Eden Lost

by Richard Taylor

Commodore Dewey stormed into Manila Bay in 1899, sank the Spanish fleet, but then stayed too long. Allies became enemies. Josh Armand and Isabella Germain converged in Manila from divergent worlds but a precarious romance ensnared them both as war threatened to devastate their dreams. Josh, an American engineer and entrepreneur, savors America's Manifest Destiny until nearly overrun by a coach carrying a most remarkable woman. Isabella, however, is engaged in covert activities which clash with his loyalties and values. The ""splendid little war"" with Spain erupts into America's ugliest war, one of betrayal and conflict between Filipinos and Americans. Josh's and Isabella's bonds are strained to the breaking point. Love is cruelly tested by cultural divisions, divided allegiances and war-torn circumstances. They must overcome danger and difficulty to find lasting love while Eden is in peril.

296 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2014

About the author

Richard Taylor was a soldier for all his adult life, serving in Vietnam, Europe, Grenada, the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous posts in the United States. His service led to an understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by soldiers and their loved ones.

He documented his experiences over two tours of duty in Vietnam in Prodigals: A Vietnam Story (2003). The manuscript was an award winner at the Pike’s Peak Writers Conference the previous year. He earned a nomination as a Georgia Writer of the Year and the book was a featured selection by the Military Book Club.

His history of veterans is documented in Homeward Bound: American Veterans Return from War (2007), republished by the Naval Institute Press in 2009 as a featured selection for the Association of the United States Army.

Taylor is retired from active service but is still involved with veterans’ organizations.

Reviews

[T.B. Caine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through GoodReads First Reads giveaway and have reviewed the book honestly.

This book. It was amazing, the ending had me crying. Partly joy, and the other part sadness. I knew the ending was coming, you know it's coming from the first page to about halfway. But it's the way it happens and how Josh handles it. Isabella dies. After knowing her for so long and loving her relationship with Josh, full of flaws and so realistic. This book was phenomenal, I only noticed 2 errors, both spelling related. But the book is still so powerful. Parts may be fiction, but the historical value is still here. Anytime a character who was real "finishes" their part of the story, the author gives a peak of their life AFTER the book. Such brilliance, and I can't wait to read more from Richard Taylor.