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Crosswinds: An historical WW2 fiction set in England and America
A mother and daughter, with an ocean between them, struggle to resolve their pasts, for the future of those they love.
‘Love was limitless, like the ocean, like the sky. She knew that now. There was no need to measure it or share it. If you love, it has no width, no depth – it is infinite and it endures.’
The year is 1945. Ellen, bright and ambitious, is a Wren in the Royal Navy. Her hopes for the war to bring freedom and a great career are shattered when Flight Lieutenant Harry Simmons, her pilot boyfriend, dies in his Spitfire and she is left alone and panicked
Grant, an American soldier, has been in love with Ellen since they first met. He’s had a tough war, but surviving the Normandy beaches, he offers her a life as a fisherman’s wife in Maine. Ellen decides to take a wild chance and she sets sail on the RMS Queen Mary, bound for America.
When she disembarks, she hardly recognises the man she’s agreed to marry. Life in Maine begins with a frosty welcome from Sarah, Grant’s mother, in a tall clapboard house by Rockland harbour and six feet of snow. Nothing has turned out as she hoped. Undaunted, Ellen sets out to win the respect of her husband and find a way of earning money that doesn’t involve gutting fish.
1965. Secrets can’t hold for ever. When Ellen's daughter Thea grows up and learns the truth about her parentage she is devastated. She flees to London, to study science, have a career and discover her British heritage, Thea works hard to build a life for herself with the magnetic, but unstable Josef, a journalist who has left South Africa to escape Apartheid.
But, when tragedy strikes, Thea must find the courage to protect her family and those she loves.
Set against a backdrop of the fast-moving political and social events of the second half of the twentieth century this sweeping family saga explores society’s changing attitudes to careers, sex and families, and how a mother and her daughter make some difficult life choices.
‘Love was limitless, like the ocean, like the sky. She knew that now. There was no need to measure it or share it. If you love, it has no width, no depth – it is infinite and it endures.’
The year is 1945. Ellen, bright and ambitious, is a Wren in the Royal Navy. Her hopes for the war to bring freedom and a great career are shattered when Flight Lieutenant Harry Simmons, her pilot boyfriend, dies in his Spitfire and she is left alone and panicked
Grant, an American soldier, has been in love with Ellen since they first met. He’s had a tough war, but surviving the Normandy beaches, he offers her a life as a fisherman’s wife in Maine. Ellen decides to take a wild chance and she sets sail on the RMS Queen Mary, bound for America.
When she disembarks, she hardly recognises the man she’s agreed to marry. Life in Maine begins with a frosty welcome from Sarah, Grant’s mother, in a tall clapboard house by Rockland harbour and six feet of snow. Nothing has turned out as she hoped. Undaunted, Ellen sets out to win the respect of her husband and find a way of earning money that doesn’t involve gutting fish.
1965. Secrets can’t hold for ever. When Ellen's daughter Thea grows up and learns the truth about her parentage she is devastated. She flees to London, to study science, have a career and discover her British heritage, Thea works hard to build a life for herself with the magnetic, but unstable Josef, a journalist who has left South Africa to escape Apartheid.
But, when tragedy strikes, Thea must find the courage to protect her family and those she loves.
Set against a backdrop of the fast-moving political and social events of the second half of the twentieth century this sweeping family saga explores society’s changing attitudes to careers, sex and families, and how a mother and her daughter make some difficult life choices.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
29 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 14, 2025
Set in WWII, Ellen works among the men fighting. Falling for one guy that dies and an acquaintance with another. Pregnant and not sure what to do, she accepts the US officer’s affections. A new country, life and the secret she carries. Thea was well cared for and had no idea her father was not her real father. Upset, she takes off overseas. Needless to say, Thea’s life got complicated. I enjoyed reading this book!
September 19, 2025
Great book, many life lessons along the way
I really enjoyed reading this book. The story and the characters were very realistic. The story kept my interest, and I enjoyed the different perspectives of each character. Other than a few British words and sayings and some grammatical errors, this book was great.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The story and the characters were very realistic. The story kept my interest, and I enjoyed the different perspectives of each character. Other than a few British words and sayings and some grammatical errors, this book was great.
July 26, 2024
Excellent.
You won’t want to put this down once you start it!
Super authentic detail and lots of threads woven into a thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing read.
You won’t want to put this down once you start it!
Super authentic detail and lots of threads woven into a thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing read.
October 8, 2025
The discussion guide of this book amazed me alot which makes me gives it five stars 🤩.
October 13, 2025
this story is a deep into how love, war, and difficult choices shape the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. I loved the book presentation at our book club!
October 13, 2025
All I can say is the deepen unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. I love that part
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews