The Hambledown Dream: A Novel [Paperback]

Dean Mayes (Author), ireadiwrite Publishing (Author), Melissa Alexander (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2010

Australian Denny Banister had it all; a successful career, a passion for the guitar, and Sonya - the love of his life. Tragically, Denny is struck down with inoperable cancer. Andy DeVries has almost nothing; alienated from his family, moving through a dangerous Chicago underworld dealing in drugs, battling addiction while keeping a wavering hold on the only thing that matters to him: a place at a prestigious conservatory for classical guitar in Chicago. As Andy recovers from a near fatal overdose, he is plagued by dreams - memories of a love he has never felt, and a life he's never lived. Driven by the need for redemption and by the love for a woman he's never met, he begins a quest to find her, knowing her only by the memories of a stranger and the dreams of a place called Hambledown...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dean Mayes has been writing, blogging and dreaming for most of his adult life, in between practicing as an Pediatric ICU Nurse and raising his two children, Xavier & Lucy (who was born during the writing of The Hambledown Dream). Dean lives in Adelaide, Australia with his partner Emily, his children and his cross-breed cattle dog Simon. The Hambledown Dream is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: ireadiwrite Publishing (March 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1926760301
• ISBN-13: 978-1926760308
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,775,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't wake me. This Dream has it all!, June 3, 2010

By 

Lisa in TO (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hambledown Dream (Paperback)

What a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dean Mayes' The Hambledown Dream. From the start, chapter one grabbed a hold of my emotions and forced them to hold on tight for a gripping ride right through until the very end. From Denny's tragic end to Andy's new beginning and all the believable characters in between, you will not be disappointed with this story. It has love, passion, dirt and grit ... the beauty of Australian beaches and the grime of the Chicago underground ... the deathly pull of drugs and the spiritual power of music ... the rarity of true friendship and the strength of everlasting love ... and to top it off, one amazing dog that will take your breath away. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy and further dare you to try to put it down!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars suspensfull love story, April 13, 2010

By 

Deanna Stewart "Boo" (Birkenhead, South Australia, AU) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hambledown Dream: A Novel (Paperback)

I adored the story of Andy working his way from the depths of despair and self loathing to finding his inner worth with Denny's help. It was a moving, suspensefull, touching love story and I ALMOST read ahead to find out the end i was so eager to know. Great character definition and image creation both of place and senses. A book i could read and re-read and find new depths each time. Well done!!!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Message from the Author Re: The Hambledown Dream, April 14, 2010

By 

Dean Mayes "The Hambledown Dreamer" (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hambledown Dream: A Novel (Paperback)

I wish to convey an update to potential purchasers of The Hambledown Dream. A review posted here by "Melissa" recently, highlighted some copy editing issues that might affect one's decision to purchase my novel particularly in the printed format. After a meticulous review of the manuscript both I, my publisher and editing team have addressed those copy editing issues and we are confident that The Hambledown Dream text is as meticulous and grammatically correct and represents a quality purchase that you will not be disappointed in. Both I and my publisher welcome all your reviews and they help us to make my work the best it can possibly be.

I am very proud of The Hambledown Dream and I trust that you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you.