Customer Reviews

A Guarded Heart

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While this is the fourth book in the Moon Island Series, it is the first I have read, but it is definitely not the last. A Guarded Heart by Jennifer Fulton is splendid escapism. It has everything from romance and mystery to buried treasure and erotic love scenes.

Lauren Douglas is a TV soap opera star who is closeted mainly because her father is a Congressman. Lauren's TV contract is up for renewal, but before she can score a new contract, she is outed. The Dr Kate Show uses her "morals'' clause to put her on hiatus with the urging of her father who doesn't want his political future ruined. To make matters worse, a crazy fan that has been stalking Lauren, decides to shoot her, leaving her critically wounded

FBI Special Agent Pat Roussel was burned out with her job. After spending three years searching for a serial killer and getting nowhere, she decides to take a leave-of-absence. However, the idea of staying at home and not working at all loses its appeal after several weeks. Lauren's father offers Pat the job of guarding Lauren, but he wants them out of the country so the two head off to secluded Moon Island. As an FBI agent, Pat takes her responsibility of protecting her charge very seriously, but Lauren has other plans. This conflict leaves the two at odds, leading to much friction. But not all of the tension is unpleasant.

Fulton uses Lauren's and Pat's antagonism for each other skillfully, illustrating through thoughts and actions the different needs and wants of each character. The story builds on this, creating a journey for the two of them. It begins with each having stereotypical views of each other's profession and lifestyle. It progresses to the reluctant acceptance by Lauren of the intrusive nature of being guarded, while Pat is forced to relax her hard-line professionalism and allow her tenderness to surface.

Fulton displays her mastery of sexual tension. Lauren and Pat convince themselves that they are not attracted to each other, but the reader is treated to vivid sexual fantasies that invade their thoughts. It is these revealing thoughts that tell the real story. We, as the reader, are just wondering when the two protagonists will figure out what they want. The reader must wait, and this wait is excruciating. Fulton continually teases us throughout this story, but in the end the author knows what she needs to do and executes it brilliantly.

A Guarded Heart is a journey of growth and self-discovery for Pat and Lauren. One cannot help but root for them, and in so doing, we are totally absorbed in this delightful story.

Jennifer Fulton has very quickly risen near the top of my list of favorite Lesbian authors. She can easily compete with the likes of L.J. Mass, Radclyffe, and Blayne Cooper. I am amazed with each new book she publishes. The Moon Island series is one of the best I've ever read. Each book is full of fresh material and storylines, and the series refuses to get dull. Three cheers for this wonderful writter!

As usual, the setting is Moon Island -- owned by Annabel, Cody, and their daughter Briar. No men are allowed on the island due to an ancient curse, the island's most advanced technology is a short wave radio, and the only way to get there is by plane or boat. Fulton also brings back Chris, a character from Book 3, and introduces a new love interest for this lonely woman.

In Book 4, Lauren Douglas, a famous soap star and daughter of a Senator, is outed by her former girlfriend. Their breakup was immediate after Lauren found her in their shower with a man. Lauren's father hires Pat Roussel to be her bodyguard. Pat has recently had her own share of problems with a seemingly unsolvable case and is on long-term leave from the FBI. Pat's goal is to remain professional and keep Lauren safe, but their hearts get in the way.

On top of it all, there is a boat full of men looking for a lost treasure just off the coast of the island. If you read Book 3, you know why this is a problem (If you haven't, you should!).

Do youself a favor -- go grab a Mai Tai, a plate of fresh pineapple, and some shade then sit down and read this book. It's one you won't soon forget and you'll be craving the next in the series.

I can't believe I'm the first person to review this book! I'm a big fan of this author and read everything by her. Yet again, she's written a book that is completely different from the others in this fantastic series. A Guarded Heart is about two women you'd never think would fall in love - Pat, the tough but burnt out FBI agent who is haunted by a case she can't solve, and Lauren the spoiled princess whose life falls apart when she gets outed in the tabloids. Instead of making this the cookie cutter romance it could be, Ms. Fulton turns it into an amazing emotional journey with an unexpected twist at the end. You can really see her characters growing and changing as they fall in love and right up to the end I wondered how they were ever going to get together. There are so many great things about this author's books, but one of the best is the classy way she writes the sex scenes. Sexy, emotional, original, and none of the godawful cliches and language you get so often in romances. Another great thing is that she is not afraid to touch on global issues- in this book, it's the plight of women in Ethiopia. She's one of the only lesbian romance writers who ever does this, and she does it gently and without preaching. I like reading books that show some signs of conscience, as well as being light entertainment. A Guarded Heart is one of these and is excellent in every way. Ms. Fulton's writing style is so far above most of the authors in this area, it is almost laughable to make a comparison. One of my friends calls her the thinking lesbian's author and I agree! I bought a bunch of books recently and this, along with Radclyffe's book that I also reviewed, was by far the best.

I just discovered lesbian romances and I've been reading too many of them! However this one really stands out. A soap star gets outed and is being stalked by a nutty fan. Her dad hires a gorgeous butch bodyguard for her. Neither of them want to be stuck with the other, but at the same time they are hot for eachother. Lauren the star and Pat the FBI agent are very human characters who make some serious mistakes and almost have to pay for them by losing eachother. Their story is much more than just a romance. There's a gripping plot full of unexpected turns, the setting is very sensual and so is the erotic connection between the characters.
A Guarded Heart is witty and fast-paced, and also genuinely touching and satisfying. I recommend this book to anyone who wants all the enjoyment of a romance, but with wonderful writing and more emotional power than you find in most.

So far this is my favorite book in the incredible Moon Island series. I loved these two women, especially Pat, the FBI agent who's torn between her strong sense of duty and her equally strong passion for Lauren. I can see that this author also writes mystery novels because the mystery part of the story was extremely well done even though it was not the main plot of the book.
This author packs a lot of story into her pages and expertly sweeps the reader along without missing anything important. Her writing is stylish and humorous, and also packed with wonderful descriptions and observations. I couldn't put this book down. It's one of my best buys this year.

An important first note: This book is part of a Series, and should be read in sequence in order to fully understand and appreciate it. (This is book FOUR of the Moon Island Series)

I made the mistake of not checking into this, and I ended up reading it first, which left me wondering who several of the supporting cast were, and why they were being reintroduced. After I went back and read the first book ("Passion Bay") I was able to re-read "A Guarded Heart" with a much better understanding of the back-story, and now could enjoy catching up with The Island's owners, and seeing how their lives have progressed. I am very glad I took the time to give the story a second chance.

But I digress. The main focus of this book is on the two principles:
~Lauren Douglas, the somewhat jaded young closeted actress, who's promising career has been derailed by a combination of her cheating ex "outing" her, and a deranged fan/stalker brutally putting two bullets in her body, and;
~Pat Roussel, a burnt-out FBI agent on extended leave from a torturous extended serial killer case that had taken the lives of six little beauty pageant contestants, which has consumed her private life, and driven Pat to despair.

These two women's lives collide when Lauren's rich politician father hires Pat to drag the reluctant and petulant Lauren off to Moon Island and guard her during her convalescence. Well, `Passion Bay' has lost none of its subtle magic, (much to Pat's consternation) and events force Pat to ask: Is Lauren's newfound interested in her unwanted bodyguard love... or childish infatuation? And will Pat discard her professional ethics and give in to the almost-forgotten temptation of another woman's affection?

Oh, before you roll your eyes, let me assure you this does ~not~ wind up a cliché, with them leaving the islands hand in hand "happily ever after", and that that fact in itself makes this book, like so many of Jennifer Fulton's books, unique. The author continually finds new and fresh ideas, and/or turns the stereotypical story on its ear, and makes the reader sit up and take notice. These characters are realistic, and have all the flaws and failings that real people have, so happy endings don't just fall in their laps. Love takes work and dedication, and we all make mistakes along the way.

I admit, I have had one ~reoccurring problem~ with this author... "The Rushed Ending." I am very pleased to say this book delivers the properly extended and detailed finish that the cast of this story deserves. I am happy to see Ms. Fulton has addressed this past difficulty and has overcome it. Bravo!

I've been enjoying the Moon Series.

Fulton's novels are refeshing and a new spin on each of them, even though the main characters (Cody and Annabel) remain the same.

A novel to take you mind off your troubles. Take this one to the beach with you.