Saturday, March 13, 2010

Book Review and Giveaway: The LANGUAGE of SECRETS by Emmy nominated screenwriter, Dianne Dixon. Can you say delicious?!

Title: The Language of Secrets
Author: Dianne Dixon
Publisher: Doubleday
Format: Bound Galley
ISBN: 978-0-385-53063-7
Price: 24.00(tentative), 272 pages
Release Date: March 23, 2010

I am so excited to let all of you know about this book! It is an absolute masterpiece. I can't wax poetic enough about it. Yes. I'm singing it's praises far and wide because I'm so blown away by it. Let's get right to the blurb on the book *smile*

Justin Fisher has a successful career as the manager of a luxury hotel, a lovely wife, and a charming young son. While all signs point to a bright future, Justin can no longer ignore the hole in his life left by his estranged family, When he finally gathers the courage to reconnect with his troubled past, Justin is devastated to learn his parents have passed away. And a visit to the cemetery brings the greatest shock of all - next to the graves of his father and mother sits a smaller tombstone for a three year old boy: a boy named Thomas Justin Fisher.


What follows is an extraordinary journey as Justin struggles with issues of his own identity and pieces together the complex and heartbreaking truth about his family.




 Yes. Heartbreaking is what it is. This is a poignant, unbelievably rich literary jewel. If I could compare this book to a cake, think of a fluffy, light Angel Food cake and then compare that to a rich, deep, multilayered chocolate cake. The Language of Secrets is the deep chocolate cake. I was fascinated right at the start by the cover art. It has a misty vintage feel. May I suggest that before you read the book, you  study that cover. It's going to hold a lot more meaning when you get to the heart of this story.

This is the first novel of Dianne Dixon who is a television writer and twice been nominated for an emmy. She can add awesome novelist to her repertoire. She grabs you by the neck with this story and you are at her mercy! You want to close you eyes and pray what you think is coming is not, but take you there she does. I believe I screamed reading the last page, because Dixon throws you a complete, awesome curve ball! Maybe some of you are savvy enough to figure it out, but she certainly got me. (And no peeking; you have to read it straight through, you'll ruin the pure joy of the book if you don't!)

Let me be clear. It's not a happy story, but it's a darn good one. It explores human frailties, vulnerabilities and the consequences of lies and deceit. I wish I could tell you more of the plot, but that would ruin the experience of the story for you. You have to read it yourself from beginning to end. It's a fairly short book at 272 pages and I found myself slowing down, because I was loath for it to end. It's lyrical,  the language beautifully written.

One of my wonderful followers will receive a bound galley of this story. If you are not a follower, please become one. Leave a comment and a way to contact you. If you're on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and if you have a blog, please mention it. Tell me in your comment that you have.

If you don't win this giveaway, get the book anyway you can. You won't regret it. It's a keeper.

Thanks to Judy Jacoby of Doubleday for making the Galley available. 
Open to resident's of the US and Canada only.

Giveaway ends next Saturday, March 20, 2010

Toodles!

32 comments:

  1. I'm reading this one right now, too. Don't enter me, but I wanted to say It's wonderful!!!!!

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  2. I want to read it win it and devour it...please enter me...thank you so much...

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. This sounds so good - especially after your strong recommendation. Please count me in.

    gaby317nyc at gmail.com

    I'm a new follower

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a new follower. This book sounds so good. I nave read many great reviews. I would love to win a copy. Please enter me. thanks!

    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Please include me in this giveaway!

    I'm a follower

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/ReadAtTheBeach/status/10433623333

    Sidebar Post Under "Other Blog Giveaways": http://readningatthebeach.com

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an intriguing sounding book. The twist of finding a grave with his name on it really draws you in. Great review.

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  8. This sounds a really good book, and a great review. You've certainly got me convinced I want to read it. And I'm glad I follow you.

    sdeeth at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please count me in.

    +1 Follower

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm intrigued! Please count me in.

    I'm a new follower.

    tgreenpa [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Would love to read this!\

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. This definitely sounds like a good read. I loved your enthusiasm.

    I'm also a follower.

    Thanks for the chance.

    shaaron54220@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such high praise...Please enter my name.
    Thank you.

    I am an e-mail subscriber/Google follower.


    cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Would love to have a chance to read it...Thanks!

    Courtney
    Stilettostorytime(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am also a new follower! Thanks again! Good luck on the writing process!!

    Courtney
    stilettostorytime(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds so good! Please enter me in. I'm a follower.

    stephaniet117(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Off to add this to my TBR!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds like a winning book!
    annarudow at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love to be in the giveaway.
    I am a follower and wish you would have a look at my website, maybe be a follower--I have The Help as a giveaway ending Monday 3/15.
    http://wiseowlbookreviews.com

    wiseowlreviews@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like a great read !
    dlpisaacson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love family stories! I am a follower.
    Bill ;-)

    billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
    http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-giveaway-reliable-wife.html

    http://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/
    Author of "13 Ways to Tell Your Ancestor Stories"

    ReplyDelete
  21. This looks great! I'd love it.
    Thank you for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Please count me in.
    laura (at) laurafabiani(dot) com
    Thanks!

    I am also a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The review says a must read for me.
    A great giveaway, please enter me.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would love to read this book. It sounds so intriguing and masterfully written. Please enter me.

    I am a follower through Google Friend Connect.

    bstilwell12 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love to win this book! It sounds great! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  26. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Tweet! Tweet!

    http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/10757012039

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  28. I wanted to cry just reading the review. Would love to read this
    formycontests@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I follow you on GFC as couponmom
    formycontests@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I just tweeted this
    http://twitter.com/courtreporterON/status/10800403364

    formycontests@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I won a copy from Dianne's agent, and I will be interviewing Dianne on my blog soon. Thanks to you, now I'm even more excited!

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I enjoy reading what you have to say. Seriously!