Update: the drawing for this prize is now closed. We have randomly selected a winner, Irene Lenihan, commenter #798, and notified her by e-mail. Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway. We appreciate each and every one of you. October’s giveaway is now open!

Welcome readers, new and old! Many of you are long-time She Reads members and others are stopping by for the first time after reading Sarah Jio’s devotion at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Either way, we’re glad you’re here. Sarah’s debut novel, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH is this month’s featured book club selection. For the past two years our small team has worked to find the best faith-driven fiction on the market. This month we decided to do something a little different. Instead of choosing a “Christian” novel, we’ve selected a novel written by a Christian but published in the general marketplace. It is our firm belief that these authors should be applauded and supported. Some writers of faith choose to talk about Jesus in their fiction (we’ve featured a number of those books) and others choose to talk about the things that Jesus talked about. This month’s author does the latter. And she has earned our respect. THE VIOLETS OF MARCH is haunting and heartbreaking and the author does not handle the issues in ways you might expect. It will leave you unsettled but inspired. We invite you to join us this month as we get to know Sarah and read this book together.

Those of you who have spent much time around She Reads know that we love to give stuff away. And we continue that trend with this month’s giveaway: a bag of books from Penguin Books (including other goodies from Penguin), a “take me away to Bainbridge island” gift basket of Northwest treats from the author—all things that the characters in THE VIOLETS OF MARCH would have loved (smoked salmon, local chocolates, coffee from the author’s favorite independent Seattle roaster), an advanced copy of her next novel, THE BUNGALOW, and a few other little treats. In addition, one participant of our online book club will also win a second, smaller canvas bag filled with books, courtesy of Penguin Books. As usual, the rules for entering are simple. For the gift basket and the book prize pack, simply leave a comment on this post. Those who sign up for our online book club (it’s FREE!) and participate in this month’s discussion will automatically be entered for the additional book-filled canvas bag. For those of you who don’t have access to a local book club, this is a great option. We have hundreds of participants from the United States as well as England and Australia. Do consider joining and becoming part of this tight-knit group of fiction lovers.

Gift Basket and Book Bags

Don’t want to miss any future giveaways? Then make sure you sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter to get posts delivered right to your inbox.

And now, a bit about the book: In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily’s good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life. A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

(Sensitive readers will want to know up front that there is a small amount of very mild language and a bit of steamy content.)

This Month's Featured Author, Sarah Jio

Sarah Jio is a veteran magazine writer and the health and fitness blogger for Glamour magazine. She has written hundreds of articles for national magazines and top newspapers including Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, Hallmark magazine, Seventeen, The Nest, Health, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, The Seattle Times, Parents, Woman’s Day, American Baby, Parenting, and Kiwi. She has also appeared as a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Sarah has a degree in journalism and writes about topics that include food, nutrition, health, entertaining, travel, diet/weight loss, beauty, fitness, shopping, psychology, parenting and beyond. She frequently tests and develops recipes for major magazines.

Her first novel, The Violets of March, was published by Penguin (Plume) on April 26, 2011. Her second novel, The Bungalow, will be published on December 27, 2011, also from Penguin (Plume). Her third novel is in progress.

Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband, Jason, and three young sons Carson, Russell and Colby.

What Others Are Saying About THE VIOLETS OF MARCH:

“Mix a love story, history, and a mystery and what takes root? The Violets of March, a novel that reminds us how the past comes back to haunt us, and packs a few great surprises for the reader along the way.”
-Jodi Picoult, author of Sing You Home & House Rules

“Sarah Jio’s The Violets of March is a book for anyone who has ever lost love or lost herself.”
-Allison Winn Scotch, author of Time of My Life and The One That I Want

“An enchanting story of love, betrayal, and the discovery of an old diary that mysteriously links the past to the present.”
-Beth Hoffman, author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

“Sarah Jio delivers a gem of a book, perfect for reading on the beach or under a cozy quilt.”
-Sarah Pekkanen, author of The Opposite of Me and Skipping a Beat

“The Violets of March is a captivating, bittersweet tale of what happens when the long-buried truth finally makes its way to the surface. I didn’t want this book to end!”
-Kelly O’Connor McNees, author of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

“Sarah Jio is one talented writer!”
-Claire Cook, bestselling author of Must Love Dogs and Seven Year Switch

About Ariel Lawhon

Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, storyteller, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.

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