Passion Bay (Moon Island, Book 1) [Paperback]

Jennifer Fulton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Moon Island Series | Publication Date: April 14, 2004

Two women from different ends of the earth encounter destiny, and one another, on a South Pacific paradise. When Boston securities broker, Annabel Worth inherits remote Moon Island, she travels there to solve a mystery that has haunted her family. Dumped by her lover, laid off from her job, New Zealander Cody Stanton flees to the island seeking solace and solitude. Both women are burdened with secrets that could destroy the passion that ignites between them. When Hurricane Mary strikes, each must make a choice that will change her life forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fulton's is an original voice...a satisfying pleasure to read...subtle eroticism that heats up the page and the reader. -- Bay Area Reporter

Fulton's prose is engaging...the character's of Cody and Annabel are finely wrought. -- Lambda Book Report

Read it for the sweet juicy love scenes – some of the best in lesbian fiction. -- Curve Magazine

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Jennifer writes with a dry and expressive sense of humor... -- LN Reviews

From the Publisher

A runaway best-seller with seven reprints in its first edition, Passion Bay is now released in an updated and expanded second edition almost 25% longer than before. Book I in Fulton's unique Moon Island series, this classic light romance belongs on the shelves of every lesbian romance fan.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Yellow Rose Books (April 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932300252
• ISBN-13: 978-1932300253
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,021,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, But . . ., April 8, 2006

By 

P. Bigelow (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Passion Bay (Moon Island, Book 1) (Paperback)

The plot for this book is as described elsewhere. The author certainly has a real feel for her location. Her descriptions are vivid - so much so that you can feel the sticky heat and see the ocean curling in on the beach.

However, the author does not yet have as good a talent for character development. I never got a feel for the characters that I do in, say, a Gerri Hill novel. The characters come from vastly different backgrounds, but you never got the feeling that there would be conflict - certainly a computer geek and a commodities trader would have trouble communicating outside the bedroom upon occasion. Although the author told us there was a soul-level attraction between Cody and Annabel, the reader just never felt it.

It also seemed like the author rushed the ending - here we are in the middle of a life-threatening hurricane and on the next page there's sunshine, and every one is safely home. The tension of the storm could have been a real page turner of an ending for the author.

This author has real potential to be a first-class writer of lesbian fiction. And I will read book 2 in the Moon Island series, but won't read beyond that if the character development in the second book is as shallow as this.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Passion Bay" by Cheri Rosenberg, February 24, 2006

By 

Cheri Crystal (Eastern United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Passion Bay (Moon Island, Book 1) (Paperback)

"Passion Bay," a finely crafted romance by respected author Jennifer Fulton, takes place in a paradise modeled after the "unspoiled beauty of the South Pacific." Book One in the Moon Island Series, is a lovely romance about two women brought together by fate. Heiress Annabel Worth leaves her job as a securities trader in Boston after she inherits an island from her favorite aunt, Annie. Uncovering the secrets of her past is just one journey Annabel takes on when she relocates to the island; following her heart is another.

New Zealander, Cody Stanton has lost her job, her girlfriend, and possibly even her mind. Desperate to get away, Cody rents a house on Moon Island where she and Annabel fall for each other. Both Annabel and Cody harbor secrets that just might destroy any chance they have of maintaining a lasting relationship...but the attraction is far more than purely physical.

Before meeting and falling for Cody, Annabel had a tumultuous relationship and painful breakup with her girlfriend, Clare. "They had talked around their differences for three years until what was unsaid became louder than words" [p. 43]. This is one of many instances where Fulton says it all in one sentence. The author succinctly defines the relationship with clarity and depth. Annabel vowed never to let love in again, however, "There was an unconscious sensuality about Cody that Annabel found profoundly alluring. She seemed very straightforward and natural, devoid of the weary cynicism Annabel encountered in most women she met" [p. 42-3]. There's heat between the sheets, but will Annabel be able to maintain just a simple lustful encounter with Cody, or will love win out?

Annabel always had a tenuous relationship with her mother, who never embraced and fully accepted her sexuality, preferring to believe that Annabel had come to her senses when she broke up with Clare. Her family and friends reacted much differently, and were more supportive when she left her husband, then when she and Clare parted ways. "Annabel had experienced deeply the distress of her invalidation by society at large. She had felt like two people, one the hard-working, successful banker everyone accepted, the other a secretive misfit" [p. 50]. These two sentences speak volumes about what Annabel is thinking and feeling. Fulton successfully writes two stories in one. Secrets of Annabel's past are revealed as she discovers the truth through letters from her late aunt. Sharing the journey with Annabel is as compelling as the love story between the two complex women. Subplots keep the story moving along at lightening speed.

From the very first page, Fulton's distinctive humor is evident. "The trolleybus was late, of course. It would have caused needless shock and distress were it to arrive on time" [p. 1] is one example. Especially funny, Fulton describes Cody's best friend, Janet, appropriately, "Janet was the kind of friend everyone hoped for. She was loyal, fun, and always there. Lovers could come and go, but Janet still made the best guacamole in town" [p. 15]. How profoundly true about what's important in friendship! There are books that you read with a smile on your face and there are books that have you laughing out loud. "Passion Bay" had me doing both. Fulton's style and humor works well with the inner turmoil of the characters, the seriousness of what is going on with their budding relationship, and all the pitfalls of not being totally honest with each other from the very beginning. I am completely in awe of the skill of this author. One of my favorite quotes is the best pickup line I've heard in a while, "This is a once-only opportunity. We can lie here all night wondering what it would be like and worrying about whether we'll see tomorrow, or we can have some truly excellent sex. Your choice, honey" [p. 145].

Cody has a tough time dealing with her conscience. When she falls in love with Annabel, she knows in her heart that she must make things right in her own life before she can love another woman completely. Cody suffered a devastating breakup with her cheating girlfriend, which left her leery of ever falling in love again. Can she trust Annabel? Can she fix her past mistakes? Both women have many hurdles to get over, including some way beyond their control, like Hurricane Mary, before they can commit to one another. The journey is as compelling as it is memorable. You will think about Annabel and Cody long after you finish reading the book. Fulton has a wonderful way with words, tapping into the emotions that drive her characters actions and reactions. Fulton is known for her insight, competent characterization, and compelling storytelling.

"Passion Bay" has everything a reader could want and more. Delightful characters, inviting tropical scenery, intrigue and suspense, sizzling sex scenes, sharp realistic dialogue, a clever plot, and a few surprises thrown in for good measure. It is sexy, witty, engrossing, extremely well-written and meticulously edited. I give "Passion Bay" five stars and my highest praise. With seven reprints of the first edition, and now a second, revised and expanded "author's cut" edition, "Passion Bay" remains a favorite to be enjoyed over and over again. Don't miss it or anything penned by the highly acclaimed author, Jennifer Fulton.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and sensual, October 3, 2004

By 

wannabe married (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Passion Bay (Moon Island, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is a really original story that is also funny and hot. The characters are incredibly real and their romance is touching and passionate. It's hard to find a lesbian romance that is truly romantic and sensual, but which also has SIZZLE. Passion Bay gets it right first time.
Being an avid reader of romances, I have found many seem to be written according to a formula and some authors write the same book over and over. So it was a breath of fresh air to read a novel as unique as this one. The writing is intelligent and well crafted and the story doesn't take itself too seriously. This is one romance you won't regret buying!