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Once I Had A Secret Love: Hidden In My Heart
A sweeping story of forbidden love, family secrets, loss and second chances.
Dublin, 1962. Aileen Moran is seventeen, newly married and already carrying secrets she believes she must take to her grave.
When tragedy brings Gerald Kenny into her life, he offers everything she has longed for: tenderness, safety and the chance to begin again.
Gerald’s ambition as a heart surgeon takes them from Dublin to Cape Town and back again, but the secrets they both harbour begin to pull them apart.
Their longed-for son Sean is born into a rapidly changing Ireland but some truths remain dangerous and, like his parents, Sean learns that loving someone and having the courage to admit it are very different things.
Across two generations, the Kenny family will discover that buried secrets do not disappear. They pass from one life into another - until love finally proves stronger than silence.
What readers are saying about Once I Had A Secret Love:
'I am feeling bereft because I have just finished Book Two and another winner! I am already missing the characters. Such an engaging writing style, so easy to read and so enjoyable'
'Another fabulous story with real characters and themes of love, grief, buried family secrets, tragedy, shame and forgiveness'
'Hats off to you! You have done it again - the story is gripping, so good! I absolutely loved it '
'Just finished reading Once I Had A Secret Love. Really enjoyed it - plenty of twists and surprises which made it a page turner for me'
Dublin, 1962. Aileen Moran is seventeen, newly married and already carrying secrets she believes she must take to her grave.
When tragedy brings Gerald Kenny into her life, he offers everything she has longed for: tenderness, safety and the chance to begin again.
Gerald’s ambition as a heart surgeon takes them from Dublin to Cape Town and back again, but the secrets they both harbour begin to pull them apart.
Their longed-for son Sean is born into a rapidly changing Ireland but some truths remain dangerous and, like his parents, Sean learns that loving someone and having the courage to admit it are very different things.
Across two generations, the Kenny family will discover that buried secrets do not disappear. They pass from one life into another - until love finally proves stronger than silence.
What readers are saying about Once I Had A Secret Love:
'I am feeling bereft because I have just finished Book Two and another winner! I am already missing the characters. Such an engaging writing style, so easy to read and so enjoyable'
'Another fabulous story with real characters and themes of love, grief, buried family secrets, tragedy, shame and forgiveness'
'Hats off to you! You have done it again - the story is gripping, so good! I absolutely loved it '
'Just finished reading Once I Had A Secret Love. Really enjoyed it - plenty of twists and surprises which made it a page turner for me'
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2026
About the author
Tricia Cusden
4 books2 followersI have loved writing for as long as I can remember - journals, diaries, and even essays, but I found my writing groove in 2013 when, having started my makeup company, Look Fabulous Forever, I began to publish a weekly blog which is now read avidly every Sunday by several thousand committed followers of my musings on life as a woman growing older in our ageist society.
I also enjoyed writing my non-fiction book ‘Living the Life More Fabulous’ after I was approached by an agent who then did a deal on my behalf with Orion Spring. The book was published in 2018 and became a bestseller in the Fashion and Beauty category on Amazon for several weeks.
Then, last summer I decided that the story I'd had buzzing around my head for months if not years needed to be committed to paper. I felt so shy of sharing this at first and only told one very dear friend who is Irish and lives in Dublin. She helped me with the authenticity of my characters and settings and encouraged me like mad. Then, I took the risk of having my fledgling manuscript assessed by a professional. More encouragement, more enthusiasm for my story and, several months later ‘Like A Bird Without A Song’ was ready to leave the nest and fly into the world. May she finally sing a beautiful song!
I also enjoyed writing my non-fiction book ‘Living the Life More Fabulous’ after I was approached by an agent who then did a deal on my behalf with Orion Spring. The book was published in 2018 and became a bestseller in the Fashion and Beauty category on Amazon for several weeks.
Then, last summer I decided that the story I'd had buzzing around my head for months if not years needed to be committed to paper. I felt so shy of sharing this at first and only told one very dear friend who is Irish and lives in Dublin. She helped me with the authenticity of my characters and settings and encouraged me like mad. Then, I took the risk of having my fledgling manuscript assessed by a professional. More encouragement, more enthusiasm for my story and, several months later ‘Like A Bird Without A Song’ was ready to leave the nest and fly into the world. May she finally sing a beautiful song!
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
October 9, 2026
I have just finished Tricia’s second book,
Once I had a secret Love. Another wonderful story. A moving story of love, loss and tragedy. I couldn’t put it down.
Once I had a secret Love. Another wonderful story. A moving story of love, loss and tragedy. I couldn’t put it down.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review