British writer Penny Vincenzi -- whose stories of romance, rivalry and family secrets topped best-seller lists -- has died at the age of 78.

Publisher Headline says Vincenzi died peacefully on Sunday, though the specific cause of death is not yet clear.

Vincenzi worked as a journalist before publishing her first novel 'Old Sins' in 1989.

Her 17 novels and two short story collections have sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. Her last book, 'A Question of Trust,' was published in 2017.

Vincenzi's four daughters said in a statement on Tuesday that she was "a true trailblazer" who broke down barriers.

Fellow novelist Sophie Kinsella said Vincenzi was "like one of her own novels; once you were in her company you didn't want to say goodbye."

Vincenzi is survived by daughters Polly Harding, Sophie Cornish, Emily Gunnis and Claudia Vincenzi.