In 1863 upriver from New Orleans, disguised as workers Eden LeGrand and other rebels capture the Bayou Belle steamship filled with Union armament. Among the prisoners is Lieutenant Braden Matthews, who is shot when he heroically but perhaps stupidly tries to stop the seizure.
In St. Louis Union Secret Service Agent Logan Matthews learns about the fate of his sibling from his superior. He immediately volunteers to spy on the Confederate espionage ring that succeeded with the Bayou Belle theft. His only additional information is that the Homeless Haven Orphan Asylum might be involved due to the connections of its leadership.
Logan meets Eden who works at the orphanage and both realizes that each one cares what happens to the children of dead Rebel soldiers, but also are attracted to one another. As their feelings grow, these star-crossed lovers have no hope for a future in a nation divided and where they are on opposite sides.
EDEN is a scintillating insightful Civil War romance that stands out among the myriad of similar titles that cram bookcases because of the historical depth that Bobbi Smith brings to the key story line through her subplots. Readers gain an understanding of the wonderful lead couple by observing how they behave towards the children, enabling the audience to realize that Eden and Logan have much in common besides their love for one another though their loyalties differ. Ms. Smith shows why sub-genre readers think so highly of her as fans gain a taste of EDEN with her latest achievement.
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- 19th century
Forbidden/mismatched love?
Yes
How mismatched?
- loving someone from historic enemy
Action/suspense subplot?
Yes
Action:
- war bringing lovers together
- chased by authorities/family
- chased by/chasing kidnapper/killer
- spies
- political intrigue
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive
Yes
Is really...
- police/investigator
Main Male Character
Profession/status:
- spy
How sexual is this person?
- very picky
How romantic is this person?
- somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Female Character
Age/status:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- teacher
How sexual is this person?
- very picky
How romantic is this person?
- somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Deep South
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related?
- 80%
How much dialog
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
