This is the first book in the Lost Daughters series, eight books are planned. The stories are connected through Hope’s House, post-war in London. Un-wed mothers came to Hope in a safe, compassionate environment until their babies were born and the adoption process carried out. Set aside, in carefully crafted little boxes – one for each baby, were clues from the mother about their life. These boxes were dutifully cared for until, at any given point of time in the future the child would come looking for answers to their birth parentage. This is where Lily’s modern story begins in The Italian Daughter. Lily has been summoned to the legal offices in London to receive her historical box containing two pieces of paper. These are clues to the parentage of her late grandmother Patricia. Clues that are anchored in Italy – where lily is headed to start her new job as assistant winemaker and thus begins a mysterious trail to follow to the truth. A heartfelt story in a dual timeline – late 1940s Italy and modern day. Instantly you will be drawn into the worlds of both Este, a driven ballerina and Lily, an equally driven winemaker crafting her own Franciacorta. Can the fractured pieces of history come together again and bring healing to a family divided by loyalties, cultural deals and betrayals? This romantic, hopeful story is set amongst the backdrop of Italian landscapes including Piedmont, Como and Milan, From theatre stages, delectable Italian patisseries and vast rural vineyards…it’s certainly a satisfying feast and utterly compelling.
