While I enjoyed this book, I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much as her earlier books. I think she's a WONDERFUL writer and I will continue to buy everything she writes, but this one was a teeny bit of a disappointment.

Frank sets this up as your typical southern melodrama, with unrequieted love, family tensions and professional drama. That is where the predicatability in this novel ends. Frank does not take the standard formula approach to her work. The obstacles that the reader expects in a work like this never come to pass. Each obstacle is a twist on what is expected. While at times this was a little jarring, once the novel ends, it is very satisfying that Frank took the road less travelled with her plot and characters. It was refreshing and engaging and proved to be an enjoyable and satisfying read. ( )

Dorthea Benton Frank has the knack for writing about what she knows. She was born and raised in the Low Country of South Carolina and her settings and characters reflect her passion. Bulls Island is full of melodramatic Southern and arrogant "Yankee" stereotypes, but the story is humorous and fast paced with a timely topic. Twenty years ago, Betts McGee fled Charleston and her fiancé, J.D. Langley, after her mother was killed in a car accident triggered after an incident with the Langley family. Betts has made a new life for herself and her son in New York City and is the financial guru at a real estate development company. Now her boss wants Betts to return to Charleston to oversee the development of Bulls Island. Betts company has partnered with the Langley family to turn the crocodile-infested island into a high price residential paradise. Betts is torn about returning to South Carolina after so long and confronting her family, former fiancé and her deep, dark secret. Throw in a Soprano-like love interest, eco-terrorism and an explosive ending and you have a story that will keep your attention and make you crave Southern sweet tea. ( )

This story centers on Betts and JD, who were young sweethearts separated by a tragic accident. They are thrown together again after 19 years, to build a housing development/resort on Bulls Island.

I really enjoy Frank's books. All are set in the Low Country of S. Carolina, and they are populated with such eccentric characters, who are still so "real" you want to set down and get to know them. ( )

The area she writes about is in Charleston, SC, and the surrounding islands. This book covers the topis of wildlife preservation, illegal paths big companies take to skirt around environmental policies to get what they want and a love story to tie it all together. ( )

One of the worst books I've read. No plot, unlikeable characters, and riddled with cliches and errors. ( )

Predictable. Very much like several of her others.

I found this story too contrived. I’ve always liked Frank’s books with their warm Southern charm, but this one left me feeling cool. It just didn't seem to flow as her others have. There were too many dysfunctional people populating the story and gaps in the history of how Betts went from being JD's girlfriend to successful business woman as a single mom. ( )

Library Journal Review
Frank, Dorothea Benton. Bulls Island. Morrow. Apr. 2008. 336p. ISBN 978-0-06-143843-1. $24.95. lrg. prnt.
Betts finally returns to the island home where her mother's death led to accusations that ended her marriage plans. With a one-day laydown on April 8; multicity tour and reading group guide. ( )

When I got the note that this was the one they were going to send me, I was really thrilled, because I have enjoyed previous novels by this author. Bulls Island was yet another great book, written as most of her others are in the setting of the South Carolina Lowcountry. I've never visited that area of the U.S., but I long to go now that I have "traveled" there through her novels. There's something extra-special about that area, I can tell from just reading about it.

Bulls Island was one of those books that start off fast, then slow (way) down, and then pick up to a nice speed for the last set of chapters. I particularly enjoyed the story of Betts & J.D., the main characters. In a way, I wished that Betts had had the opportunity to tell her big secret before fate told it for her; I would have liked to see her family's reactions (and J.D.'s) in a more normal setting. But maybe it was better the way they did come to find out. The shock of the recent events probably helped to dull the anger that would have inevitably cropped up after finding out what Betts had been hiding for so long.

There were 2 characters I loved to hate: Louisa and Valerie. And maybe this is bad, but I had very little sympathy for Valerie. What a total witch! At the end, at least Louisa redeemed herself somewhat by insisting on some morality and decency regarding the situation of her son's pending divorce.

Overall, though the story was a bit unbelievable in certain parts, I found myself turning the pages happily, excited to find out what was going to happen next. I wish we would have been able to find out more about how Betts and J.D.'s relationship ended up. An epilogue including a mention of their wedding would have been nice. I really wanted to see those two make it happily ever after. But we're led to believe that's what would happen anyway, so I guess that will have to do! Perhaps there will be a sequel with Sela and her bunch?! ( )

From the start, I was pulled into Frank’s story of Betts and her past history with the Langley family. This was a fast read, not wanting to put the book down until I found out if Betts and JD end up together and JD’s reaction to having a child he did not know existed for the past 18 years. Unfortunately, the book ended too abruptly. Not in the sense that I wanted to spend more time with these characters, but it literally felt too rushed in the end. To say the least, I was disappointed by the ending and what felt like a quick wrap up of what I thought was going to be a central issue of the story—everyone’s reaction to Betts lying to so many people about so many things in her life, and the resulting feelings of these people---from her dad and sister, to JD and his family, and most importantly, Adrian. ( )

Bulls Island is vintage Dorothea Benton Frank,with wonderful descriptions of the Low Country's places,people,food and weather. The characters were not as interesting or compelling as in some of her prior books,and the story wasn't quite as believable,but it was still a great book for a long hot day at the beach. It was unique to read the advance readers copy, reassuring to see that a bestselling author makes so many silly errors.Bestselling authors are real people, what a concept!

hotter then the hinges on the back door of hell, if you live long enough you see everything, along the shores of vino creek, hydration experiene

Although I continue to enjoy Frank's books, I am beginning to find a certain sameness to the story lines. The descriptions of the area are always a plus to me, but it always seems like the main character (always a woman) starts out in New York and ends up in Charleston. Still, for pure enjoyment, this is not a bad read! ( )

Betts McGee, an executive with ARC in New York, is assigned to the company's latest venture in Charleston. For nearly 20 years, Betts has managed to keep her Charleston past a secret. Her son Adrian believes she was from Atlanta and has no family. The company's latest venture is a partnership with the company run by J.D. Langley, Adrian's ex-boyfriend, to develop Bulls Island. There is opposition to the project by environmentalists. Betts must come to term with her past.

I enjoyed the book although it took me a little longer than usual to really "get into it." There was plenty of suspense to keep you wandering what would happen next. Many people have commented that advance copies were full of errors. Most of the errors are gone from the first edition although I did catch a few proofreading lapses. ( )

I found this book a disappointment. The story seemed to be rushed and the plot was rather predictable. Frank has written better. ( )

This modern-day southern story is a quick paced, engaging read - more than once I thought it would be perfect for reading on the beach. This will be a great beach the 2008 beach season for sure. The story has twists and turns, various perspectives and vivid locations -- all which add up to a good read. Many current events and issues are encorporated in the book, making it fit into today's world. If I were to improve it, I would say at times some things felt slightly rushed while other things were over developed. ( )

Betts McGee's life took a radical turn when she fled her home after her mother's death. Nineteen years later, her work brings her back to Charleston to confront her past - the family that disowned her, the man she still loved, and his mother, who detested her. It's not easy returning home with your own secrets, including a son no one knows about.

As always, Frank writes a story that keeps the reader turning pages. Her passion for the Lowcountry shines through on every page. She does an excellent job with description. However, at times, her characters are a little over the top. It's a southern story that is too melodramatic at times. Betts herself is overwhelmed by the drama of her life, and, at times, the reader is as well. It's a fun story, but all of the characters are a little too dramatic, which makes them unrealistic. It's a fun book, despite its flaws. ( )

Despite the numerous grammatical and spelling errors, I enjoyed this book. Reading about warm southern islands in the midst of a record-breaking winter is always good. My biggest complaint was that the resolution between Betts and her family was a little too easy. I felt like there should have been more work involved in mending these relationships. Of course, a happy ending is always appreciated - just a little more realism on the way there. ( )

G.R.I.T.S.(Girls Raised in The South) – there is something about them, particularly in books. The have the most marvelous adventures, get touched (only touched) by tragedy and still manage to look like the ‘perfect lady’ or attempt to, feel terribly guilty if they don’t and fall in love. This is a G.R.I.T.S. book. The heroine, and she can only be called a heroine, returns to her roots to ‘defile the environment’ – at least according to the protest signs. (Adventure). On going conflict on this project results in death (Tragedy #1), reveals a previously unknown secret (pseudo historic Tragedy) and the final recognition of what’s right with the world. In other words – a G.R.I.T.S. murder mystery masquerading as a romance. ( )

Betts McGee fled her childhood home of Charleston, SC, after the sudden death of her mother, which drove a wedge between her and her fiance, J.D. Betts moved to New York City, became a successful financier and raised her son, Adrian. For almost 20 years, Betts never spoke to her father, sister or estranged fiance. That is, until her company sent her back to Charleston on assignment - and she must deal with her ghosts from the past, including J.D., who still has feelings for Betts.

This is my first novel by Dorothea Benton Frank, and I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed with the plot in Bulls Island. On the surface, it sounded like fun "poolside reading" - but the plot did not move quickly enough to keep this reader interested in the story. It was nearly half way into the novel before Betts actually arrives in Charleston. First, the reader must deal with her son's departure to college and Betts's fling with another man before the reader gets what she's been waiting for: the boy-meets-girl tension that dangled from this story for nearly 150 pages. When we finally get there, the book rushes through the storyline. The whole plot was choppy and disjointed to me.

While the plot was not up to par, I did find Frank's writing style easy and fun to read. Her depictions of Southern landscapes rival Nicholas Sparks or Sue Monk Kidd. I felt the humidity, smelled the river and watched the grass brown right with the characters. As a fan of books set in the South, I found these parts of the book to be the best.

Would I read another book by Dorothea Benton Frank? Only after doing some more research on what other readers have thought about her stories and examining what the plots have to offer. I am guessing that fans of her writing might enjoy Bulls Island. For others, I think you can safely pass on this tale. ( )

I'd never read anything by Ms. Frank, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but the plot synopsis seemed promising. Bulls Island is the story of a woman who returns home to Charleston after nearly two decades of being away to face old ghosts. I wanted to like this book, but I just didn't care for it. My biggest issue was pacing. For a 330 page novel, I expected to get into the story relatively quickly. However, it took 136 pages for Betts (the main character) to actually get to Charleston. Because so much of the novel was spent lingering over her worries about what wuold happen when she returned home, it left little time for any plot development once she got there. The remainder of the book felt very rushed. The abrupt style just didn't suit me. ( )

Elizabeth "Betts" McGee grew up in South Carolina and was engaged to be married to her childhood sweetheart J.D. Langley of the Langley family when a devastating event ended everything she knew. Following that event, she broke off the engagement and left for New York, where she's been for the past twenty years making a life for herself and raising her son, all without any help from her family, who basically cut ties with her for leaving. Then an assignment at work brings her back to South Carolina, and back into J.D.'s life, as she assists her company in developing a new community on Bulls Island, a protected island off South Carolina's coast. J.D. and his family are the developers, and during the time they spend together working on the development, old feelings return and situations become more and more complicated as environmental protesters threaten to bring the development to a screeching halt. And then there's Betts little secret...
I've never read one of this author's books before, but I liked it. Although the plot line is fairly predictable, it's also one many people can relate to. Of course I realize this was an unedited copy, but sometimes it was hard to understand some of the phrases and what the author was trying to say due to many, MANY grammatical and spelling errors. As a whole, however, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading other books by this author.

I've never read a book by Dorothea Benton Frank and I think Bulls Island was a good introduction to her writing style and southern locations. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. The main characters, Betts and J.D., were likeable and real. The author went back and forth between present and past easily and filled in all the gaps about what happened nearly 20 years ago and all the heartbreak it caused. I was anxious to find out what was going to happen and found myself wishing I could read it all in one sitting, rather than go to sleep or to work. The book was about family, love, and forgiveness. I also felt like the location of Charleston and Bulls Island played an important role. It was the place Betts had to return to, her home, in order to be healed and move on with her life. The very last bit of the book, the epilogue, did feel like it was rushed but it wrapped up the story well. ( )

I discovered Dorothea Frank on a family trip to Georgia on St. Simons Island. I had run out of things to read and went into a local bookshop and the bookseller recommended a local author who turned out to be Dorothea Frank. Since reading Sullivan’s Island, I have looked forward to each of the novels by Ms. Frank and was very excited to receive Bulls Island through the Early Reviewer program.

Bulls Island is the story of Betts McGee and JD Langley who were high school sweethearts broken up by a set of tragic events on the night of their engagement. Approximately 20 years later, Betts and JD are thrown back together when their companies invest in a home building project on Bulls Island. The ensuing story details the interactions between the two families as well as the companies involved in the project.

I was thoroughly enthralled with the story of Betts and JD and read late into the night many times as I couldn’t wait to read what would happen next. Frank incorporates the “Southern” details into her novels seamlessly and I often felt like I was right in the middle of Bulls Island. ( )