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.