Historical, United States, Contemporary 

When Catherine da Costa, a wealthy Manhattan matron, learns she has only a short time to live, she realizes that the family tree will die unless she transfers its legacy to her granddaughters. But Suzanne and Francesca, beautiful young women caught up in trendy causes and ambitious careers, have no interest in the past. Catherine almost despairs until one night she is visited by the family matriarch, an indomitable Renaissance businesswoman named Hannah Mendes.The ghost of Hannah Mendes encourages Catherine to use every trick in the book -- bribery, guilt and the threat of disinheritance -- to coerce her granddaughters to journey across Europe and acquaint themselves with their roots. While the sisters honor their grandmother's request out of loyalty, they believe their quest is futile -- until it starts to produce ancient manuscript pages from Hannah's fascinating memoir, and brings new love into their lives. - from Amzon