Customer Reviews

Bliss

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BLISS by Fiona Zedde chronicles a few months of Bliss Sinclair's life as she fights through heartache, discovers herself and finds love. Bliss has a great job as an accountant with a major publishing house. She has a very attractive boyfriend and life seemingly could not be any better. However, for Bliss something is missing. She craves more, but she just doesn't have a clue to what it is. When Bliss thinks she has found the missing link, she finds herself in situations so carnal and taboo that she is unprepared when things come crashing down.

Bliss returns to her childhood home in Jamaica at the invitation of her father to lick her wounds and rediscover herself. Not only does she reconnect with her father, she finds out she has a sister who introduces her to Hunter Willoughby. Bliss is immediately drawn to Hunter; in fact, the sparks appear immediately. The couple takes their relationship slow, but there is no denying their chemistry. From their innocent sightseeing adventures, subtle brushes against one another and lingering looks, there is no way the two can stay away from each other. Yet, they must be prepared to deal with the conflicts involved in their unconventional relationship.

The novel is rich in texture due to the author's ability to bring the lushness, beauty and culture of the Jamaicans to life. Her breathtaking descriptions of the landscape, food, weather and the ocean are vivid and vibrant and help to make this novel standout with a Caribbean flair. Fiona Zedde has written an astonishing account of a woman who discovers who she really is and how beautiful finding true love can be. The story is fresh and well written. The plot is well structured. The characters were ones you could never forget because the author allows readers to connect with them on a very honest and emotional level. At the beginning, the sexual trysts were a bit too taboo and later the intimacy between the main characters was described explicitly; however that is just a portion of the novel. The real story is the discovery of true love by our main character. Readers will have to put their judgments aside and see love from a different point of view. If they are able to do so, they will find this story will resonate long after the novel is finished.

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Bliss Sinclair is in an unfulfilling relationship with her boyfriend - sexually and mentally. Then along comes Regina. There's just something about Regina that intrigues and stimulates Bliss. Before she knows it, she's sexually involved with Regina - a first for her. Regina unleashes in Bliss things she didn't even know existed. As Bliss' body climbs to new heights sexually, Regina quickly grounds her by announcing the end of their short lived involvement. Turned out and wide open, Bliss doesn't know what to do next with her new-found sexuality.

There's no place like home...

Bliss decides to return home to her native Jamaica to regroup. She hasn't been back there since the sudden death of her mother years prior. She returns to a land and family that has changed over the years. Originally planning to use the time to rejuvenate her soul, Bliss gets more than she bargained for as she discovers new things about her father, mother and herself.

Bliss is one woman's journey to self discovery. Reader beware, the sex in this book is WHOA. Silly me, in reading the synopsis initially, I didn't realize this book featured lesbian relationships. So I went on a new journey myself. Aside from an occasional threesome in other books, my experiences with female/female relationships is limited. Bliss expounds on a relationship beyond just sex. There were some times that the book appeared slow, but overall this was an enjoyable read. As E. Lynn Harris seems to have the male market on lock, if Fiona keeps this up, she'll soon have the female market.

3.5 stars

The tagline on Fiona Zedde's debut novel, Bliss, reads, "Every woman wants it." If "it" is based on the steamy scenes found within these pages, then Zedde ain't never lied.

Zedde's book is a tasty, colorful journey journey to a woman's sexual satisfaction. Bliss Sinclair, an uptight accountant, lives her life by the numbers. She has the boyfriend, the good-paying job, and a spacious apartment--the things some define as success. But no one knows that her relationship with Yuen isn't as great as it seems. And no one knows how she lays awake a night, suffering from bouts of insomnia.

What's missing in her life is passion: passion about her boyfriend, her job, her life.

That is until she meets Regina, an author who chronicles her sexual experiences through her books. They share a flirtation that leads to Sinclair dumping her boyfriend. Regina teaches Sinclair the pleasure of woman, and opens her up to a buffet of sexual indulgences Sinclair never thought she'd savor. Then as quickly as she came, Regina dumps Sinclair, telling her that a month is her limit with flings. Sinclair is heartbroken, believing that she had found the woman of her dreams, someone who had taken her to sexual heights she'd never climbed before.

To get away from the disaster she calls her love life, Sinclair takes her father up on an invitation to Jamaica. Days later, Sinclair returns home to the roots she abandoned after her mother was killed on the island. After her death, her grandmother took her to the States, and she never looked back. Now she's reintroduced to her homeland--and her father's new wife, a stepbrother, and a half-sister she never knew she had.

Lydia is the daughter her father illegitimately conceived, and the girlfriend of the woman Sinclair finds fascinating. Sinclair would never dream of taking her sister's lover, but Hunter is tantalizing with her perfect ebony skin, sleek body, sensuous lips, and long dreadlocks. Sinclair and Hunter become friends through Lydia, and share a connection.

Everything changes, though, when Lydia and Hunter decide to mutually separate. Soon Sinclair and Hunter slowly act on their growing attraction. It isn't long before their lust blossoms into deep affection. Despite her joy in finding Hunter, Sinclair is still scared--to fall in love and to leave love behind. She'll be returning to America soon, without Hunter. Or does she?

Bliss is a novel you'll want to read in one sitting. Zedde's writing is intensely stimulating, as she brilliantly captures the spirit of the island. And the sex scenes were detailed so vividly, you could envision every touch or stroke. You will root for Sinclair and Hunter, as you can tell they truly belong together. Zedde leaves nothing to the imagination, but with each page page, makes you wish for that "it."

Fiona Zedde has done it! She has crafted an astounding tale of love and self discovery in her paradise of a debut novel, BLISS. Truly, every woman wants it...though it be in the arms of a man or a woman. As for Sinclair, bliss enters her life in the arms of a woman, who is equally as breathtaking a character as Sinclair herself--warm, intelligent, witty, family and goal oriented, goddess gorgeous, strong, virtuous, and sensual. Together, they are the ingredients for a "forever love," and goodness knows, in Fiona Zedde's masterful voice, their tale will resonate in your mind long after the book has been closed.

Fiona Zedde has stirred a savory blend of words in the steamy, literary pot that is her laptop and served up hypnotic scenes worthy of writing workshops. Like other reviewers here, I was swept away with her descriptions of weather, people, places, emotions, and lovemaking. Even the two violent scenes yanked me up out of my comfort zone, and placed me there, battling to survive beside Sinclair and Hunter as they rolled with two young gay-bashing white men in the hills of Jamaica and exchanged fighting words in the altercation in the street with the young black Jamaicans. One could smell the fight, inhale the strength Lydia and the others exuded.

And if a writer ever wanted to sharpen her pen on an erotic story, all she would have to do is open BLISS and observe the many ways to describe the gift that is lovemaking. Congratulations, Fiona. Ms. Toni and several others here were on point to pronounce you a leading African-American writer. You have opened a long-shut door and danced out to sit upon the top shelf of gay and lesbian fiction. However, I'd like to drop labels, momentarily, and say, to me, you are a gifted writer who has taken her place amongst other evocative voices in contemporary American fiction.

Since I enjoyed reading all of the reviews here, I would be remiss not to address the reviews I felt warranted specific feedback. One reviewer commented on the number of gays in the novel and in Sinclair's family. It seemed a queue of straight characters went invisible, like Nikki, Victor, the Breckenridges, the black and white gay bashers, most of Hunter's family, Gram and Yuen, etc. To the heterosexual eye, a book with a cast of leading lesbian characters is perhaps strange, thus the comment. It is much like a lesbian reading a book with leading heterosexual characters, then commenting, "It's odd, but almost everyone in this novel is straight!" Next time, just enjoy what is.

And to the disappointed reviewer whose friend told her the book was about a woman's exploration and self discovery. Your friend didn't fabricate; the novel is about exploration and self discovery. Could your disagreement with the novel stem from Sinclair exploring the minefield of lesbianism and not making her way back to Yuen and the familiarity of heterosexuality?

A stunning performance, Fiona, and to my fellow readers and writers, "Let's keep doing our thing...whatever that might be!"

Cheers and hugs and love,
SIREN

As I read this book, I was overwhelmingly pleased as to how the author touched on the feelings and desires of Love. She is able to show the world that love can not be broken, changed or denied. When you love someone, your whole life changes and you just have to experience it as it happens. The main characters shared a bond that could not be broken - not by family, former friends or negative individuals in society. You MUST read Bliss if you want to see how Love can blossom despite all obstacles that are placed in your path.

I have read many other books regarding love and realtionships amoung the Gay and Lesbian population. However, I have never read a novel that has left me more proud of who I am. Fiona Zedde has tapped into expressing the love that is shared between two woman. I think she has taken the helm in the Gay/Lesbian genre of African-American authors.

I am anxiously awaiting the next novel by Fiona Zedde. I just hope that we can continue to experience BLISS with Hunter and Sinclair.

I picked up Bliss not knowing that the two main characters were gay black women. I was very pleased that the characters were comfortable with their sexuality. There was steamy sex and a plot that keeps you turning the page to find out what happens next.
I my couple of Bliss on to friends of mine and they just rave about it.

I have to admit, when I purchased the book, I had no idea it was a book about a woman in a 'this is going no where' relationship with her boyfriend, then one day discovers she is attracted to members of the same sex. I actually thought the author would take the main character, Bliss, through a period of trying to find herself, then eventually she would end back up with a man. Well, boy was I wrong.

I soon realized that if I can read any number of E. Lynn Harris' books, and love them all, then surely I can read a book depicting life on the other side.

The author gives you a detailed account of what it is like from one day to the next, dealing with other people's interpretation of how they think your life should be. Always trying to please, and spare others, all the while, depriving yourself. The book gives you an inside look at how life is for homosexuals, and how cruel society can be when they feel those specific lifestyles are wrong.

I soon found myself deep into the book, and oddly curious as for what would happen next. Dare I say, even turned on at different parts of the book!

Overall the book was an easy read, however, I would have thought the ending would have been a little different.

Valerie A. Withers
Author of 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S. & The Choices That We Make'

Fiona Zedde delivers the sexually erotic story of Bliss Sinclair, also known as Sinclair. Sinclair has what a lot of women dream of having - a wonderful and beautiful boyfriend, a stable career, and options of being whatever she wants to be in life. Sinclair soon finds out this dream is not hers. She falls for a beautiful writer, Regina, and leaves her boyfriend to venture into what she feels is something that has to be done. After a whirlwind romance, Sinclair is left feeling lonely, abandoned, and insecure.

Sinclair begins her healing process with a four week trip to her roots of Jamaica. After rekindling her relationship with a father that she hasn't seen in over twenty years and his new family - her much younger stepmother Nikki and her stepbrother Xavier, Sinclair also learns that she has a sister, Lydia, from an affair that her father had while he was with Sinclair's mother. Feeling as though she has embarked on yet another wave of turmoil, Sinclair meets Lydia's girlfriend Hunter. There is an attraction that each woman feels is mutual but because of the circumstances, they try to settle on just being friends. After what seems like a lifetime span only equals to days of Lydia and Hunter separating and opening the door for Sinclair and Hunter to see what their attraction will eventually lead to.

Fiona opens your mind and heart to the lesbian lifestyle showing not only the love that two women share with each other but also how modern day time still has a closed mind to anything other than heterosexual commitment. Fiona did an excellent literary job of capturing the love of both women; but for me skimming through the more erotic scenes kept me interested in reading from beginning to end.

Reviewed by: LaDonna

Bliss Sinclair appears to have it all. Beauty, successful career, and a boyfriend who adores her. Life is good but yet Sinclair feels "something" is missing......then she meets Regina--a woman with whom she shares an unexpected attraction. Surprised by how she feels with Regina, she breaks up with her boyfriend and embarks on a new and thrilling experience until Regina drops a bomb on her. A bomb that shatters Sinclair to the core. Unable to let go or concentrate on her work, she decides to take a vacation to Jamaica to visit her father and new, much younger stepmother. While in Jamaica, Sinclair discovers old family secrets and a sister that she didn't know she had. She also meets Hunter, a beautiful woman with whom she shares an immediate attraction with but Hunter is dating her sister Lydia. Lydia unable to deal with Hunter's past, breaks up with her clearing the path for Hunter and Sinclair.

Sinclair finds herself falling for Hunter and must ask herself, when it comes to love, happiness, and finding your soul-mate, does gender truly matter? Bliss is the kind of book that will have you thinking long after you put it down and it will open your eyes to the type of violence and prejudice these ladies must endure; you come away with an better understanding and hopefully an open mind. Kudos to Fiona Zedde for tackling a "taboo" subject that is not openly embraced with style and finesse. I give this book 4 stars. Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

I was given this book ny my mother, she thought she was picking up a totally different book, and after reading the back cover, decided it was not the book for her. At any rate, it was definitely the book for me. Bliss... A young woman drops her current beau, for a walk on the wild side with a mystery woman by the name of Regina... the story unfolds from there. I can't wait to read it again!!!