Customer Reviews

Passion Bay (Moon Island, Book 1)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

"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.

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!

Annabel, and Cody were easy to imagine and seemed to come to life from the pages. The story was well developed and their was real development of the relationship that let you believe they were falling in love. I am glad to know that I will meet these two who are old friends to me now, in Saving Grace. Thanks Jennifer and can we have another!

The classic recipe for success is two women from different backgrounds finding each other under difficult circumstances. That's what you'll find in this book. On top of that, you'll find steamy scenes, insecurity, fear of trust, and a sense of familiarity. This book was much more enjoyable than "Greener Than Grass" and I read it in one night.

A wonderful story that captures your imagination.While reading,you will invision the beauty of Passion Bay..As well as the people and their personas..Your hearts will rise and fall with each chapter,as you ache for more...I loved it!! Looked forward to the next books that followed,I was impressed but not surprised that they gripped ME,just as much as Passion Bay did!!

I have just recently "discovered" the Moon Island Series. I enjoyed this book almost in it's entirety. I say almost because, first the character development was a little weak. Second, I was enjoying it until the moment
when Annabel simply jumps into bed with Rose. The joke didn't escape me, I assure you. She jumped in the sack with Rose Beecham...funny, Jennifer.
The only problem I found with that is that it cheapened Annabel's persona a bit. Guess old habits are hard to break. She couldn't help but revert to her old self. Pity, because while the author "painted" Cody as a level headed person that confronted her feelings head on and with hope for a future; Annabel had to jump in bed with a stranger one more time before
facing her own feelings and while she's doing that she forgot all about Cody and how she was going out of her way to keep Annabel's guests safe and even went as far as trying to clear the landing path so that Annabel could have a safe landing. Isn't love grand?

If you are a picky romance reader like I am, and don't just give five stars to anything written by a lesbian, try this book. It's good to read a romance that is funny and very well-written and which also has steamy love scenes that are not full of cliches. This story is set in an exotic location so well described by the author that you can almost smell the flowers. Annabel and Cody are truly memorable characters. From the moment they meet there is heat between them that keeps you turning pages. There are hills and valleys on the path to true love. Annabel has to find out why her past has been shrouded in secrecy by her family and get to the bottom of her Aunt's mysterious will. Cody must stop running away from her life and face up to some things before she can let Annabel in. This is not just a romance, it's also an adventure story with some hilarious moments and colorful minor characters. The story finishes with a big climax and an unexpected twist when a hurricane hits Moon Island. I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Passion Bay sizzles with love, romance, sex.

It also has mystery and intrigue.

Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.

This is my first Jennifer Fulton book, and then came the rest. Jennifer is an Author that writes enchanting diverse stories that do not allow the reader to put the book(s) aside for very long. Her characters become people you know. And in some cases people you love. She can't write fast enough for me.