Oct 22, 2008

Safety of Secrets by Delaune Michel & Contest

I received The Safety of Secrets by Delaune Michel from Book Club Girl, who will be hosting a book discussion with the author on Oct. 22 at 7 PM. For those of you have read the book, I encourage you to join the discussion in the chat room or on the phone lines. Here's the call in number: (347) 945-6149. ***Delaune Michel just indicated that the girls on the cover are girls that she knows, daughters of her editor and another employee at Harper Collins. The photo was taken on the spur of the moment at a local park. How adorable!***

This novel takes the reader on a fluctuating journey between Louisiana and Los Angeles with two friends, Patricia, a semi-famous actress, and Fiona, her less-famous friend. The work examines the secrets that are told to friends, about friends, and to spouses about friends and how those secrets impact long-term relationships. Fiona has grown up with Patricia and they move to Los Angeles to become actresses and escape their abusive home lives. Their lives have diverged a bit, with Fiona still starring in independent films and guest star roles, while Patricia has hit the big time as a host of a popular reality show and is primped and ready for every occasion. The distance in their relationship has grown and so have the number of secrets between them.

The narration told from Fiona's point of view moves in and out of the past so quickly, the reader can easily get lost. I often reread passages of this book looking for signs of where I was in Fiona's life, whether it was her past miscarriage or her a haircut she got against her mother's wishes when she was a pre-teen. In spite of the narration, the story unfolded in a suspenseful way. Patricia's continued lack of support for her friend Fiona and her self-centered behavior darkens the friendship and leaves Fiona feeling left out and abandoned by her long-time friend. Overall, both of these characters represent the perception of typical Los Angeles actresses who are worried about wearing the right clothes, meeting the current mold for the latest television roles, and what others are thinking about them.

The book doesn't reach its pinnacle until late in the work when one of the deepest, darkest secrets between Fiona and Patricia is revealed on national television and it places their friendship under significant pressure.

Also Reviewed By:
Everyday I Write the Book Blog
Literate Chick
Bertram's Blog (guest post from Delaune Michel)
Books on the Brain

Redlady's Reading Room
Peeking Between the Pages

***Another giveaway from Savvy Verse & Wit.

Deadline is Oct. 29 at Midnight EST.

1. Leave a comment on the post for one entry
2. Blog about or spread the word about the contest and leave a link on my review post for another entry.
3. Also provide me with a way to contact you either through email or your blog address.

***Just another reminder that the contest for Marilyn Meredith's WingBeat ends on Oct. 22. So hurry and enter the contest.

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please enter me for this (if it is international.

Email id: elizascott2005@yahoo.co.in

Serena said...

I never have geographic restrictions on my contest. Consider your entry into the contest counted!

Anonymous said...

This one is on my wish list, so I'd like to be entered. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

Serena said...

Bermudaonion: Thanks for stopping by and entering the contest.

Rebekah E. said...

Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

Anna said...

I agree with much of what you said, though after discussing the book with you, I realize I liked it a lot more than you did. The disjointed narrative was a problem for me early on, but it didn't bother me once I got halfway through the book.

I'll link to your review once I post mine (hopefully tomorrow). I'll add your contest to my sidebar, but there's no need to enter me!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, darling. I'm just dropping in to say that I've got this posted at Win a Book. It sounds interesting, though (and up my alley, with the star angle).

Serena said...

Susan: You are too cute and such a gem!

You can enter if you like!

Toni said...

Hello, this sounds like a good book. Would love to read it. I like your review and I like the way that you give some warning on the narration. I like a little advance warning so I can be aware and not get lost in the story.

tonigomez(@)surewest (dot) net

Gwendolyn B. said...

No need to enter me -- I'm reading this book right now and really enjoying it. I particulary like the "flashback" sections, but the complexity of the adult relationship between Patricia and Fiona is growing on me. I definitely recommend reading this one!

Melsy626 said...

I've really wanted to read this book, but haven't gotten my hands on a copy yet. I would love to be entered to win this book!!!! :)

Thanks so much for the terrific give away!!! :)

Serena said...

Rebekah E.: Thanks for entering the latest contest. And good luck.

Toni: Thanks for stopping by the blog. It's good to see new contestants and new visitors.

Gwendolyn: Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book. Hope to see you online at Book Club Girl's radio show.

Melsy: Thanks for entering the contest and good luck. It's good to see some new visitors hopping over here.

Alyce said...

I would like to win this book! I love books about girlfriends, and this sounds like a good one.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Serena said...

Alyce: Thanks for entering the contest. This book provides a unique look at a long-term female friendship.

Theresa N. said...

I'd like to read this book.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I really want to read this book.

Serena said...

margay: your profile has an error in it and I cannot see your email, please leave an email address.

Serena said...

Theresa: Thanks for entering the contest and expressing interest in this book.

Don't forget to check out the discussion with the author tonight.

Anonymous said...

MMM, not entering the contest, but will add the book to my TBB&RS list. And I'm continued to be amazed by your marketing savvy, Serena.

Serena said...

Thanks for checking out the review Marvin. Marketing savvy? Who me?! nah!

Margay Leah Justice said...

Sorry about that. It is

Margay1122 (at) gmail (dot) com

Serena said...

Margay: thanks for stopping back!

Alyce said...

I blogged about it here:

http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/weekly-giveaway-roundup-october-22.html

Jeannie said...

Wow- I am really impressed with the cover. That looks like such a professional shot to me.

Please enter me in the contest. It sounds like a good book. Talk to you soon!

windycindy said...

Hi, I have read many good things about this book's premise! The cover is so adorable. It reminds me of my childhood and the neighborhood where I grew up. Please enter me in your delightful book giveaway drawing. I really appreciate it! Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

rb said...

Please enter me for this great giveaway. Thanks. :D

Unknown said...

This sounds really good, so please enter me.

djecse at yahoo dot com

Serena said...

Jeannie: Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck.

Cindy: This girlfriends story will keep you on the edge of your seat for a bit until the ultimate secret is revealed.

Rb and Carol: Good luck!

Keeling said...

I'd love a chance to win! THANK YOU!

Shana said...

No need to enter me. I enjoyed your review, Serena. The cover of this book is so appealing. I have often found myself doing exactly what you describe when trying to figure out if a scene is past or present. It can be a little frustrating.

Shana
Literarily

Amber said...

I am a sucker for secrets and would love to win this book :) I am another international entrant who is so happy that you have no restrictions!!

Yay you :) Thank you for the generous contest!

Amber
hurdler4eva@gmail.com

Serena said...

Shana: The back and forth between the past and present clears up a bit toward the middle of the book, either that or I got more used to the narrative.

Amber and Violet: I try to have international contests as much as I can because I think reading is universal and is shared globally, especially since we are using the Internet! However, there are some publishers that will place georgraphic restrictions, which I can't do much about. But when I comes from my stash, it is open to everyone. Thanks for entering.

Unknown said...

I'd love to be entered for this book, I love books that are about friendship.

herblady said...

I would love to read this book; please count me in. Thank you very much!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a pretty good character/relationship book. I like those kind. Please enter me!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a couple of interesting main characters, so please enter me.

I've also blogged about this in my right sidebar here:

http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Ginny said...

Looks great, count me in!

Rainey Daye said...

Looks cool...I'd like a chance to win!!

Amy said...

This one sounds good! Thanks for the chance!

mommyjen99 said...

Love the book cover, please enter me in your contest
thanks
jen62728@aol.com

mommyjen99 said...

Blogged about your contest here
http://mommyjen99.blogspot.com/
thanks
jen
jen62728@aol.com

Kimberly said...

Ok, now your REALLY piqued my interest on this one. I would love to know what it so "deep" and "dark" about their friendship that comes pouring out on national TV! Oh! That would be beyond embarrassing for anyone! LOL!!!

Thanks for a great giveaway!

HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net

Tara said...

Please enter me - thanks!

Serena said...

Wow this contest is popular! Thanks to everyone who has entered thus far!

Anonymous said...

I've seen this book many times and forgot to put it on my to-read list. Well, I added it now!

-Adayla
emaildayla(at)yahoo(dot)com

avisannschild said...

Please enter me in this contest! I'm dying to read this book...

avisannschild said...

Oh and as you know, I posted about this giveaway here.

Serena said...

Thanks for posting about the contest and for entering.

Anonymous said...

Been hearing so many great things about this book!

Unknown said...

I have been so many things about this book. I'd love to win it! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I don't need to be entered into the giveaway; I have *The Safety of Secrets*, just haven't posted my review yet :)

Thanks for letting us know about the guest post over at Bertram's Blog.

Iliana said...

This book sounds wonderful - please enter me in the contest. Thanks! :)

Serena said...

this has to be one of my most popular giveaways yet!

Jo-Jo said...

I would love a chance to win this book...please enter me!
joannelong74@gmail.com

Serena said...

Jo-Jo: Nice to see you around my blog. Welcome and feel free to comment away and enter all of my contests.

avalonne83 said...

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it