Bore da! It was Sue Moorcroft who first introduced me to the lovely Adrienne Vaughan – and told me “you’d love her books!”. I’m quite sure I would – they all look thoroughly lovely, and I will catch up at some point, I promise. Since we met, Adrienne has been a wonderful supporter of Being Anne, and it’s a real pleasure to welcome her today with the second part of our feature on Celtic Roots.
Adrienne with Dalkey island in the distance, inspiration for Scandal of the Seahorse Hotel
If anyone ever decries social media, I reply hand-on-heart it changed my life! Particularly as it brought my dear chum and writing buddy Lizzie Lamb and I together, immediately discovering a shared and irreverent sense of humour, a passion for fiction and a strange, indefinable otherness ‒ the sure sign of a Celt!
While Lizzie’s heart is in Scotland, my writing soul is happiest in Ireland and as we’re both married to ‘Rutland boys’ and reside in middle England, our friendship was embedded in our very roots!
Earlier this year, Adrienne and Lizzie hosted a Hope Against Cancer charity lunch at the fabulous Kilworth House in Leicestershire
When we took the decision, with June Kearns and Mags Cullingford, to form an indie group – New Romantics Press ‒ and publish our debut novels, who knew that only four short years later, Lizzie would be crowned an #AmazonBestSeller for her award-winning third novel Scotch on the Rocks, and I’d be publishing Fur Coat & No Knickers – my short story anthology ‒ in time for Christmas, making it my fifth book. (Congratulations Adrienne – kindle edition launched yesterday, paperback due next week. And this special edition includes a bonus festive story, A Visit at Christmas.)
Talk about rollercoaster ride – but if there’s one thing the Celts are good at, it’s determination and once the opportunity to fulfil our long held dream presented itself, we clasped it with both hands and have been writing like bejaysus ever since!
Born in England I was brought up in Dublin, attending my mother’s former convent school ‒ complete with nuns – close by. Everyone could say the rosary in Irish and Latin and knew each of the Holy Mysteries by heart, I was aghast ‒ talk about baptism of fire!
Adrienne with her late father, Harry in the garden of their cottage, Rosslare Harbour, County Wexford
But making lifelong friends, discovering athletics ‒ I ran for Ireland as a schoolgirl ‒ and finally being granted a place at the ground-breaking Dublin College of Journalism, all combined to ensure I was definitely having one of the best times of my life!
I write romantic suspense, so it came as no surprise that my first three novels, The Hollow Heart, A Change of Heart and Secrets of the Heart feature a feisty campaign-driven journalist and a remote Irish isle, where she takes on not only the suspicious locals but a reclusive movie-star escaping Hollywood, his love-life and an all-consuming career. Meld this with illegal gun-running, a ‘babies for sale’ scam and a wildly eccentric postmistress – and I’m thrilled to say each standalone book, has been recognised with a Festival of Romantic Fiction award.
Having completed my fourth novel, Scandal of the Seahorse Hotel – set in London, Ireland and New York ‒ currently with my literary agent, the renowned Lisa Eveleigh, I’m writing a historical thriller A Most Deadly Affair, featuring a beautiful Dublin socialite, who inherits the family funeral business in the 1950’s, taking on her embittered brother as he sets up a rival firm.
I don’t deliberately set out to write Irish stories, so far that’s just where my characters take me, writing can’t be forced and I would soon be told if anything came across as ‘plastic’. But it does mean I can layer my stories with the language, humour, food, music and irreverent fun for which the Irish are so famous and when anyone compares my work with the late, great Maeve Binchy well, it certainly makes my Irish eyes smile, that’s for sure!
Adrienne with Oscar Wilde’s statue in Dublin
Adrienne, thank you so much – I’m really looking forward to your new one, and catching up on your gorgeous looking trilogy…
About the author
Adrienne Vaughan has been making up stories since she could speak; primarily to entertain her sister Reta, who from a very early age never allowed a plot or character to be repeated – tough gig!
As soon as she could pick up a pen, she started writing them down. No surprise she wanted to be a journalist; ideally the editor of a glossy music and fashion magazine, so she could meet and marry a rock star – some of that came true! And in common with so many, she still holds the burning ambition to be a ‘Bond Girl’.
Find out more about Adrienne and her books on her excellent website: you’ll also find her on Twitter.
Great to catch up with all Adrienne’s book news, I’m excited to be meeting Adrienne, Lizzie, June & Mags this Friday at their Leicester RNA meeting, really looking forward to it.
Give them all a hug from me Rosie…? x
Well, Anne what a fantastic job you have made of my bits and bobs … thank you so much and yes, the timing was spot on. That’s another thing the Celts have, a lot of luck (and masses of love, of course). The picture with Harry brought a tear to my eye, especially as Fur Coat & No Knickers is dedicated to him – he’s laughing at the title – the whole family has such happy memories of Rosslare.
A great pleasure, Adrienne – and your bits and bobs were in pretty great order already! xx
Rosie we are so excited to meet you ‘in the flesh’ on Friday as you and your team have been a great friend and supporter of our novels from the beginning. Thank you.
Can’t wait to meet you and the rest of the team too, Rosie. Without your kind words and support when I first published The Hollow Heart I’m not sure all these other books would have followed so quickly. Readers rarely understand what it means to an author for their work to be appreciated, you gave all four of us such a boost! We’ll always be grateful, thanks. X
This is a great post, Anne and Adrienne. (And I’m looking forward to the RNA Leicester lunch, too!)
Thanks Sue – have a lovely time, ladies! x
Thanks Sue, me too – hugs all round. We must persuade Anne to join us once she’s flying around again! X
You’re on! xx
I’ll second that !!
Why haven’t I come across these books before …
Most definitely on my “must read” list, Linda! x
Thank goodness for fabulous supporters like Anne Linda, that’s all I can say. X
Absolutely!
Anne, I’m acquainted with Adrienne so this was a lovely treat to read.
Nice to hear from you Liz, and thanks for your kind comment – we all need support like this for those writing days when it feels like a complete waste of time, I’m sure you’d agree! X
Morning all, I had great fun replying to comments on #1 of the blog yesterday – thank you again, Anne. Adrienne has been a great ‘running mate’ throughout this crazy adventure we set out on four years ago and we are now best friends. I couldn’t have done all this with her, and June Kearn’s, incredible support. I loved reading about her childhood and influences. The title of her short stories – FUR COAT AND NO KNICKERS sums up her up – funny, warm, kind and incredibly talented.
Aw, what are you like …you daft mush-bucket! (Back at ya, sistah!)
I’m leaving you both to it on these comments – and loving watching the depth of love, affection and respect behind every one. But that’s definitely the first “daft mush-bucket” I’ve ever had on Being Anne – and I love it xxx
Ha, ha Anne! I’ll have to use that in my latest! X
By the way, I do have knickers, even some nice ones! X
Another fantastic blog post! I downloaded Fur Coat and No knickers yesterday and will start reading it as soon as possible. I have loved the Heartfelt trilogy, and I am sure I’ll love this too! Adrienne is a wonderful woman and writer and I am so proud to call her friend.
Happy St Andrew’s day to all those celebrating it!
Thank you so much Isabella, you’re amazing, your love of the English language in all its forms is a true passion and I salute you. However, it’s your love of life that we all adore, without doubt you’re the beautiful Italian boss of our mad fiction-filled club, let’s hope to see each in 2017! X
Oh you’re making me cry now!
Here’s to 2017, it’s a deal! 🙂 x
More books and authors to investigate – thanks Anne. I’m partial to books with a Celtic flavour having a Scottish grandmother and a rabidly pro Scottish father (despite being born in England). I also went to University in Scotland, where I bagged myself an Irish man!
Why Jill you’re certainly one of the clan … and capturing the heart of an Irishman surely makes you a Celt through and through! Nice to meet you here and thanks for commenting.
Lovely post! (Adrienne always looks absolutely fab in every photo!!) Am currently really enjoying Fur Coat & No Knickers, downloaded yesterday – (love that title!)
Thanks June, but to be fair it’s my photographers who are talented! Fur Coat & No Knickers was one of my grandmother’s sayings, meaning ‘all for show and not much substance’ – so although it sounded naughty it wasn’t really rude at all! (She was both!) X
Lovely post, Adrienne & Anne – I always enjoy reading about an author’s background, hopes & dreams, etc. I so enjoyed the Heartfelt trilogy and am currently waiting to dive into this latest fab-sounding collection of short stories and poems. You’re a woman of many talents, Adrienne, and a great buddy. Congratulations on your fully deserved success 🙂 Xx
Ah, bless your heart Briggers … we’ve travelled the road together hand in hand, dream by dream … keep going, that’s my plan anyway. X
Your enthusiasm for both writing and Ireland shine bright in this post, Adrienne – just wonderful. xx
Lovely Rae, how gorgeous of you to comment. I’m a bit of a traditionalist and write by hand in ink in beautiful notebooks … however, while digging out some of the stories for Fur Coat & No Knickers I discovered an outline for a novel written in pencil on the back of an envelope. (Once a journo, always a journo). X
Great post! What a super title for the collection, and what gorgeous covers you have for all your books, Adrienne.
Thank you so much, Wendy. I searched through 653 photos of girls in red dresses to find the right image for The Hollow Heart … had to be a ballgown on a wild beach … and as Marianne stars in all three books I gave her a new dress each time. My sister very talented Reta Wrafter painted the picture for Fur Coat & No Knickers, and her husband John created the design. I like to imagine my readers taking my novels into breakfast on the terrace of a fabulous hotel, so that when they put the book beside them it looks like a glamorous accessory!
Wow, 653 photos – that’s dedication, Adrienne, and it’s certainly paid off!
I can picture that hotel terrace. Could I suggest a selection of delicious croissants nestling in a basket and an aromatic coffee in a delicate white cup to accompany the image? 🙂
Indeed! Or a classic Bucks Fizz, Wendy … chilled champagne and freshly squeezed orange juice, poured by a gorgeous and charming companion. Sigh?.
Many thanks Anne for having myself and Lizzie on your wonderful blog over the past two days, it was an absolute delight and thank you so much for taking the time and creating such a lovely, warm platform for us both. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do in the future, and in the meantime will continue to support you and your wonderful work. Much love to you and hope it’s not too long till we see you for that REAL hug! X
I’ll look forward to that Adrienne – thank you for your lovely comments, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to feature you both xx