...a short biography to introduce myself.

I am happily married to my husband Chris, and we spend our time divided between beautiful Cyprus where we have a mountain retreat (perfect for writing), and our home in the equally beautiful south of England.

I was educated in the Far East countries of Malaya and Singapore where my father served in the Royal Air Force, and when we returned to the UK I finished my full-time schooling in Purbrook, Hampshire. I later trained as a Registered nurse and then once my children had almost grown up, I switched careers to run a string of travel and sport-related businesses.

During this period we were fortunate and healthy enough to enjoy a great amount of our free time skiing, sailing, walking, diving and slower pursuits like reading, drama and cooking. When not 'playing' I spent my other free time writing; mainly private stuff for myself and family -  poetry, short stories and a couple of unfinished novels.

When our children started their University degrees I suffered from the 'empty nest syndrome' and decided it was time to complete my own education and enrolled with the Open University - one of the most amazing enterprises of the last century. I read Science (as the English courses were all full) and in 2005 completed and passed my Science  Honours degree majoring in biology. I have to say that this was one of the proudest moments of my life and have never regretted learning all that chemistry, biology, geology and physics! On receiving my degree from the Chancellor in London, he asked me what I was going to do with myself now I had finished studying. Straight away I knew what I wanted to do and answered 'Finish the novel I have always wanted to write.'  I then went away to do just that.

The next year I had the beginnings of a story. I spent about 6 months researching the archives which I found fascinating, and another 18 months actually writing 'The Crossing'.

Briefly, the book is set in 3 parts; present, WW2 and then back to the present.

The germ of an idea for this book actually came from a very good friend. One night over dinner he told us the story of his father Billy and the love he had for a young girl, who became his mother. He extolled  his wartime exploits; and how he had served in the Royal Navy during WW2 on Motor Torpedo Boats. His little ship was badly damaged and all the crew were killed, except him and his commanding officer. Both men however were injured. With difficulty Billy scuttled the boat to avoid the enemy capturing it and was then himself captured. He spent the remainder of the war either in prisoner of war camps or escaping from them and on the run.  His wartime life was fascinating and I knew I could weave this story around that of his own son (our friend) who also had his own particular exciting and sometimes harrowing tale to tell. The scenes are set in different countries; England, Germany, Poland and beautiful Chesapeake in The United States. For myself I love to read novels that are set in countries as well as my own my own as the different flavour and the taste of exotic unknowns greatly add to an exciting story.

So to recap: we have the wartime hero Billy, and his WW2 story that is often heart breaking and poignant. And we have his son Richard; a modern-day successful businessman who has suddenly had the most horrific experience of his life aboard his luxury yacht on the Atlantic. When he returns home, Richard almost becomes a hermit until a strange event involving an old flame, a lost wartime copy of The Bible and a beautiful American girl, set in motion a whole string of other events that lead him to rediscover himself; his relationship with his father, and to eventually PERHAPS  finding the love of his life.

The book is very fast moving, with tons of excitement. It is however, interspersed with small quiet moments giving the reader time to catch their breath before the next thrilling scene unfolds.

I discovered that I really enjoyed  losing myself into my book. I was lucky in that I never really drew a blank with so-called 'writer's block' and thankfully the words kept flowing. I began my first edit and then repeated this quite a few times more!  I particularly enjoyed the editing as this brought the book to life and polished the story to a standard that I knew readers would and should expect. When my novel was published and I saw it sitting big and bold on a shelf in a bookstore I felt that this must be one of the biggest achievements of my life. Also, if you're old fashioned like me I like to be able to hold a book and smell the new pages. I think there's something special about a pristine new book that noone else has yet read.

I also firmly believe that in studying for my degree; the discipline, commitment and stamina it entailed made me realise that I could finish that book and that I would get it published! And I did!

So far, it has paid off and I'm thoroughly enjoying what must be the best of all my careers!

I have just finished writing the final chapter to my next novel 'THE ASSASSINS' VILLAGE, so I am very excited.

Do please check out my website www.faithmortimerauthor.com

On here you'll learn more about me and the latest news re 'The Assassins' Village' my second novel.

I have a blog and would love to hear from you with your comments about 'The Crossing'. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

When you buy your copy of The Crossing please remember to write your review on here and on Amazon. It's really important for us authors to know where we are and how much you like (or not) our work. In the meantime...

Good reading!

Regards

Faith