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Snowflakes In The Wind
It's Christmas Eve, 1920, when nine-year-old Abby Kirby's family is ripped apart by a terrible tragedy. Leaving everything she's ever known, Abby takes her younger brother and runs away to a tough, hard existence in the Border farming community. Years pass. Abby becomes a beautiful young woman and falls in love, but her past haunts her, casting dark shadows. Furthermore, in the very place she's taken refuge there is one who wishes her harm. With her heart broken, Abby decides to make a new life as a nurse. When WWII begins, she volunteers as a QA and is sent overseas. However, life takes another unexpected and dangerous turn when she becomes a prisoner of the Japanese. It is then that Abby realizes whatever has gone before is nothing compared to what lies ahead.
468 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2017
128 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Rita Bradshaw
50 books113 followersRita Bradshaw was born on 1949 in Northampton, England, where she was educated as a good Christian. She met Clive, her husband, at the age of 16 andnow the magic is still there. They have three lovely children, Cara, Faye, and Benjamin, and have always had a menagerie of animals in the house, whichat the present is confined to two endearing and very comical dogs who wouldmake a great double act on TV! The children, friends, and pets all keep thehouse buzzing and the food cupboards empty but Helen wouldn't have it anyother way. She still lives today in Northampton with her family. Althoughhaving enjoyed some wonderful holidays abroad she has never been tempted tolive anywhere else, although she rather likes the idea of a holiday homeclose to the sea one day.
Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming,and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in thesun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking ofcourse!)
For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as sheapproached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babiesand hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.
Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latteran unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.
Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of purejoy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own bu tshe loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth isstranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.
Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming,and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in thesun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking ofcourse!)
For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as sheapproached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babiesand hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.
Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latteran unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.
Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of purejoy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own bu tshe loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth isstranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 27, 2016
Rita Bradshaw was a new author for me when I was given the chance to read her latest book Snowflakes in the Wind, I had never heard of her before but was surprised to see she had written 20 books already. This book is historical fiction that began in 1920 and took us right up into the mid 1940's. I have to say you could mistake this book as just another one of the numerous family saga books that flood the book market on a regular basis if you were to take a quick glance at the cover. I questioned whether I would find this story too run of the mill? Instead this proved to be much more than that and provided a deep insight into the life of a young woman torn apart by tragedy when she was very young yet our main female character Abby proves she can weather any storm no matter what is thrown at her. She was a change from the norm and showed her resilience, courage and strength at all points during the book despite all the obstacles and hardships placed in her path.
The book had six sections and initially I wondered was this way too much? Would there be an awful lot of chopping and changing from settings and time periods? Would I end up just confused or would it ruin the flow of the story? No is the answer to every question. In fact I liked how there was never too much focus on a particular time in Abby's life, just the right amount of attention was given so the reader could get a feel for what Abby was going through at any one point and then we moved on a few years. Normally I dislike so much moving around in a story but here I think it's what made me enjoy this book so much, the story moved along at a nice pace and kept the reader interested in Abby's trials and tribulations.
We first meet Abby and her family on Christmas Eve in 1920. She has a younger brother Robyn and her mother Molly works in the local shop to earn something to keep the household running as her husband Edgar is unable to work as he still feels the after affects of fighting in World War One. The family doesn't have much but they make the best of life that is until tragedy strikes and Abby and Robyn find their worlds turned upside down. Abby feels her life may never be the same again but right from the first few chapters it's clear, despite her age, that she is a person who cares for everybody else and when push comes to shove her caring nature and intuition comes into play and this is displayed several times over throughout the book. As Robyn was so young at the time when upset befalls the family I thought the author portrayed his vulnerability very well and in that way she was also able to showcase Abby's strong traits to perfection.
Soon they found themselves living with a grandfather they had never known (for various reasons) on a sheep farm where he is a shepherd deep in the countryside surrounded by moors. This is like an alien life to the pair but Abby makes the best of things. Admittedly I did find some of the language used when characters were speaking during this section of the book a bit difficult to follow. I understood it was their dialect and was meant to bring more substance and flavour to the book but I found myself skim reading some paragraphs at this point. Although the author did build up a fantastic picture of life at Crab Apple Farm and how difficult and challenging life could be working and living in all weathers. There were two fairly significant characters introduced at this point. One every reader will slowly start to fall for and another with such a chip on their shoulder you thought surely no good can come of this and I kept racing through the chapters to see what would unfold. Subtle hints were constantly dropped yet I had no idea how things would pan out in relation to the above mentioned characters and how they would slot into Abby's life?
As I have mentioned before the author never lingered too long on each section instead giving just the right amount of focus to that time in Abby's life before moving on to the next important stage. We weren't inundated with unnecessary details that would have halted the flow of the story and I found the latter half of the book from part three onwards was fascinating, Abby had reached womanhood and I felt again a whole new side of her had emerged. We follow her journey as she trains to become a nurse leaving the family home she had wanted so badly to establish successfully with her grandfather. Yet it was a step the reader could see clearly needed to be taken. Although it was generally thought at the time young women pursuing higher education was a complete waste of time Abby bucked the trend and persisted in her dreams. Although I felt there was an ulterior motive in her wanting to leave the family home. I loved this section set in the hospital and again it was evident plenty of research had been undertaken by the author as she conveyed the long, long hours of a student nurse and never spared the harsh realities they were forced to endure to make the girls the best nurses they could possibly be. Little did Abby realise she would need to put everything she had learned into practice on an epic scale which would push everything she had endured n the past right out the window as she faces the unimaginable. The section in the hospital was perhaps the longest alongside that which featured what happened to Abby during the war but to me they were the strongest sections and I wanted them to be even longer. The tough regimented routine was clear for all to see beside the developing bonds of friendship and camaraderie and offset the hardships and difficult scenes. There was a point where I thought oh I don't want that to happen and was left open mouthed but in another way it was essential to the overall plot.
The final part of this book was perhaps the most harrowing to read as Abby becomes deeply involved in World War Two as she is sent nursing abroad. I won't say where or what happens to her but this section made the book come full circle. No images or descriptions were spared and it opened my eyes up to a part of the war that I hadn't previously read about in a book before. It proved how everyone in the world was so deeply affected by World War Two. For Abby it proved traumatic and I wondered at some points would this book have any sort of happy ending at all? So devastating and horrid was what she had to endure but at all times as I have mentioned from the beginning to the end of this book Abby was a stand out character who proved her mettle time and time again and I hoped she could clutch on to some small beacon of happiness at the times when she needed it the most.
Snowflakes in the Wind proved to be a much better book than I had expected and I would certainly read more from this author in the future. It's not all based around Christmas more so that Christmas Eve in 1920 proves the catalyst for a serious of events that provides for a tumultuous life for our strong main character. It is definitely worth a read and may prove a refreshing change from all the Christmas books published at this time of year if you have become overloaded with that genre.
The book had six sections and initially I wondered was this way too much? Would there be an awful lot of chopping and changing from settings and time periods? Would I end up just confused or would it ruin the flow of the story? No is the answer to every question. In fact I liked how there was never too much focus on a particular time in Abby's life, just the right amount of attention was given so the reader could get a feel for what Abby was going through at any one point and then we moved on a few years. Normally I dislike so much moving around in a story but here I think it's what made me enjoy this book so much, the story moved along at a nice pace and kept the reader interested in Abby's trials and tribulations.
We first meet Abby and her family on Christmas Eve in 1920. She has a younger brother Robyn and her mother Molly works in the local shop to earn something to keep the household running as her husband Edgar is unable to work as he still feels the after affects of fighting in World War One. The family doesn't have much but they make the best of life that is until tragedy strikes and Abby and Robyn find their worlds turned upside down. Abby feels her life may never be the same again but right from the first few chapters it's clear, despite her age, that she is a person who cares for everybody else and when push comes to shove her caring nature and intuition comes into play and this is displayed several times over throughout the book. As Robyn was so young at the time when upset befalls the family I thought the author portrayed his vulnerability very well and in that way she was also able to showcase Abby's strong traits to perfection.
Soon they found themselves living with a grandfather they had never known (for various reasons) on a sheep farm where he is a shepherd deep in the countryside surrounded by moors. This is like an alien life to the pair but Abby makes the best of things. Admittedly I did find some of the language used when characters were speaking during this section of the book a bit difficult to follow. I understood it was their dialect and was meant to bring more substance and flavour to the book but I found myself skim reading some paragraphs at this point. Although the author did build up a fantastic picture of life at Crab Apple Farm and how difficult and challenging life could be working and living in all weathers. There were two fairly significant characters introduced at this point. One every reader will slowly start to fall for and another with such a chip on their shoulder you thought surely no good can come of this and I kept racing through the chapters to see what would unfold. Subtle hints were constantly dropped yet I had no idea how things would pan out in relation to the above mentioned characters and how they would slot into Abby's life?
As I have mentioned before the author never lingered too long on each section instead giving just the right amount of focus to that time in Abby's life before moving on to the next important stage. We weren't inundated with unnecessary details that would have halted the flow of the story and I found the latter half of the book from part three onwards was fascinating, Abby had reached womanhood and I felt again a whole new side of her had emerged. We follow her journey as she trains to become a nurse leaving the family home she had wanted so badly to establish successfully with her grandfather. Yet it was a step the reader could see clearly needed to be taken. Although it was generally thought at the time young women pursuing higher education was a complete waste of time Abby bucked the trend and persisted in her dreams. Although I felt there was an ulterior motive in her wanting to leave the family home. I loved this section set in the hospital and again it was evident plenty of research had been undertaken by the author as she conveyed the long, long hours of a student nurse and never spared the harsh realities they were forced to endure to make the girls the best nurses they could possibly be. Little did Abby realise she would need to put everything she had learned into practice on an epic scale which would push everything she had endured n the past right out the window as she faces the unimaginable. The section in the hospital was perhaps the longest alongside that which featured what happened to Abby during the war but to me they were the strongest sections and I wanted them to be even longer. The tough regimented routine was clear for all to see beside the developing bonds of friendship and camaraderie and offset the hardships and difficult scenes. There was a point where I thought oh I don't want that to happen and was left open mouthed but in another way it was essential to the overall plot.
The final part of this book was perhaps the most harrowing to read as Abby becomes deeply involved in World War Two as she is sent nursing abroad. I won't say where or what happens to her but this section made the book come full circle. No images or descriptions were spared and it opened my eyes up to a part of the war that I hadn't previously read about in a book before. It proved how everyone in the world was so deeply affected by World War Two. For Abby it proved traumatic and I wondered at some points would this book have any sort of happy ending at all? So devastating and horrid was what she had to endure but at all times as I have mentioned from the beginning to the end of this book Abby was a stand out character who proved her mettle time and time again and I hoped she could clutch on to some small beacon of happiness at the times when she needed it the most.
Snowflakes in the Wind proved to be a much better book than I had expected and I would certainly read more from this author in the future. It's not all based around Christmas more so that Christmas Eve in 1920 proves the catalyst for a serious of events that provides for a tumultuous life for our strong main character. It is definitely worth a read and may prove a refreshing change from all the Christmas books published at this time of year if you have become overloaded with that genre.
June 2, 2020
Loved this book. Rita Bradshaw is a talented saga author.
This story follows Abby, covering twenty eight years of her life.
When Abby is only nine years old, in 1920, her mother dies in terrible circumstances, her father is taken away and she and her little brother, Robin are taken in by neighbours. Unfortunately, there can't stay there and the workhouse is the only option, but Abby remembers her Grandfather who they didn't have contact with because of a past falling out. Abby and Robin set out from Sunderland to the farm in the Borders, and hope that their grandfather will take them in.
The story is one that you can submerge yourself in, Abby's story is educational, emotional and inspiring. Easy five stars.
This story follows Abby, covering twenty eight years of her life.
When Abby is only nine years old, in 1920, her mother dies in terrible circumstances, her father is taken away and she and her little brother, Robin are taken in by neighbours. Unfortunately, there can't stay there and the workhouse is the only option, but Abby remembers her Grandfather who they didn't have contact with because of a past falling out. Abby and Robin set out from Sunderland to the farm in the Borders, and hope that their grandfather will take them in.
The story is one that you can submerge yourself in, Abby's story is educational, emotional and inspiring. Easy five stars.
November 19, 2018
quick easy read. Predictable, sometimes sentimental but some very interesting parts about nursing in the twenties and thirties, farming in the border country at that time and the attack on Hong Kong in 1941 by the Japanese. Our heroine loses her parents when she is nine and flees to the borders and her grandfather. She falls in love with the laird`s son, Nicholas, realises that this could cause trouble for her grandfather who shepherds for the laird and chooses to make nursing her career. When war breaks out she joins the QAs (military nurses) and after a term in France she is posted to Hong Kong, where, you`ve guessed it, she meets up with Nicholas again, he is now an eminent surgeon. There is some well researched writing about the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, about which I knew nothing.
October 12, 2017
Excellent. Will definitely read another Rita Bradshaw book.
September 1, 2017
Abby Kirby is just 9 years sold and her brother Robin, is 6. Their father is suffering from 'shell shock' from his experiences in WWI and sometimes it doesn't take much to set him off. Her mother, Molly works at a general store as her father just isn't well enough to work. It's Christmas Eve and Molly is late coming home from work. A sudden noise leads her father to react in a violent manner and Abby and Robin are left at the mercy of neighbors. She realizes the only way she can save her and her brother is to try to find the grandfather, her mother's father to see if he will take them in. She isn't sure she knows how to find him but she must try or Robin and her will end up in the workhouse. Abby and Robin grow up in their grandfather's loving care where he works on a farm as a shepherd. Abby meets the son of the Lord of the property and while she is smitten, she knows there is too much difference in the status in their lives. She goes away to nursing school and he leaves to become a doctor. Years later WWII has broken out and Abby decides to join the QA. She is initially sent to France then later to Hong Kong where she again meets Nicholas. Within a short time, the Japanese have taken over the island they are working at and she becomes a prisoner. Interesting learning more about how the medical staff and other POW's were treated by the Japanese and how when the war was over, the Japanese initially refused to surrender.
February 28, 2020
Definitely 5 star for this book!
I am a little confused of the cover showing a woman with a baby. Not sure where or how it fits in to the story...maybe I missed a few pages? Hopefully someone will tell me.
Right...to the book. I feel like I have read 2 very different stories in 1 book.
Abby loves reading. Whenever she has a spare moment she read handed down newspapers but she realized they were not the kind of reading to take her in to another world the way story books did.
1921 most men would rather be hanged, drawn and quarted than to demean their masculinity by doing 'women's work. Yikes that was only 100 years ago!
When I read about the Japanese camps I actually cried reading of the horrors. I agree with Rita Bradshaw when she says that she is in awe of their spirit when she writes about those who perished and survived.
I am a little confused of the cover showing a woman with a baby. Not sure where or how it fits in to the story...maybe I missed a few pages? Hopefully someone will tell me.
Right...to the book. I feel like I have read 2 very different stories in 1 book.
Abby loves reading. Whenever she has a spare moment she read handed down newspapers but she realized they were not the kind of reading to take her in to another world the way story books did.
1921 most men would rather be hanged, drawn and quarted than to demean their masculinity by doing 'women's work. Yikes that was only 100 years ago!
When I read about the Japanese camps I actually cried reading of the horrors. I agree with Rita Bradshaw when she says that she is in awe of their spirit when she writes about those who perished and survived.
December 8, 2024
A very good read. The main character Abby is interesting , strong though she hasn't had an easy life.
Over 30 years Abby grows from a young girl not afraid to stand up for herself to a brave , kind woman who suffers in a prisoner of war camp as a nurse in world war 2 whilst her love waits for her.
Rita Bradshaw has written a book that has you smiling , enjoying Abby's feisty nature , horrified at her experiences in the war camp and relieved when she is reunited with Nicholas.
Im very glad the author did an epilogue at the end of the story, the ending was well written and satisfied this reader.
Over 30 years Abby grows from a young girl not afraid to stand up for herself to a brave , kind woman who suffers in a prisoner of war camp as a nurse in world war 2 whilst her love waits for her.
Rita Bradshaw has written a book that has you smiling , enjoying Abby's feisty nature , horrified at her experiences in the war camp and relieved when she is reunited with Nicholas.
Im very glad the author did an epilogue at the end of the story, the ending was well written and satisfied this reader.
October 31, 2017
This was a very poignant story about a young girl who witnesses her father murder her mother on Christmas Eve. Abby and her brother Robin make a train journey to the Borders to find their grandfather.
We follow Abby as she grows up and becomes a nurse and then world war 2 breaks out and she enlists as a QA.
It is such a sad story about growing up in poverty in Sunderland and then how her life changes when she is united with her Grandfather.
I cried so hard with this story. It was the first book I read by Rita Bradshaw and I am looking forward to reading more.
We follow Abby as she grows up and becomes a nurse and then world war 2 breaks out and she enlists as a QA.
It is such a sad story about growing up in poverty in Sunderland and then how her life changes when she is united with her Grandfather.
I cried so hard with this story. It was the first book I read by Rita Bradshaw and I am looking forward to reading more.
April 10, 2022
Such a moving and powerful story
This book is such a moving novel about a young girl called Abby. Her many trials that her life bestowe's upon her. It is so well written that everything seems so real and hard to believe what suffering young women had to endure. I do hope lots of readers will find time to read this book even though upsetting at tines! I would really recommend this book as one to read.
This book is such a moving novel about a young girl called Abby. Her many trials that her life bestowe's upon her. It is so well written that everything seems so real and hard to believe what suffering young women had to endure. I do hope lots of readers will find time to read this book even though upsetting at tines! I would really recommend this book as one to read.
June 26, 2018
A Lovely heartfelt story to lose both parents on christmas eve is traumatic for Abby and Robin but things turn out to put the fear of god into Abby.The Workhouse is where they are going to send them but the children must find a way to get to their granda.I won't say any more only that i have never been dissapointed with any of Rita's books,well worth 5*
December 25, 2021
One of the best books I've read in a while. A fantastic thought provoking story which had me feeling all sorts of emotions.
Loved the characters and genuinely felt both sad and sickened for all of the characters that were POW in the Japanese camp. Really made me think ...
A wonderful ending.
Recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Loved the characters and genuinely felt both sad and sickened for all of the characters that were POW in the Japanese camp. Really made me think ...
A wonderful ending.
Recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
September 27, 2018
I really liked this book. Obviously, my opinion does not mean a lot however I found the title extremely misleading. I do understand the snowflake thing but it really did not have a lot to do with Molly's stamina or her work ethic or her conviction. At least that is my humble opinion.
January 12, 2020
I picked this up cheaply as I was looking for some Christmassy reads. I had never read a Rita Bradshaw book before but I will definitely read another.
It was really easy to read and engaging. I loved the characters and was gripped throughout.
It was really easy to read and engaging. I loved the characters and was gripped throughout.
July 29, 2017
There's an interesting story in there with interesting characters, but unfortunately it's let down by poor writing.
October 22, 2017
Excellent read, first from this author but will not be the last.
December 12, 2018
Lovely story some happiness some sadness I rate it
October 27, 2019
Amazing
This is the best book I have read for a long time its one you can't put down.It's so sad and happy at the same time,I loved it .
This is the best book I have read for a long time its one you can't put down.It's so sad and happy at the same time,I loved it .
November 24, 2019
Really good read. Finished in 6 days!
March 19, 2020
The BEST book I’ve read in LONG LONG time.
June 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book especially the first half of the story. I had to skim read some parts during the War because they were a bit too graffic for me.
March 22, 2023
Struggled to get into this book, I have to confess I have given up and have passed on to our works book swap
April 1, 2024
First time I have tried this author, I will definitely read more from her.
December 28, 2024
What can I say, this book is fantastic.
February 26, 2021
Loved it. Nice to cosy up and read on a cold winters night.
January 1, 2017
Received this book at Christmas. Wasn't sure of it from the front cover but the description got me wanting to read and glad that I did. It starts in 1920 but I'll not go into detail as it may spoil the story for others. Will definitely add other books by the author to my reading list. Would recommend.
October 9, 2016
amazing! I won't go into details of the story as it may spoil it for others. so beautifully written that it felt like a true life story not fiction. well worth reading. highly recommended!I rarely give books 5 stars but this was brilliant and definitely deserves the full amount!
January 4, 2017
The story was well thought out and very readable! Unlike a lot of these style books it wasn't predictable and had lots of twists to keep the reader engaged!
I would definitely read other books by this author :)
I would definitely read other books by this author :)
December 28, 2016
Really enjoyed this book
December 28, 2021
An interesting and quite compelling story about a child and her growing up during dangerous years.
February 4, 2018
Loved this book very sad in places, but very enjoyable read. The story of a young girl who's father suffered from shell shock after WW1, and through to her growing up, and being a POW held by the Japanese in WW2 where she was a nurse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews