The Sins of the Mother by Danielle Steel tells the story of successful businesswoman Olivia Grayson.

While building a home furnishings empire, Olivia had to sacrifice many things, including a family life and quality time spent with her children in an effort to make up for lost time, she decides to plan for a lavish summer holiday in the Mediterranean sea, aboard a luxurious yacht. Olivia hopes that this is something her family will enjoy and regard as memorable. Her lavish trips, which she plans every year, are an expression of her love and regret for not spending time with her children during their formative years. Her children are Cassie, a music producer in London who turns down the invitation, Liz, Olivia's eldest, who practically lives in her shadow and who is obsessed with becoming a writer and Olivia's sons Phillip and John, work with her but their wives certainly don't like the idea of this. Olivia hopes that this summer trip with her entire family will be a success, but, as she quickly learns, old disappointments are not easy to forget and family dynamics can always become complicated. But can surprising revelations and forgiveness help to form new bonds? As life's irony plays out, Olivia finds her children committing the same sins that they have always blamed her for.

Steel's book captures the challenging, passionate, funny, enduring and complex sides of a family. As the story plays out, readers learn about by a headstrong mother who is willing to take her share of the responsibility, respect her family members and is still able to give them unconditional love.

The Sins of the Mother was published by RHUK in 2013 and is available in paperback format.

Key Features:

• This book grabbed the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list.