Enduring Passions

by David Wiltshire

England, 1939.

As war looms, two young people navigate the heartbreak of love and separation.

Beautiful, headstrong Fay Rossiter is an aristocrat with a glittering future — and music career — ahead of her.

Tom Roxham is a railway policeman who plays saxophone part time in a band. He’s a lot more interesting than most of the men in Fay’s usual set.

They would never normally have met. And they certainly should never have fallen in love.

But as Neville Chamberlain announces that the country is at war with Germany, their differences turn out to be the least of their worries.

Tom joins the RAF and Fay volunteers as a nurse.

Theirs was love at first sight, but now it seems that fate might not be on their side.

A COUPLE SEPARATED BY CLASS AND WAR

In a stunning conclusion Tom must risk everything to rescue the woman he loves.

A totally breathtaking wartime saga perfect for fans of Kate Eastham, Pam Howes, Dinah Jefferies, Tania Crosse and Josephine Cox.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

David Wiltshire spent his childhood in Cheltenham before qualifying as a dental surgeon, from University College Hospital, London. He served his National Service in Aden and Singapore.

He is married with three children and eight grandchildren and lives in Bedford.

He is the author of fourteen published novels, some under the name of John Bedford.

BOOKS BY DAVID WILTSHIRE

STANDALONE NOVELS

THE TEARS OF AUTUMN

ENDURING PASSIONS

BENEATH US THE STARS

THREE UNPUTDOWNABLE WW2 HISTORICAL SAGAS BOX SET

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Fay Rossiter saw the young man across the room she felt the need to meet him, get to know him. Fay was from the elite crowd with a wealthy family. Her leisure time was filled with fun and entertainment, with a group of friends from the same class as her. Tom also felt something when he saw the young Fay, and vowed to get to know her if he could. Gradually they fell in love, much against her parents wishes, although Tom's parents were approving.

With war on the horizon and Tom's love of flying, he eventually joined the RAF, flying Hurricanes. Meanwhile Fay went to Australia for a six month tour, stopping off in Singapore on the way home to spend time with her aunt, who was unwell. When the Japanese invaded, Fay did some nursing but worse was to come, for both Fay and Tom. Would they survive to be together once again? The odds were low...

Enduring Passions is an exceptional historical love story, my first by author David Wiltshire and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fay was an intriguing character, free spirited and determined, while Tom was a calm, natural young man with manners and decorum, from the upbringing he'd received. As the war kept them apart, hope and love kept their spirits up. Highly recommended.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple separated by class and war.England, 1939.As war looms, two young people navigate the heartbreak of love and separation.Beautiful, headstrong Fay Rossiter is an aristocrat with a glittering future — and music career — ahead of her.Tom Roxham is a railway policeman who plays saxophone part time in a band. He’s a lot more interesting than most of the men in Fay’s usual set.They would never normally have met. And they certainly should never have fallen in love.But as Neville Chamberlain announces that the country is at war with Germany, their differences turn out to be the least of their worries.Tom joins the RAF and Fay volunteers as a nurse.Theirs was love at first sight,but now it seems that fate might not be on their side.In a stunning conclusion Tom must risk everything to rescue the woman he loves.The Civil Air Guard was established by the UK Government in July 1938 to encourage and subsidise pilot training as the prospect of another war loomed.Subsidised tuition for members of participating civilian flying clubs was offered in exchange for an 'honorable undertaking' that in an emergency members would serve in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.Members of this Civil Air Guard had a dark blue boiler uniform(usually privately purchased) and badges supplied for distinction.When civil aviation ceased not long before the war began in September 1939,most members of the Civil Air Guard enlisted in either the Royal Air Force or the Fleet Air Arm.Railroad/railway police,are persons responsible for the protection of railroad (or railway) properties, facilities, revenue and personnel, as well as carried passengers and cargo.RAF Far East Air Force,was the Command organisation that controlled all Royal Air Force assets in the east of Asia (Far East).It was formed in Singapore in 1930 and kept changing names.During WWII,when Malaya, Singapore, Burma and Hong Kong were overrun by the Japanese,the command retreated to India.The Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) is one of the premier sports and social clubs,located on the south end of the Padang in Singapore's CBD.The Japanese military treated their civilian internees deplorably.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enduring Passions: An emotional and gripping wartime romance is by David Wiltshire. This is definitely a 10 star book. Like his first book, Tears of Autumn, this book deals with World War II in England then expands to Singapore. It looks at the changes in class distinctions that the threat of war and war made on English society. The lives of both the men who serve on the front lines in war and the women and families who anxiously await word of them is shown in vivid clarity. The hardships that separation of loved ones causes is magnified when the loved one is a captive of the enemy. The deep and abiding love that lucky people have for their spouses is without a doubt one of the central themes of this book. In some ways, it is a very easy book to read as the love between Tom and Fay grows despite the disparity in their social stations. The barriers thrown between them are easily overcome as they refuse to allow anyone to make them disavow their love. It is when they are separated by careers and then fate that the book becomes emotionally difficult to read. As Tom pushes his way into the RAF and flying fighters in Northern England, Fay sets off for Australia and New Zealand as an accompanist for a famous singer. This separation only days after their marriage is reason enough for tears to flow. When their lives are completely in disarray due to World War II and no word of them gets through the enemy lines, emotions and the vivid descriptions that David uses combine to make the book emotionally difficult to read. However, that doesn’t stop this reader from continuing to read until the end without stopping. The book is well worth reading as long as you have enough interrupted time to read it in one sitting and that you have ample tissues with you. I do hope more of David’s books are in the making.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Read

Two young people meet and fall in love. She is from a rich aristocratic family. He is from a working class family. Before WW2 in England a marriage between these two with such different backgrounds is not acceptable. In fact it is embarrassing to her family. Nonetheless, this couple is determined. When war breaks out everything changes. Will their love endure? This well written novel is packed with romance and history. I highly recommend.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful written wartime love story mingling the upper class with the working class.
Both the characters of Tom and Fay were very determined characters.
Such a shame that they were parted for so long. I found it sad with the treatment of Fay by the Japanese, it had me wondering what happened to her. All came out well in the end. A five star read and I will read again books by this author David Wiltshire.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastatingly Beautiful

This is a well written and captivating book that is great for lovers of romance and wartime novels. I am very much looking forward to reading more by David Wiltshire.

[Sally Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely written story

Proof that true love and determination can conquer all! Well written story, with factual historical events thrown in, and a touch of romance too. Another good un from David!

[Julie Delbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

5 stars doesn't cover this book, which has been exhaustively researched and wonderfully detailed in its character development. Although i consider myself a WW11 fanatic and have read many books about it, i nevertheless could not put rhis down!

[Frances P Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting WWll book

The book was very interesting and gave insight into the class system in England before WWll. It also gave the history in Singapore and Burma . The characters were well done . A good story and historical as well.

[Moore J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this down

The author’s vivid descriptions of life during this time period along with the physical, mental, and emotional journeys experienced by the characters was perfection. My emotions were heightened, and I could not put this down.

[Dinnl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (2nd of a 3 book set) was better than the first. The start of the story seems a little contrived and fairytale like, but it works and the rise of working class men due to their war experiences is true enough. Strong story and well told.

[Pat Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

This WWII novel grabbed my attention from beginning to end. In fact, I read the entire book in one day.

[Deseree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Very good book. I liked the characters, the settings. The message - love wins out after all. I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep.

[Nita Jo Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad

This is a wonderful book and so well written. You can't help but keep hoping that it will turn out alright!

[ann betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enduring Passions

An enduring love story taking place during wartime, beginning with all the prewar class differences and of course ending where love conquers all.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is the story of a common man who falls in love with an upper class British gal on the cusp of WWII, and how their love story endures amidst the hardships of WWII

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Till the End of Time

Tom and Fay..A couple who fell in love at 1st sight..Started out...Together...To part for just a short While..Then WWII happened

[Mrs Nicole M Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well told and without sentimentality or dwelling on too many distressing times.
Could have been a true story.

[Merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What an unbelievable story! An unbelievable war story and love story. This was a book I could not put down.

[Eric B Beadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it very emotional and an excellent gripping read.

[Bernadette Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good WWII story...the ending a bit too abrupt but a very good story none the less. This was one of my random picks, but turned out to be a really good read.