More Than Paradise

I really enjoyed this novel from first page to last. Fabulous location set in Papua New Guinea (PNG), indepth writing, fascinating characters, complex plotting, passionate sex scenes. The back story for 36 year old Ashleigh 'Ash' Evans is utterly believable and compelling. I found Charlotte to be vastly interesting and loved how she stood up for her friend Dani. Secondary characters like Tubby Nagle, Bruce the Roo and Nitro really moved the story at a fast pace. I enjoyed all the details the author offers up to the readers like the tidbit about Michael Rockefeller. And the discovery that Bruce brings to Charlotte was terrific. I read this wonderfully well written novel in one day and at over 200 pages it was a very satisfying read. As always with this author the humor is terrific and sometimes laugh out loud.

This was my first Fulton book and I must say I was extremely engaged throughout the entire book. I especially love when an author educates along with the story and she definitely took us to school on this one. The characters were fabulous...would like to know Ash in real life. One small drawback was I felt the author left several loose ends at the conclusion of the story. I don't expect to be lead like a child to the answer, but leave indications that the readers can at least ASSUME what the outcome could have been. I don't want to give away anything to other readers so I will leave that for the readers to determine. Other than that, this book is a keeper and I will probably read it again. Maybe the second time I will find some answers to the loose ends...or maybe JF will write a sequel (what do you say, Jen?)and clear up the mysteries. Great job on the book and the research.

Once again, this author has told the story of a captivating romance set against a background unfamiliar to most of us. Mercenary soldier Ashley Evans and botanist Charlotte Lascelles are sensitive, intelligent women who are immersed in the intriguing world of the remote rain forests of New Guinea. Maybe it's because I share Fulton's political philosophy that I devoured the inside information about little-known ongoing environmental disasters associated with the area. I wish more mainstream authors could write the way Fulton does. Then more readers would become aware of the significant social issues she weaves seamlessly into her stories. (Another example of this is "Grave Silence," where as Rose Beecham she deals very effectively with another serious issue.) The character of Charlotte Lascelles is interesting because she begins as a dedicated career woman resigned to a life without romantic love, and the reader watches as she gradually develops deeply emotional feelings that change her entire outlook on life. Ash Evans is even more engaging. She has also rejected the possibility of a loving relationship, but for different reasons than Charlotte, as we learn during the course of the story. Although Ash is more aware of her suppressed emotions, she has settled into a more-or-less permanent stoic existence until she meets Charlotte and everything changes. The book expertly chronicles Ash's evolving emotions and how she deals with them. Having read all of the author's books (as Fulton, Beecham, and Lennox) over the years, I think she has improved with each one. In addition to telling a wonderful love story, this book has a lot to say about important issues. It's definitely at the top of my list of "must read" books.

Ash Evans is a woman-chasing mercenary who works for sleazy people in New Guinea. Charlotte Lascelles is a ladylike biologist on a research expedition to a magical and genuine "lost world" in that country. The two meet in filthy dangerous bar, in one of the best "first meeting" scenes I have read in any novel, lesbian or not. It's not easy to describe this story because it's much more than a romance. It gets off to a steamy start that I wasn't expecting, since most of Ms. Fulton's books have the erotic moments later on. This one gets going with Ash on vacation in the USA and picking up two women for sex that gets described in mouth-watering detail. Shortly after satisfying these women, Ash has to jump from a second story window, and that's when you know you are in for a heck of a ride. The story doesn't let up. There's not a wasted word anywhere, and often the writing is jaw-dropping, it's that good. Ms. Fulton writes the setting with deep passion. I have never visited anywhere like New Guinea, but this book brought it to life for me and I am still thinking about the amazing descriptions. It would have been easy for all the different parts of the plot to overpower the romance, but that never happens. Ash and Charlotte get stuck sharing a tent because they are the only women on the expedition. This makes for funny moments as well as spicy ones. I was gripped by the throat as these two incredible women try to do their jobs while they are falling hard for each other. Their pent-up lust creates very sexy love scenes and deep emotions. This book is worth reading just for the romance, but as usual Ms. Fulton also has something to say about the issues of the day. Without getting preachy, she touches upon the destruction of rain forests by illegal logging, the loss of species, the harm done to the tribal people in remote lands, and the new role of private armies all over the world. I've lent this book to friends and they have all bought their own copies so that they could read it again. Ms. Fulton's books are usually classy romances, but there's something special and different about More Than Paradise. It has a magic intimate feeling to read. I rank it in the top 5% of romances that I've read in my life and it's my no.1 for 2007 so far.

Wow. Jennifer Fulton's writing just keeps getting better with every new book she delivers. This is true for both her series and her stand-alone stories. `More Than Paradise' is a stand-alone that has just become my newest Fulton favorite. Here, Fulton introduces two characters who seem extremely familiar. They have many of the characteristics one encounters in this genre. One is physically strong, woodsy, and wise in the ways of the world and women - she is an outlaw by profession but law-abiding at heart. The other is less experienced, but makes up for it with enthusiasm and a desire to overcome - she is determined to prove her worth and sees the good in (almost) everyone. Both are independently wealthy and beautiful, but neither is satisfied with her life. Such is the story of Dr. Charlotte Lascelles and jungle guide Ash Evans. These two women are thrown together for an adventure in the Foja Mountains of New Guinea as Charlotte's team searches for new biological species and Ash works to keep them alive. The supporting cast and background story are certainly interesting and necessary for this book, but the real story - the bait that keeps the reader engaged - is the budding and reluctant romance between these two strong female characters. The underlying passion is impossible to ignore, but two proud women who won't give in to their feelings provide the basis for a story that reels the reader in and doesn't let go. Don't miss this incredible tale of intrigue and passion, delivered in an unbelievably mature and engaging fashion.