Romance, mystery and magic, with a touch of spine-tingling suspense …

LATEST NEWS:
Legacy of Secrets has been shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Novel of the Year Awards 2026

About Adrienne Vaughan

Adrienne Vaughan has been a writer since the age of seven, from the moment she first sat at the kitchen table, thumping out stories about ponies, witches, and unicorns on her turquoise Petite typewriter.

Today she writes award-winning, page-turning romantic suspense.

Adrienne’s first three books, The Hollow Heart, A Change of Heart and Secrets of the Heart – feature a feisty investigative journalist, a wilful West Highland terrier and a supporting cast of highly entertaining and eccentric characters; all set on a remote isle off the West Coast of Ireland.

Her latest novels, Legacy of Secrets, Summer of Secrets and Secrets of the Shell Sisters − are all spell-binding family sagas with a touch of Celtic magic and are based on Ireland’s Ancient East Coast.

Legacy of Secrets is a finalist in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Novel of the Year Awards 2026.

Adrienne’s first historical novel Mystery of the Midnight Madonna has just been shortlisted for the Historical Novel Society’s ‘First Chapter’ award.

Her collection of short stories and poetry, Fur Coat & No Knickers, was shortlisted for the Irish Carousel Prize for Anthology. Her short story Dodo’s Portrait was shortlisted for the Colm Tóibín International Short Story Award at the Wexford Literary Festival in 2018, and her short story Matilda’s Wings was runner up in the Society of Women Writers & Journalists Short Story Competition 2023.

All her books are enchanting, heart-warming, and uplifting tales of mystery and romance, laced with twists and turns, and many laugh out loud moments.

Brought up in Dublin, Adrienne lives in the English countryside with her husband, two spaniels and a rescue cat called Agatha Christie – ‘So-named because we never know who she’s going to kill next!’

Two of her favourite places in the world are the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland and the coast of South Devon, both great influences on her writing.

A former journalist, Adrienne ran her own PR practice for over 30 years, writing novels, poems and short stories in her spare time. From 2025 she decided it was time to take on what she considers the best job in the whole world, a fulltime author.

And although being a novelist has always been her destiny, she still harbours a burning ambition to be a Bond girl!

Sun, sea and spaniels – what more can a girl want? Adrienne with her beloved Wignell and Watson.

Award-Winning Romantic Suspense

Praise for Adrienne’s work...

    The plot is fast paced and the characters wonderfully depicted .I really enjoyed this read and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

    Magical tale of secrets, second chances and sisterhood

    A beautifully written tale of relationships, lost love and second chances, laced through with a touch of Irish magic – so deftly delivered it feels as natural as the sea itself.
    This is romantasy at its best and I loved it.

    A joy to read …

    Another top read from Adrienne Vaughan. The title alone made me want to dive in to the story. Adrienne’s talent for creating engaging, entertaining characters, some of them warm, some witty, some wonderfully whacky, but all memorable, gets stronger with every book she writes.

    GRIPPING AND EMOTIONAL ‘CAN’T PUT IT DOWN’ READ

    This is the third in a trilogy, inasmuch as the setting and some of the characters reappear. 

    The main character, Octavia Griffin, is set in her ways and is scared to do anything outside her comfort zone. When she ends up in Ireland following a letter from Jerome Nightingale, telling her she is in line to inherit from him, her life begins to change dramatically. Octavia’s whole outlook on life has to change, and with the help of some ‘magic’ and some intriguing happenings along the way, she eventually fulfils the prophecy.

    I loved this story, it was gripping, emotional and a ‘can’t put it down’ read.

    I enjoyed the stories, some of my favourites were; Fur coat and No knickers, A seed of Doubt and A visit at Christmas. From the poems I especially enjoyed A pink Day.

    This collection is absolutely wonderful. It’s a series of snapshots – peeps into the lives of a varied assortment of characters. Each and every one of them is interesting, but for different reasons.

    A story to capture your heart

    This is a thrilling tale of crime and violence against a backdrop of true romance, deep friendship and gentle humour.

    LEGACY OF SECRETS – A PACY, MULTI-LAYERED ROMANTASY THAT UNITES MODERN DAY WITH WARTIME

    With locations in bustling London, scenic Scotland and, of course, the mystic Rosshaven in Ireland, Adrienne Vaughan’s characters are just as vivid as the settings they inhabit. It’s easy to imagine them stopping in at The Unicorn Inn, flinging open the door to The Sea Chest or navigating their way along crowded central London streets. 

    Time travel is at the essence of this novel, and this is captured superbly, particularly when characters find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings – Adrienne Vaughan’s descriptions of their frustration and confusion is imaginative yet highly believable. 

    As the third in a trilogy, I particularly enjoyed cameos of characters from the previous stories, as well as learning about new relationships and connections among the vibrant and mystical Rosshaven community. 

    Legacy of Secrets is a must-read for those who enjoy mystery, family drama, and how love always finds a way.

    A Wonderful Collection of Moving Stories to be Read and Reread

    a compelling collection of short stories with unforgettable characters and moving stories, to be read while commuting. or any time you’re enjoying a short break to read something short and thought-provoking.

    Loved every moment…

    How gorgeous was this book? The story is just wonderful, moving from the cut-throat world of investigative journalism, through glamour, glitz and mayhem,and on to the perfectly-drawn setting of Innishmahon

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