to atone for their actions in the past. If they just happen to fall in love in the process, so be it. Enjoyable story, I received an ARC of The Billionaire's Bid by: Kaira Rouda for an honest review. It was worth the read.

I didn't realize that this is book 4. loved it so much I will need to see about the other books Aubrey Templeton is still reeling from the death of both her beloved parents and the mountain of debts they’ve left behind. She believes her only chance of remaining solvent is to use the 2.500 acres of land she now owns on Indigo Island to raise the money James Putnam is trying to prove to the board of his family business that he’s the one to act as CEO whilst his father is ill. However, Walter is definitely against him, determined to show James in a bad light and to take over the role himself as the obvious choice since he’s been the CEO’s right hand man for so long.
Dirk doesn't like James family and he is out to destroy them . he sees the perfect opening . he is going to play it ---James and Aubrey first met and had a night she’s never forgotten but he can’t remember anything about it its because he was drunk and he doesn't remember it . it was a year ago . Dirk is trying to ruin both of them. . He is playing one against the other I have never read a book by this author and so can only review this book as a stand-alone although it is the fourth book in the series . liked the authors style of writing and the issues she brought up Get the story to see does the bad guy succeed with ruining them , does James remember anything of the one night . do they make a go of it

3.5 stars. There’s a lot of good stuff in this book – the issue of preserving native forests for the future, of protecting the environment, Aubrey’s intelligence and willingness to learn enough to do the best she can for the land – and then there’s some less good stuff. Dastardly Dirk gets away with far too much here, he also seems to wield enormous influence that can sway loyal people in an instant.

It might also have been nice to have got more of an insight into James’ troubles. His drinking and partying – and thus memory loss – seems too extreme to have simply been party-boy behaviour. Then again, maybe he really was just that spoilt. Also the attraction between the two of them, on James’ side at least, seems to rocket up to 11 without much encouragement. I’m not always bothered by insta-love, but here, with James, it felt a little forced.

In all this is a nice bit of escapism with a small environmental message, a lovely look at the wilder parts of Indigo Island and a pleasant amount of heat in the romance. It was a quick read but I enjoyed it and wouldn’t mind going back to Indigo Island some time.

Imagine having the best sex of your life, and it is a one-night stand with someone who doesn’t even remember it! That is what happens to Aubrey Templeton. On the night of her parents’ funeral, Aubrey seeks comfort in the arms of James Putnam. It was incredible, and she is certain he will want a repeat performance as much as she does. Well, maybe he would if he remembered it.

Fast forward over a year later. Aubrey has a mountain of debt that was left by her parents. The only way to pay it is to sell old growth timber from the 2,500 acres of land that she was left on Indigo Island. She hires Dirk Cooley, a forester, to create a forest management plan on her acreage. (This was a bad choice. He is an unscrupulous man and is out to destroy James and Aubrey.) She insists that James Putnam is included as a bidder on the project. That will give them a chance to reunite and rekindle the still-burning embers between them…she thinks.

James is acting in the job of CEO of Putnam Industries while his father is ill. He is determined to prove to the board that he is capable of running the company. He is a changed man – determined NOT to mix business with pleasure. Can Aubrey change his mind?

Kaira Rouda has done a great job with the fourth novella in the Indigo Island series. Aubrey Templeton and James Putnam’s story grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let you go until the end. I LOVED it!

Hold on to your seat and get ready for the ride! The chemistry between Aubrey and James is explosive. The more time they spend together, they both realize that something has been missing in their life. Is this it? Neither of them is looking for love – or any kind of relationship. The chemistry between these two is explosive.

Kaira Rouda has a way of getting the reader involved in the story. You feel like you are a part of it. You feel the characters. She takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride that you never want to get off of. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the story of Aubrey and James, and I think you will, too!

*An advance reading copy was generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for a honest review. Loved this sweet, smoldering, romance story of second chance. This is the first book by Kaira Rouda that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story. Will definitely need to read the previous stories in this series. Aubrey Templeton is still grieving the loss of her parents from a tragic accident a year ago, she is trying to find a way to pay the mountain of debt that her parents had left her without selling the 2500 acres on Indigo Island that four generations of Templeton had owned and cherished. The only thing she had thought to do was to have the land logged and had hired Dirk Cooley to help her come up with a management plan. After hearing a number of bids regarding this they had one final bid left to hear, from Putnam Industries. Audrey had been looking forward to this bid from James Putnam and had purposely had his presentation late that afternoon so that maybe they could pick up where they had left off a year ago when she had the most amazing sex that she had ever had, and then never heard from him again. James Patterson had been known as the Billionaire Playboy a pretty boy with a party boy reputation, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. James was looking forward to this meeting, he had been sober for almost a year and had been trying to put his image of Billionaire Playboy to rest by being responsible and working hard for his family's company. His family had also grown up on Indigo Island and the Templeton property bordered his family's land, it would be in his best interest to make sure this was done by taking the environment into consideration and preserving as much as they could for the the wildlife as well as the island's future when logging the property. It was also important to get this contract, it would secure him in his rightful place as CEO of Putnam Industries, since his father was battling cancer and was very sick in the hospital. James presentation doesn't go like he was hoping and instead of getting the account he has made Aubrey upset how did it go so wrong? There are more twists and turns to this story as well sabotage and revenge. Will Aubrey ever get what she really wants from James? Will the connection she thought they had be lost? You are just going to have to read this to find out. Loved this smoldering sweet romance story I couldn't put it down. Also liked the environmental preservation that was added in this story and how important it is to all of us everywhere if we want to pass this beautiful planet to our future generations. Loved, Loved this story by Kaira Rouda.

Deception, deceit, and awkward moments occur, as James and Aubrey try to build their future, separate or together, and take care of the Indigo Island's future as well.
The story is not your typical 'billionaire affair' tale, these characters are as faulty as the rest of us. They deal with real life issues, and don't throw their money around. Family and inheritance are important to them, and they are willing to go the extra mile to protect them.
The chemistry and connection between James and Aubrey was immediate, the attraction obvious and strong. They have so much more in common than just physical attraction, and they work together as a team, to protect the island they both have roots on. They have their personal issues they are working on, and conquering, making them characters I wanted to cheer for. The importance of family, and others around them, made them very likable and charismatic.
The events of the story rolls nicely, plot twists and surprises made it a page turner that I read in one sitting. Enjoyable and entertaining story
~ Four Spoons

I was so excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint me. Love returning to Indigo Island with the Putnam family. This is a quick read, involving James Putnam and Aubrey Templeton. Aubrey is a strong person and knows what she wants, and will not be persuaded in her choices. James and Aubrey had a one night stand a year ago, which James does not remember. James now is trying to do the right thing, not mixing pleasure with business, but can it maintain between him and Aubrey.

This is the fourth book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. Fair warning you will want to catch up with the rest of Putnam family. I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

The Billionaire's Bid by Kaira Rouda is an enjoyable addition to the series. It is not my favorite of the Indigo Island Series but t is still a good story. I like how the environment impact on the island is explore without either the “tree huggers” or the commercial enterprises being made into the bad guys. I do not understand the vendetta that Dirk has for the Putnams but in real life these kind of things are irrational too.

Aubrey and James are two very likable characters. However, the chemistry between them just didn’t seem as strong as the relationship developed. James’s brother and his to be fiancée had the kind of attraction I wished that James and Aubrey had.

The plot is interesting with the different ways Dirk tried to use events to make James look incompetent. Also the fight over the leadership of Putnam Company is very believable and would have liked to see that developed more.

3.5 stars

Samantha has lost both her parents suddenly and faced with their tremendous debt needs to find a way to use her families land to get her out of this mess.

James is the Playboy Billionaire. Known for his wild and crazy antics, he now needs to maintain his reformed reputation and secure an Island bid in order to keep his position as CEO while his father is battling cancer.

This story had plenty of drama but seemed a little light on the romance. The story was mostly enjoyable. The two villains in the story, Dirk and Walter, were nasty characters indeed. I felt that the resolution, for Samantha at least, was a little too tidy and quick. There were also constant misunderstandings which made the romance seem a little forced in my opinion. Overall it was a good read, Rouda's descriptions of the island were beautifully done, you could easily imagine yourself there. This was a solid 3 star read for me.

Short and sweet this title takes us to a island down south that is still true to it's rich cultural heritage. The community is quick to judge but also quick to stand and take action.

Aubrey has found herself in charge of a large estate. She had no idea that her parents had been living a lie until they unexpectedly passed away and she got a good look at the books. Logging the old forest looks like the smartest choice to dig out of the financial hole and still save the property for future generations. Can she really trust the people around her not to cheat?

James is upfront with his ulterior motive for winning the logging bid. He is desperate to hold onto the CEO title he was given by his father but not granted by the board. As an island native he is protective not only of the company but the integrity of the project. He would rather pull his bid than destroy the ecosystem.

Add a little chemistry and a forgotten one-night-stand, you have an entertaining little read.

Arc Copy received by NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the first that I read in the Indigo Island Series. It can be enjoyed as a stand alone.
Aubrey needs to find a way to pay down the tremendous debt her parent's accumulated after their death. Aubrey hires Dirk, a unscrupulous forestry consultant and he convinces her to accept bids for logging the opulent and meaningful land her parents bequeathed to her. James Putnam, acting CEO of Putnam Industries, is one of the many bidders in the running. However, Dirk has set him up to fail.
James and Aubrey have chemstry from the start. They had met a year earlier and had a one night stand however, James doesn't remember and with Dirk's trick things don't look good for him.
He asks for a second chance to show Aubrey around her property and to help her make the best decision. There are few twists and turns before they get to their HEA.
This is a sweet read.

Kaira Rouda has delivered a lovely warm story in The Billionaire's Bid, the fourth book in her Indigo Island series. While it is handy to have read the first three books in the series for context, this book stands alone nicely.
This is the story of former heavy drinking playboy turned hard-working businessman James Putnam and journalist Aubrey Templeton. Aubrey has inherited a tract of land on Indigo Island and a mountain of debt, while James is trying to prove his worth to the rest of the board at Putnam Industries by winning a logging contract from Aubrey. The chemistry sizzles between these two, though there are trust issues to be overcome, and there is the obligatory snake in the grass to create a few more hurdles for both James and Aubrey.
I liked the setting and the feel of this book though i felt there were too much intimate details in the sex scene. I don't see the need to spell out exactly what went on in the bedroom. Maybe I'm a prude, but for me that slightly spoiled what was otherwise a really enjoyable book. Apart from that tiny complaint, great book!

If you are looking for a fast paced, light read in a novella you have found the right book! This novella was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new to me author and I didn't realize when I requested the book that it was a novella and the 4th book of a series. I hate starting a series so far in...I know they always say it can be read as a stand along but I always feel that I have missed something. That the characters have experiences with or connecting to other characters that I just don't know about starting in at book 4.

Kaira Rouda has created a well written, quick moving story that contains unpredictable surprises, an intense look at the face of logging today and an in depth look into the environmental issues such as sustainable sources for wood. Not that she is preachy but really the forest is like an additional character in the book.

The story is told by both James and Aubrey's point of view so we get a much better look at their thought processes and that makes these characters much easier to relate to and care about. This is especially important in a novella where they have very few words that allow the reader to connect with each of them. Dirk is a fabulous bad guy you just have to loath him. He got my blood boiling and that is always a good sign that the character is well written.

I'm giving this story a 4 star rating and I will be looking into more writing by Miss Rouda, hopefully a full length book. If you follow this series you will love this novella, if this is a new to you author you may want to start at book 1 so you can fully enjoy the storyline and the characters.

In the Billionaires Bid we have Aubrey and James. Aubrey is trying to save her family's land but needs money to do it so she decides to sell logging rights for some of the trees on that land.

James is trying to prove to his father and the company that he can be CEO of the family logging company. His best shot is landing Aubrey's land.

There were a lot of ups and downs along with a lot of deceit by those they both trusted. In the end it was a great story and I loved the dynamic between the main characters.

Thanks Kaira for a great book!!

Fun and engaging. A great read on a lazy afternoon!