Overview

""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.

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9781532398261

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Reviews

Judge's comments from the RPLAwards. This is a well-constructed novel, with deep and complicated characters. The dialogue is authentic and the slang is woven in such a way that the reader usually has a very good idea what is being discussed. This is a very well done historical novel, with literary undertones. Sophia Lang- Psychologist The novel is psychologically accurate about the effects of war on adults and children also about PTSD and alcoholism. While the characters grapple with some of life's most difficult situations(many self-made), there is never a sense of doom. Indeed hope course throughout their lives.

Kirkus Review: In Ferns' debut historical novel, two English sisters follow different paths before and after World War II. A thoughtful novel that shows war's impact on people and communities. Readers' Choice Review: Ripple Effect: Because Of The War by Jenny Ferns takes the reader through an English family's life during World War II. I really felt as though I were part of the family and felt all of their joys, pains and sorrows. Ripple Effect portrays the horrors that families had to endure, the effects on the soldiers fighting against Hitler and the Germans, and so much more. Troubles plague each of the characters and each must fight their own demons. Jenny Ferns expertly wrote a story of historical fiction that I found impossible to put down. Ripple Effect is a five star winner. Perfect for fans of war time novels, historical romance, drama and realistic fiction. Judge's comments from the RPLAwards. ""This is a well-constructed novel, with deep and complicated characters. The dialogue is authentic and the slang is woven in such a way that the reader usually has a very good idea what is being discussed. This is a very well done historical novel, with literary undertones."" Royal Palm Literary Awards 2018. First prize in Blended Genre: Historical fiction, Women's fiction, Literary fiction. Sophia Lang- Psychologist ""The novel is psychologically accurate about the effects of war on adults and children also about PTSD and alcoholism. While the characters grapple with some of life's most difficult situations(many self-made), there is never a sense of doom. Indeed hope course throughout their lives.""

Kirkus Review: In Ferns' debut historical novel, two English sisters follow different paths before and after World War II. A thoughtful novel that shows war's impact on people and communities. Readers' Choice Review: Ripple Effect: Because Of The War by Jenny Ferns takes the reader through an English family's life during World War II. I really felt as though I were part of the family and felt all of their joys, pains and sorrows. Ripple Effect portrays the horrors that families had to endure, the effects on the soldiers fighting against Hitler and the Germans, and so much more. Troubles plague each of the characters and each must fight their own demons. Jenny Ferns expertly wrote a story of historical fiction that I found impossible to put down. Ripple Effect is a five star winner. Perfect for fans of war time novels, historical romance, drama and realistic fiction. Judge's comments from the RPLAwards. This is a well-constructed novel, with deep and complicated characters. The dialogue is authentic and the slang is woven in such a way that the reader usually has a very good idea what is being discussed. This is a very well done historical novel, with literary undertones. Royal Palm Literary Awards 2018. First prize in Blended Genre: Historical fiction, Women's fiction, Literary fiction. Sophia Lang- Psychologist The novel is psychologically accurate about the effects of war on adults and children also about PTSD and alcoholism. While the characters grapple with some of life's most difficult situations(many self-made), there is never a sense of doom. Indeed hope course throughout their lives.

Author Information

Jenny Ferns, born and educated in England, emigrated to Canada and then USA. After teaching high school science, and raising a family, her Psychology 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.

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