When the Flowers Are in Bloom

These 16 diverse stories travel far and wide, over the globe and through history, to examine the human condition. Whether a quest for atonement decades after the Second World War, or to repay a debt of honor, Japanese characters reveal their fragility. In Sarajevo, Bosnia, Spain or the grim projects of New York, life must go on. Characters show us that disability is not a handicap. Forgiveness and redemption, birth and death, honor, duty, courage and love - they're all here. All author royalties will go to aid the Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. Reviews When the Flowers Are in Bloom offers a collection of stories that show us the pain living can bring, as well as the pain keeping on living can be. Apropos, the first stories of the collection have Japanese protagonists... Morton takes his short-story canvas to Tokyo, to Spain, to Bosnia, to Berlin, to New York. In each story, he turns a microscope on a scene that others less adept would overlook. He lets us see deep into characters whose pain we can only share. The price of this collection of prize-winning stories is more that repaid by the vivid prose we receive. - Charles T Whipple, author of A Matter of Tea and other stories Moving, disturbing and sometimes shocking, they nevertheless give hope in an uncaring world. Simply and beautifully written with great feeling, they are stories to be read more than once and pondered on. Thank you for giving the reader that opportunity. - Laura Graham, Actress, author of Down a Tuscan Alley While churning up a host of moral questions these stories warmed my soul ... and capture the best and worst of humanity... His authentic dialogue brings each character to life. He infuses the protagonists with an animation, which tapped me on the shoulder, pointed out reality, and reminded me of a world larger than my own. Through my tears, I rejoiced in the courage, resiliency, and generosity of people of many cultures. I congratulate Nik Morton for writing this splendid collection of poignant stories. - E.B. Sullivan, author of Different Hearts Nik Morton's collection of short stories is an example of how story telling should be done. Morton is a natural, and uses his undoubted skills as a wordsmith to convey all the elements that need to be gathered when bringing drama, pathos, comedy and thrills to his anthology. - Michael Parker, author of The Boy from Berlin