Inheritance by Livi Michael

This very gentle book was devoured whilst on a recent business trip. I enjoyed the storyline, it appealled to my genealogical mind!

It is the very gentle story of Louise, who, upon the death of her mother inherits very little except for what I would consider the most valuable of all, lots of memories and a box of photographs. Louise heads to Lancaster, where she attempts to understand the lives of those ancestors who went before her. There were chapters interspered with family trees, and those of the life of Great Aunt Martha.

The Hat Shop on the Corner by Marita Conlon-McKenna

I really enjoyed this one and read on a business trip to Belfast, not Dublin but nonetheless, Ireland!

This is a gentle story. Ellie has inherited her mother's hat shop, as she debates whether to sell up or carry on, she is encouraged by her friends to follow her heart and believe in herself. She meets and is charmed by Rory, but he is not the man the for her!

Note to self to look out more from this author.

Things I want my Daugters to Know by Elizabeth Noble

This was a beautiful book. Barbara has been diagnosed with cancer. Various therapy have not been successful, and she therefore prepares herself and her family. Barbara writes a series of letters to her 4 daughters - Lisa,Jennifer,Amanda and Hannah. Each one has problems that they can not face, yet the letter they each receive from their mother upon her death is pivital in their moving on through the grief to a happy future.

Going Dutch by Katie Fforde

When Jo's husband trades her in for a younger model, she suddenly finds herself living on a barge near the Thames. Used to being a kept woman, she soon realises she'll need more than a few culinary skills to keep herself afloat. Aware she was about to make a terrible mistake, Dora has fled from a huge wedding, her fiance, her mother and a very critical village to come under Jo's protective wing. While offering mutual support, Dora gets a job where she has to row to work and Jo works out how to make a living. And though they may not know much about boats they're determined to make the best of things. One thing's for certain, though, they've both sworn off men for good. Unfortunately, life has other plans and inflicts arrogant but attractive Marcus, who's the oracle on all things nautical, and laid-back, charming, jack-of-all-trades Tom on their ordered lives. And as if they didn't have enough to worry about, they've discovered they have to take the barge to sea...