Parallel Lives: A Story of the Greatest Generation, and a Love affair that transcends the ages.

by Peter Turnham

From the best-selling author of ‘None Stood Taller’, short-listed for the independently published book of the year 2022.



Despite the hardships of war, two people dare to believe that somewhere in the ruins of London, they will find love, but tragedy awaits them both.



Emma is a doctor at St Thomas's Hospital in London. Her tragedy is that St Thomas’s was bombed eight times during the Blitz. The destruction and loss of life were devastating, but incredibly, the hospital didn’t once close its doors. Emma’s contribution towards that achievement will reduce you to tears and inspire you in equal measure.

Roger is a police detective embroiled in the hunt for a serial killer. His tragedy is to live and work in Balham, South London. When a bomb penetrates the Balham Underground Station, where six hundred Londoners, including Roger, are sheltering, a disaster unfolds that changes his life forever. He loses everything except hope. Hope that the future might once again contain happiness.

This is a period of unimaginable inhumanity, a period when ordinary civilians found themselves on the frontline. The nation didn’t surrender; Emma continued to save lives, and Roger maintained law and order, but they did much more. Like so many, they refused to abandon the essential spirit that defines them as human. They believed that good would overcome evil, they believed in a future without war, and that love would find a way. Emma and Roger represent the triumph of the human they are two of the greatest generation.

552 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2024

About the author

I took the rash decision to retire from my business at the age of 46 to self-build my own house on the top of the Cotswold Hills and to breed a few trout for our lakes. We've now lived in the house for well over 20 years and are still here! We're not really self-sufficient but my wife and I manage and maintain everything ourselves. I just wish I'd discovered the joy of writing sooner - it has become one of my greatest pleasures in life. After a ruptured Achilles tendon trapped me in a chair for some months, to keep my mind occupied I wrote my "Autumn Daffodils" series which is essentially a story in two halves. "Charlie's Story" ends dramatically, and "Joanna's Story" continues the roller-coaster ride to even greater heights.

Since then, I have published the "None Stood Taller" trilogy including "None Stood Taller The Final Year" and "None Stood Taller The Price of Freedom". "Freedom" can be read as the conclusion of the story or can introduce the series to new readers.

"Parallel Lives - a Story of the Greatest Generation" published late August 2024 has taken me two years to write. At 550 pages it seems long, but it is actually two books in one; I could find no sensible place to divide it into two separate books, as it depicts the lives of both Emma and Roger throughout WW2 from 1939 through to 1945.

My six books are all published on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle, with hardbacks of the None Stood Taller series and of Parallel Lives. Paperbacks are also available to order from High Street bookstores.

These days we let out one of our farm buildings as a holiday cottage, and we meet many interesting people from the UK and abroad.

In March 2022, I was shortlisted with "None Stood Taller" for the UK Selfies Award, a competition for self-published authors, with the winner being announced at the annual London Book Fair. Very exciting for a relatively new author at the time!

Reviews

[Peter Jowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was an outstanding read. Among all the war books I have read I think this is the first I have read that concentrated on the lives of people who lived through the blitz in London. Human interest certainly, and I think the author captured the atmosphere of life of many during those days. My current read the next in his series, “None stood taller”.

[Mrs E M Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating glimpse of the reality of everyday life during the Blitz

Loved this book so much. What an incredible telling of life during war-torn Britain. I read so many details I never had been aware of before. The resilience of the greatest generation was very evident despite how they must have felt waking up to devastation all around them day after day.
I have read all of the None Stood Taller series and highly recommend them. Out of them all, I think this one was my ‘favourite’ as it was most relatable. Well done, Mr Turnham, incredible research and story telling.

[Kay Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cleverly thought-out book. The author takes us away from the agents, and Lily and Edward. This book tells us about the ordinary people living through the war. It concentrates on a group of doctors and nurses who work at St. Thomas's hospital. We read about the horrors of living through the bombing raids, the threat of the V1 and V2 bombs. It is a good reminder that life wasn't just about those who worked in the secret service or the armed forces.
This was a brilliant series of books, and this was a fitting final instalment

[Matis Lambergs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extraordinary and deeply moving description of the lives, loves, losses, and triumphs of two of the greatest generation of England during WWll. I’ve read many excellent books about this era but this book so skillfully entwines you into the fiber of their thoughts and emotions that you are there, next to them. Amazing experience! Highly recommended.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ww2 historical fiction of the highest calliber

I am a voracious reader and historical fiction is my favorite genre. I highly recommend you read the "None Stood Taller" trilogy before reading this book. It ties everything together. I'm so sad I've reached the end, I've loved every page of these books.

[Zoe Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the None Stood Taller Books 1-3, but was very aware that the quality of the writing was poor. Sadly, I couldn't look past that in this book. The narrative voice is completely undeveloped; the author is completely unable to understand how women think, and everything is far too 'but it was all okay in the end, because Britain is great'.

[Cheryl Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read
The descriptions of the hospital during the Blitz were so realistic Ordinary people doing extraordinary work under such adverse conditions
Intertwined with brutal murders made me want to continue reading despite the lack of sleep

[sandra lee kurjiaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope love and courage .

This story felt as a warning for this time when a would be tyrant wants to be our president. I felt so involved with the characters that I could almost smell smoke. A great read

[Ellen Dagenhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another magnificent book by Peter Turnham

Every time I start one of his books, I know everything else will fall away as I go back in history. The well drawn characters tell me what it was like to face life in the horror of war.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to read about the day-to-day life during the Blitz in London. How St. Thomas' Hospital was hit several times an how the staff managed to keep the hospital open. The fear and the drive to survive must have been tremendous.

[Tom Woody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read everything he has written- what a wonderful story teller! For me, each book was a page-turner and you can’t help but get involved with his characters !
I will watch and wait for your next release.

[Fred Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Great writing, great characters, great story! Don’t miss the None Stood Taller series mentioned at the end of this book. Those will leave an impression on you that will last. Thank you Peter Turnham for your work.

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

I have read all of "None Stood taller" they were all wonderful books. I highly recommend these books if you have an interest in WW 2. Pick up your copies of these books today. Peter is a gifted author who has worked very hard on these novels.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Facts…

I love novels that use historical context in their stories. Yes the book has love stories with the characters but it is the true historical facts that make this book and the series a home run for me.
Well done!!

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a breathtakingly book,not to be missed

What a fantastic and humbling read ,no words can describe how it effects you,and the realty of the absolutely horrors of any war,this book was so real,sad but also so very uplifting,looking forward to the follow up

[Cherie Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

a look at the brave

It’s like stepping into another world. And it’s being destroyed. The people feel genuine as they live or die during the blitz.

[Leslie Pallière · Rating 5 out of 5]

seamless parallel lives

I have enjoyed each of Peter Turnham’s books. His stories and characters are well researched and flawlessly intertwined.
Love, loss and life.

[wendy bohner · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved!!

Highly engaging to the end !! Loved the main characters and the style of writing. I well be reading the entire series.

[Candy Castorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling page turner from the start

Love all the characterizations and references to players from the first 3 books. Well written and historical. A must read!