Customer Reviews

Heart's Passage

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this is a story about an Australian yacht skipper, Jo, who has a dark and violent past, and an American tourist, Cadie, who is in the middle of an almost abusive relationship

it's set in the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia ... it's got romance, a bit of adventure, mystery and a lot of humor

the characters are well-drawn, the pace is just right, and the settings are different and interesting ... this is the author's first novel, according to the blurb, and i can't wait to see what else she writes ...

This is a true Uber-Xena book. Jo is tall with raven hair, deep blue eyes, and a violent past. Cadie is petite with blond hair, beautiful green eyes, and a sheltered past.

They meet when Cadie's long-time lover, a Senator named Naomi who reminds this reader of Callisto, schedules a vacation with friends to the Whitsunday Islands in Australia. It is love at first sight, but Jo doesn't think Cadie can live with her past and Cadie has to deal with loose ends in her current relationship before they can act on their feelings.

This is a long book, but I couldn't put it down. Yes, there are a few obvious plot twists. Yes, there are many uber moments. But... there isn't a boring sentence in this book. The characters are easy to love or hate. The situations are original. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in this genre and can't wait for Cate Swannell to publish again.

Heart's Passage is an excellent read by a promising new author. Swannell is Australian and it shows, with a skilfully drawn picture of the Great Barrier Reef and the women who fall in love there. I loved the realistic dialogue between the two main characters. There's also a lovely vein of humor through the piece and it's sexy. The author treads a fine line between erotica and romance, and manages to keep it on the tingly side of sensual ... A terrific read and I can't wait for the sequel.

Because I am in a very conservative country, I don't get to read a lot of lesbian fictions. I finally bought my first lesbian fiction from Amazon and once I started reading this book, I simply refused to put it down.

I love the way that Swannell potrays both her main characters, Jo and Cadie. While, I find the names she chose for them (Jossandra and Arcadia) somewhat cheesy I like almost everything else about it. She potrays a very very good image of the country I learnt to love so much, and you could almost hear Jo's accent while reading this book.

One of the best aspects of this fiction was the way Swannell stacattoed witty remarks everywhere. I couldn't help laughing out loud at some of the comments she make.. and the way she beautify the simple language of English totally massaged my linguistic nature. Thank you Swannell for writing such a delightful book :) I would definitely buy more books by the same author from now on.

Jo Madison, skipper of a pleasure cruiser in the Whitsunday Islands of Australia, is a woman hiding in plain sight. She has a shady and violent past, but for several years she has put it behind her and settled into a peaceful life. When she is assigned to captain a cruise for a lesbian U.S. senator and her entourage, she meets Cadie Jones, the mercurial senator's girlfriend. Jo and Cadie feel an immediate connection and become fast friends, but all isn't well for long. The senator is not who she presents herself to be, but then again, neither is Jo. When Jo's former associates come after her, everyone is in danger, and whom can Jo trust?

This romantic triangle, the political intrigue, and the Great Barrier Reef setting add up to a rollicking fun read. Debut novelist Swannell manages to make Cadie's voice sound American, while somehow, Jo's has the Aussie inflection. There are some twists and turns to the plot, not all of which can be predicted, and the villains are appropriately villainous while the heroines are winsome and plucky. A satisfying read which I heartily recommend. -Lori L. Lake, author Have Gun We'll Travel and the Gun Series

Excellent first novel (and the sequel is even more accomplished with some lovely writing) set mostly at sea on a tour ship captained by a tall, dark woman with a deadly past which comes back to haunt her and threaten her growing relationship with an out lesbian US Republican (!) senator's partner, no less. Great humor, suspense, and pride of place, makes you want to visit downunder.

This is a fabulous book! Right up there with Radclyffe. Great story! You won't be able to put it down. I can't wait to read the sequel.

Fast paced and tightly written.

The hero, Jo, is one of the most entertaining and well defined action heroes I have read. I could read 30 novels with her as the main character.

The scenery and location are vividly written.

The romance is lovely and warm.

Don't miss the sequel 'No Ocean Deep' that picks up 3 weeks later.

Jo is the skipper of the SeaWolf. Cadie and her partner's friends spend their vacation with Jo and crew. Cadie and Jo have a special deja vu going on and their hearts and minds are one. But beware of the witch...oh I mean senator Naomi (Cadie's partner).

Between booze, drugs, mobsters, the action doesn't stop. The end is sweet!

Jo Madison is a yacht skipper who squires tourists around the Great Barrier Reef area in Australia. Jo has a violent past that she has walked away from - almost. Her latest group of guests are a US Senator and her entourage. There is an immediate attraction between the skipper and one of her clients.

Cate Swannell has written a first-rate story. She slowly builds the attraction between the skipper and her client. She has the environment be a strong character in her story so much so that you feel the heat of summer in Australia. She has characters that you love and characters that you love to hate. You find yourself cheering for the couple, and when Jo's past shows up literally on her doorstep, you turn the pages so rapidly it creates a breeze.

If you like your stories to slowly unfold, your characters strong, your setting stunning, then this is the book for you.