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New novel from Adrienne Vaughan!
A captivating novel from the pen of talented author, Adrienne Vaughan.
As the crisp autumn breeze rustles through the golden-hued leaves, there’s nothing quite like cosying up with a delightful novel that takes you on a magical journey. And for fans of Adrienne Vaughan, who have been waiting eagerly the companion novel to SUMMER OF SECRETS, the wait is over.
Introducing SECRETS OF THE SHELL SISTERS a breathtaking tale designed to captivate your imagination and leave you spellbound as Adrienne weaves together vivid characters and captivating plotlines that transport you to the Atlantic Coast Ireland for this heart rending, other-wordly tale.
In this mesmerizing novel, you will be introduced to a diverse cast of characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected and profound ways. Each page is infused with a palpable sense of emotion, drawing you deeper into their joys, their sorrows, and their triumphs. From the rolling hills of the countryside to the bustling city of Dublin, Ms Vaughan’s vivid descriptions bring every scene to life, enveloping you in a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations.
With a masterful blend of heartwarming moments, tantalizing mysteries, and unexpected twists, Secrets of the Shell Sisters and its companion novel – Summer of Secrets – will keep you eagerly turning the pages, desperate to unravel the secrets that lie within. Every chapter is filled with intrigue and suspense, leaving you yearning to uncover the truth about the sisters and their beginnings.
So, dear reader, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, embrace the enchantment of this autumn season by immersing yourself in the pages of this novel. Get swept away by a tale that will linger in your heart long after you’ve reached the final page. And, to be honest, I was so keen to learn the truth about the Shell Sisters that it took every ounce of self control not to skip to the end to see how it all turned out. Here’s what some reviewers have said about the novel.
“This is romantasy at its best and I loved it.”
“This is a fascinating tale full of Irish magic and mysticism.”
“This is a contemporary novel with an otherworldly twist; don’t miss it.”
“Secrets are hinted at and disclosed (I’m still searching for answers) as the story unfolds, twists, turns, leaves you completely mesmerised and deciding you don’t want to leave.”
Read the BLURB and then download The Secrets of the Shell Sisters today and be transported to a world of literary brilliance, where every word dances on the page and every moment is pure magic.
“That’s like believing in Father Christmas,” he said. “Or mermaids,” she replied gravely.
Meet the Morgans. Three very different sisters, who each blame themselves for their mother’s mysterious disappearance. Now, over forty years on, they are in crisis.
Cassandra – the eldest – runs the family’s quirky, cliffside hotel. But the business is in trouble, and it seems a secret from the past is determined to resurface and destroy all she’s worked for. Greer – the youngest – walked away from a glittering career to live in London. The mistress of a powerful man, she’s left stranded on the day they were to start a new life together. Now she has no choice but to return to the family home – but what kind of welcome can she expect? And Orla – the middle sister, whose obsessive shell collecting and messages from the ‘sea- people’ dominate her life. But Orla knows things. She knows Greer is coming home to a new future, that Cassandra’s dark secret will change their lives and that their mother never really left at all.
And there’s another secret, something they all share… but of course nobody’s telling.
My Review of the Secrets of the Shell Sisters
Two of the most precious books on my shelf are well-thumbed copies of The Water Babies and The Kingdom Under the Sea. Now I can add a third to that list, Ms Vaughan’s THE SECRETS OF THE SHELL SISTERS. While I enjoyed SUMMER OF SECRETS, I think that her second book in the Rosshaven Romances is altogether more mystical, romantic and other-worldly. It has echoes of The Tempest – surely, it’s no coincidence that the sisters’ mother is called Miranda? As I read the book, I had to stop myself turning the pages to find out how the plot resolved itself. I was glad that I took my time as the book is too good to rush. All I will say is that it is the perfect antidote to the long winter nights ahead of us. And, should you detect the tang of the sea as you read it, you shouldn’t be surprised.
Summer of Secrets
GUEST BLOG – Adrienne Vaughan
Award winning Author & Poet
Adrienne Vaughan writes spellbinding, page-turning romantic suspense.
Her Heartfelt Series − The Hollow Heart, A Change of Heart and Secrets of the Heart – is set on an island off Ireland’s west coast and features a feisty investigative journalist, and her irresistible West Highland terrier. (Adrienne studied at the Dublin College of Journalism and loves animals, especially dogs.)
Her collection of short stories and poetry, Fur Coat & No Knickers was shortlisted for the Irish Carousel Prize for Anthology and her WWII short story, Dodo’s Portrait, was shortlisted for the Colm Toíbín International Short Story Award at the Wexford Literary Festival.
Summer of Secrets is the first in a series of sweeping family dramas, each with a touch of Irish magic.
All her books are heart-warming, uplifting reads, featuring her trademark gripping style, and laugh out loud moments.
Adrienne, husband Jonathan, and two cocker spaniels divide their time between rural Leicestershire, the Wicklow mountains, and coastal South Devon. Agatha Christie – the cat – (and Lorraine) take care of things while they are away.
Summer of Secrets – blurb
Mia Flanagan has never been told who her father is and, aged ten, stopped asking.
Now she keeps her own secrets.
But when the movie she’s working on ends in disaster, she flies home to discover her fiancé has a secret too; leaving her dreams crushed.
Broken-hearted, a lonely summer in London looms. Until, family friend, Archie Fitzgerald, invites her to stay at his fading mansion on Ireland’s ancient east coast.
For Archie also has a secret, and the longer Mia stays, the more she wonders if Archie really is her father after all.
Some images of Ireland so beautifully evoked by Ms Vaughan in Summer of Secrets
My review – Goodreads – This novel has it in spades: stunning Irish setting (a character in its own right), a grand but decaying family home (Galty House), glamour in the form of acclaimed actors Archie Fitzgerald and Fenella Flanagan, American hotel owner Ross and the cute, but not too cute, Pearl who melts your heart. The novel contains all of Ms Vaughan’s trademarks: glamour, secrets, intrigues, and adventure. How could it fail to please? At the centre of it is Mia, the wardrobe mistress whom I immediately bonded with and wanted to have a happy ending. However, life isn’t easy for Mia who lives in the shadow of her famous mother Fenella and, although she is surrounded by people who love her, is held back by long-buried personal secrets of the past. Is she Archie Fitzgerald’s daughter? The answer to that alone kept me turning the pages. I agree with other reviewers that Archie dominates every scene, and it isn’t until he vacates centre stage that Mia can have her moment in the spotlight and we learn the truth about who she is. There was a lot to absorb in this novel and many of the answers lay in the past and were the remit of some of the secondary characters who gave the novel a sense of community. I was particularly impressed by the authors use of flashbacks to give the reader the information they needed to understand the motivation of all the characters – and to guess the identity of Mia’s father. In the end, all is resolved and – without giving too much away, I was happy at the way the author tied up all the loose ends to bring the novel to a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to reading the sequel when it is published.
The perfect beach read this summer
Where to find Adrienne Vaughan on social media
Lizzie Lamb - author 