What the Press have to say

Below are extracts from the internet, local & national newspapers on the release of
Mairead O'Driscoll's firsl novel, 'Pebble Cove'.

Tullamore Tribune
November 30th 2006

Ballycumber's Mairead is Brought To Book

First-Time Author Launches "Pebble Cove"

Pebble Cove is the name of a new book penned by first time author Mairead O'Driscoll, a native of Ballycumber who now lives in Co. Cork.

A past pupil of the Convent of Mercy in Moate, Mairead trained as a nurse in Beaumont and the National Maternity Hospital.

She then worked as a nurse and midwife in Ireland and Saudi Arabia and is now based in Midleton as a Public Health Nurse.

Married to Leonard-who is credited as a seasoned retriever of lost files and misplaced paragraphs-she cites waking up to the sight of the sea in Aghada, Co. Cork, every morning as one of the inspirations for her first novel.

The fictional "Pebble Cove" is an exclusive development of just four detached residences over-looking Cork Harbour.

The developer is Daniel Colton and he hands over the palatial showhouse to his daughter Linda, who is infatuated with the scheme's award-winning architect, Charlie Moorhouse.

Linda has great expectations for their personal and professional future, striving to break into the male-dominated world of property development, and eager for any alliance that will strengthen her social position.

Linda's neighbours are bank officials, Marcus and Deirdre Fleming, who are shocked to find that the secure cocoon of their luxury lifestyle is shattered by the premature birth of their brain damaged son, Alex. Coming to terms with the terrifying prospect of theirs son's physical and intellectual disability, they endeavour to cope with the challenges they face.

Next door is flash accountant, Shay Deegan. Shay lives on the edge and takes his lavish lifestyle for granted, partying hard to the detriment of his career until personal tragedy forces him to face up to reality and the harsh lesson that it brings.

Finally, feisty nurse, Amy Harkin stretches her resources to the limit to invest in her dream home. Unexpectedly, both love and tragedy strike simultaneously, leaving Amy wondering if her idyllic future is already over. The journey towards personal fulfilment is a perilous one, yet the residents of Pebble Cove face it with varying degrees of strength, determination, faith and sheer grit. The book will be published by Poolbeg Press in time for Christmas on December 19th next.

from www.amazon.co.uk
Book Description
Pebble Cove is the last word in elegant living, a development of four exclusive detached residences overlooking the spectacular views of Cork Harbour.
Designed by renowned architect, Charlie Moorhouse, the houses are built by Daniel Colton, who hands over the palatial show-house to his daughter.
Possessively infatuated with Charlie, Linda has great expectations for their personal and professional future. Striving to break into the male-dominated world of property development and eager for any alliance that will strengthen her social position, she has high hopes that her new neighbours will bring added status to her prestigious address.

Financiers Marcus and Deirdre Fleming are shocked to find that the secure cocoon of their luxury lifestyle is shattered by the premature birth of their son, Alex. Coming to terms with the terrifying prospect of physical and intellectual disability, they endeavour to cope with the challenges of the extraordinary journey on which they are forced to embark.

Shay Deegan takes his lavish lifestyle for granted, partying hard to the detriment of his career as a rising accountant. Life is glorious until Ken, his best friend and party animal extraordinaire, takes one chance too many. Shay struggles to finally come of age amid tragedy and hopelessness but will he survive the transition?

Fiesty neonatal nurse, Amy Harkin stretches her resources to the limit to invest in her dream home. Unexpectedly, both love and tragedy strike simultaneously, leaving Amy wondering if her idyllic future is already over.

The journey towards personal fulfilment is a perilous one, yet the residents of Pebble Cove face it with varying degrees of strength, determination, faith and sheer grit.

But does anyone know what really happens behind closed doors?

Synopsis
"Pebble Cove" is a work of fiction.

From the Publisher
This is a debut novel