Philip R. Lloyd grew up on the blue side of the tracks in Liverpool during the difficult years that followed the Second World War, a time when the city was very different from the vibrant place it is today. Life was tough, disciplined, and shaped by strong community values. He recalls counting the pubs along Scotland Road to pass the time on trips into town with his mother, and growing up in an era when tall policemen walked the beat and were respected without question.After finishing school and earning five O-levels, Philip remained for an additional year, completing Royal Society of Arts (RSA) qualifications in English Language and Literature.He began his working life with a large construction company, a career that took him across the United Kingdom, including a challenging period working in Northern Ireland between 1972 and 1974, during some of the most turbulent years of the Troubles. In total, he spent eight years working throughout Britain and Ulster, experiences that would later influence the realism and historical depth of his writing.In 1976, after visiting South Africa twice to see his elder brother, Philip emigrated there and went on to spend the next 44 years living and working in the country. He witnessed many significant moments in South Africa's history, including the tense years leading up to the release of Nelson Mandela, an event that helped steer the nation away from greater conflict and towards a new future.Now retired, Philip moved to Spain with his wife, where he continued to write this novel, inspired by the people, conflicts, and experiences that shaped his life.