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...

    A gripping story, beautifully written with wonderful characters.

    I have just finished reading Secrets of The Shell Sisters, an amazing novel by Adrienne Vaughan. I was gripped from the beginning. The Morgan sisters – each with very different personalities – are totally believable, as are all the characters. The story is compelling, unique and beautifully written. I highly recommend it.

    GRIPPING STORY LACED WITH MAGIC, MYSTERY AND LOVE

    The opening chapter had me gripped and on the edge of my seat, which I’ve come to expect from this author, as all her books are incredible. The whole story was laced with magic, mystery and love.

    I fell in love with Octavia instantly, seeming fragile at first and then so fierce when she found strength as the story developed. I’m not usually a fan of timeslip novels, but this one felt different because the past and present merged together so beautifully. You could really tell a lot of research had gone into making it as accurate as possible. If you’ve read any of the author’s previous books, you’ll know why I was so happy to go back to Rosshaven and meet the Morgan sisters again.

    A fabulous debut novel

    I really loved this novel. The story of Marianne Coltrane, a campaigning journalist, is gripping from the start. The author really puts her heroine through the mill and the story is action-packed, full of twists and turns, tugging at the emotions from the beginning to the end.

    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.

    Really enjoyed the final book pity there is no more

    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.

    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.

    Great Debut

    This isn’t a straightforward romance – there are several dramatic and significant threads running through the narrative. I found Oonagh’s storyline particularly touching and poignant.

    A TRULY MAGICAL JOURNEY

    Returning to the beautiful community of Rosshaven was a welcome treat. I loved my last visit and was thrilled to discover the some of the characters I had met previously were either there or mentioned. 

    This story revolves around Octavia Griffin and her connection to the pretty coastal town in Ireland. The prologue had me intrigued, introducing Jerome Nightingale, who has a magical relationship with the passing of time. I could write for hours about how this book left me feeling. A truly magical journey of love and a fierce sense of good triumphing over the not-so-good, and I was utterly immersed in this charming story. I look forward to reading future books in this series. 

    Pacy, suspenseful page-turner

    I read this book in a matter of days. It’s fresh, pacy and allows the reader to escape between the (seemingly) glamorous world of film & TV, and the rugged coastline of Ireland.

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