Staying in with Adrienne Vaughan

Seahorses

I’m so excited to welcome Adrienne Vaughan to Linda’s Book Bag today. Adrienne has been an author whose books have been on my radar for some time so I’m thrilled she has agreed to stay in and tell me about one of them.

I’m also really excited that Adrienne has offered blog readers a very special giveaway and you’ll find details at the bottom of this blog post.

If you’re an author who’d also like to stay in with me to tell me about one of your books, please click here for more details.

Staying in with Adrienne Vaughan

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag, Adrienne. I’m delighted you’re here. Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Delighted to be staying in with you Linda, especially as the weather in early March had me housebound and rifling through my bookshelves searching for something to warm me up and dream of sunnier climes.

(I’m with you there Adrienne. What a start to the month. Still I’m off to India soon and it’ll be a bit warmer!)

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

With those blue skies in mind I’ve chosen my latest romantic suspense, That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel.

Seahorses

(I want to pack my bags straight away and you’ve only mentioned the title.)

What can we expect from an evening in with That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel?

boats

Well, if any of your readers would like to visit Ireland, this is certainly an opportunity to ‘spend’ summer on the sunny east coast. Here’s the blurb, Linda … see what you think …

Mia Flanagan has never been told who her father is and aged ten, stopped asking. Haunted by this, she remains a dutiful daughter who would never do anything to bring scandal or shame on her beautiful and famously single mother.

So when Archie Fitzgerald, one of Hollywood’s favourite actors, decides to leave Mia his Irish estate, she asks herself – is he her father after all?

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel is a tale of passion, jealousy and betrayal – and the ghost of a secret love that binds this colourful cast of characters yet still threatens, after all these years, to tear each one of them apart.

(Woo – I REALLY need to read this as soon as possible. I think it sounds fabulous and I’ve never been to Ireland.)

I particularly like the way one of my reviewers has linked the cover to the story. Sharon Booth says:

The cover sets the tone for this book. A young woman, her back to us, drifts along a beautiful beach, evoking the image of a dream, or perhaps a memory … memories play a huge part in this story. Something happened at The Seahorse Hotel. Something that no one involved in the event will talk about, even to each other, and certainly not to Mia.

And so the story unravels as Mia begins to discover who she really is and why those who love her have kept her father’s identity a secret.

(This is such an enticing introduction. You must be thrilled with Sharon’s appraisal of the cover.)

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

I have brought the makings of a classic Buck’s Fizz to drink. A good bottle of champagne – Veuve Clicquot is my favourite – and freshly squeezed orange juice, preferably Sicilian oranges as the flavour is rich but not sharp so only a little is needed. I mean, we don’t want to dilute this delicious champagne too much do we? I’ve chosen this because at a low point in Mia’s life, she’s told a girl needs three things for heartache … champagne, vitamin C and good friends!

(Actually, I’ll take my champagne without the oranges if you don’t mind…)

fish and chips

To eat, I’ve brought fish and chips of course – don’t they smell delicious? I hope the oven’s on just to keep them warm while I make drinks, because even though they’re freshly cooked and double-wrapped I do think chips have to be eaten piping hot and straight out of the paper don’t you? Which is precisely how they’re eaten at Galty House, the Georgian mansion codenamed The Seahorse Hotel during the Second World War.

(Yep. The oven is on and my stomach is rumbling so hurry up with those drinks, Adrienne. I haven’t had fish and chips for ages…)

And finally, here in a velvet pouch are my Tarot Cards. Leela, the housekeeper at Galty House, always turns to the cards when she needs a bit of guidance, she’s been with the Fitzgerald family for many years and has seen them through much turbulence and many dramas. And the cards have certainly helped.

tarot

I was fascinated to learn a little about the Tarot when I was writing the book, and although I’m a complete novice and it’s just for fun, let’s deal out a hand and see what it throws up? Who knows we might be in for a lottery win or a mystery inheritance? Even better, it might predict a decent summer … now that’s something we could all look forward to!

(My goodness yes. A lottery win would be lovely but I’ll take a decent summer instead any time.)

Thanks so much for staying in with me and telling me all about That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel. I’ve really enjoyed this evening Adrienne. Now, get dealing those Tarot cards.

Thanks for inviting me over Linda, it’s been a lovely evening and an absolute pleasure to share it with you – I’ll definitely need the SatNav to take me home though, not that good at the Tarot just yet!

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel

Seahorses

Mia Flanagan has never been told who her father is and aged ten, stopped asking.

Haunted by this, she remains a dutiful daughter who would never do anything to bring scandal or shame on her beautiful and famously single mother.

So when Archie Fitzgerald, one of Hollywood’s favourite actors, decides to leave Mia his Irish estate, she asks herself – is he her father after all?

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel is a tale of passion, jealousy and betrayal – and the ghost of a secret love that binds this colourful cast yet still threatens, after all these years, to tear each of them apart.

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel is available for purchase here.

About Adrienne Vaughan

Adrienne

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’.

You can follow Adrienne on Twitter @adrienneauthor and find her on Facebook. Adrienne also has a fabulous website.

Lovely Adrienne has generously offered a very special giveaway too so check the details below.

Giveaway

Seahorse-Hotel-FBook_Twit-PromoBannerOutNow-final_preview

I’m devastated that is isn’t ethical to enter a giveaway on your own blog because Adrienne is offering the chance for three lucky readers to win a signed paperback copy of That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel. For your chance to win, click here.

Giveaway open internationally and closes at UK midnight on Thursday 22nd March 2018.

42 thoughts on “Staying in with Adrienne Vaughan”

  5. jessiecahalin says:

    The novel has a great setting, enigmatic characters and a delicious plot. A must read! Loved Sharon’s comments about the front cover too – genius!
    Fish and chips with Champagne is perfect. Adrienne is down to earth but full of glamour and fizzing with narratives.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Isabella says:

    What a lovely interview! I was one of the lucky few to have received an ARC copy of Adrienne’s book back in January and have loved every page of it! it’s a fantastic, emotional, poignant story, where the setting is so real you’ll feel the salt on your skin.
    Isabella 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  14. I’m honoured that my review was quoted! Adrienne is such a lovely lady, and her books are fabulous. I was pining for my old friends from her “Heart” trilogy, but That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel took away my pain. It’s a wonderful read, as are all her books.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Lizzie Lamb says:

    If I hadn’t already got the paperback and kindle version of Adrienne’s book I’d certainly enter this competition. Adrienne works hard at getting her books just right and I think readers (new and old) would enjoy a trip to the Gallery House and the location of the Seahorse Hotel. Especially with today being St Paddy’s Day. As others have said – so many books, so little time. But if you fancy a trip to the Emerald Isle and a cracking great read, don’t bother packing a suitcase, just read Adrienne’s novel. (maybe with a glass of your favourite tipple?)

    Liked by 3 people

  16. What a wonderful endorsement Isabella. Thanks so much for calling by. I’ve only heard brilliant things about That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel and am very tempted to enter the giveawaay myself!

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Isabella says:

    Oh If I already had both the kindle and paperback version, I would, too, Linda! Adrienne’s book has gone straight into my top 10 favourites this year.

    Liked by 4 people

  23. So enjoyed reading this post and I loved That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel. Adrienne’s a gifted writer with a real talent for creating vivid settings and warm, witty and sometimes wonderfully whacky characters. Great feature, Linda Xx

    Liked by 3 people

  28. Ah, Isabella – thanks for stopping by. Many of the reviews for ‘Seahorse’ have been so beautifully written, some have moved me to tears, yours included. Doesn’t stop me reading them again, though! X

    Liked by 3 people

  29. We agonised and agonised over the cover Sharon, I was lucky to be consulted on many, many designs and when we saw that picture we all yelled THAT’S IT!!! 🙂 And you nailed how we felt about it, thank you! X

    Liked by 4 people

  31. Thanks Lizzie, I feel the same when I read your books, they take me straight to Scotland, just wonderful! (You’re a couple of days early with St Patrick’s Day … but of course, nobody minds getting the celebrations off to a flying start!) 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  32. Thank June, it’s not as if you don’t get enough Irish-ness with your lovely big Irish family. But important to me that you get a ‘sense of place’ from my books, because that is something I adore about yours! X

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Great to see you here Jan! Someone who has been on the journey with me every step of the way … proof read my first novel and has certainly helped me push that pen over the page with oodles of positivity! Thanks Briggers. X

    Liked by 3 people

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