Peter Turnham
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An "unlikely author," I came to writing during enforced rest after snapping my Achilles tendon. In sheer desperation of boredom I said to my wife Carol, “I’m going to write a novel.” Had I said I was going to climb Mount Everest (wearing my leg brace) it would have been equally implausible! Despite being a dyslexic with the resultant short attention span and glacial reading pace, I have found the challenge immensely rewarding and enjoyable, with five novels to my name.
Initially I started with merely the words “Chapter One” but eventually I used a character based on a larger-than-life friend. The story developed spontaneously because I could visualise exactly what my character would say. The other characters then seemed to come and sit beside me, helping me to write their stories. The first title is “Autumn Daffodils – Charlie’s Story,” quickly followed by the continuation of the same story “Autumn Daffodils – Joanna’s Story.” Both are achieving modest success, though they are hard to market, not fitting into an easily recognised genre. |
I then chose a more focused genre, World War Two. Though I live in the Cotswolds, I was born and brought up in London. I used to listen to my parents’ conversations about having lived through the Blitz and became very much aware of what they lived through. Thus “None Stood Taller” began, about Lily, a young woman who loses everything in the Blitz. Her incredible journey takes her to the very top of the British wartime establishment and Special Operations Executive (SOE), covering the period from 1941 to D-Day in 1944. Subsequently two more books in the series have been published: "None Stood Taller, The Final Year" covering Lily's life and loves from D-Day to VE-Day, and "None Stood Taller, the Price of Freedom" which is about Lily's good friend Dotty and the war years from her perspective as an SOE field agent. Just published, August 2024, is "Parallel Lives - a Story of the Greatest Generation", which is an inspiring tale about Emma, a doctor at St Thomas's Hospital, London and Roger, a police detective, transporting the reader to when the Hospital was bombed, also the Balham Tube Station disaster, and a killer who roamed the darkened streets of London under the cover of the Blackout.
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None Stood Taller
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Historical Romance WWII
Pulled from the rubble of her London home during the Blitz of 1941, Lily Heywood is reduced to no more than the clothes she stands in. Determined to fight back, she embarks upon an incredible journey that takes her from the East End of London, all the way to the top of the British wartime establishment. An unbreakable spirit, her contribution to the Allied victory in Europe is an inspiring story of courage, love and determination. Is it possible to have another sentence added to his entry on the IAN website, ie underneath the lovely bright red words ***Shortlisted for the UK 2022 Selfies Award*** could we also have the same comment please for the IAN 2022 Award? ***Shortlisted for the UK 2022 Selfies Award*** ***Finalist, 2022 IAN Book of the Year Awards*** Reviews: Review 'Mama B' No words! Oh my goodness! I've no words to describe how beyond this book was. Wow! This book is a keeper. I want to buy copies to hand around to friends and family. I want to read it out loud to my children. I want to reread it myself. It has inspired me. It has uplifted me with the strength of spirit displayed. I will never treat June 6th the same again, ever. It will not be just a day in history. It is real. It is our life. Without it we would not be as we are. Bravo Peter Turnham. Bravo. Review 'Kindle Customer' on 21.2.21. Another Day in War This book takes you on a fast journey. It captures your heart and touches your soul. War changes everything for Lily. She was to become a force that was hard to best. She shows us what every woman should do...the best they can and be proud of their accomplishments.... Review Debbie Trammell Wonderful book Makes me really want to dig deep and study the D-Day landings. This was a beautiful story from start to finish. Can't wait to read the preceding book and the next in the series. I will definitely recommend this book/series. Thank God for all of what these brave people did in 1944 for our freedom and one was my Daddy, a WW2 vet! Review 'Jenny S' A must-read for a book club. "Whether the reader is 19 or 90, and lived through the war or learned about it in school, this story is not only detailed but shows so well the human side of those working to protect this country through appalling times." Review 'Mrs Eleanor Harper' An absolutely enthralling novel "I am old enough to remember sitting in an air raid shelter during the blitz and the start of this novel brought back the memories vividly. Peter Turnham has a true gift in using words to paint a clear vivid picture. As I read it the characters became more and more real. Combined with this he is obviously a meticulous researcher and created the wartime atmosphere perfectly." Review 'Gill Naylor' A Wonderful Read I quickly became involved with the characters; amazing insight into the fears and tragedies of WW2. An education into the intricacies of how the war progressed, and was won, and amazing depiction of characters, their lives, relationships, vital roles in a secret world of strategy, strong women, bravery, fortitude. Makes me proud of the British. Review UK No Words, you have to read it Brilliant, a wonderful read, so full of facts; I love every bit of this book. |
None Stood Taller, The Final Year
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Historical Romance WWII
For Lily and Edward, Lord Middlebourne, the success of the D-Day landings might have marked the end of their wartime involvement. Little did they realise that Hitler's secret weapons programme was nearing completion. The V1 flying bomb and the V2 rocket represented a new and deadly threat to Great Britain. The unique abilities of SOE Station M are immediately brought to bear upon the new danger. The final year for Lily proves to be the longest of the war. Reviews: Ohio retiree One of the best! One of the best novels about World War II that I have ever read. Mr Turnham writes in a style that makes you FEEL and UNDERSTAND that horrible time within the fascinating love story of Edward and Lily. A must read! Amazon customer Well done indeed! I tip my hat to Mr Turnham. To write so convincingly in the first person as a woman was remarkable! I enjoyed the journey immensely. Loved these two books. Thank you. Review Rose Engelhardt Excellent read. I could not put the book down. I felt like I was right there. Very intense and dramatic. I was totally inspired by this book. Review Kindle customer Best WW2 book I have read! I really enjoyed how the author made you see how the war touched so many different groups of people. How he used the facts of history to weave a tale of how they were able to drop social protocol to become a team working to win the war. I loved the ending. SAMPLE PDF 
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None Stood Taller, The Price of Freedom
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Historical Romance WWII
This book both concludes the "None Stood Taller" series, and provides an introduction for new readers. In 1941 when Lily's great friend Dorothy Archer saw the opportunity to serve her country, she didn't hesitate. A woman escaping her past, with no prospects, she reckoned she had nothing to lose. Perhaps destiny dictated that the Special Operations Executive should recognise the very special talents of which even Dotty is unaware. A work of fiction, but deeply rooted in historic detail, dedicated to the 39 women who served in Occupied France as SOE field agents during WW2. Dotty owes more to those women than to anything in my imagination. SAMPLE PDF 
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Autumn Daffodils - Charlie's Story
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Romantic Comedy
When an enigmatic newcomer arrives, a group of people find themselves reluctantly sharing their past memories. These seemingly ordinary people prove to be quite extraordinary, each with a remarkable story to tell. Charlie feels his life will be of no interest but, when the heartache that he has tried so hard to leave behind finally catches up with him, the lives of the whole group will never be the same again. You will laugh, and you will cry, in equal measure! Reviews: Review 'Maz' A delightful story! A thoroughly enjoyable read, Charlie's Story is a book that I could not put down, and being of a certain age myself, I found it insightful. I loved getting to know the characters and feeling their emotions as they allowed themselves to be gently prompted tinto telling their stories by Stanley. The little twists and turns added to the charm of the book. I can't wait to start Joanna's tonight. Thank you. Review 'Bezzy' I laughed and cried You can always tell how a book affects you with the emotions you feel and the speed you read it. Over four afternoons I read this charming and at times hilarious book. I had read "None Stood Taller" so decided to go to the author's first book. Now I have just bought the sequel to this one. Review 'Hazel' Difficult to put down Charlie's story was a great read. Not only entertaining but aroused real affection for some of the characters and frustration with others. Very keen to get on to Joanna's Story. SAMPLE PDF 
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Autumn Daffodils - Joanna's Story
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Romantic Comedy
When Joanna re-enters Charlie's life, nothing can ever be the same again for him or his friends. Despite their long separation, the tragedy of their relationship remains; neither Charlie nor Joanna can be complete without the other. Different lives and an ocean continue to stand between them. Despite the trail of broken hearts she leaves behind, Joanna continues to orchestrate the lives of those around her. She will quite possibly break your heart too but the strange thing is - you will forgive her whatever she does. Reviews: Review 'S J Spring' Second instalment of a fascinating story Great follow-up to Charlie's Story. A very enjoyable and absorbing read. Looking forward to Peter Turnham's next contribution to the literary world. Review 'Frampers' Autumn Daffodils series It was a real pleasure to become involved with the characters in both Autumn Daffodils books. Their stores were truly uplifting and evoked many emotions the closer you became to them. Peter Turnham has the gift of making you feel very much a part of these people's lives and identifying with them in their struggle to unburden themselves. As you go through all the trials and tribulations of their stories, there is a real 'feel good' factor when everything ends well for them all! SAMPLE PDF 
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Parallel Lives - A Story of the Greatest Generation
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Historical Fiction
This is the story of two ordinary people, Emma, a doctor at St Thomas's Hospital in London, and Roger, a police detective. Emma and Roger live through extraordinary times and confront unimaginable hardship. It is an inspirational story that will transport the reader back to 1939, the outbreak of war, the chaos and destruction of the Blitz, the Balham Tube Station disaster, the many times the Hospital was bombed, and the serial killer who roamed the streets of London in the blackout. Their story is all the more compelling because the principal events occurred precisely as described. Before the bombing, the nurses' home at St Thomas's Hospital occupied the space depicted on the front cover of this book. The emptiness of that space reaches out across the ages. In the story, Emma and Roger don't consider themselves heroes; they want nothing more than to find love and happiness. But, together, they represent the triumph of the human spirit; they are two of the Greatest Generation. This book is dedicated to those who were killed in the bombing of St Thomas's Hospital and in the Balham Tube Station disaster, also the victims of the serial killer Cummins. 3 versions available on Amazon and the paperback available to order in High Street bookstores. 
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