The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

To celebrate this week’s launch of the beautiful The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, I’ve 3 copies to give away and all details can be found at the end of this post.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to express emotions: honeysuckle for devotion, azaleas for passion, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it has been more useful in communicating feelings like grief, mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen, Victoria has nowhere to go, and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. When her talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But it takes meeting a mysterious vendor at the flower market for her to realise what’s been missing in her own life, and as she starts to fall for him, she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, and decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

The Language of Flowers is a heartbreaking and redemptive novel about the meaning of flowers, the meaning of family, and the meaning of love…

This stunning debut novel was the subject of a fierce 9 publisher auction and is to be published in 31 countries this year. The Language of Flowers is compelling, beautiful and, really, very special. It combines literary merit with prose that is both effortless and accessible. The theme of the Victorian language of flowers that runs throughout provides a cohesive thread, one that excited me (the rather lovely flower dictionary at the back is a delight too). I have no doubt that this novel will be absolutely adored by many.

A rather fabulous website has been set up to mark this week’s publication of The Language of Flowers. Do pop on over and watch the stunning trailer or send a glorious virtual bouquet. You get to choose your blooms according to the language of flowers (every bloom has a corresponding emotion), then add a special message and dispatch to your loved one of choice (I’ll be expecting at least one, yes?).

I’ve 3 copies of The Language of Flowers to give away. It’s a stunning hardback to own and stroke. All you have to do is leave a ‘please pick me’ comment by 3pm (GMT) August 19, then I’ll pop all names in a mug and ask a small child to select 3 winners. This competition is open to all.