A TEACHER at The Sixth Form College, Solihull, has turned published author after getting her first novel published.
Therese Down, the Curriculum Leader for English at the College, has had her first novel ‘Only With Blood’ published by Lion Hudson Publishers.
The book is a novel that explores the hardships, politics and daily challenges of life in rural Ireland in the early 1940’s.
The book’s main protagonist is Jack Flynn – a strong and aggressive individual who is slowly dying of tuberculosis on his farm in Tipperary in the Republic of Ireland.
He decides to buy himself a young wife who can bear him sons to inherit his family’s land.
Caitlin Spillane is less than half his age, attractive and intelligent, and resents the obedience that is forced upon her.
When a young IRA supporter arrives in the village, he and Caitlin are drawn together in their hatred of Flynn.
The story is set against the struggle for the heart of Ireland in the Second World War, when the IRA notoriously sought assistance from the Nazis.
Therese said: “I am more delighted than I can say to have had a novel published – it’s the realisation of a lifelong dream.”
The book is available from Amazon as well as a variety of other outlets.
Therese has also already penned a second novel called ‘The End of Law’, which will be available from January 2016, also published by Lion Hudson.
