Where The Sky Falls

by Dougie McHale

A vivid, heart-wrenching World War Two novel about the stirring power of love, one woman’s bravery in the face of darkness, and her heartbreaking decision to risk everything for the man she loves.

Corfu, 1943

The German occupation has reduced Corfu to destitution where the Nazis have destroyed all that Alexia knew. It was enough just for her to survive. Until, in an olive grove,Alexia unexpectedly discovers Frank, who claims not to be a soldier or British spy but instead a war artist who desperately needs her help.

To protect him,Alexia hides Frank from the nazis, even though she knows that every day she is risking her life. Slowly, their feelings for each other begin to grow, but just as love blossoms, Alexia is about to learn that Frank is hiding a lot more than meets the eye and both are forced to face the cruellest and ultimate test of love and loyalty. But she also knows what she has to do…

2010

When Rob finds a mysterious photograph amongst his late mother’s belongings, he’s desperate to learn more. He begins to discover that things aren’t all that they seem in his family’s history, long-buried secrets are starting to reach into the present and unlocking those secrets will change everything Rob thinks he knows about his mother, the past, and most importantly, himself.

As the fragments of Frank and Alexia’s story are pieced together,Rob discovers the devastating sacrifices and desperate choices made in the name of love, the fight for happiness and the unimaginable courage of the woman behind it all… a story of survival, hope and what we do for the ones we love.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2023

About the author

In a past life, I’ve been a dockyard worker, student, musician, and song writer. Writing has always been in my blood and bone, from my musical days of writing lyrics and now my novels.

My books encapsulate themes such as love, loss, hope, coming of age and the uncovering of secrets. They are character-driven stories set against the backdrop of Edinburgh and Greece.

I never intended to, but seemingly, I write women’s contemporary fiction and since 95% of my readers are women, I suppose that’s a good fit.

I identify with a physical place and the feeling of belonging; both are prominent in my writing.

I want my novels to have a sense of time and place, drawing the reader into the social and cultural complexities of the characters. I want my characters to speak from the page, where the reader can identify with them, their hopes, fears, conflicts, loves and emotions. I hope the characters become like real people, where the reader wants to know what is going to happen to the characters, where is their life taking them in the story.

The common denominator is, I want my novels to be about what it means to be human through our relationship with our world, our environment and with each other. Most of all, I want them to be good stories that the reader can connect with and enjoy.

Visit me at my website and sign up for the occasional update about new releases and book promotions. www.dougiemchale.com

Like me at Dougie @facebook.com/www.dougiemchale

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another incredible WW II novel set on Corfu by Dougie McHale. Many Americans have no idea how fascism devastated Greece even before World War II and its subsequent occupation by the Nazis. This author writes so authentically about the Greek people's suffering and their pride in their culture. One of the main characters is a Scottish man who is part of the British government's project to have artists record what they see during the war. Seeing Corfu through Frank's eyes is a unique experience for the reader. I was drawn into the story by the time I finished the first page and would have read it straight through if my family hadn't insisted on eating. If you've ever been to Corfu, this book will have you smelling the wild lavender and rosemary in the breeze again. If you've never been, Corfu will go on your bucket list. I highly recommend this book to everyone, particularly if you'd like to know how WW II affected Greece. It has an intense, fast-moving plot with unexpected twists but it's the rich characters that make this novel shine...I loved it.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story told both during WWII and in current time. During the war, in Corfu, Greece, Alexia helps
Hide a British war artist. Their struggle was to survive while the Nazis searches and imprisoned their enemies. In present day Scotland, Rob finds a mysterious photograph amongst his late mother’s belongings. His search takes him
To Corfu wheee he discovers the secret in his family history.

[Glenda Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book kept me gripped.

[Mrs P E Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

What is great book so many different tangents to it, but l thoroughly enjoyed reading it, there are many good books out there

[Margaret Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

love and war

I loved the story telling, even though the awful terrors of the dreadful war.
But love conquers all… just brilliant

[sherry pacini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I really enjoyed this book it kept you guessing what would happen next it was quite harrowing in parts when telling about the war

[Stephen Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the Sky Falls

Another great read and learning so much history about Greece and WW2.A sad but amazing story.Very brave people that deserve to be remembered.