Ripple Effect
Description
"Ripple Effect: Because Of The War" is a historical novel set in England in the WWII era. This would appeal to women who struggle with issues of raising a family, adoption, loneliness with absent partners in the military, and the repercussions of PTSD. The novel shows the effect of the war on a family.
The ripple effect of WWII, good, bad and ugly, spread far and deep in Britain.
Veronica, feared she would be too old to marry or ever bear children until she met Richard a handsome RAF pilot. He persuaded her to marry before he went to war. She was jealous when her sister Rachel produced an illegitimate child from an unknown father.
London after the Blitz bombing left much of the city in ruins. The compulsory evacuation of children in WWII gave Veronica the opportunity to bring Rachel's daughter, Susie, to live with her in the country. Rachel was presumed killed by a bomb in the Blitz so Susie grew up thinking Veronica was her mother and the absent Richard her father.
Veronica, similar to many other women in wartime, left alone, learned new survival skills with the deprivation of rationing in wartime. She learned to love Susie as her own. Loneliness, with war-forced separation from her husband, took a toll on her, and precipitated a wartime love affair.
After D Day and Victory In Europe Day, when the war ended, Richard returned to a wife and an adopted child he barely knew. Their military family stress after war effected them all. They struggled to adjust to each other. Richard was not alone to suffer from addiction after the war. His alcoholism and outbursts of aggression, and spousal abuse, as side-effects of battle fatigue (military PTSD), began to alienate Veronica and Susie.
Veronica despaired when the family appeared to disintegrate.
The truth emerged about Richard's issues and he sought treatments of PTSD and alcoholism. The truth emerged about Veronica's and Rachel's guilt and secrecy and Susie's adoption. Compassion for each other softened the anger. The family almost fell apart until they learned to trust and heal. Susie, an opinionated teenager began to accept but not forgive.
The characters are drawn with depth and humor as each deal with their secrets and struggle to lead normal lives after the war.
More details
Person
Content
For Charlie
and
For all lives impacted by the ripple effect of wars,
past and present.
ACKOWLEDGMENTS
I could never do justice to all the people who influenced and supported me in the creation of this novel. Many experiences, people, places, and any encounters, good and bad, in this world formed my sense of who I am and changed me, as life does to anyone.
Of course, my parents were the biggest influence on my life. If they were alive they would receive the biggest hugs. My British upbringing and education built the foundation for my writing. I emigrated to Canada and then to USA, so I picked up other versions of English, but my accent and my writing still favours the British spelling and turn of phrase.
My writing tapped into the vault of facts, personalities, memories, sensations, and ideas found somewhere along the path of my life. As a counsellor and psychologist, I learned first-hand, the impact of positive and negative experiences on the mind and body and life. Change and healing can happen. The effect of trauma of all kinds, addiction and PTSD can be reduced and healed. So many thanks go to my Counselling and Psychology teachers, The Centre for Trauma Research and Education, Lifespace Institute, many mentors and colleagues.
My first steps into creativity and the power of the mind were guided by Barbara Forest. June Swadron nudged me further to write. My husband and manager, Charles Montgomery gave me the final push to be serious about writing. My critique group in The Villages led by Millard Johnson, helped me correct my errors. My editor Marsha Butler, a tough helpful critic, took me to the finish line.
Thanks to everyone, family, neighbours, friends and readers who helped me and encouraged me. I owe a huge debt of gratitude, to my husband Charlie, who supported me, pushed me and put up with the hours I spent locked to my computer with the writer's absent-minded stare into the inner world of words.
Thank you all.
Jenny Ferns
Jenny Ferns. M.A. Retired Psychologist - Author
Jenny Ferns, born and educated in England, emigrated to Canada and then USA. After teaching high school science, and raising a family, she became a Psychologist. Her private practice specialized in trauma, PTSD, addiction and family dynamics.
Her historical novel recounts characters' experiences during and after WWII in England. She writes with her British voice, drawing on her imagination, memories, research and clinical observations of families dealing with trauma of all kinds. There is a path to healing and hope. Ripple Effect: Because Of The War is her first novel which won first place at the Royal Palm Literary Awards 2018 with The Florida Writers Association.
For something different, Princess Rose and The Wyldewoods, is a story about a princess, a prince of the bees, flower fairies, unicorns and dragons.
For a change of pace, she plays Mahjongg and loves to get her hands dirty in her tropical garden. She lives in Florida with her husband and a miniature schnauzer.
Follow on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/jenny.ferns
Website/blog http://jennyfernswriter.com/
