Passion Bay

Moon Island #1

by Jennifer Fulton

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

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Romance, LGBT, Fiction, Lesbian Fiction, Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Jennifer Fulton is the romance pen name of best-selling lesbian romance and mystery novels writer Jennifer Knight. She is the prolific author of romance and mystery novels under three pen names — Jennifer Fulton, Rose Beecham, and Grace Lennox. She was first published by the Naiad Press in 1992. Jennifer is a recipient of the Alice B. Reader's award for Lesbian Fiction, multiple Golden Crown Literary Award winner, and Lambda Literary Award finalist for both romance and mystery.

Jennifer Fulton, Rose Beecham, Grace Lennox

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Passion Bay (Moon Island #1)” is a very enjoyable story of two wary women fighting their mutual attraction on a secluded tropical island. There is also an extensively detailed side story of the life of MC Annabel’s deceased aunt, and as the mysteries of that story are revealed, it ties into the present time and affects Annabel’s relationship with her family.

New owner of Moon Island, Annabel regrets how she’s lived her life so far. After years of sleeping around and hurting women who wished to be closer to her, Annabel is concerned by being attracted to Cody as more than a physical object.

Cody is dumped by her girlfriend for a man, and laid off from work. The severance check ends up having too many zeroes, so she decides to cash the check and take off for a tropic island where she’ll never be found. Errr….right. I’m sure that’ll work out for the rest of her life. Well, guilt eats at her, she considers herself a fugitive from justice, and given that she’s only going to be on Moon Island for a short time, she resists her growing lust for Annabel. Until she doesn’t. And Annabel doesn’t.

And then the next morning…it’s self doubt time, lack of communication time, and….angst appears from multiple directions. Well, our lovers have a second chance, then the ex arrives and then Hurricane Mary arrives (a real hurricane, not a person).

Ok, I really enjoyed the book up until this point, even with the angst, self-doubts, inner thinking etc. But then Annabel makes a decision during the hurricane that disappointed me, even though she believes it was necessary for her relationship with Cody. She says they each tried to run away and couldn’t, so they were meant to be together. Well, at some point certain efforts to run away would succeed in ending a relationship in my book; but it’s not my book, it’s author Jennifer Fulton’s book.

One amusing inside joke within “Passion Bay” is that author Rose Beecham appears. That’s pretty funny.

I particularly liked the Brittni Pope’s languid narration and evocative descriptions of the tropical island. Overall, I really liked the audiobook and look forward to the two sequels to the Moon Island series, but I’m recommending “Passion Bay” with 4* instead of 5* because of my disappointment with Annabel at the end.

[Arn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 f*cking stars. Way to cheapen a book's ending. A one night stand, really? And most importantly over nothing, what ended up a misunderstanding. And then she's not even honest about it? Fuck off.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed a copy of this story when I saw it listed as a freebie, and the mention of New Zealand. As with most freebies I figured it'd simply kill a few hours reading time and didn't expect more than an average read, if that.

The cynic in my was eating humble pie very early on. The story is beautifully written, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the characters, the angst, the love, and so much more.

My one critique as I generally have one... I hope the author has learned to use contractions since penning this novel.

Free on amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in the series and a great read.

So good, that I immediately wanted to:

1) Ditch my job as a corporate wage slave (without pointing out any account discrepancy)

2) Book a holiday to the Cook Islands

3) Remind my wife that Wellington was colder and wetter than Edinburgh

Fantastic start to the series.

[Angie Engles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started off really, really liking this book, but by the end I felt totally the opposite...something happens around four fifths in (perhaps even a little further than that) that just made want to toss down my ereader in frustration and even anger. I cannot say any more because that would be spoiling things. WHO does things like this? I found myself asking at the end, relieved that the book was over and astonished that a book that began with such real and refreshing promise features one character, in particular, acting completely contradictory to what first appears to be a heartfelt story of romance and love. Maybe asking for characters who take accountability for their reckless behavior is just asking for too much in fiction...I try not to write reviews in anger and I even waited a whole day and yet still...

[Val · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously, I didn't like this book. What starts out as a sweet sort of romance is totally ruined by one of the main characters having a one night stand because she "thinks" her lover may have gotten back with her ex. AND to top it all off she never confesses to this "indiscretion". "Hey baby, I totally am in love with you so when I thought you MAY have changed your mind I jumped in the sack with someone else." If you're not into monogamy this may not ruin the story for you. But it sure did muck up the story for me. I won't be reading the others in the series.

[Wayne Spiceland · Rating 3 out of 5]

An quick, easy read. Though I don't usually read novels which are strictly romance, this is one of the better ones I've come across. A nice enough story, enjoyable, with quite good writing from a technical standpoint. Two likeable characters. A bit of suspense when the hurricane strikes.

I thought having Cody reading a story about Amanda Valentine roughly 3/4 of the way through was sort of cute, but later when Annabel has a one-night stand with a writer named Rose Beecham, it almost completely ruined an otherwise pleasant reading experience. It made it nearly impossible to take anything in the book seriously. I felt as though the author, under whichever name, had been, as the Brits would say, "having us on" the whole fucking time. To cute by half. Really disappointing given the otherwise solid story and writing.

[Diana P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts of the romance were nice. However, there was some unnecessary angst near the end of the book that only made me want to scream out of frustration. I’m not really sure I want to read the rest of the series. I mean, if this is the first one I don’t know what I should expect from the next ones.

2.5

[Ceili · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good until all the biphobia started. Yeah, another one of those. I have to laugh at how the author then immediately proved that some lesbians commit infidelity too though. Takes the wind out of the all-bisexuals-are-greedy-and-confused sails she was trying to fly, really. Hah.

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good story although there were a few minor typos. Thanks for the recommendation Dee.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love LOVE! This story centers on the heart, how one broken heart can lead to finding that someone special. It also has some adventure in it too! It has everything! It is a lesbian romance. The second one I truely felt was an excellent read (not just another wham-bam-thank you ma'am)

[Kaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this romance/mystery from 1992 on the library shelf. Annabel Worth, a Boston securities trader inherits Moon Island (part of the Cook Islands) from her aunt. She travels there to unravel the history of her beloved aunt and find out who is the mysterious Lucy. In the mean time Cody Stanton leaves New Zealand for a holiday on Moon Island after being made redundant at work. Cody has secrets too. Of course there is romantic interest. The lower score comes from the events near the end of the book which leave you feeling annoyed. Cheating never should happen that late in a romance.

[Alia Makki · Rating 3 out of 5]

*tilts head to the side while reading*
Oh. That's how girls make love? But that means I've been...well...Wait.

"Not horrible" for a romance is a good thing. Actually, not making me guffaw or snort at reality checks tells me that a respectable amount of research has been done before this book was written. Even the romance held steady.

And this was my first proper introduction to lesbian romance. So I can't complain much.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good...some intense emotional uncertainties between the lovers...the author seems not to be too verbose with her love scenes something my erotica interests felt undernourished by but all the same good read

[Nicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a 5-star book until last few chapters, where the main heroine had a one-night, quicky with a stranger while her partner was fighting hurricane and could be killed. And then she behaves as if nothing had happend. This whore does not deserve any happiness at all!

[Donna Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of our first Kiwi romance tales by Niad Press 1992. Well done Jennifer Fulton. I know the description of Wellington may be harsh but accurate . Theres another local saying "you can't beat Wellington on a good day"

[Tawanna L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I really love this book and I can't wait to read book 2..I hope it's just as good as the first.😍

[Cayla Carruthers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mehhh lil cheesy poolside/ tanning read

[Jamesha Hatcher]

Loved it!

This was the truest display of destiny and love if I've ever seen one. I felt so pulled into their lives that every loss, every pain, every victory was twice as profound. Kudos to Fulton for capturing such a truly romantic story. Makes me want to find the nearest island and stay a bit. This book proves that true love is possible, and that it can survive the toughest storms.

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read, first in the series.

[Meranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular! A wonderful love story in a beautiful dream setting with a hint of ex-lover conflict.