Michael Taylor

Synopsis

Lizzie Bishop, full of romantic dreams, finds fulfilment with Ben Kite, a forthright and sensitive young man.

But two former rivals for Lizzie's affection, Stanley Dando her intriguing second cousin, and Jesse Clancey the likeable and handsome son of a prosperous neighbour, remain secretly in love with her. Then Ben, with the noblest of intentions, makes the biggest mistake of his life and everybody is caught up in the spiralling consequences.

Sensual, riveting, poignantly tender, and often hilariously funny, Eve's Daughter will make you laugh and make you cry, drawing you into an enthralling saga of obsessive desire and deceit.
Set in a Black Country community between 1902 and 1929, the characters are engaging, the backdrop is atmospheric and vividly true to life.

A brilliant debut novel.

PUBLISHING DETAIL

Peacock Publishing paperback 1997
ISBN 0-9525404-5-2

Hodder & Stoughton hardback £18.99
ISBN 0-340-81824-7. 2002.

Coronet paperback £6.99
ISBN 0-340-81825-5. 2002.

Magna Large Print £17.99. April 2001
ISBN 0 7505 17271

Isis Sound Books £44.95.
October 2001
Read by Julia Sands
1 85903 450 0

Such a vital book. Great characters and riveting events are projected refreshingly and clearly whether sad, funny or romantic.
A great saga. Michael Taylor's writing is really gripping and prolific too. He shows enormous feeling.

Joan Stockdale, Bangor Chronicle. 12th Sept 2002

This novel follows the best traditions of the saga genre. The plot provides enough twists and turns to make it pleasingly unpredictable, and an interesting cast creates a heart-warming community backdrop to the action.

Sarah Wilson, The Historical Novels Review, August 2002

So who says that men can't be romantic?
That breathless love scene was written by Michael Taylor. And he's proud to be the MAN behind the story of lovely Lizzie Bishop and the three stalwart Black Country men who seek her heart.
But moving into Catherine Cookson country makes him a very unusual bloke indeed. The Romantic Novelists' Association has 700 members. Only 20 of them are men and 19 of those prefer to hide behind female pseudonyms. But Michael is delighted to put his own name to a romance.
At night he sits down and writes lines like this: "His dark curls, his even teeth and his lovely, lovely lips would surely break the hearts of a good many girls. It was up to her to make sure no-one else had a chance."
Like all the best books of its kind it is about love and hardship with a healthy dash of nostalgia from the years between 1902 and 1929.'

Richard Williamson - The Sunday Mercury.
January 18th 1998.

"This earthy novel could do for the Black Country what Catherine Cookson's sagas have done for the north of England. From the first sentence it grips your attention, promising an absorbing read.
Set in Dudley from 1902 to 1929, its heroine is Lizzie Bishop, a romantic young woman torn between three suitors - caddish Stanley Dando, kind, reliable Ben Kite, and down-to-earth dairyman, Jesse Clancey.
We see how global events like the First World War and the General Strike intrude into a working class community going about their business.
The vast array of warm realistic characters includes Jesse's battleaxe mum Ezme, drunken Doctor Donald Clark, and the butcher whose nickname is pronounced, in true Black Country fashion, as Jack 'Ardmate.
Painstakingly researched, the book shows minute attention to detail, with references to Dudley landmarks adding fine touches of realism.
A classic in the making.'

Leigh Rowley - The Dudley News.
20th November 1997

Michael Taylor comes into that small category of male writers able to achieve a warm empathy with the heroine.'
Dr. Hilary Johnson.