Travel to Ireland, have a little romance, learn about the countryside and the women in Heather Barbieri’s light novel – The Lace Makers of Glenmara.  When one of my fellow writers recommended Barbieri’s latest book – Cottage at Glass Beach – I searched for the book in my library system but it wasn’t there; instead I found this lovely distraction.

The story is an easy tale of loss and rebirth.  Kate, the heroine, changes the lives of everyone in the village – as well as her own, but probably the best comic relief comes from the Catholic priest who  threatens damnation to the ladies who are making the lacy lingerie.  A fast fun read.

A bonus is the appendix with Barbieri’s list of her favorite books.  Some I plan to explore:

• Light Years by James Salter
• The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor
• The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy
• Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susan Clarke