I was really happy to read this collection of gentle stories that touch on elements of Irish country life that I get the distinct impression the author has witnessed or experienced personally. Though a self-published book, these stories are very polished and are written with calm confidence. My only reason for not awarding Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves 5 stars is that I like my short stories with a little bit of a twist and these do not really fall under that category - nor should they! They are fully intended as calm quiet stories about real life and real people so the lack of twist doesn't dilute their charm at all. I also wished that this collection was a little longer. The author was so effective in capturing slices of life from a country that I find so rich in character and charm... I would have liked to have stopped in the richly green Ireland countryside a little longer!

I know Dianne Ascroft has authored a full-length novel about a child's evacuation from Germany to Ireland during the Second World War, and now I'm very intrigued to read this. I recommend this collection of short stories for anyone with a knowledge of or interest in rural life in Northern Ireland and though short the ebook is great value for its price (currently under £1 on Amazon.co.uk).