Today sees the online launch of writer pal Denyse Kirkby’s second novel, My Dream of You, and I’m very excited to be a part of the Online Launch Party. Having read and enjoyed Denyse’s debut novel Without Alice and her memoir From Zaftig to Aspie, I’m currently engrossed in reading My Dream of You. Here’s a taste of what it’s all about:
Crime of passion or cruel twist of fate?
One summer’s day Betty let love carry her a step too far. That exquisite sun dappled afternoon became one of her best memories but also the catalyst for the worst experience of her life. Now elderly, Betty has been running from her past since she was a teenager, and it’s about to catch up with her. Will the experience be as awful as she fears or wonderful beyond imagining?
Praise for My Dream Of You:
“D.J. Kirkby writes with compassion and energy, creating characters you can really care about.” Sarah Salway (Canterbury Poet Laureate)
“Evocatively written, My Dream of You is an absorbing read filled with interesting characters, plot twists, and emotion.” Talli Roland, bestselling author of Build a Man
“A tale of motherhood, of hope and of love. Truly touching” Caroline Smailes, author of 99 Reasons Why
So now it’s OVER TO YOU!
You can get involved with the Online Launch Party in a number of ways and there are some great prizes up for grabs, as well. Everyone who leaves a ‘pick me’ comment on the My Dream Of You online launch party blog post today (5th June BST), and/or shares the post from Denyse’s Facebook Author Page and/or Tweets using the #MDOY hashtag making sure to copy @djkirkby in gets their name entered into a draw for the following prizes:
- A Bothams of Whitby champagne afternoon tea hamper custom made for the My Dream of You launch party. The contents of the hamper are: Apricot & Orange Teabread, Butter Rice Madeira Cake, Butter Syrup Tea Biscuits, Apricot and Almond Jam 8oz, Resolution Tea Box 80 bags, Small wooden tray, 750ml bottle of Fratelli Berlucchi (2006) Brut, and a limited edition (signed) paperback copy of My Dream Of You. (Unfortunately this prize is open to UK entrants only due to complications with posting all the contents of this hamper to other countries)
- One of five limited edition (signed) paperback copies of My Dream Of You (open to worldwide entrants).
- A character named after you in my next novel (open to worldwide entrants).
- One of 15 My Dream Of You fridge magnets (open to worldwide entrants).
Names can only be entered until midnight on June 5th and the winner will be announced on Denyse’s blog on Sunday June 11th.
Of course, another way you can get involved is by buying a copy of My Dream of You. It has been published as an eBook by Punked Books and is available on Amazon UK for £1.53 and Amazon US for $2.40. And if you enjoy reading My Dream of You, please think about leaving a review for it on either or both of those sites.
Denyse lives in the South of England in a house otherwise filled with males – husband, boys and pets – she writes to escape the testosterone. She is the author of Without Alice, My Dream of You, and her book Special Deliveries which is currently with her agent. You can find out more about Denyse and her books on her Author Website or sign up to receive a Quarterly newsletter by email. You can also Like her Facebook Author Page, check out her Amazon author page or Follow Denyse on Twitter.
Thank you so much for this lovely post.
You’re very welcome, Denyse. Every success for My Dream of You!
I have a dove named after me, thanks to a dear blogging friend who has a lot of doves and not enough names for them all, but to be named in a novel would be quite wonderful and a new experience. I once came across, however, a character in an historical novel whose name is almost an anagram of mine and whose early life and career is an uncanny ‘almost’ parallel of mine. I say ‘almost’ parallel because of such quasi similarities as both our mothers (mine and the character’s) having died of inhaling smoke, but the character’s mother did so accidentally whereas mine did so deliberately. We are also quite different people. I exist, after all. I am not very sure where this comment is going so perhaps I should just wish Denyse the very best of luck with My Dream of You and say: I dream of you (and your book) doing well.
Thank you Fennie! That was a very interesting story about the ‘almost parallel’ though sad about both of your mothers.
Ooh, that’s quite a spooky coincidence with your fictional namesake but incredibly sad about your mother. I think you’d make a wonderful character in a book but I’m happy to know the real you.
Sounds like a good read…shame I’m so far away for what sounded like a yummy giveaway