Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Happy Birthday to Daphne du Maurier & Giveaway!

by

Today, May 13, would have been Daphne du Maurier’s 102nd birthday! Daphne du Maurier has written many novels-both fiction and non-fiction, short stories and has had some of her novels made into films. Quite an impressive career and an amazing talent I would say. I haven’t read a lot of her novels but I’m changing that up now. I have Rebecca on my shelf and I just finished Frenchman’s Creek and loved it! They won’t be the last of her books that I delve into.

So, what better way to celebrate such an amazingly talented writer as Daphne du Maurier than with a giveaway! Courtesy of Danielle at Sourcebooks I have 1 copy of Frenchman’s Creek and 1 copy of My Cousin Rachel to share with my readers. Here is a brief description from Amazon.com of each of these novels…

Frenchman’s Creek

Jaded by the numbing politeness of Restoration London, Lady Dona St. Columb revolts against high society. She rides into the countryside, guided only by her restlessness and her longing to escape.

But when chance leads her to meet a French pirate, hidden within Cornwall’s shadowy forests, Dona discovers that her passions and thirst for adventure have never been more aroused. Together, they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory, one which bestows upon Dona the ultimate choice: sacrifice her lover to certain death or risk her own life to save him.

Frenchman’s Creek is the breathtaking story of a woman searching for love and adventure who embraces the dangerous life of a fugitive on the seas.

My Cousin Rachel

From the bestselling author of Rebecca, another classic set in beautiful and mysterious Cornwall.

Philip Ashley’s older cousin Ambrose, who raised the orphaned Philip as his own son, has died in Rome. Philip, the heir to Ambrose’s beautiful English estate, is crushed that the man he loved died far from home. He is also suspicious. While in Italy, Ambrose fell in love with Rachel, a beautiful English and Italian woman. But the final, brief letters Ambrose wrote hint that his love had turned to paranoia and fear.

Now Rachel has arrived at Philip’s newly inherited estate. Could this exquisite woman, who seems to genuinely share Philip’s grief at Ambrose’s death, really be as cruel as Philip imagined? Or is she the kind, passionate woman with whom Ambrose fell in love? Philip struggles to answer this question, knowing Ambrose’s estate, and his own future, will be destroyed if his answer is wrong.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

So, what do you have to do to enter…

  • For one entry, leave me a comment with an email address (in your profile isn’t good enough).
  • For two entries, head over to Daphne du Maurier’s website here, take a peek and share with me something that you took away from it.
  • Blogging or tweeting this giveaway to spread the word will give you three entries.

There will be 2 winners—1 for each book. You’re more than welcome to enter for both books but tell me which one is your first preference if you have one. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) as the publisher will be shipping the winners their books directly. I will draw for the winners on Sunday, May 31, 2009.

Good luck everyone! Make sure and check back tomorrow for my review of Frenchman’s Creek. I was going to share it with you all today but really today should only be all about Daphne!

Share this post!
Share

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Great giveaway, Dar. Both sound like wonderful books. Count me it!

    meah56 AT gmail DOT com

  3. I’d love either of those books. I’d love a chance to try one of her books. Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  4. I learned that she wrote The Scapegoat, which later became a movie starring Bette Davis.

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  5. This looks great! Please enter me for either. I’d prefer Frenchman’s Creek though.

    BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

  7. That’s awesome. I didn’t know there was a website! I like how there is a festival…I didn’t know that. And it was pretty funny reading about her father, who was an actor, who ended up having cigarettes named after him. Too funny.

  9. It’s funny to think she was only 4 days old when my father was born. Frenchman’s Creek would be a wonderful win. I just love her books

    florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

  10. no idea that it was daphne du maurier’s birthday today.. thanks for that interesting trivia..:) I read Rebecca a while ago and totally loved it.. but i hardly remember it anymore.. should give it a shot again, i guess..:)

    do enter me for this giveaway. I haven’t read both so either book is OK!

    ramyasbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com

  11. Great giveaway, I can’t believe I haven’t read anything by Daphne du Maurier *hangs head in shame*

    I’d love to read Frenchman’s Creek, but My Cousin Rachel would certainly be fine, too!

    I just went to her web site and I had no idea she was such a prolific writer, and now I really should be hanging my head in shame for not reading any of her books. I can’t recall if I’ve even seen the move Rebecca–ack!

    Anyway, here’s my email address:
    mlb108[at]gmail[dot]com

  13. Thanks for the Giveaway, Dar! And please enter me for either one, I do not have a preference as they both sound awesome!
    marieburton2004 at yahoo dot com

    Thank you!
    Hope you have a wonderful day!

  14. My Cousin Rachel would be my first pick but either one would be cool.

    I checked out the website. I didn’t know that Jamaica Inn was made into a movie. I read that book when I was in junior high and loved it.

    thereedfamilyATsbcglobalDOTnet

  15. I would love either one of the books, though my first choice would be “My Cousin Rachel.”

    Sarah C.
    sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

  16. I visited the web site devoted to her and really enjoyed looking at the pictures of her, young and old!

    sarahbcrawford(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. I’d love to be entered for My Cousin Rachel. Thanks for the giveaway. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  19. I would love to be entered for both, but my preference would be The Frenchman’s Creek.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  20. I would love to be entered! They both sound like great books! 😀

    lovejessicamarie [@] gmail [.] com

  21. Wonderful Giveaway! While I would love both books my first pick is Frenchmens Creek.

    I found it so interesting that one of her books is a Hitchcock movie!

    Cheers,
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

  22. I’d love to win either book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    shhhimreading(at)hotmail(dot)com

  23. No need to enter me; what a wonderful way to remember her birthday! Just posted this on Win A Book.

  25. What a fab giveaway, there has been a lot of stuff about Daphne on television recently over here. I am just starting to get into these myself and I am presently waiting for the book Daphne by Justine Picardie which is all about her life. I also hope to visit Jamaica Inn this summer.

  26. This is so wonderful! I was just thinking of the book Rebecca earlier today and found this online. I’ve only read one of her books and learned this from the website:

    Dame Daphne Du Maurier was 21 when she wrote her first short stories. She later had a prolific career and had several pieces turned into movies. Rebecca, the movie, won best an Oscar in 1941. Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds was based on a Du Maurier short story.

    Her 3 most famous books are Rebecca (“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…”), Jamaica Inn and Frenchman’s Creek.

    I’d like to enter for both books please. I’d prefer Frenchman’s Creek, if only one.

    I’ve posted a link to this contest on my blog’s sidebar. Thanks!

    http://www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

  28. I went to Daphne’s website and I didn’t realize that all the movies were on there! I’ll be looking at those later =)
    luckistarr4 AT gmail DOT com

  32. Either book would be wonderful to win – thanks for the giveaway

    msboatgal at aol.com

  33. there are always so many entrants to your giveaways. 🙁 LOL! I didn’t realize that she had written so many books–15 listed on that website! I’ve only heard of Rebecca and Jamaican Inn before. I’d love to be entered. Do I really need to give you my email? Oh, fine. 😛

    tstineman at hotmail dot com

    Dar–I noticed that people are commenting multiple times (for each different “chance”). Do I need to do this? Please shoot me an email if I need to separate my comments…haven’t seen this before and I couldn’t tell from the post.

  35. What a wonderful giveaway. All of Daphne Du Maurier’s books are captivating and wonderful. My Cousin Rachel would be greatn. Thanks for this chance. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  38. Both books look interesting. I’ve never heard of them before.

    jaam121388 at yahoo dot com

  40. According to her obituary,Daphne du Maurier was very much into learning about the past…history. She researched many others loves, 19th century France and England.
    She most especially was interested in her own family history

    ibeeeg(at)gmail(dot)com

  42. I would love to enter both, but my first choice would be Frenchman’s Creek.

    Du Maurier was the cousin of the Llewelyn Davies boys, who were J.M. Barrie’s inspiration for the Lost Boys in Peter Pan.

    dreamsongpoem at gmail dot com

  44. I’ve never read anything by her before but these books sound good! I’d be up for either but I’d prefer Frenchman’s Creek.

    Checked out the site. I didn’t know she was the granddaughter of George du Maurier!

    un_pissenlit (at) hotmail (dot) com

  45. I would love to read either, but if I had to choose one, it would be Frenchman’s Creek.

    danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

  46. I’m amazed at how many books she’s written. And that there is a Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts and Literature.

    danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

  47. I’d love to get Frenchman’s Creek, lost my copy during a move years ago, one of my favorites along with Rebecca and THe House on the Strand.

    At her site, found out about the Festival and the duMaurier cigarette.

    pamreads @ mail.com

  50. I’ve never read any of her books so I’d be happy winning either of them. However, My Cousin Rachel would be my first choice.

    Thanks! :0)
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  53. They both look like great books to read while sittting out side by the stream at a local state park can you tell my plans for the summer LOL

  54. This is a great giveaway. Thanks for this chance. Both are fabulous. I enjoy all novels by Daphne Du Maurier.
    rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

  55. Excellent giveaway! Either one sounds great, but if I had to pick one it would be My Cousin Rachel.

    saz at chainreader dot com

  56. Both books sound great. While I would love both books my first choice is Frenchmens Creek.
    heathererwin(at)hotmail(dot)com

  59. I learned that her first novel was published in 1931 and called “The Loving Spirit.”
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

  60. I’d enjoy either book – I have no preference.

    Thanks,
    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

  61. I would be happy with either book.

    I went to the website and learned that many of her novels became movies

    “Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca”

  62. Her inspiration for her novels was her love of Cornwall, where she lived and wrote

    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

  63. I have not read any of your books. I would love to win and read one. I would post you reviews too. These books sound wonderful.
    jrs362 (at) hotmail (dot) com

  65. My preference is for either book. She was my favorite author of my early teenage years. I read everything by her then and haven’t thought of her is ____ years (won’t say).

    espressogurl at hotmail dot com

  66. I didn’t know there was a web site dedicated to her. She was such an amazing author/talent and such a prolific writer. She has been brought back to my thoughts thanks to this wonderful giveaway! Can’t thank you enough.

    espressogurl at hotmail dot com

  67. I blogged about the contest here for another entry for Frenchman’s Creek.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  69. Took a look at her web site and would like to see Vanishing Cornwall. I would prefer Frenchman’s creek. Rebecca is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it about once a year along with Return of the Native.
    rcox1228@gmail.com

  70. I would love to win either one of these!

    shhhimreading(at)hotmail(dot)com

  71. What a great giveaway! I’ve only read REBECCA, and would love to win/read either of these.

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    dawn [at] sheistoofondofbooks [dot] com

  72. I haven’t read anything by duMaurier except for Rebecca and that was ages ago for school – I’ve been meaning to read it and some of her older collections of stories as well.

    When I visited the website the first thing I looked at was the film adaptations and I couldn’t believe how many there are! I was happy to see that many of them are available from my library.

    Thanks for this giveaway opportunity, I think both books sound good. But if I had to choose I think My Cousin Rachel sounds amazing!

    shiloki[at]gmail[dot]com

  75. 1. I posted about the give away and
    2. I twittered,
    3. I learned that the site has had over 50,000 visitors since it started

  77. The website that you posted has nteresting info about her life and accomplishments. What a talented author! I just found out that Daphne du Maurier wrote “The Birds” which later became a movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
    Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about this author, as well as the chance to win one of her books!
    Cindy
    Socmom213@aol.com

  79. Rebecca is one of my top 10 all time favorite books. I’d love to read either but if I HAD to pick I’d probably pick Rachel just because it sounds more like Rebecca. Thanks.

    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

  83. Great contest! Must confess i had not heard of these books before. Please enter me for either. I’d prefer Frenchman’s Creek though.

    cjay2[at]iavalley[dot]edu

  84. Great contest!! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  91. Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    I’d love to win My Cousin Rachel first but either would be awesome!

  92. Mary
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    I learned her dad had cigs named after him which is awesome!!! lol

    PS for those who have never read her short story The Birds it is a EXCELLENT read! I love du Maurier!

  93. Please enter me for this giveaway.
    I’m begging for a win on this one. I love Daphne du Maurier’s writing. I haven’t read her in a very long time. I’d like to have both books. But if I had to choose it would be My Cousin Rachel. I had many of her books that I had to leave behind in my childhood home. Space was a problem in my apartment. Well the attic leaked and had all kinds of problems. I lost hundreds of books because of mold. I’m terribly allergic to mold. To make it worse both books by du Maurier were my Mother’s. These were really old copies. I’d like to have the chance to have replacements. Thank you.
    makeupgirl21@comcast.net

  94. I would love to try this author as I have never had the opportunity to do so… although, I will be on the outlook for more of her books… I would love to win My Cousin Rachel … thanks for the chance

    debbebennett at yahoo dot com

  95. I’d be very happy to win either book – that both sound good! Thanks for the chance!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

  97. Wow! I visited the website — what a life! Now I want to be her. Her father sounds like a very interesting character as well!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

  98. Hi!
    I did not know that Daphne duMaurier was the grand-daughter of artist and writer George du Maurier and daughter of Gerald, the most famous Actor Manager of his day
    I’d like either book, first choice My cousin Rachel.
    chey127 at hotmail dot com

  99. Please include me in the drawing. “My Cousin Rachel” would be my first pick, but either book would be great. I didn’t know about Menabilly until I followed your link–did not know that Mandarley was based on a real place.

  100. Sad to say I haven’t read either yet. Here’s a chance…thanks!
    pvilletoygirl at g mail dot com

  101. Visited the site. I learned that “Rebecca” was published in 1938. pvilletoygirl at g mail dot com

  103. Just realized that in my earlier post I neglected to give my email address: jlsheppard1@yahoo.com. I just started this weekend “Daphne” by Justine Picardie which is based on du Maurier’s life, particularly as it intersected with the story of the Brontes. I’d love to win either book, but My Cousin Rachel is the one I’ve got first on my TBR list.

  105. I read this line in her website’s obituary: “Daphne du Maurier can best be understood in terms of her remarkable and paradoxical family, the ghosts which haunted her life and fiction.” This is the type of information that good teachers provide to their lit students and one which was NEVER given to me. I’m very intrigue to reread her books again.
    edeliz@gmail.com

  107. Great giveaway. What a delight. Thanks for this opportunity.
    elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

  111. I’ve never read any of her books, I’d love to read these.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

  117. I didn’t know before that The Loving Spirit was her first novel–I hadn’t even heard of it…. I would really, really, *really* love to win this. Rebecca has been one of my verfavorite books since I read it years go and The Birds is a movie I loved before I knew she had anything to do with it 🙂 I’d love to read more by her.

    book.splot[at]gmail[dot]com