The Heartfelt Series Book 1
This heartrending mystery thriller is the story of Marianne Coltrane a feisty, award-winning journalist who uncovers a devastating travesty of justice involving the sale of babies by the church in Ireland. Fighting her corner in the male-dominated world of newspapers she witnesses a terrorist attack that changes how she thinks about her future and what she really wants. Taking herself off to the wilds of the west of Ireland to re-evaluate her life, she encounters the soon to be world-famous actor Ryan O’Gorman, to her mind the most conceited, infuriating man in the world. He in turn loathes journalists, especially female ones. One thing they do have in common is they both think their chance of true love has passed them by. As they both begin to fall in love with Innishmahon, their spiritual home, they discover the very fabric of the island is threatened and as the islanders find themselves in grave danger, Marianne and Ryan join forces to save that which they hold most dear. But the road is rocky for this fiery, opinionated pair … and when Ryan discovers his ex-fiance is carrying his child, things take a turn for the worst. Can he talk his way out of this one? And will Marianne even care, when she unwittingly reveals the most devastating secret of all, the truth behind her past and her own parentage.
Sexy, moving and funny, this heart-warming duo and cast of colourful characters will stay with you, long after the last page leaves you smiling.
My Review
The Hollow Heart is a tempestuous, erotic love story about a complicated couple. Marianne’s previous relationships have resulted in disaster and tragedy and her own upbringing has made her the caring, campaigning journalist who has no truck with unethical, obtrusive probing into private lives. Thus this story is more than a simple romance. Other characters, such as Oonagh, a flamboyant, fun-loving landlady desperate to have a child, capture our heart and the Irish village of Innishmahon becomes as important to us as Marianne’s happiness. Alongside many heartbreaking events we come to love Monty the cute Westie who is her constant companion and we laugh at the eccentric Miss MacReady with her extraordinary wardrobe. Film star Ryan probably doesn’t deserve Marianne but his struggle to prove his love and commitment enrich the story.
This is a book of layers and substance. It deals with the important qualities of life but also takes us on a breathtaking, erotic romp. Adrienne Vaughan is an incomparable romantic author and I am lucky that I still haven’t read all her books.
The Hollow Heart is currently on offer at Amazon UK
My review of The Summer at the Seahorse Hotel by Adrienne Vaughan.
Lizanne lost in a good book 
Great review!
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Thank you ‘flowers in the brain’ I totally agree, but I suppose I would, wouldn’t I. Still blown away though. X
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Perfect review for a great read – the first of Adrienne’s Heartfelt series. Great story, fabulous setting!
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Thank you so much June, I am truly touched by this fabulous review. As a wonderful author yourself, isn’t it just joyous when a reader really gets you! Wonderful. X
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Well, this certainly took me by utter surprise on this damp, drizzly December day. Thank you so, so much Lizanne, I’m blown away. Thrilled you enjoyed ‘Hollow’ and you hit every possible nail on the head with your wonderful, insightful review. This author, like all authors, has been struggling with confidence recently … caring, supportive reviewers like you inspire us to gird our loins and pick up that pen. Onwards … and thanks again … PS I still love Ryan, stick with him. X
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Well he’s certainly gor charisma!
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Reblogged this on Adrienne Vaughan and commented:
Sometimes, when your debut pops right up as says … hey, remember how good I was! Well, that!
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Another thoughtful review from Liz and, I would imagine, all the nicer for being unexpected. I’ve read all of Adrienne’s books and lived them. Waiting impatiently for the next one.
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Thanks for kind words of support Lizzie, we are so lucky to have bloggers like Lizanne spurring us on. And yes novel #5 is underway, fingers crossed it will be published in 2019. X
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I actually meant ‘loved’ them. But ‘lived’ works just as well. 🥴
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I thought that! You have lived through EVERY book with me, and vice versa. X
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I’ll never stop praising The Hollow Heart or, indeed, the whole Heartfelt series. Adrienne has a way of taking you into the fictional landscape, so much so that I have been longing to visit fictional Innishmahon since I first read this book! Great review 🙂
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Thank you so much Isabella, with me every step of the way! Might go back there one day … I can still hear Miss Macready and her wonderful sister Joyce telling me what’s what from time to time. X
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