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Windfall Island #1
Temptation Bay
Anna Sullivan brings us the first book in her witty new contemporary romance series set off the coast of Maine.
TEMPTATION NEVER TASTED SO SWEET . . .
Maggie Solomon has always been one of Windfall Island's favorite daughters. A beautiful, passionate charter pilot who loves this remote Maine island, Maggie has never cared much for outsiders-until her latest passenger arouses the curiosity of the town . . . and something hot and irresistible in Maggie. With his long, lean looks and razor-sharp wit, the man is temptation itself.
Cop-turned-PI Dexter Keegan is on a covert mission to solve the case that will make his career: uncovering the identity of the Stanhope heir, kidnapped nearly a century ago. No one on this fiercely protective island can know what he's doing, not even the spirited, blue-eyed beauty who infuriates-and excites-Dex. As the desire between them ignites, Maggie becomes the key to the case . . . and the target of an unknown enemy. Now Dex will do anything to protect the woman he's come to love-even risk his own life.
TEMPTATION NEVER TASTED SO SWEET . . .
Maggie Solomon has always been one of Windfall Island's favorite daughters. A beautiful, passionate charter pilot who loves this remote Maine island, Maggie has never cared much for outsiders-until her latest passenger arouses the curiosity of the town . . . and something hot and irresistible in Maggie. With his long, lean looks and razor-sharp wit, the man is temptation itself.
Cop-turned-PI Dexter Keegan is on a covert mission to solve the case that will make his career: uncovering the identity of the Stanhope heir, kidnapped nearly a century ago. No one on this fiercely protective island can know what he's doing, not even the spirited, blue-eyed beauty who infuriates-and excites-Dex. As the desire between them ignites, Maggie becomes the key to the case . . . and the target of an unknown enemy. Now Dex will do anything to protect the woman he's come to love-even risk his own life.
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First published January 1, 2013
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June 29, 2020
I had this story on my NetGalley for a while. I decided it was time to read it.
I thought the beginning of the story had an interesting setting. The prologue opens during the time of prohibition almost a century ago. A dark night, men transporting alcohol illegally, a ship, and a baby.
In the present, we meet the heroine of the story. Maggie Solomon. She is a charter pilot who's picking up her next client. She is flying him to Windfall Island, Maine. Maggie is great at her job and everyone knows it. She has loyal friends. She is treated like she was born on the island. She is part of the "team" and will keep as many secrets as she can.
Dexter Keegan is a PI. He used to be a cop but he decided to change his line of work. Recently, he has been offered a cold case that can make his career. Dex has been paid to discover the real events surrounding the kidnapping of one of the heirs of the Stanhope family. What he was not expecting was to be stonewall by the islanders. Everyone is tightlipped about it.
Sparks fly between Maggie and Dex from the moment they meet. However, they have their own reasons to try to keep the attraction in check without putting their lives at risk. Dex believes someone might not be too happy if he is successful in finding the descendants of the heir living on the island.
I liked the story but didn't love it. Maggie was hard to like. She gave Dex such a hard time. Then, she gave me whiplash when she did a 180- degree change in regards to her feelings. On the other hand, Dex was easy to like although he behaved out of character in a certain situation.
What I like the most about Temptation Bay was the mystery of the child's disappearance and who could be the actual descendant. I might read the next one.
3/5 Fangs
Cliffhanger: No
A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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September 12, 2013
This was an ARC acquired through Netgalley.
The book is an extremely strong showing for a new author. Though fictional, the setting feels real enough that I had no trouble picturing the island of Windfall and its inhabitants—both shaped by the cold North Atlantic location. The characters are strongly evocative, with a good balance of the unique and the universal to make the reader feel that they know people just like this (even though you might wish you didn't).
I rather enjoyed the romance, too, though not without some hesitation. Maggie Solomon is difficult to like, even knowing the reasons for her abrasive personality. Having a manipulative jerkwad for a father, even one who uses your love overtly to manipulate you, only buys you so much slack. It doesn't help that Dex is so very adorable (if occasionally tragically stupid). Sparks fly, of course, and things heat up in marvelous ways. Still, there were a couple points where the friction seemed like a bit much (from both of them, really).
The plot holding the action together was interesting, though a little thin, in the end. This isn't helped by the resolution being put off until a later book. It isn't a cliffhanger or anything so foul, and I liked the way things wrapped up, here. But I can't help feeling like the whole lost heiress plotline has been ridden about as far as it can go without tipping over. In the end, while I find the mystery intriguing, I have to admit I'm just not that invested in finding the answer. I'm looking forward to the next book, mind, but that's because I like Jessi and Hold and it looks like they're next.
Which shows that for however rocky the story was, I liked the characters and can't wait to return. It was a good romance and I ended up liking the two main characters a great deal (even if it took me a while to get there). It's a solid 3.5 and I'm thinking I'll round that up to 4 for a new author and in acknowledgement of being anxious for the next book.
A note about Steamy: This one is upper-middle range on my steam tolerance. Three and a half (two blend together with a mild interruption between) explicit sex scenes of short to moderate length. They were very well done, though, and appreciated.
The book is an extremely strong showing for a new author. Though fictional, the setting feels real enough that I had no trouble picturing the island of Windfall and its inhabitants—both shaped by the cold North Atlantic location. The characters are strongly evocative, with a good balance of the unique and the universal to make the reader feel that they know people just like this (even though you might wish you didn't).
I rather enjoyed the romance, too, though not without some hesitation. Maggie Solomon is difficult to like, even knowing the reasons for her abrasive personality. Having a manipulative jerkwad for a father, even one who uses your love overtly to manipulate you, only buys you so much slack. It doesn't help that Dex is so very adorable (if occasionally tragically stupid). Sparks fly, of course, and things heat up in marvelous ways. Still, there were a couple points where the friction seemed like a bit much (from both of them, really).
The plot holding the action together was interesting, though a little thin, in the end. This isn't helped by the resolution being put off until a later book. It isn't a cliffhanger or anything so foul, and I liked the way things wrapped up, here. But I can't help feeling like the whole lost heiress plotline has been ridden about as far as it can go without tipping over. In the end, while I find the mystery intriguing, I have to admit I'm just not that invested in finding the answer. I'm looking forward to the next book, mind, but that's because I like Jessi and Hold and it looks like they're next.
Which shows that for however rocky the story was, I liked the characters and can't wait to return. It was a good romance and I ended up liking the two main characters a great deal (even if it took me a while to get there). It's a solid 3.5 and I'm thinking I'll round that up to 4 for a new author and in acknowledgement of being anxious for the next book.
A note about Steamy: This one is upper-middle range on my steam tolerance. Three and a half (two blend together with a mild interruption between) explicit sex scenes of short to moderate length. They were very well done, though, and appreciated.
October 20, 2013
The set up
Maggie Solomon is a charter pilot living in Windfall Island, Maine. Her life changes the moment she picks up her latest client to transport him to the island from nearby Portland. Dexter (Dex) Keegan, a Boston-based private investigator, is posing as a lawyer in order to investigate the possible ancestors of a baby abducted over 80 years ago. They stand to be entitled to a family fortune. Maggie and Dex have an immediate chemistry but she's highly resistant.
The issues
The island has a history of bootlegging during Prohibition and salvaging, creating a culture where its residents are tight lipped and distrustful of outsiders. Dex has his work cut out for him as no one will open up to him and he can't be forthright about what he's up to. He has to rely on Maggie for help and it's an uphill battle. Their sparring is constant, with relentless back and forth banter as they battle for control in the relationship and denial of their obvious attraction.
What I liked
The story is very well written, with an intriguing mystery underlying the romance. It is an extremely interesting premise that was mystifying. The style of language seemed authentic to northeast islanders and the descriptions created vivid images in my mind of the setting and lifestyle. Dex and Maggie are also well developed characters as you get a very good sense of who they are that is highly consistent with how they behave and react to each other. Their steamy moments are hot and passionate, connecting them when conversation failed. When Maggie's walls were lowered, their romance worked.
Where I disconnected
Maggie has a troubled family history that's left her wary, caustic and relationship phobic. Dex is constantly trying to push in and she's got walls that rival Ft. Knox. Their banter was initially clever and entertaining but it went too far and too long. It bogged the story down and I struggled to hang in there with the abrasive Maggie, to the point where it was hard to see what Dex found appealing about her. The first half of the book focused too much on these silly conflicts when the real story was so much more interesting, fighting to rise above dialogue I found tiring. The second half moved at a much better pace when the emphasis was on the mystery and a more adult relationship, saving the story in my opinion.
The bottom line
Despite my issues with the first half of the book and Maggie, the second half really captured my interest. This would have easily been a 4 or 5 star rated book if those issues I outlined could have been limited to only a third of the story. I have to reemphasize the quality of the writing, however, as it's skillful in all other aspects. The mystery isn't completely resolved but the ending is by no means a cliffhanger. I definitely plan to read the next book in the series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Maggie Solomon is a charter pilot living in Windfall Island, Maine. Her life changes the moment she picks up her latest client to transport him to the island from nearby Portland. Dexter (Dex) Keegan, a Boston-based private investigator, is posing as a lawyer in order to investigate the possible ancestors of a baby abducted over 80 years ago. They stand to be entitled to a family fortune. Maggie and Dex have an immediate chemistry but she's highly resistant.
The issues
The island has a history of bootlegging during Prohibition and salvaging, creating a culture where its residents are tight lipped and distrustful of outsiders. Dex has his work cut out for him as no one will open up to him and he can't be forthright about what he's up to. He has to rely on Maggie for help and it's an uphill battle. Their sparring is constant, with relentless back and forth banter as they battle for control in the relationship and denial of their obvious attraction.
What I liked
The story is very well written, with an intriguing mystery underlying the romance. It is an extremely interesting premise that was mystifying. The style of language seemed authentic to northeast islanders and the descriptions created vivid images in my mind of the setting and lifestyle. Dex and Maggie are also well developed characters as you get a very good sense of who they are that is highly consistent with how they behave and react to each other. Their steamy moments are hot and passionate, connecting them when conversation failed. When Maggie's walls were lowered, their romance worked.
Where I disconnected
Maggie has a troubled family history that's left her wary, caustic and relationship phobic. Dex is constantly trying to push in and she's got walls that rival Ft. Knox. Their banter was initially clever and entertaining but it went too far and too long. It bogged the story down and I struggled to hang in there with the abrasive Maggie, to the point where it was hard to see what Dex found appealing about her. The first half of the book focused too much on these silly conflicts when the real story was so much more interesting, fighting to rise above dialogue I found tiring. The second half moved at a much better pace when the emphasis was on the mystery and a more adult relationship, saving the story in my opinion.
The bottom line
Despite my issues with the first half of the book and Maggie, the second half really captured my interest. This would have easily been a 4 or 5 star rated book if those issues I outlined could have been limited to only a third of the story. I have to reemphasize the quality of the writing, however, as it's skillful in all other aspects. The mystery isn't completely resolved but the ending is by no means a cliffhanger. I definitely plan to read the next book in the series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
October 29, 2013
Take one sexy hunk, working undercover to solve a mysterious kidnapping that took place almost a century before, bring him to the close-knit community of Windfall Island and kick in one beautiful, hard-headed and independent local favorite and watch the fur fly! Maggie is distrustful of outsiders, protective of her island and her attraction to Dex is something she is determined to fight. Meanwhile, every woman on the island wants Dex’s attentions, but there is just something about Maggie that draws him in. When she becomes a key to solving the mystery and her life is in danger, Dex will stop at nothing to protect her. Too bad they seem to mix like oil and water. Can they set aside their prickliness long enough to 1)solve the mystery or 2) just admit their feelings and go with it?
Temptation Bay by Anna Sullivan is pure entertainment, from the classic bantering between the two main characters to the quaint “small town” attitude of the island’s residents. This isn’t a soft and cuddly romance, but it is steamy and often the chemistry is off the charts! If you enjoy when the hero has an uphill battle with most of the characters, and amazing one-liners, you’ll find that you won’t even mind of the mystery isn’t completely solved!
I received a review copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing)in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1455525355
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Mystery
Page Count: 384
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Temptation Bay by Anna Sullivan is pure entertainment, from the classic bantering between the two main characters to the quaint “small town” attitude of the island’s residents. This isn’t a soft and cuddly romance, but it is steamy and often the chemistry is off the charts! If you enjoy when the hero has an uphill battle with most of the characters, and amazing one-liners, you’ll find that you won’t even mind of the mystery isn’t completely solved!
I received a review copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing)in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1455525355
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Mystery
Page Count: 384
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
February 16, 2014
2/5
Je ne suis jamais vraiment rentrée dans l’histoire. L’agressivité immédiate et mutuelle entre Maggie et Dex dure trop longtemps et ça m’a agacée, et j’ai du mal à comprendre comment ils en arrivent à s’aimer. L’intrigue est mal exploitée et se continue dans le livre suivant.
Avis complet
Je ne suis jamais vraiment rentrée dans l’histoire. L’agressivité immédiate et mutuelle entre Maggie et Dex dure trop longtemps et ça m’a agacée, et j’ai du mal à comprendre comment ils en arrivent à s’aimer. L’intrigue est mal exploitée et se continue dans le livre suivant.
Avis complet
October 11, 2014
Reviewed by Allison
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This book has several things going for it: It’s set on an island in Maine (which I love), the author has created very strong characters, and I liken the story as having a “Nora Roberts-esque” voice. I LOVED this book, and I’m dying because the next book in the series is not out until next March!
Maggie Solomon has lived on Windfall Island since her teen years, when her overbearing Navy officer father banished her and her mother there because Maggie wouldn’t fall in line with his orders. She has an ordered life, one she loves, where she runs the local airport, flies charters on her airplane and helicopter, and is fiercely protective of the islanders.
Maggie’s orderly life is thrown a curve when she flies in “lawyer” (but really a PI), Dex Keegan. He’s very closemouthed about what he’s doing on this tiny island, and won’t tell her anything until, in frustration, he has to take her into his confidence to get her help. He’s trying to find descendants of a baby kidnapped during prohibition, and that person is going to end up very rich. But he can’t ask questions outright because he’ll either have a flock of pretenders descend on him, or it could mean death – for him or the not-so-lucky Stanhope heir.
And sure enough, someone is out to stop Maggie and Dex from finding the truth. But what no one foresees, least of all Maggie and Dex, is that these two are drawn to each other. Yes, they drive each other to distraction, contention, and arguments, but there’s a bone-deep passion between them.
Anna Sullivan, the author, has a great voice. She pulled me into the story from the first paragraph, and wouldn’t let me go until I finished the book. She has created very strong characters – people you want to get to know in real life. They are strong, quirky, and talk like real people. The dialog is excellent – Maggie’s snarkiness comes to life!
The story is told from two main POV characters – Maggie and Dex. But a few times there are other minor characters telling the story. I believe the author has set it up this way as they will become the main characters in subsequent books.
Besides a great love story, there’s a compelling mystery. WHO is the Stanhope heir? While one mystery is solved in this book, that compelling question is not (aargh!).
The author also writes incredible love scenes – it is at those times that her “Nora Roberts-esque” voice shines. The love scenes are far more than insert A into slot B. They are written with heat, passion, and most of all EMOTION. As an aspiring author myself, I know how difficult that can be, and this author has a gift for love scenes.
So to summarize – GO! Now! Read this book! You won’t regret it.
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This book has several things going for it: It’s set on an island in Maine (which I love), the author has created very strong characters, and I liken the story as having a “Nora Roberts-esque” voice. I LOVED this book, and I’m dying because the next book in the series is not out until next March!
Maggie Solomon has lived on Windfall Island since her teen years, when her overbearing Navy officer father banished her and her mother there because Maggie wouldn’t fall in line with his orders. She has an ordered life, one she loves, where she runs the local airport, flies charters on her airplane and helicopter, and is fiercely protective of the islanders.
Maggie’s orderly life is thrown a curve when she flies in “lawyer” (but really a PI), Dex Keegan. He’s very closemouthed about what he’s doing on this tiny island, and won’t tell her anything until, in frustration, he has to take her into his confidence to get her help. He’s trying to find descendants of a baby kidnapped during prohibition, and that person is going to end up very rich. But he can’t ask questions outright because he’ll either have a flock of pretenders descend on him, or it could mean death – for him or the not-so-lucky Stanhope heir.
And sure enough, someone is out to stop Maggie and Dex from finding the truth. But what no one foresees, least of all Maggie and Dex, is that these two are drawn to each other. Yes, they drive each other to distraction, contention, and arguments, but there’s a bone-deep passion between them.
Anna Sullivan, the author, has a great voice. She pulled me into the story from the first paragraph, and wouldn’t let me go until I finished the book. She has created very strong characters – people you want to get to know in real life. They are strong, quirky, and talk like real people. The dialog is excellent – Maggie’s snarkiness comes to life!
The story is told from two main POV characters – Maggie and Dex. But a few times there are other minor characters telling the story. I believe the author has set it up this way as they will become the main characters in subsequent books.
Besides a great love story, there’s a compelling mystery. WHO is the Stanhope heir? While one mystery is solved in this book, that compelling question is not (aargh!).
The author also writes incredible love scenes – it is at those times that her “Nora Roberts-esque” voice shines. The love scenes are far more than insert A into slot B. They are written with heat, passion, and most of all EMOTION. As an aspiring author myself, I know how difficult that can be, and this author has a gift for love scenes.
So to summarize – GO! Now! Read this book! You won’t regret it.
September 23, 2013
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I didn’t know Anna Sullivan before NetGalley suggested her first book to me (and the first installment in a series whose second is scheduled for next year). Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres, but in spite of certain qualities I was never really pulled into the story.
Maggie is the owner and pilot of the air transport company of Windfall Island. Her father, high-ranking military man, always reproached her for being a mere girl, and she’s retained a deep distrust of men. That can be understood. Dex is an ex-soldier became cop became PI, who lands on the island to try and solve the mystery of the disappearance during the Prohibition of a baby heir of a big and wealthy family. For the needs of the investigation, he lies about why he is on the island, and the heroine will not be pleased when she learns about his lies.
My main problem with this book is that I had trouble connecting with Maggie and Dex. From the start they are at each other throats, they are really aggressive one towards the other, and after a while I was irritated by them both. And I didn’t understand how they could go from all this mutual animosity (leading sometimes to disproportionate reactions) to love when they don’t even seem to like each other the slightest bit. And even the first sex scenes didn’t touch me as they were rather I hate you-I jump your bones-I hate you still.
There are after all not so many characters in spite of this enclosed space, and the small town atmosphere isn’t really used, except for the fact that everybody knows everybody. The two most present secondary characters will logically be the heroes of the next book (on the other side the other characters left are really old or already married or suspicious-looking).
I thought the pace was quite slow, and the plot was not used to its potential. We dwell to long on trifles and arguments and the story doesn’t move. It was probably done to have the reader focus on the couple, but that didn’t work for me as they were rather unpleasant. However the author was able to confuse me about a secondary character with several status change: villain, not villain, villain again. Answer in the next book…
As it’s a series, the mystery of the disappeared baby goes on in the following book. Unfortunately the publisher put the beginning of it to tempt us, and the prologue is in fact the rest of the prologue of Temptation Bay, and it lifts the veil on this affair (or at the very least gives a solution that’s enough for me). So I’ll stop there for this series.
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I didn’t know Anna Sullivan before NetGalley suggested her first book to me (and the first installment in a series whose second is scheduled for next year). Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres, but in spite of certain qualities I was never really pulled into the story.
Maggie is the owner and pilot of the air transport company of Windfall Island. Her father, high-ranking military man, always reproached her for being a mere girl, and she’s retained a deep distrust of men. That can be understood. Dex is an ex-soldier became cop became PI, who lands on the island to try and solve the mystery of the disappearance during the Prohibition of a baby heir of a big and wealthy family. For the needs of the investigation, he lies about why he is on the island, and the heroine will not be pleased when she learns about his lies.
My main problem with this book is that I had trouble connecting with Maggie and Dex. From the start they are at each other throats, they are really aggressive one towards the other, and after a while I was irritated by them both. And I didn’t understand how they could go from all this mutual animosity (leading sometimes to disproportionate reactions) to love when they don’t even seem to like each other the slightest bit. And even the first sex scenes didn’t touch me as they were rather I hate you-I jump your bones-I hate you still.
There are after all not so many characters in spite of this enclosed space, and the small town atmosphere isn’t really used, except for the fact that everybody knows everybody. The two most present secondary characters will logically be the heroes of the next book (on the other side the other characters left are really old or already married or suspicious-looking).
I thought the pace was quite slow, and the plot was not used to its potential. We dwell to long on trifles and arguments and the story doesn’t move. It was probably done to have the reader focus on the couple, but that didn’t work for me as they were rather unpleasant. However the author was able to confuse me about a secondary character with several status change: villain, not villain, villain again. Answer in the next book…
As it’s a series, the mystery of the disappeared baby goes on in the following book. Unfortunately the publisher put the beginning of it to tempt us, and the prologue is in fact the rest of the prologue of Temptation Bay, and it lifts the veil on this affair (or at the very least gives a solution that’s enough for me). So I’ll stop there for this series.
September 12, 2013
Wow. I am TOTALLY sucked into this story and SUPER BUMMED that I didn't realize it's the first in the series and not a stand alone at that. Now I can't WAIT for Ms. Sullivan to finish writing the series!
I love a good romance and I love it even more when there's a crime/mystery intertwined in the story that the leading couple is working to figure out. Temptation Bay had everything my heart could desire in a good story and then some.
Dex is a private investigator who comes to Windfall Island to investigate a cold case kidnapping from the days of Prohibition. Maggie owns the island's airport and the small fleet of aircraft used to ferry tourists and islanders to and from the mainland. They meet when she brings Dex to the island. It doesn't take long for them to cozy up to each other and for Dex to enlist Maggie's help in solving his case. The only problem is there is a lot of money involved since the missing child was the daughter of one of America's wealthiest families and if she survived the kidnapping, her heir(s) stand to inherit a substantial amount of money. And when money is involved, especially this level of money, greed inevitably takes over and some people don't want the case solved and any potential heirs located.
Dex used to be Army Special Forces which means he's an alpha, he's fiercely protective, and sex as sin with a killer body... Maggie is gorgeous, of course, and she's tough as nails since she didn't have the most loving upbringing but that also makes her VERY guarded when it comes to her emotions.
I absolutely LOVED Dex and Maggie, both as individual characters and as a couple. They send each other constant (and hilarious) sarcastic jabs, making me thoroughly enjoy their banter. I also loved the supporting characters, Jessi and Holden, and I can't WAIT for them to get together in the next book as the story continues (and hopefully concludes since I NEED a resolution to the kidnapping and heir mystery.
There were plot twists and at least one "oh shit" moment that threw me for a loop. I felt like the story was well written and had a great flow. The book was obviously edited which is ALWAYS a bonus for me (very minimal errors, if any, that I found)! Overall, this was a REALLY good book that I will add to my list of books to reread.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good romance and I love it even more when there's a crime/mystery intertwined in the story that the leading couple is working to figure out. Temptation Bay had everything my heart could desire in a good story and then some.
Dex is a private investigator who comes to Windfall Island to investigate a cold case kidnapping from the days of Prohibition. Maggie owns the island's airport and the small fleet of aircraft used to ferry tourists and islanders to and from the mainland. They meet when she brings Dex to the island. It doesn't take long for them to cozy up to each other and for Dex to enlist Maggie's help in solving his case. The only problem is there is a lot of money involved since the missing child was the daughter of one of America's wealthiest families and if she survived the kidnapping, her heir(s) stand to inherit a substantial amount of money. And when money is involved, especially this level of money, greed inevitably takes over and some people don't want the case solved and any potential heirs located.
Dex used to be Army Special Forces which means he's an alpha, he's fiercely protective, and sex as sin with a killer body... Maggie is gorgeous, of course, and she's tough as nails since she didn't have the most loving upbringing but that also makes her VERY guarded when it comes to her emotions.
I absolutely LOVED Dex and Maggie, both as individual characters and as a couple. They send each other constant (and hilarious) sarcastic jabs, making me thoroughly enjoy their banter. I also loved the supporting characters, Jessi and Holden, and I can't WAIT for them to get together in the next book as the story continues (and hopefully concludes since I NEED a resolution to the kidnapping and heir mystery.
There were plot twists and at least one "oh shit" moment that threw me for a loop. I felt like the story was well written and had a great flow. The book was obviously edited which is ALWAYS a bonus for me (very minimal errors, if any, that I found)! Overall, this was a REALLY good book that I will add to my list of books to reread.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2014
"Temptation Bay" was appealing - small town romance; sassy, smart heroine; hero with a sense of humor (actually they both had a good humor); a strong mystery; and heat that sparked off the page.
Dex is on Windfall Island to find a missing heiress, but his work is a secret. Maggie is an islander who owns a plane service on the island and flies him over. There's an immediate physical attraction but they bump heads, particularly over the truth about his stay on the island. Maggie is spunky, quick-witted, and not afraid to speak her mind. Dex is also quick-witted and they enjoy sparring with each other. Maggie is frustrated with Dex's secretiveness about his visit to the island while Dex finds the locals aren't as easy to milk for information as he expected. There are some humorous scenes where some of the single island women aggressively pursue Dex. The islander are independent, quirky but not overly so, and fiercely loyal to each other. Well, most of them. As in any population, there are predators and worms to gum up the works.
Maggie and Dex are great together and I was rooting for them to make their relationship work. Maggie has some emotional brick walls and Dex is determined to demolish them but respectfully. Things move quickly between them and there are some cliches but I could overlook them as I just loved Dex and Maggie together. I really liked Maggie and how she handled herself. She's nobody's doormat, a great friend, a skilled mechanic, and has a soft side.
Sullivan doles out clues and hints about the missing heiress and at least one of the locals is actively working to prevent Dex from finding her. Or is he? I can't decide if he is or if Sullivan is misleading us. He seems like a good guy and that's one of Sullivan's strengths; most of the characters are all good or all bad, but they fall somewhere in between. No one is perfect, but they're all real; each is distinctive, they're not interchangable. The romance for the next book is set up in this one and I'm looking forward to it. The mystery is slowly being uncovered but Dex still has a lot of work to do and more answers to find. I have some ideas and can't wait to see if I'm right or not. Happily, I have book two sitting on my kindle. :)
Dex is on Windfall Island to find a missing heiress, but his work is a secret. Maggie is an islander who owns a plane service on the island and flies him over. There's an immediate physical attraction but they bump heads, particularly over the truth about his stay on the island. Maggie is spunky, quick-witted, and not afraid to speak her mind. Dex is also quick-witted and they enjoy sparring with each other. Maggie is frustrated with Dex's secretiveness about his visit to the island while Dex finds the locals aren't as easy to milk for information as he expected. There are some humorous scenes where some of the single island women aggressively pursue Dex. The islander are independent, quirky but not overly so, and fiercely loyal to each other. Well, most of them. As in any population, there are predators and worms to gum up the works.
Maggie and Dex are great together and I was rooting for them to make their relationship work. Maggie has some emotional brick walls and Dex is determined to demolish them but respectfully. Things move quickly between them and there are some cliches but I could overlook them as I just loved Dex and Maggie together. I really liked Maggie and how she handled herself. She's nobody's doormat, a great friend, a skilled mechanic, and has a soft side.
Sullivan doles out clues and hints about the missing heiress and at least one of the locals is actively working to prevent Dex from finding her. Or is he? I can't decide if he is or if Sullivan is misleading us. He seems like a good guy and that's one of Sullivan's strengths; most of the characters are all good or all bad, but they fall somewhere in between. No one is perfect, but they're all real; each is distinctive, they're not interchangable. The romance for the next book is set up in this one and I'm looking forward to it. The mystery is slowly being uncovered but Dex still has a lot of work to do and more answers to find. I have some ideas and can't wait to see if I'm right or not. Happily, I have book two sitting on my kindle. :)
September 26, 2013
*This honest review was done in exchange for an Arc*
Temptation Bay had a great start to the book, I was hooked on the story of prohibition, a mysterious baby, a boat explosion, and rum runners. Gripped from the get go- Maggie is a pilot on a small island who handles all the charters and has the business of everyone coming and going.
She is hauling special forces-turned cop-turned PI Dex Keegan to the island for a mysterious reason. He has a front as a lawyer and doesn't provide Maggie with his reasons for his trip. They immediately are at each others neck and have to fight their attraction with Maggie does with her tough girl image.
Finally realizing he is getting nowhere with the natives, Dex enrolls Maggie's help. He is looking for a lost heir of the Stanhope fortune who was kidnapped as an infant.
Maggie and Dex both get a chance to work through their attraction and slowly Maggie's walls begin to crumble. I found myself liking Dex more than Maggie throughout the book because she seemed to not have a clear cut path in her actions. She admitted loving Dex but immediately cut him out and quickly went back to sarcasm and distance even when he tried to right a wrong. The book did drag and some parts seemed to be a little redundant where as others stayed hidden. I know more books are forthcoming for Windfall Island series, which is good because at the end of this book we don't have a lot of answers other than Maggie and Dex finally "growing up" somewhat and realizing their feelings.
Temptation Bay had a great start to the book, I was hooked on the story of prohibition, a mysterious baby, a boat explosion, and rum runners. Gripped from the get go- Maggie is a pilot on a small island who handles all the charters and has the business of everyone coming and going.
She is hauling special forces-turned cop-turned PI Dex Keegan to the island for a mysterious reason. He has a front as a lawyer and doesn't provide Maggie with his reasons for his trip. They immediately are at each others neck and have to fight their attraction with Maggie does with her tough girl image.
Finally realizing he is getting nowhere with the natives, Dex enrolls Maggie's help. He is looking for a lost heir of the Stanhope fortune who was kidnapped as an infant.
Maggie and Dex both get a chance to work through their attraction and slowly Maggie's walls begin to crumble. I found myself liking Dex more than Maggie throughout the book because she seemed to not have a clear cut path in her actions. She admitted loving Dex but immediately cut him out and quickly went back to sarcasm and distance even when he tried to right a wrong. The book did drag and some parts seemed to be a little redundant where as others stayed hidden. I know more books are forthcoming for Windfall Island series, which is good because at the end of this book we don't have a lot of answers other than Maggie and Dex finally "growing up" somewhat and realizing their feelings.
May 1, 2015
Windfall Island, Maine is the setting for the mystery of what happened to Eugenia Stanhope, a baby kidnapped in October 1931. PI, Dexter 'Dex' Keegan comes to the island posing as an attorney but does not tell the close mouthed community what he is looking for. Maggie Solomon comes into his confidence when he figures he will not solve his case and make a name for himself without help. As they get closer to the truth, a break into his room at the local inn, a mysterious rock slide and finally an attempt on his and Maggie's life when the fuel line is cut on a plane brings Maggie and Dex closer and closer. Dexter's need to protect Maggie becomes his only concern as the two finally admit their love and this part of the story ends. The fate of Eugenia Stanhope is still a mystery, although they now know that she did come to Windfall Island and not parish in a ship explosion off the Maine coast. Another novel is to follow this one to continue the investigation...
My thanks to the author Anna Sullivan and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for a copy of Temptation Bay.
My thanks to the author Anna Sullivan and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for a copy of Temptation Bay.
September 16, 2013
This is the first book in a new series… It was a great introduction to a new author!
The main undercurrent of a plot is that Dexter Keegan comes to the Island to find the descendants of the kidnapped Stanhope heiress… BUT someone doesn't want them found…
Dexter comes to the island via helicopter flown by Maggie who owns the tiny airport on the island… Dexter Likes Maggie right away & she is pretty smitten with him, but he's an outsider hiding something…
It was a good story that I couldn't put down. I did pause a couple times because I got tired of the back & forth slamming & snarky comments & kept thinking… "Get on with it, already!" Once it happened tough it was a fast paced mystery…
I enjoyed it & cannot wait for George's book!
The main undercurrent of a plot is that Dexter Keegan comes to the Island to find the descendants of the kidnapped Stanhope heiress… BUT someone doesn't want them found…
Dexter comes to the island via helicopter flown by Maggie who owns the tiny airport on the island… Dexter Likes Maggie right away & she is pretty smitten with him, but he's an outsider hiding something…
It was a good story that I couldn't put down. I did pause a couple times because I got tired of the back & forth slamming & snarky comments & kept thinking… "Get on with it, already!" Once it happened tough it was a fast paced mystery…
I enjoyed it & cannot wait for George's book!
December 7, 2013
Temptation Bay is the first book in a new series about the kidnapping of a baby, an heiress, in 1931 and the investigation to find her descendants.
Sexy Dex Keegan, PI, was hired by the Stanhope family to question the inhabitants of Windfall Island and he is flown in by charter pilot Maggie Solomon. Windfall is Maggie's home, where she has her business and she is very protective of it's tight knit community. Realizing he is getting nowhere with the residents of the island Dex asks for Maggie's help. Once he breaks through her icy exterior the sparks fly and romance ensues. They work together even when their efforts are being sabotaged by someone unknown.
I was intrigued by the mystery and suspense and I look forward to the next book in this series.
Sexy Dex Keegan, PI, was hired by the Stanhope family to question the inhabitants of Windfall Island and he is flown in by charter pilot Maggie Solomon. Windfall is Maggie's home, where she has her business and she is very protective of it's tight knit community. Realizing he is getting nowhere with the residents of the island Dex asks for Maggie's help. Once he breaks through her icy exterior the sparks fly and romance ensues. They work together even when their efforts are being sabotaged by someone unknown.
I was intrigued by the mystery and suspense and I look forward to the next book in this series.
September 1, 2015
A century old missing person case, a remote island off the coast of Maine, a sexy female favorite daughter and the handsome ex-cop turned private investigator makes Temptation Bay a action packed romance.
I want to thank Anna Sullivan, the author of Temptation Bay and Goodreads First Reads for my copy of this book.
I want to thank Anna Sullivan, the author of Temptation Bay and Goodreads First Reads for my copy of this book.
February 28, 2015
Loved this one! Cannot wait to hit book two.......great story with great characters. Loved the cliff hanger ending
April 4, 2020
I thought the start of the book was weak. It had so much strange dialogue. But, it either smoothed out or I got used to it.
I liked the odd assortment of characters that lived on the island. They gave the story color.
The romance heating up helped the story quite a bit, then later, the danger.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading Jessi’s.
I liked the odd assortment of characters that lived on the island. They gave the story color.
The romance heating up helped the story quite a bit, then later, the danger.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading Jessi’s.
June 29, 2018
Interesting! Kooky characters and a small town make this feel a little like a cross between a cozy mystery and romance. There's also an interesting long-term mystery that will presumably be dealt with in future books.
August 12, 2019
I'm on the fence about this book. It was easy to read but didn't keep my attention very well. I will try book 2 but hesitant.
May 26, 2020
Hard to get into
June 27, 2017
This book was crazy good! I took a chance on a new author when offered the opportunity to give an honest review in exchange for the ebook from NetGalley. I am so glad I did!! There is so much to like about TEMPTATION BAY I hope I can put it into words to make you understand this is a Must-Read!!
The premise is that Private Investigator, Dex Keegan, comes to Windfall Island to investigate the unsolved or cold case of a missing heiress who was kidnapped at 8 months old about 80 years ago. He shows up on the island claiming to be a lawyer, but gives away nothing about why he's there or who is client is. The mystery drives the locals, who are already all about the gossip that tourist and "outsiders" bring, crazy and they all take their turn at trying to get the scoop out of him. Especially the women, because he's single, tall, dark, mysterious, gorgeous, sexy hunk of man and they literally fight over him. This causes all kinds of hilarious scenes.
Let me just make it clear right now, the dialogue in this book is so well done. Witty, snarky, sneaky, sexy, a little dirty in the appropriate moments and yeah, LOL funny! I have never high-lighted so many quotes on the interchanges between the characters in a book so much in my life. And it's not just the dialogue and banter between the H/H, it's all the characters. They are a sharp group of people that, unfortunately for Dex, are not easy to pull one over on and they love tormenting outsiders. Windfall Islanders are descendants of several generations of tough people who survived under harsh conditions in any way they had to in order to provide for their families. The current community is no exception and just as tight. And silent. Dex finds he gets nowhere with his questions until he enlists the local favorite girl, Maggie Sullivan, to help him.
Even though Maggie wasn't born on the island, she is a loyal and protective local girl all the way. She can fly anything and owns the local airport and Sullivan Charters, with two airplanes, a helicopter and two boats. She is pretty much the island's link to the outside world. She is tough, beautiful, sexy, full of confidence and attitude, and all walled in against risking her heart and being vulnerable to a man. The latter thanks to being raised by a cold, SOB of a father, a general with too much ambition who has let her know she is a female thus a disappointment to him, since the day she was born. She has been in Temptation Bay since she was a teenager and has found the family and love she never had at home with the people of Windfall. She will do anything to protect them. Growing up in the General's home kept her on her toes, made her wary, and very suspicious of other people's motivations. So right away, she knows a lawyer means trouble for someone on the island and she doesn't trust Dex.
Dex on the other hand, almost immediately recognizes Maggie's strong influence with the other residents. That is when he's not being turned on by her snarky attitude, witty insults and refusal to give him the time of day.
"If he'd had to choose the one thing about her that intrigued him the most, though, it would be her kiss-my-ass, get-the-hell-out-of-my-way attitude."
The sexual chemistry between these two is off the charts and when they finally get together it is so steamy and emotional!! They both fight it for their own personal reason, but it’s clear to everyone he wants her bad. The chase is fun to watch and provides plenty of opportunities for great humor. Bottom line? Ms. Sullivan is a very clever and talented writer. Temptation Bay is enjoyable to read from beginning to end and as funny as it can be, it is no piece of fluff. There are some intense emotional scenes, examples of great loyalty and friendship, betrayal, suspense, attempted murder, and catfights! A very well-rounded, well-written book!
The premise is that Private Investigator, Dex Keegan, comes to Windfall Island to investigate the unsolved or cold case of a missing heiress who was kidnapped at 8 months old about 80 years ago. He shows up on the island claiming to be a lawyer, but gives away nothing about why he's there or who is client is. The mystery drives the locals, who are already all about the gossip that tourist and "outsiders" bring, crazy and they all take their turn at trying to get the scoop out of him. Especially the women, because he's single, tall, dark, mysterious, gorgeous, sexy hunk of man and they literally fight over him. This causes all kinds of hilarious scenes.
Let me just make it clear right now, the dialogue in this book is so well done. Witty, snarky, sneaky, sexy, a little dirty in the appropriate moments and yeah, LOL funny! I have never high-lighted so many quotes on the interchanges between the characters in a book so much in my life. And it's not just the dialogue and banter between the H/H, it's all the characters. They are a sharp group of people that, unfortunately for Dex, are not easy to pull one over on and they love tormenting outsiders. Windfall Islanders are descendants of several generations of tough people who survived under harsh conditions in any way they had to in order to provide for their families. The current community is no exception and just as tight. And silent. Dex finds he gets nowhere with his questions until he enlists the local favorite girl, Maggie Sullivan, to help him.
Even though Maggie wasn't born on the island, she is a loyal and protective local girl all the way. She can fly anything and owns the local airport and Sullivan Charters, with two airplanes, a helicopter and two boats. She is pretty much the island's link to the outside world. She is tough, beautiful, sexy, full of confidence and attitude, and all walled in against risking her heart and being vulnerable to a man. The latter thanks to being raised by a cold, SOB of a father, a general with too much ambition who has let her know she is a female thus a disappointment to him, since the day she was born. She has been in Temptation Bay since she was a teenager and has found the family and love she never had at home with the people of Windfall. She will do anything to protect them. Growing up in the General's home kept her on her toes, made her wary, and very suspicious of other people's motivations. So right away, she knows a lawyer means trouble for someone on the island and she doesn't trust Dex.
Dex on the other hand, almost immediately recognizes Maggie's strong influence with the other residents. That is when he's not being turned on by her snarky attitude, witty insults and refusal to give him the time of day.
"If he'd had to choose the one thing about her that intrigued him the most, though, it would be her kiss-my-ass, get-the-hell-out-of-my-way attitude."
The sexual chemistry between these two is off the charts and when they finally get together it is so steamy and emotional!! They both fight it for their own personal reason, but it’s clear to everyone he wants her bad. The chase is fun to watch and provides plenty of opportunities for great humor. Bottom line? Ms. Sullivan is a very clever and talented writer. Temptation Bay is enjoyable to read from beginning to end and as funny as it can be, it is no piece of fluff. There are some intense emotional scenes, examples of great loyalty and friendship, betrayal, suspense, attempted murder, and catfights! A very well-rounded, well-written book!
February 10, 2017
Review at The Book Nympho :
http://thebooknympho.com/2017/02/temp...
http://thebooknympho.com/2017/02/temp...
This is the first book I ever received on Netgalley about 4 years ago. I can't remember why I got it or why I didn't read it. The COYER challenge got me to pick it up and read and review.
Dex comes to an island which is like a small town with everyone knows everyone and is into their business. He is trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of a baby during the Prohibition. Maggie is an independent small business owner who has a charter business. She flies him to the island. Dex is attracted to her and sees her as a fun way to gather information quietly.
Neither wants a relationship. Maggie is not willing to trust a man. Dex has no plans to stay on the small island. They work together to solve the mystery. Someone doesn't want the mystery solved and tries to stop them. I enjoyed the mystery more than the romance. I never really felt the depth of an emotional connection between them. Their dialogue with each other was too antagonistic for too long.
The mystery totally held my attention. But here is where I had some big issues.
****SPOILER**** ONLY READ IF YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK!!!******SPOILER****
The Windfall Island series is a trilogy with a romance in each book and a mystery which is across the three books. Jonetta reviewed all these 3 books earlier. I'm not sure yet if I will read on (the books are all available at the library) or try to get Jonetta to tell me what happens instead.
Book 1 - Temptation Bay
Book 2 - Hideaway Cove
Book 3 - Secret Harbor
December 14, 2013
Even though Maggie Solomon hadn’t been born on Windfall Island, she was one of the island’s favorite people. Beautiful, passionate and loyal, Maggie loved Windfall and it’s inhabitants with all her heart. As a charter pilot who just happens to bring ‘outsiders’ onto the island she was happiest when she brought them back to the mainland. However, her latest passenger Dexter Keegan was more than just a passenger arousing the natural curiosity of the island natives, as well as arousing feelings in Maggie that she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Feelings that were both exciting and scary for a woman who was deathly afraid of being perceived as weak.
Dex, cop turned PI is on a covert mission to solve a 100 year old cold-case that could make or break his career: attempting to find information on the identity of the missing Stanhope heir, kidnapped nearly a century ago. And didn’t Maggie’s bright blue eyes seem to resemble exactly the same eyes as the very wealthy Stanhope clan? But when sabotage to Maggie’s Piper cub almost led to disaster - Dex will do anything to protect the woman he firmly believes is the only one for him.
*** In this contemporary mystery romance, author Sullivan created a delightful locale with a lovely bunch of quirky secondary characters - the kind of characters that you love and add a full richness to any story. In spite of the originality of Maggie, a beautiful charter pilot, it took me a bit to warm up to her as Ms. Sullivan created her with both a big chip on her shoulder and attitude galore. Naturally, it took a little while to discover the reasons why Maggie had such a bad attitude, but then it made sense and easier to relate to Maggie’s childhood pain and begin to understand her.
Dex was also a nice addition with an enormous amount of patience when it came to dealing with the abrasiveness of Maggie’s off-handed and sometimes nasty comments. All he really knew in the beginning was that he was terribly attracted to Maggie and his ‘lust’ hormones were raging. Obviously, his commitment level was a bit ‘lost in space’ when faced with Maggie’s honesty when she chose to announce her feelings.
All in all, the mystery and research of trying to discover what happened 100 years ago from a very close-mouthed and close-knit community was the basis of the plot and the mystery. Having Maggie and Dex fighting the sensual pull was more or less secondary. Early on you know who ‘one’ of the bad guys is, then towards the end it seems as though the ending gets rushed leaving the reader with a choice to either go ahead and pre-order the next book in the series or just assume by the prologue of the next book that you know where it’s going and who the actual heir is which is why I am not giving this a higher rating. The book gives too much away.
Bottom line: Good but it honestly did not engage me as much as other mysteries have. Personally, I don’t like to know so early in the book who the bad guy is - I like to try to figure it out myself or be surprised.
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
July 29, 2014
In Temptation Bay (Windfall Island #1) by Anna Sullivan, private investigator Dex, posing as a lawyer, heads to Windfall Island in search of a long lost heir. Before he even gets to Windfall Island, he is distracted, attracted and intrigued by Maggie. Helicopter pilot Maggie calls Windfall Island home, and is very protective of the place and the people there. As soon as she sees Dex, she is conflicted because she is attracted to him, but doesn't trust him.
Dex's mission on Windfall Island is top secret, he doesn't want anyone to know why he's really there. As he unsuccessfully searches for answers, he is more and more drawn to Maggie and the desire to be with her. Maggie feels the magnetism between them also, but refuses to give in to it. She does her best to avoid Dex. Dex soon realizes he's going to need help to find what he's looking for though, and it's Maggie he turns to. Reluctantly, Maggie agrees to help Dex even though it will mean spending way more time with him...And as they do, they become closer. Somewhere between pushing him away and denying her feelings, Maggie finds herself in deep with Dex.
As a new kind of relationship starts to develop between Maggie and Dex, someone knows what they are doing. Someone who doesn't want them to find answers and will do anything to stop them.
Temptation Bay is really two stories that come together. Maggie and Dex's relationship, and Dex's search for a missing heir. Anna gives us romance with a lot of conflict between Maggie and Dex, and a very intriguing mystery. I love the setting of Temptation Bay, the small island population and all the quirky characters who live there. Anna does a great job of bringing Windfall Island to life.
I did find it difficult to identify with or feel much for Maggie. Yes, she has her past issues and secrets...but she is all grown up now, and the way she acts and treats Dex at times did not reflect positively on her character. Maggie is very aggressive where I found Dex to be much more laid back, even if he is full of secrets himself. He is open that he has them and his reasons for not revealing them. Sometimes I was full of wonder that Dex actually still wanted to be with Maggie. The chemistry between them is undeniable though, and Anna write this well as they find their way together.
The mystery part of Temptation Bay was a bit slow to get going, and a bit difficult to get into because so much of the book is about the turmoil of Maggie and Dex's relationship. It is a solid plot, and I found myself wanting more of that!
Anna does a great job of concluding Temptation Bay so that part of the story finishes, but there's still more to be told, without a cliffhanger.
I'd recommend Temptation Bay to romance readers who like a lot of conflict between characters, a mystery, and a great setting!
Dex's mission on Windfall Island is top secret, he doesn't want anyone to know why he's really there. As he unsuccessfully searches for answers, he is more and more drawn to Maggie and the desire to be with her. Maggie feels the magnetism between them also, but refuses to give in to it. She does her best to avoid Dex. Dex soon realizes he's going to need help to find what he's looking for though, and it's Maggie he turns to. Reluctantly, Maggie agrees to help Dex even though it will mean spending way more time with him...And as they do, they become closer. Somewhere between pushing him away and denying her feelings, Maggie finds herself in deep with Dex.
As a new kind of relationship starts to develop between Maggie and Dex, someone knows what they are doing. Someone who doesn't want them to find answers and will do anything to stop them.
Temptation Bay is really two stories that come together. Maggie and Dex's relationship, and Dex's search for a missing heir. Anna gives us romance with a lot of conflict between Maggie and Dex, and a very intriguing mystery. I love the setting of Temptation Bay, the small island population and all the quirky characters who live there. Anna does a great job of bringing Windfall Island to life.
I did find it difficult to identify with or feel much for Maggie. Yes, she has her past issues and secrets...but she is all grown up now, and the way she acts and treats Dex at times did not reflect positively on her character. Maggie is very aggressive where I found Dex to be much more laid back, even if he is full of secrets himself. He is open that he has them and his reasons for not revealing them. Sometimes I was full of wonder that Dex actually still wanted to be with Maggie. The chemistry between them is undeniable though, and Anna write this well as they find their way together.
The mystery part of Temptation Bay was a bit slow to get going, and a bit difficult to get into because so much of the book is about the turmoil of Maggie and Dex's relationship. It is a solid plot, and I found myself wanting more of that!
Anna does a great job of concluding Temptation Bay so that part of the story finishes, but there's still more to be told, without a cliffhanger.
I'd recommend Temptation Bay to romance readers who like a lot of conflict between characters, a mystery, and a great setting!
December 17, 2013
3.5 stars.
Anna Sullivan's Temptation Bay is an entertaining first installment in the Windfall Island series. It is a lovely romance but I must confess it is the mystery aspect of the storyline that I found most intriguing.
At first I really was not sure if I was going to like either of the main characters. Maggie Solomon has built a successful charter service and while she is independent and fiercely loyal to her friends, she is incredibly stubborn and rather bristly. She has an extremely contentious and complicated relationship with her high ranking military father that colors her perception of herself and her self worth. Maggie's interactions with her friends revealed the loving, softer side of her and I did wind up liking her more than I thought I would.
In the beginning, Dex Keegan was just as annoying as Maggie, but his irritating traits were fleeting and limited to his first meeting with Maggie. His background is the complete opposite of Maggie's and he has a warm and loving relationship with his extended family. Overall, Dex is the more likable of the two but he has a few hang ups that have a major impact on their relationship later in the story.
The sparks fly between Maggie and Dex right from their first meeting but not all of those sparks are from attraction. Their first meeting is quite contentious and it takes a while for their antagonism towards one another to simmer down. However Maggie and Dex do eventually given in to their desire and wowza! Their encounters are passionate and their sex scenes are smoking hot. Although they are quite compatible in bed, out of bed, they are still fighting their respective demons. Ms. Sullivan has a few surprises in store for this volatile couple and I really enjoyed how their romance eventually played out.
The mystery portion of the plot caught my interest right away and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the investigation. Maggie is a hard sell, but once Dex finally confesses the truth about his reasons for being on the island, she does aid him in his quest to find the missing Stanhope heir. Even with Maggie's assistance, Dex continues to run into obstacles during his search and it soon becomes clear that someone is willing to go any lengths to keep them from finding the heir.
Despite a few initial reservations, I enjoyed Temptation Bay. It is very well-written and the secondary cast of characters is outstanding. Anna Sullivan leaves a few of the storylines unresolved and I am eagerly awaiting the next Windfall Island series.
Anna Sullivan's Temptation Bay is an entertaining first installment in the Windfall Island series. It is a lovely romance but I must confess it is the mystery aspect of the storyline that I found most intriguing.
At first I really was not sure if I was going to like either of the main characters. Maggie Solomon has built a successful charter service and while she is independent and fiercely loyal to her friends, she is incredibly stubborn and rather bristly. She has an extremely contentious and complicated relationship with her high ranking military father that colors her perception of herself and her self worth. Maggie's interactions with her friends revealed the loving, softer side of her and I did wind up liking her more than I thought I would.
In the beginning, Dex Keegan was just as annoying as Maggie, but his irritating traits were fleeting and limited to his first meeting with Maggie. His background is the complete opposite of Maggie's and he has a warm and loving relationship with his extended family. Overall, Dex is the more likable of the two but he has a few hang ups that have a major impact on their relationship later in the story.
The sparks fly between Maggie and Dex right from their first meeting but not all of those sparks are from attraction. Their first meeting is quite contentious and it takes a while for their antagonism towards one another to simmer down. However Maggie and Dex do eventually given in to their desire and wowza! Their encounters are passionate and their sex scenes are smoking hot. Although they are quite compatible in bed, out of bed, they are still fighting their respective demons. Ms. Sullivan has a few surprises in store for this volatile couple and I really enjoyed how their romance eventually played out.
The mystery portion of the plot caught my interest right away and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the investigation. Maggie is a hard sell, but once Dex finally confesses the truth about his reasons for being on the island, she does aid him in his quest to find the missing Stanhope heir. Even with Maggie's assistance, Dex continues to run into obstacles during his search and it soon becomes clear that someone is willing to go any lengths to keep them from finding the heir.
Despite a few initial reservations, I enjoyed Temptation Bay. It is very well-written and the secondary cast of characters is outstanding. Anna Sullivan leaves a few of the storylines unresolved and I am eagerly awaiting the next Windfall Island series.
November 2, 2013
This first part of what I assume is to be a two-part arc was interesting and certainly entertaining. Maggie, emotionally distant due to growing up with a horrendously self-centered father, is determined to succeed at what she loves, flying, to spite her father. Windfall Island is her adopted home, with a few close friends as her family of choice. When she charters in an outsider asking questions about the history of the island, she and the rest of the residents instantly go on defense. But this is a romance novel, so of course the outsider Dex is too much to resist.
Overall, I'd say this rates a little higher than a three, maybe up to a 3.5. What keeps it from going higher in my book is that the "love" is still pretty shallowly represented--although Maggie & Dex do spend a fair amount of time together first, it's pretty much all antagonistic. I buy lust, but there just aren't enough deeper moments for me to believe love, let alone of the "marry me" variety. That said, that "love at first sight" ideal is standard for romances, so it doesn't cause me to pull my rating down, it's just that I need more for a book to really transcend that default rating of 3. However, the underlying mystery was very entertaining, and seeing Dex and Maggie work together to unravel the threads of the past, all while being mysteriously targeted in increasingly sinister ways is what kept me hooked into the story. I was a bit disappointed that the mystery wasn't completely solved by the end of this book, but since it was obvious that Jessi and Holden were going to get their own story, I don't mind that it continues with them. I do hope it doesn't drag out more than that, however.
One more little nitpicky rant--as a Southerner, I was a bit offended by Holden's "It's not fried chicken and grits, but it does kind of hit the spot." Seriously? That's the best cliche you could come up with? While both of those food items may be considered inherently Southern (the fried chicken arguably less so than the grits, considering it's 2013, but whatever) not once in four decades have I had those two things paired together in a meal. It's like you pulled out the "Encyclopedia of Southern Food" and randomly selected two items rather than having any real knowledge of Southern cuisine. Ok, rant ended.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
Overall, I'd say this rates a little higher than a three, maybe up to a 3.5. What keeps it from going higher in my book is that the "love" is still pretty shallowly represented--although Maggie & Dex do spend a fair amount of time together first, it's pretty much all antagonistic. I buy lust, but there just aren't enough deeper moments for me to believe love, let alone of the "marry me" variety. That said, that "love at first sight" ideal is standard for romances, so it doesn't cause me to pull my rating down, it's just that I need more for a book to really transcend that default rating of 3. However, the underlying mystery was very entertaining, and seeing Dex and Maggie work together to unravel the threads of the past, all while being mysteriously targeted in increasingly sinister ways is what kept me hooked into the story. I was a bit disappointed that the mystery wasn't completely solved by the end of this book, but since it was obvious that Jessi and Holden were going to get their own story, I don't mind that it continues with them. I do hope it doesn't drag out more than that, however.
One more little nitpicky rant--as a Southerner, I was a bit offended by Holden's "It's not fried chicken and grits, but it does kind of hit the spot." Seriously? That's the best cliche you could come up with? While both of those food items may be considered inherently Southern (the fried chicken arguably less so than the grits, considering it's 2013, but whatever) not once in four decades have I had those two things paired together in a meal. It's like you pulled out the "Encyclopedia of Southern Food" and randomly selected two items rather than having any real knowledge of Southern cuisine. Ok, rant ended.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
October 8, 2013
I received this book from GCP via NetGalley.
Anna Sullivan is the debut author and Temptation Bay is the first book in the series.
Before I begin reading, I think small town romance. But the blurb suggests a little bit of suspense involving the disappearance of a child almost a 100 years ago, I think it would be a great combination.
The prologue is not disappointing. It told the story from the age of prohibition when a group of smugglers found a baby girl. That scene makes me want to know more about what happened next. But until the end of the book, those mystery is never solve. I assume we have to wait for the next book to really know what happen. That makes me frustrated because frankly, it is the only portion of this book that I feel interested enough to continue reading.
I do not feel any chemistry between Dex and Maggie, the hero and heroine. From the first meeting when Maggie, the charter pilot picks up Dex, there is no spark. It seems Ms. Sullivan try to make them animosity at first but there is no reason to support the reaction so it make them seem stupid. I cannot even say that I do not like them. I just do not care about them.
The story is focus on the relationship between Dex and Maggie and the community, which is the signature of a small town romance. That Dex is the private investigator assigned to find the truth about the kidnapped baby is never the issue. I do not think he is 100% at working on the case. So I really feel sorry for whoever hire Dex. And it also shows that the hero is not a good PI. He cannot solve the mystery at the end of the story.
Same thing I feel about Maggie. The book mention her issue with high-ranking military father who abuse his power by using government equipment to visit his daughter. What is the point for this. Or every heroine must have a parent issue.
A lot of plot involving the kidnapped baby seems unbelievable. The nanny took a baby to a party because she did not allow to have any leave then left her in the boat by herself. And the baby is not just ordinary baby but she is an heiress for a dynasty fortune. I just cannot believe whatsoever.
However, I still think there is nothing terrible wrong with this book except it is so boring. But that in itself is a crime.
Anna Sullivan is the debut author and Temptation Bay is the first book in the series.
Before I begin reading, I think small town romance. But the blurb suggests a little bit of suspense involving the disappearance of a child almost a 100 years ago, I think it would be a great combination.
The prologue is not disappointing. It told the story from the age of prohibition when a group of smugglers found a baby girl. That scene makes me want to know more about what happened next. But until the end of the book, those mystery is never solve. I assume we have to wait for the next book to really know what happen. That makes me frustrated because frankly, it is the only portion of this book that I feel interested enough to continue reading.
I do not feel any chemistry between Dex and Maggie, the hero and heroine. From the first meeting when Maggie, the charter pilot picks up Dex, there is no spark. It seems Ms. Sullivan try to make them animosity at first but there is no reason to support the reaction so it make them seem stupid. I cannot even say that I do not like them. I just do not care about them.
The story is focus on the relationship between Dex and Maggie and the community, which is the signature of a small town romance. That Dex is the private investigator assigned to find the truth about the kidnapped baby is never the issue. I do not think he is 100% at working on the case. So I really feel sorry for whoever hire Dex. And it also shows that the hero is not a good PI. He cannot solve the mystery at the end of the story.
Same thing I feel about Maggie. The book mention her issue with high-ranking military father who abuse his power by using government equipment to visit his daughter. What is the point for this. Or every heroine must have a parent issue.
A lot of plot involving the kidnapped baby seems unbelievable. The nanny took a baby to a party because she did not allow to have any leave then left her in the boat by herself. And the baby is not just ordinary baby but she is an heiress for a dynasty fortune. I just cannot believe whatsoever.
However, I still think there is nothing terrible wrong with this book except it is so boring. But that in itself is a crime.
December 20, 2014
This is the first book in a new series by author Anna Sullivan. Never heard of her? Me neither, but never fear, this isn't a brand new author. She has been writing for years under the pseudonym Penny McCall. So feel free to jump right in with an experienced author who knows how to spin a story.
Maggie Solomon is a pilot. She has loved flying since she was a child and worked hard to own and operate her own charter business. When her father, a general in the Navy, sent her and her mother to live on Windfall Island as punishment, it backfired. Maggie was accepted and for the first time had a family that showed it cared about her, since her mother's side of the family had been some of the first settler's on the island. Now Maggie runs her charter business from Windfall and gives back to her community.
Dexter Keegan is a former Special Forces, former cop, and now a PI. He was hired by a lawyer friend to help find the missing Stanhope heir. A child that went missing some 80 years prior. Recent information suggested that the child wasn't killed, but may have actually ended up on Windfall Island. However since a ransom was never demanded, the family has been left wondering. Dex arrives on the island posing as a lawyer, hoping to find out what happened to Eugenia Stanhope and if there are any heirs to the massive fortune.
This book was a slow start for me. The book started with a prologue, some rum runners finding a baby girl stashed in their small boat that they have just rowed across 12 miles of ocean, in the middle of the night. She is shivering and cold and they aren't sure what to do with her, when the boat they had just came from explodes. Fast forward to present day with Maggie picking up Dexter in her helicopter to bring him to Windfall Island. Dex is playing a part and Maggie doesn't really want anything to do with what she a suite visiting her island. But as the story unfolds, it really picks up speed. I loved the dialogue between Maggie and Dex, as well as the other characters. Once I got a couple chapters in I was hooked and had a hard time putting it down. 3 stars.
Maggie Solomon is a pilot. She has loved flying since she was a child and worked hard to own and operate her own charter business. When her father, a general in the Navy, sent her and her mother to live on Windfall Island as punishment, it backfired. Maggie was accepted and for the first time had a family that showed it cared about her, since her mother's side of the family had been some of the first settler's on the island. Now Maggie runs her charter business from Windfall and gives back to her community.
Dexter Keegan is a former Special Forces, former cop, and now a PI. He was hired by a lawyer friend to help find the missing Stanhope heir. A child that went missing some 80 years prior. Recent information suggested that the child wasn't killed, but may have actually ended up on Windfall Island. However since a ransom was never demanded, the family has been left wondering. Dex arrives on the island posing as a lawyer, hoping to find out what happened to Eugenia Stanhope and if there are any heirs to the massive fortune.
This book was a slow start for me. The book started with a prologue, some rum runners finding a baby girl stashed in their small boat that they have just rowed across 12 miles of ocean, in the middle of the night. She is shivering and cold and they aren't sure what to do with her, when the boat they had just came from explodes. Fast forward to present day with Maggie picking up Dexter in her helicopter to bring him to Windfall Island. Dex is playing a part and Maggie doesn't really want anything to do with what she a suite visiting her island. But as the story unfolds, it really picks up speed. I loved the dialogue between Maggie and Dex, as well as the other characters. Once I got a couple chapters in I was hooked and had a hard time putting it down. 3 stars.
March 16, 2014
***Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review***
4.5 stars
Maggie Solomon is a charter pilot headquartered on Windfall Island, a small island off the coast of Portland, Maine. Maggie doesn't much care for outsiders--until she meets Dexter Keegan, a handsome man who says he's a lawyer, on a chartered flight to Windfall at the end of tourist season. He is trying to find out something about the island, and Maggie tries to find out more about his mission--neither one of them is giving in--in trusting each other or in acting on their attraction.
Dexter Keegan is a former cop, now a private investigator who has been handed the case of a lifetime--after a few years of cheating and insurance fraud cases, he's given the opportunity to try to find the lost Stanhope heir. In 1931, Eugenia Stanhope, then a baby, went missing after the nanny took her to a party on a rum-running boat during the Prohibition. It was believed that the baby was killed when the ship blew up, but Dex wants to explore all angles--and all clues are leading him to Windfall Island. When Maggie becomes a serious contender as an heir to the Stanhope fortune, things begin happening that seem to be targeted at Maggie--why did the Stanhope's lawyer hire Dex to investigate this case? To find the lost heir so they can be reunited with their family--or to eliminate them?
I thought this was an excellent first book in this series--it had historical elements, suspense, a solid plot, and enough threads left dangling that I can't wait to read the next book to find out the rest of the story. I also thought the romance between Dex and Maggie was charming--and I loved the hilarious banter between these two characters. All in all, an excellent read that I would highly recommend.
4.5 stars
Maggie Solomon is a charter pilot headquartered on Windfall Island, a small island off the coast of Portland, Maine. Maggie doesn't much care for outsiders--until she meets Dexter Keegan, a handsome man who says he's a lawyer, on a chartered flight to Windfall at the end of tourist season. He is trying to find out something about the island, and Maggie tries to find out more about his mission--neither one of them is giving in--in trusting each other or in acting on their attraction.
Dexter Keegan is a former cop, now a private investigator who has been handed the case of a lifetime--after a few years of cheating and insurance fraud cases, he's given the opportunity to try to find the lost Stanhope heir. In 1931, Eugenia Stanhope, then a baby, went missing after the nanny took her to a party on a rum-running boat during the Prohibition. It was believed that the baby was killed when the ship blew up, but Dex wants to explore all angles--and all clues are leading him to Windfall Island. When Maggie becomes a serious contender as an heir to the Stanhope fortune, things begin happening that seem to be targeted at Maggie--why did the Stanhope's lawyer hire Dex to investigate this case? To find the lost heir so they can be reunited with their family--or to eliminate them?
I thought this was an excellent first book in this series--it had historical elements, suspense, a solid plot, and enough threads left dangling that I can't wait to read the next book to find out the rest of the story. I also thought the romance between Dex and Maggie was charming--and I loved the hilarious banter between these two characters. All in all, an excellent read that I would highly recommend.
November 2, 2013
Maggie Solomon has built a life and a business for herself on Windfall Island, the prickly, insular community descended from salvagers and wreckers, off the coast of Maine. Her mother grew up there, and left to marry Navy officer Phillip Solomon, but Maggie, their only child, a girl, and not willing to enter the Navy, was a sad disappointment to her father. Instead, she's returned to her mother's birthplace, become a part of the tightknit community, and built a charter business and a small airport.
She's a loner, and distrustful of strangers, but that's not unusual on Windfall.
When she flies in Dexter Keegan, a stranger arriving on unstated business near the end of the tourist season, she's naturally suspicious that he means trouble for someone on the island. It's annoying that he's so attractive, and persistent, but she's not going to succumb.
But Dex isn't going to let go, because he is a man on a mission: to find out if a baby kidnapped eighty years ago wound up on Windfall--and if she grew up and had any descendants. Having long assumed she died when a smuggler ship, Perdition, blew up, the family has new evidence that she may have survived. There's a large inheritance involved.
Someone is equally determined that the missing heirs, if any, not be found.
This is both a good, intriguing mystery, and a good romance, with sparks flying between Dex and Maggie. The community of Windfall is well depicted as well, the insularity, the eccentricities, and the deeply felt protective loyalty to their own. Maggie and Dex are each in their own way strong, independent people, each with their own issues making them determined not to become involved.
There is some explicit sex, making this perhaps not suitable for those who prefer their romances "clean."
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.
She's a loner, and distrustful of strangers, but that's not unusual on Windfall.
When she flies in Dexter Keegan, a stranger arriving on unstated business near the end of the tourist season, she's naturally suspicious that he means trouble for someone on the island. It's annoying that he's so attractive, and persistent, but she's not going to succumb.
But Dex isn't going to let go, because he is a man on a mission: to find out if a baby kidnapped eighty years ago wound up on Windfall--and if she grew up and had any descendants. Having long assumed she died when a smuggler ship, Perdition, blew up, the family has new evidence that she may have survived. There's a large inheritance involved.
Someone is equally determined that the missing heirs, if any, not be found.
This is both a good, intriguing mystery, and a good romance, with sparks flying between Dex and Maggie. The community of Windfall is well depicted as well, the insularity, the eccentricities, and the deeply felt protective loyalty to their own. Maggie and Dex are each in their own way strong, independent people, each with their own issues making them determined not to become involved.
There is some explicit sex, making this perhaps not suitable for those who prefer their romances "clean."
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.
November 8, 2013
Dex is going to a remote island to help find an ancestor from a very prestigious family. He was told that he had to keep his job a secret because the people who live on the island do not take kindly to outsiders and would refuse to open up. He just never thought that the woman would fly him to the island would change his life. He never thought that he would fall in love with her, let alone want to marry her.
Maggie is the type of woman who likes her life the way it is. She does not want anyone to interfere with her life plans. Since she has had heartache from family she has closed herself off from letting anyone else get close to her to hurt her. She just never thought that bringing a stranger to the island would change her. She did not think she would fall in love with him. And not in a million years would she even say she would marry him.
Maggie and Dex had agreed to work together to find the missing relative who is a decedent from a baby that was on a missing sunken ship. The always butted heads because they were both stubborn and set in their ways. Neither wanted to admit that the other was right or had a better way for looking for the person.
After they finally slept together at her house, they found out that his hotel room was trashed. Nothing was missing but it looked like someone was looking for something. Then her helicopter was tampered with and they both almost drowned. It appeared that someone did not want them to find out who the person was band would do anything to keep the secret.
I absolutely loved the book and the characters in it. The author had a way of making you look at her book form all angles. I also love the cliffhanger at the end. It makes you want to read the next book to find out if the relative s found or not. I hope that I can read the book very soon.
Maggie is the type of woman who likes her life the way it is. She does not want anyone to interfere with her life plans. Since she has had heartache from family she has closed herself off from letting anyone else get close to her to hurt her. She just never thought that bringing a stranger to the island would change her. She did not think she would fall in love with him. And not in a million years would she even say she would marry him.
Maggie and Dex had agreed to work together to find the missing relative who is a decedent from a baby that was on a missing sunken ship. The always butted heads because they were both stubborn and set in their ways. Neither wanted to admit that the other was right or had a better way for looking for the person.
After they finally slept together at her house, they found out that his hotel room was trashed. Nothing was missing but it looked like someone was looking for something. Then her helicopter was tampered with and they both almost drowned. It appeared that someone did not want them to find out who the person was band would do anything to keep the secret.
I absolutely loved the book and the characters in it. The author had a way of making you look at her book form all angles. I also love the cliffhanger at the end. It makes you want to read the next book to find out if the relative s found or not. I hope that I can read the book very soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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