Medieval drum roll: my latest story, The Prince and the Pea is just published. A gently humorous fairy-tale retelling, of well… you can guess. This little baby is for anyone who believes in true love and taking destiny into your own hands. Retailing at the princely sum of 99c (plus tax) you can order it HERE. No idea why I wrote it as Denise Deegan – expect that it felt right. 
Very happy to announce that my new novel, Through the Barricades, is out today. Published under the name Denise Deegan it is a historical story of love and revolution.
Here is the jacket copy:
‘Make a difference in the world,’ are the last words Maggie Gilligan’s father ever says to her. They form a legacy that she carries in her heart, years later when, at the age of fifteen, she tries to better the lives of Dublin’s largely forgotten poor.
‘Don’t go getting distracted, now,’ is what Daniel Healy’s father says to him after seeing him talking to the same Maggie Gilligan. Daniel is more than distracted. He is intrigued. Never has he met anyone as dismissive, argumentative… as downright infuriating.
A dare from Maggie is all it takes. Daniel volunteers at a food kitchen. There, his eyes are opened to the plight of the poor. It is 1913 and Dublin’s striking workers have been locked out of their jobs. Their families are going hungry. Daniel and Maggie do what they can. Soon, however, Maggie learns that the only way to make a difference is to take up arms.
The story of Maggie and Daniel is one of friendship, love, war and revolution, of two people who are prepared to sacrifice their lives: Maggie for her country, Daniel for Maggie. Their mutual sacrifices put them on opposite sides of a revolution. Can their love survive?
Through the Barricades is available on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. Really hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful Christmas.
To celebrate the launch of The Accidental Life of Greg Millar by Lake Union Publishing, I had an article published in yesterday’s Sunday Independent newspaper. It got a great response, I think because of its hopeful message. The publishing industry has become so dynamic. I genuinely don’t think there’s ever been a more exciting time for writers and readers. There is such opportunity now to get new and diverse work published. Writers can find their own audience. I am posting a link to the article here. I hope you enjoy. And if you’re a writer: rock on.
You read a book and, for whatever reason, you’re dying to contact the author. Should you? Find out what I think by visiting My Reading Corner, where the very lovely Karen invited me to guest post.
I didn’t mark the 26th of April in my calendar. I didn’t need to. It was branded in my head as the day that Lake Union Publishing would be delivering my baby, The Accidental Life of Greg Millar, to the world.
Well, yesterday, they did. They also delivered some lovely, surprise, flowers. But perhaps the most exciting thing about the day was the support I received from so many wonderful people – authors, book lovers, bloggers, tweeters, Facebookers, friends – who shared the news of its arrival. I have a store of hugs ready for delivery. No one will escape.
And so it’s here. As a paperback, ebook and audiobook. Welcome to the world, baby.
Had I not been a writer, I would never have discovered Facebook or Twitter. Without social media, I wouldn’t have had such fun or met so many great people. Once, I went on a road trip to the Romantic Novelists’ Association conference in the UK with three people I met on twitter. Let’s just say, friendships are forged through road trips!
Two weeks ago, I decided that Instagram had existed for far too long without me experimenting with it. So…I experimented. Somehow I created two accounts. DeeganDenise and DeniseDeegan. Once I managed to get myself back to one person – DeniseDeegan – I began to relax and enjoy.
At first, enjoyment meant admiring incredible photos of travel and nature posted by accounts such as National Geographic; the world is an amazing place. In terms of posting myself, I wasn’t sure where to start. Then I just thought, F**k it. Post whatever you like. In doing so, I’ve – surprisingly – learned a little about myself – mostly what I like. Nature, art and books.
So thanks Instagram – and writing – for opening up my world a little bit more.
The man in my life has never read my books. Many people think this odd, unsupportive, and possibly many more things they are too polite to admit. Author friends have partners who help them edit. Others are just like me – left to their own devices.
Do I mind? No. It’s just the way it is. If I recall, I think these were his reasons:
Whatever the reason, this has become the status quo. And I like it.
Then, the other day, a box of audiobooks of The Accidental Life of Greg Millar arrived from Lake Union Publishing in Seattle. We were just heading out. He grabbed one.
‘Let’s listen to this in the car,’ he said.
My stomach tightened. ‘Let’s not.’ To hear my words read aloud with him sitting beside me! Dear God, I’d rather die.
Ignoring me, he banged it into the CD player – to the beautiful sound of silence. What he had grabbed was an MP3 CD. They don’t play in ordinary CD players. Not that I knew that; I’m new to this audiobook business. Point is: I was saved.
Then, today, another box arrived. You’ve guessed it, the other kind of audiobook, the one that will play in the car. (Impressive use of technical jargon there, you’ll notice). In any case, he is OUT THERE NOW, DRIVING AROUND, LISTENING. And I don’t like it. I really don’t like it.
