Disillusioned with life in Ireland in the early 19th century, John Walsh sets off to America in search of a better life. After initially faring well, he ends up fighting alongside his brother, Daniel, in the Mexican-American War.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland his family are struggling to survive.

Johann works happily in the castle of the King of Bavaria, but after putting his family’s livelihood at risk, he finds himself flung into war against the French, never to see his family again.

Many years later, enlisting in the British army in defence of his father, Philip marches bravely to the front line in the trenches of World War I.

A compelling family saga, spanning over one hundred years against the backdrop of three wars and across two continents, this is the gripping story of how ordinary people live through extraordinary times.

Author Beryl Nicklas Henshaw lives in Ammanford, Wales, where she used to work ‘doing sums’ as she tells her grandchildren (she worked in accounts departments).

On her retirement, in 2002, she finally found the time to test her creative skills. Nothing too domestic, so she enrolled on a creative writing accredited course which set her on a new and fascinating path. She has short stories in several anthologies but Kindred Spirits is her first full-length novel.

She used the first chapters in her dissertation at university in which she graduated with an MA in creative writing.

Kindred Spirits is published by Olympia Publishers.