A beautiful barrier island becomes a cultural battleground when a billionaire real estate developer attempts to transform its small-town, old Florida community into a mega-resort. The Marcosta Island novels begin in 1994 with the return of Jake Crawford, a disillusioned bioscientist and native son who wants to recapture the honest, simpler life of his youth. Upon arrival, what Jake encounters forces him into action; otherwise, what he seeks will be lost forever, yet another victim of the profiteering and heedless self-indulgence that has redefined most of Florida. The struggle to preserve the island’s heritage and natural beauty weaves through a diverse collection of characters and situations, encompassing a full spectrum of emotions, from tragedy to rediscovered love, all within a backdrop of colorful seaside imagery. Robert Beech