Time Intertwined: Book 1 of the Agent Orange Trilogy

by Kaylon Bruner Tran

War doesn’t end just because the fighting stops.Anh was only ten when American Green Berets first set foot in Vietnam. Within two years, she would be orphaned and sickened by the deadly herbicide known as Agent Orange. After nearly two decades of war, Anh and her newborn daughter were desperate to escape. But in the chaos and confusion of the fall of Saigon, mother and child were separated. Would she ever see her baby again?Anh’s daughter Mikayla grew up in the U.S. with no memory of her mother. When a DNA test unexpectedly reveals that she was adopted, Mikayla is left angry and confused—and she is determined to discover her true identity.As Anh struggles to rebuild her life, Mikayla uncovers long-kept secrets that threaten to rip her family apart. Can either woman find happiness again?Just as Anh and Mikayla begin to adjust to the changes forced upon them, the toxic legacy of Agent Orange begins to be revealed. The war may be over, but another battle rages on. Is it possible to defeat an invisible enemy capable of harming generations yet to come?

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2021

About the author

Kaylon Bruner Tran, PhD is best known for her medical research studies which are primarily focused on endometriosis and preterm birth. When her sons were little, she was annoyed that so many cartoons included an evil scientist and made up stories about good scientists to tell them at bedtime. Time Intertwined was inspired by events in her family and she thought it would be the only novel she would ever write. However, the one book has become a trilogy and she has decided to keep writing novels. She has also published numerous scientific manuscripts and several non-fiction essays. Now that her sons are in college, she is cooking less and writing more.

You can find her blog on her website.

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time Intertwined by Kaylon Bruner Tran is Book 1 in the Agent Orange Trilogy. This is a fictional novel with a twist of adventure, history, loss, and family secrets. Kaylon Bruner Tran beautifully portrays tension, family trauma, the effects of war, and self-discovery in an enthralling work of literature, sure to captivate the reader from start to finish. Well-written and surprising, this book details a saga of survival, relationships, and how life is impacted during and after the war. Kaylon Bruner Tran, though well-known in the medical research community, branches out into writing, and does a great job of remaining loyal to historical research, crafts a fascinating original story, and leaves readers wanting more.

The story of Time Intertwined follows Anh and Mikayla, a mom and daughter separated in the fall of Saigon and the end of two decades of the Vietnam War. The book chronicles the story of Mikayla discovering who she is after growing up in the U.S. and unexpectedly finding out she was adopted. Anh, on the other hand, works towards rebuilding her life, with the looming threat of destruction to a legacy, the resulting complications of sickness, and the revelation of dark family secrets uncovered.

Touching, beautiful, and heart-wrenching, Time Intertwined, Book 1 of the Agent Orange Trilogy is a must-read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Vietnam War, historical fiction, cross-cultural settings, or family trauma. This book is complex and relays the lasting effects of war on humanity. This book has excellent character development, historical details, heartwarming moments, and an intensely intricate plot. This book is perfect for people who are looking for a story that is suspenseful and touching all at once.

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Time Intertwined” by Kaylon Tran offers a captivating exploration of time travel and its complexities. The narrative weaves together multiple timelines, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories that challenge the characters’ perceptions of fate and free will.
The story’s structure keeps readers engaged as they navigate through different eras, each revealing layers of the characters’ motivations and struggles.
Tran excels in creating relatable characters whose journeys resonate emotionally, making their dilemmas feel personal and impactful.
Themes of time, memory, and consequence are expertly woven throughout, prompting readers to reflect on how choices shape their lives.
“Time Intertwined” is a thought-provoking read that balances sci-fi elements with profound emotional depth. If you’re interested in stories that challenge the nature of time and existence, this book is definitely worth picking up!

[Cel Jel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book which has the stories of people affected by the Vietnam war. There are chapters set in Vietnam and chapters set in Australia and in the United States of America. It reminds us that the people of the country a war is fought in are affected at the time and for years afterwards, and that some may have to leave to feel safe at the end. This last part is particularly appropriate to consider in light of new political positions. I really recommend reading this book.
My only observation is that in one scene a squirrel is mentioned as being hot by a car in Australia. Although some were introduced earlier I think the eradication program had got rid of them by that time. I did go checking various government reporting sites of the dealings with feral animals and the squirrels in particular. (For that I also a, grateful to the author for I learned more about various programs.

[Theresa Dodaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two loves in my life, genealogy and history, and this book combines both! Having had an older brother who was in the Airforce and stationed in Da Nang during the Vietnam War, I found the details of the war especially interesting. This story weaves together a family saga full of challenges, loss, and survival. Through its twists and turns, Time Intertwined has shown me a new way to look at life's ever unexpected diverging paths, (loosely paraphrased): "Each ending leads to a new beginning." I look forward to reading future novels written by this author, Kaylon Bruner Tran, she is a wonderful storyteller!

[Paula Artis-austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction but can be turned off quickly if an author loosely represents real events. In this book the author did an exceptional job remaining faithful to history while weaving an amazing story that not only invests the reader and leaves them satisfied yet wanting more. I had given up reading fictional books save a very few authors in recent years but am glad to add this one to my read list.

Having said all of this, I confess I know this author, but we both know that it would not save her from my ridiculously picky nature.

[Barbara K Kula · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Nephew Just Passed Yesterday

My nephew, Gary Browning, was a U S serviceman who served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange. I initially chose to read your book because of him and I'm so very glad I did. He passed away just yesterday after suffering the ills of Lewy Body dementia. Do you know if this ailment is directly connected to Agent Orange.

bkkuka@yahoo.com. Barbara Kula

[Colleen Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel that I have read by this author. I went into it not knowing what to expect. I absolutely loved it! The story intertwines from past to present, showing how the Vietnam war affected both the Vietnamese people and the U.S. soldiers stationed there. Facts such as Agent Orange and using DNA testing are mingled in with the resulting consequences that affected the families of future generations.

[Toni Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing

This novel tells the story of Vietnam people, service members, the people left behind and refugees. It also talks about Agent Orange and how it affected different generations. The story is brought together by taking DNA tests and funding long lost relatives. Such an emotional story.

[LINDA MCCAULEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

a story about family!

An excellent story about the journey of two Vietnamese sisters, their children and connections in the United States. Written as a novel, but informative like a documentary. It’s a story that tugs your heartstrings! I highly recommend this book!

[Roberta A Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping

I really enjoyed this book. As the widow of a Viet Nam vet and a mother, grandmother and great grandfather this story of love, determination, loss and triumph kept me reading. At times I was in tears

[Jen Dodrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful historical fiction

Based on true history, and showing how lives are so intricately intertwined, Time Intertwined caught and kept my attention. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Lbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a long weekend even though I had other stuff I was supposed to be doing. My husband got really annoyed with me--but the next weekend, he read it and couldn't put it down either.

[Annmarie Kuyath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time Intertwined is a great story. A Vietnamese nurse is separated from Mai, her 6 day old baby girl. Mai's, father, an American was killed before her birth.  Mai was adopted by an American couple and she uses DNA when she grows up to find her biological roots 


The story covers DNA and the devastating effects of  Agent Orange exposure. The author does an amazing job of not only making it interesting, but easy to understand.  It's a beautifully written book that I couldn't put down and I highly recommend it!