When Blossoms Fall

by Felicity Dwyer

For Matti life has not been easy, brought up through the hardship of war and the heartbreak of the inevitable loss it brings was difficult enough without her own physical challenges. Matti steadfastly refuses to accept less from life and with the strength and protection of her friends she faces head on the bitter past and secrets that threatened to destroy her happiness

372 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2016

About the author

I was born in Maidstone Kent in 1943 into a family of five boys and three sisters. I loved being part of a large family, and welcomed the birth of three more sisters. Mum and Dad had fifteen children altogether but three of my brothers sadly did not survive.

As the family were relocated to Leicestershire after the war I do not remember Maidstone but I remember vividly the wonderful countryside surrounding the village where I lived and the many happy hours we spent at play. My childhood was like most from working class families during that period. Although money was not plentiful my Dad (a very keen and experienced gardener) grew vegetables, salad and soft fruits. Mum would make bread, bake cakes and tarts. As well as bottling fruit she would make jam and marmalade. Therefore between them they did a wonderful job of ensuring we were all well fed. As we grew up we were all encouraged to take part in these tasks.

I attended St Peter’s RC School in Hinckley where I received a good education. English Literature being one of my favourite subjects. I loved to write compositions and never had any trouble putting pen to paper no matter what subject we were asked to write about. Another passion was reading my head was always in a book: Jan of the Forth, Heidi and Anne of Green Gables to name but a few that captured my imagination.

After many years of proclaiming that one day I would write a book I have achieved my dream. Little did I realise that a stay in hospital would be the catalyst and that ‘When The Blossoms Fall’ would be born. My inspiration was a fellow patient, just when I was feeling very downcast at being placed in a geriatric ward (bringing home to me my advancing years) a wonderful lady sat by my side and started to discuss the book she was reading. Unknowingly she had tapped into my passion. We talked well into the night and as her life unfolded before me I knew that once I got out I would start to write. But it wasn’t until I retired after working for 40 years as a Legal Secretary that I really got down to finishing my first novel. I’m now in the process of writing the sequel, title as yet unknown.

Reviews

[Gill Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the quickest book i have read.

Wow......this was a book I truly could not put down. Really loved the friendship ada Mattie and Gladys had. The story kept me guessing right to the last page. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what can I say. When Blossoms Fall is a fantastic book I was so enraged that mattie was treated so horribly by her own mother.Mattie,Ada and Gladys are such close friends they all have dreams,alas these dreams are to be waylaid by war.Reading this book has made me angry,happy and sad for the three friends but I also had questions that I understood the moment we met Aggies mother(the witch I called her)I had a hope mattie would find her happiness before the book finished.This is such a beautiful story of childhood,love and loss Felicity Dwyer has written a stunning book I can't wait for the next one well worth 5*

[Bella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. A bit too slow.

An okay story but I did get bored. Too much character thinking and not enough action. Some of the military history was wrong too and that bugged me.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this read and what a ending read in two days and got straigh back into the story very moving and a big thank you to the author