Book Jacket

 

rank 851
word count 18234
date submitted 22.10.2011
date updated 08.11.2011
genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Comedy...
classification: universal
incomplete

Neptune's Island

Lisa Scullard

Office pariah Leah bags the dream job, reviewing an island retreat in the Pacific. There might be pirates. And storms. And one very helpful stranger.

 

Usually Leah is called to the boss's office on a disciplinary - to explain missing data, broken electrical equipment, or unrelated fires in the building. But today her boss seems keen for her energy to be directed elsewhere - namely, to an isolated archipelago in the Pacific.


Leah's only concern is how to maintain her OCD rituals, developed to maintain control of her supposed pyromania, while she is out there.


In the meantime, fireman Jack Boatman is getting used to life on Fiji. Since his mother's death, he's moved all the way from Canada to help out his father, a geology professor - also a former colleague of Leah's father, Brian. Jack's already had a run-in with the town cougar, travel agent Morgan DeVilbiss, and isn't keen to get into any more romantic entanglements.


After a chance meeting with Leah on a visit to London, however, Jack's curiosity is peaked by her mention of Neptune's Island. And when his father mentions that a colleague's daughter might be visiting the same islands near Fiji, which are supposedly cursed, he starts to wonder what the travel company is up to - by sending a novice resort reviewer to an isolated destination alone.

 
rate the book

to rate this book please Register or Login

 

tags

chick lit, desert island, holiday read, romance, romantic comedy

on 8 watchlists

13 comments

 

To leave comments on this or any book please Register or Login

subscribe to comments for this book
sheila cooper wrote 125 days ago

Hi Lisa
I love the setting and you have created good solid characters. This is an entertaining read, I think a fair few females will see a bit of themselves in your work starred and backed. I haven't read it all yet but Im on my way :)
regards
Sheila

Bea Sinclair wrote 142 days ago

A compelling read, well developed characters, entertaining story. High stars and on my watch list awaiting promotion. Your Bea

GK Stritch wrote 155 days ago

Smokin' Lisa Scullard is on holiday...make that a blazing romantic vacation on Neptune's Island. Sit back in the hot seat and enjoy life on Fiji island. (Oh, that cover, tropical blue skies and a white sand beach, takes me away...)

GK Stritch

Kim Padgett-Clarke wrote 176 days ago

Sorry, have only had time to read chapter 1 but I like what I have read. Leah is a fascinating character with all her problems, OCD, firestarting. Her boss must be pretty lenient to employ such a dangerous person! Leah reminds me a bit of an Ugly Betty character and she comes across as a square peg in a round hole. I like your writing style it flows well and is easy to read. The storyline is quite unique as well; a fascinating maelstrom of all sorts of possibilities. I am putting Neptune's Island on my watchlist to come back to later. Well done, a deserved six stars. I would be chuffed if you would take a peek at my novel Pain.

Kim

kiwigirl2011 wrote 199 days ago

The word ‘usually’ is used twice in quick succession early in chapter two – comes across a bit repetitive. Maybe you could substitute one for something else? Maybe the second one could be ‘perhaps’?
Leah is a wonderful character, I like her a lot. Interested to learn more about her fire starter history (although confused at this stage about the smoke alarm batteries in the rubbish bin – surely if she inadvertently starts fires all the time then she would want the smoke alarms to work?)
Great sense of humour weaved in the story (loved the part about meditating naked on the beach and speaking whale)
Great story, starred highly :-)
Tammy Robinson

Melissa Koehler wrote 202 days ago

i really liked the opening to your novel. it seems very straightforward and not swaying around the edges if you know what i mean. i also really enjoyed your short pitch- it was funny and a bit mysterious- and especially loved the helpful stranger part. one thing i wasnt a fan of was your long pitch- it seemed, well... long. too wordy almost but i dont think thats a huge problem, most people will probably be hooked by your short pitch. youve got a really nice balance between description and dialogue. it sounded realistic and not forced. overall, intriguing read and rated highly.

hoping to hear your feedback on Gut Instincts,
melissa :)

marcie8 wrote 205 days ago

Hi Lisa,

My apologies for the delayed reply. I got distracted by Halloween.

I've read the prologue and all 5 chapters posted. Overall I'm intrigued by the story. It has a fun feel and I would love to read more.

There was nothing that stood out to me as a negative for the story. I think your writing style is clear and engaging. I never would have guessed you felt out of your element writing the romance genre.

Prologue – generally I'm not a fan of prologues, but in this case I think it works. It's short, appropriate, visual, engaging, and introduces the love interest to the reader.

Story Opening – opening was intriguing. I liked that you got the reader grounded and invested in your MC before starting the story. The fire element is particularly interesting.

Plot – story flowed well. Pacing was good. So far you've built a good foundation for the story.

Setting – loved the exotic setting of Neptune's Island

Dialogue – no complaints. Words spoken felt natural and appropriate. Speakers sounded distinct in my head. Good balance of dialogue to narrative. As a Canadian, I noticed that some of the terms Jack uses are not ones a Canadian would use. For example, a Canadian would call a mobile a cell or cell phone. However, since Jack is worldly, I don't think it's a problem.

Character – All characters came across to me as believable. Name choices were good. Main characters are interesting and three dimensional.

Description – good amount and balance here. Good amount of backstory, blended in well.

Conflict – good amount of external-to-the-couple conflict. Leah has a fair amount going on internally, keeping her out of relationships. Thus far we've only seen external conflict for Jack. Aside from Morgan, what's keeping Jack from entering a relationship with Leah and why is she the perfect woman for him?

Structure – one thing I did notice is that your chapters are longer than I'm used to. I have no idea if that's good, bad, or irrelevant, just something I noticed.

Hope that helps.

Marcie
The Barrett Factor

SubRon2 wrote 206 days ago

Well, Lisa, I'm stopping after C5. I've learned something about myself reading this story. I can say it's probably something I wouldn't have kept reading but I liked Leah immediately, and have come to like Jack too (he was such a gentleman with the drunken Leah) I've even come to "like" Morgan. What I'm saying is, I like the characters so I've kept reading, but I'm stopping at C5 because it seems like a good stopping point. I don't want something bad to happen to Leah in C6, and then not be able to keep reading. A really good job, Lisa, but for now I'm only going to W/L your story.
James W. Nelson

SubRon2 wrote 206 days ago

A dang good read, Lisa, and I really like this girl Leah, plus she's very funny. I've laughed several times already. Strangely enough, I recently met and fell in love with a "Leah" but lost track of her just as quickly. Didn't even get her last name. But this Leah is making me think of my Leah, except my Leah, who I'll likely never run into again, has brunette hair. Sorry to get off the track. I definitely like your book, finished C1, and I will be back. I have to go to work now, and I will put Neptune's Island on my W/l.
I rememer King Neptune from my navy days and crossing the equator.
James W. Nelson aka SubRon2

L_MC wrote 208 days ago

Lisa, I commented on this elsewhere. Just realised you have it uploaded here as well so going to repeat that comment for benefit of Autho.

Leah is a very intriguing character. Why do the fires happen? What is the meaning of the fire god dream? Great prologue and first chapter to hook the reader into Leah and what she will encounter on that island. Let's just hope that sexy Canadian is around to help.

elaine black wrote 211 days ago

I read this on another website and commented there, so I'll repeat for authonomy.
I like those hapless heroines who try to maintain control but can't - whatever the reason. I love the green-eyed hunk who shows up last minute. You've set up a few key elements already. The devious boss, her father's connection to the island, and of course the hunky guy who may show up in the nick of time. Great stuff, Lisa. Starred and will be backed shortly. :):)

Ariom Dahl wrote 215 days ago

Enjoying this one.

K A Smith wrote 215 days ago

Another corker, where's the rest of it?

1