MY BOOKS THE ROADS THAT LEAD US HOME

Amsterdam 1648, Captain Andrew Ross, a young officer of the Scots Brigade serving in the Dutch Republic, falls in love with the

beautiful Catharina Meyer, daughter of a rich merchant family of Amsterdam. Newly married Captain Andrew begins to plan a life

for himself and his bride in his beloved Scotland but soon the newly weds find themselves caught up in a web of deception and lies

which changes the course of their young lives forever.

New England 2016 and Janey McKay leaves New York and makes her way back to her childhood home after the collapse of her mar-

riage. She fills her first long, lonely New England winter by joining the local Historical Association embarking on a journey of ances-

tral disovery which takes her back along the ancient roads of Europe in search of her ancestors. What she discovers challenges

everything she thought she knew about her family’s past.

REVIEWS

About the Author

I published my debut novel THE ROADS THAT LEAD US HOME in March 2024 and am currently working on my second novel THE COVENANTER’S DAUGHTER. I am also an avid genealogist and family historian and have researched many of my own family lines as well as those of friends and family. I enjoy connecting with my many DNA cousins across the world and have also carried out genealogy based research for other writers and individuals. The links below will take you to my genealogy blog where I love to tell the stories of my ancestors. I love planning ahead and currently have two novels at the developemental stage, one of which will be the third book in the Janey McKay genealogy mystery series.
Some of the places that have inspired my writing. From the ancient streets of Amsterdam, Haarlem and La Rochelle to the rolling hills, pretty villages and shores of County Down and the hills and lochs of western Scotland.
* * * * * For lovers of romance and everyone who loves a good story. This is a poignant story of two families separated in time and space. It is easy to be gripped by the tragic love story of a young woman in Holland and to follow the search for identity of a newly-divorced woman in modern New England. The stories flow across the Atlantic and are seamlessly interwoven.
* * * * * Impossible to put down. It is hard to believe that this is the authors first book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The genealogy aspect was appealing and as someone who does her own family history research I found it very relatable. The story weaved its way from one time period to another in a way which made reading the next chapter impossible not to do. As a result I read the book in two days as I was keen to find out the ending. The characters were very well described and it was amazing to follow the characters journey as well as the geographic journey . I would highly recommend this book. Looking forward to the next one.
* * * * * A beautiful story, couldn’t put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The characters were beautifully written and their stories were so engaging. It was an emotional rollercoaster at times and I loved every minute of it! I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
* * * * * Fantastic read…couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this, nothing else was done that weekend It’s a beautiful story, creative and beautifully told without being far fetched! One of the main characters is also interested in genealogy and there are subtle references to researching family trees wherever they may take you. I can’t wait for the second story from Lynne Kennedy.
* * * * * Interesting and Enjoyable . I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who has explored their genealogical past. One often finds their family history not to be what they thought it was — either through errors in memory, or in outright lies that have been passed down through the generations. This novel explores one woman’s search for answers about her family’s past and uncovers skeletons in the closet along the way.
* * * * * Well written and beautifully layered story. I loved this from start to finish. The story is so well written and takes you on an emotionally charged journey with vividly depicted characters who you very quickly become attached to. It moves stylishly between the past and the present. I didn’t know much about the history of the Ulster Scots settlers in Ireland or the Covenanters in Scotland but it left me wanting to know more. I really hope there is more to come from this new author. Highly recommended.
* * * * * Beautiful Historical Novel I just finished this book and truly could not put it down once I started it! It was an enjoyable combination of history, mystery, and genealogical intrigue. The switch between time periods was well done so I didn’t struggle to figure out who was “talking”. Anyone who enjoys historical novels, mysteries, and/or genealogy will really enjoy this beautiful tale that Lynne Kennedy has woven for us. I look forward to reading more from her.
* * * * * Great Read! Just finished reading this book and loved it. I found myself totally engaged with the characters and enjoyed how the story took us through different times tying in genealogy too. Looking forward to reading the second novel.

About the Author

I published my debut novel THE ROADS THAT LEAD US HOME in March 2024 and am currently working on my second novel THE COVENANTER’S DAUGHTER. I am also an avid genealogist and family historian and have researched many of my own family lines as well as those of friends and family. I enjoy connecting with my many DNA cousins across the world and have also carried out genealogy based research for other writers and individuals. The links below will take you to my genealogy blog where I love to tell the stories of my ancestors. I love planning ahead and currently have two novels at the developemental stage, one of which will be the third book in the Janey McKay mystery series and I am hoping to write two non fiction books in the near future
THE ROADS THAT LEAD US HOME

Amsterdam 1648, Captain Andrew Ross, a

young officer of the Scots Brigade serving in

the Dutch Republic, falls in love with the beauti-

ful Catharina Meyer, daughter of a rich mer-

chant family of Amsterdam. Newly married

Captain Andrew begins to plan a life for himself

and his bride in his beloved Scotland but soon

the newly weds find themselves caught up in a

web of deception and lies which changes the

course of their young lives forever. New

England 2016 and Janey McKay leaves New

York and makes her way back to her childhood

home after the collapse of her marriage. She

fills her first long, lonely New England winter

by joining the local Historical Association em-

barking on a journey of ancestral disovery

which takes her back along the ancient roads of

Europe in search of her ancestors. What she

discovers challenges everything she thought she

knew about her family’s past.

THE FIVE WIVES OF GEORGE

ALEXANDER KENNEDY 1822-1888

For the past number of years, I have been researching and writing a history of the five wives of George A. Kennedy born in Dundalk, Louth, Ireland. He was an Irish man who left the land of his birth in 1858 to seek a new life on the other side of the world in Australia before finally settling in Auckland, New Zealand. More details to follow soon.

CAROUSEL AWARE PRIZE 2025 FOR

INDEPENDENT AUTHORS

THE ROADS THAT LEAD US HOME was recently longlisted for the CAP AWARE PRIZE 2025.

CAROUSEL AWARE PRIZE for Indie Authors gives a

platform for those writers who choose to independ-

ently publish thier work and in the process raise

money for the charity AWARE.

NEW EDITION

I am launching a new edition of THE ROADS THAT LEAD US HOME with a new publisher, a new ISBN and a new cover. I am also in the very early stages of research for the next book in the Janey McKay genealogy mystery series. Yes, there will be a third book!
* * * * * For lovers of romance and everyone who loves a good story. This is a poignant story of two families separated in time and space. It is easy to be gripped by the tragic love story of a young woman in Holland and to follow the search for identity of a newly-divorced woman in modern New England. The stories flow across the Atlantic and are seamlessly interwoven.
* * * * * Impossible to put down. It is hard to believe that this is the authors first book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The genealogy aspect was appealing and as someone who does her own family history research I found it very relatable. The story weaved its way from one time period to another in a way which made reading the next chapter impossible not to do. As a result I read the book in two days as I was keen to find out the ending. The characters were very well described and it was amazing to follow the characters journey as well as the geographic journey . I would highly recommend this book. Looking forward to the next one.
* * * * * A beautiful story, couldn’t put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The characters were beautifully written and their stories were so engaging. It was an emotional rollercoaster at times and I loved every minute of it! I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
* * * * * Fantastic read…couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this, nothing else was done that weekend It’s a beautiful story, creative and beautifully told without being far fetched! One of the main characters is also interested in genealogy and there are subtle references to researching family trees wherever they may take you. I can’t wait for the second story from Lynne Kennedy.
* * * * * Interesting and Enjoyable . I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who has explored their genealogical past. One often finds their family history not to be what they thought it was — either through errors in memory, or in outright lies that have been passed down through the generations. This novel explores one woman’s search for answers about her family’s past and uncovers skeletons in the closet along the way.
* * * * * Well written and beautifully layered story. I loved this from start to finish. The story is so well written and takes you on an emotionally charged journey with vividly depicted characters who you very quickly become attached to. It moves stylishly between the past and the present. I didn’t know much about the history of the Ulster Scots settlers in Ireland or the Covenanters in Scotland but it left me wanting to know more. I really hope there is more to come from this new author. Highly recommended.
* * * * * Beautiful Historical Novel I just finished this book and truly could not put it down once I started it! It was an enjoyable combination of history, mystery, and genealogical intrigue. The switch between time periods was well done so I didn’t struggle to figure out who was “talking”. Anyone who enjoys historical novels, mysteries, and/or genealogy will really enjoy this beautiful tale that Lynne Kennedy has woven for us. I look forward to reading more from her.
* * * * * Great Read! Just finished reading this book and loved it. I found myself totally engaged with the characters and enjoyed how the story took us through different times tying in genealogy too. Looking forward to reading the second novel.

Reviews

MY BOOKS
Some of the places that have inspired my writing

Lynne Kennedy

Writer and Family History Researcher