by Robin Wickens
The Crumbling Skies
A Novel by Robin Wickens
London, 1941. The sirens wail. The sky is ablaze. But beneath the falling bombs, courage blooms in the unlikeliest of hearts.
Nora Ellwood never expected to become a nurse on the front lines of London’s Blitz. By day, she tends to the wounded and comforts the weary in the overcrowded East End hospital. By night, she seeks solace in the routine of blackouts and battered tea tins, trying to hold her broken family together. All around her, the city trembles—homes vanish overnight, secrets multiply in the rubble, and each dawn brings both relief and dread.
But when a mysterious air raid victim arrives in Nora’s care—clutching a bloodstained scrap of paper covered in cryptic code—she is swept into a world of shadowy intrigue far beyond her ward. Alongside a German-Jewish refugee haunted by loss, a fire warden seeking redemption, and a child whose dreams are filled with smoke and song, Nora must face questions she’s not ready to answer:
Who can be trusted in a city where suspicion is as thick as the smoke? What price will she pay for the truth?
As Nora follows a trail of hidden messages through bombed-out streets and secret underground shelters, she discovers that bravery is not only found on the battlefield. Sometimes, it lives in quiet acts of kindness, the protection of secrets, and the stubborn hope that tomorrow can be better—even as the world crumbles overhead.
Rich with historical detail and unforgettable characters, The Crumbling Skies paints a sweeping portrait of ordinary people tested by extraordinary times. It’s a story of resilience, the bonds that hold us together, and the light that refuses to die—even when darkness falls.
For readers who love Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, Kate Quinn’s The Alice Network, and stories of untold wartime courage.
Robin Wickens writes heartfelt, nature-inspired stories for curious children with big imaginations and muddy knees. Blending gentle adventure with meaningful themes, Robin’s books invite young readers to look more closely at the world around them—and at the friends who walk it with them.
Robin Wickens, affectionately known as the Rob of Rob’s Books, is a retired veteran who has seamlessly transitioned from serving his country to captivating imaginations with his literary creations. With a profound passion for fantasy and folklore, Robin’s work often explores mystical realms where mythical creatures thrive and the extraordinary becomes part of everyday life. As both an author and publisher, Robin writes heartfelt, nature-inspired stories for curious children with big imaginations and muddy knees. Blending gentle adventure with meaningful themes, his books invite young readers to look more closely at the world around them—and at the friends who walk it with them. Through Rob’s Books, Robin publishes across a wide range of genres, including: Children’s Picture Books & Chapter Books – whimsical adventures, fairy tales with a twist, humorous mysteries, and magical worlds (Amberwood, Tumbledown Hollow, Wizzlewood Academy, Meadowbrook, and more). Historical Fiction – heartfelt and human WWII stories, Victorian mysteries, and tales of quiet resilience in extraordinary times. Fantasy & Gothic Tales – enchanted adventures, romantasy, and atmospheric Victorian gothic stories. Educational & Activity Books – puzzle books, colouring collections, activity flip books, and creative learning titles for children and families. Cookbooks & Lifestyle – fast and fresh recipe collections, BBQ sauces and dips, natural living, eco-friendly guides, and seasonal remedies. Robin’s vision is simple: to create books that spark imagination, laughter, curiosity, and wonder—stories that children and adults alike will treasure, share, and return to again and again.
In wartime Britain, a single feather can wound deeper than any weapon.
by Robin Wickens
A moving WWII tale of shame, courage, and resilience, where one young man must fight prejudice on the home front after receiving a white feather of cowardice.
A tale of courage, coded messages, and survival in Blitz-era London
by Robin Wickens
During the Blitz, a widowed London baker turns her humble shop into a safe haven. By night, she hides resistance messages in her pastries—risking everything for love, loyalty, and freedom.
by Robin Wickens
Amidst the Blitz, as firestorms rage across the city, ordinary Londoners find extraordinary courage. Flames Over London is a powerful tale of resilience, unity, and hope in the darkest of nights.