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.
I am putting this on my reading list!
Excited to read this book…it sounds like a great book to get lost in…Glad to be able to join a book club it’s near impossible to join a local book club with 3 little ones at home and one on the way
Thanks for the chance to win a gift!
What a great way to find something new to read. I have a hard time finding something to interest me in our small library. I enjoy hearing about new writers and good books
Hi, I’m always looking for new christian books to read. For a while I forgot about this site but glad I remembered, Lol It has a great guide for books and the give a ways aren’t bad either.
I can’t wait to read this book. I have always loved to read books with a good message and encouraging theme. Thanks for the recommendation.
I love a good mix of history and mystery. Sounds great!
Yay! a ‘first book’! The Violets of March sounds mesmerizing, and I can’t wait to read it. As a writer, I celebrate when a woman publishes, throws her voice out into the world, and her voice is affirmed by other women. Thank goodness for SheWrites!
The Violets of March sounds like the perfect book for the book club! Sure to inspire conversation. I look forward to reading it.
I am very excited to get my hands on this book. Look forward to reading it.
The Violets of March has been added to my “to read” list. Sounds fantastic, and it is always inspiring to read a great book that carries a wonderful message.
I am excited about getting this book. I want to read it and then possibly pass it on to someone I know who might “need” it.
I can’t wait to read this month’s book. This sounds like something that is really going to be a wonderfull read! Thanks for the suggestion!!
Sounds great!
I’m kinda late to the September Book selection , but I am going to try my hardest to catch up for the October Book
I am grateful that a friend decided to start a local book club that reads the monthly selections of this site. I really enjoyed reading The Violets of March. I had a hard time putting it down. I plan to read Sarah Jio’s next book.
This book looks so interesting. Please enter me in the drawing!
Looking forward to reading your book. I love the 40′s music & the era in general.
Sounds like a gripping read. Looking forward to reading it!
This book sounds very interesting and I am looking forward to reading this book! Thanks so much for your give-aways an for giving us a chance to win these beautiful prizes.
This is going on my reading list! (I’ll look back through my fitness magazines and see if I can find her articles!) Be blessed!
I love reading, I’ve pretty much given it up because it’s hard to find something “clean” to read that I enjoy. The Violets of March sounds like something I would really enjoy. I came back to the Lord a year ago after 9 years of wandering. I like to read romantic comedy, but they really aren’t suitable for a Christian woman to read. So I’ve pretty much given up reading other than to gain knowledge about something. Thank you for giving women a chance to read without feeling guilty about what they’re reading. May God pour out a blessing on you today!
Great sounding story line, can’t wait to read it up
Can’t wait to read this one! This post makes me want to start a book club
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Have read many good books recommended from this site. This ones sounds wonderful as well. Looking forward to reading this one. Thank you for always putting the good ones out there for us!
I really, really, really want to read this.
Oh how I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this give away!! I LOVE books and I LOVE chocolate, and I LOVE coffee! SO, bring it on!! Thankful to have more Christian authors out there! GOD Bless and pick ME!! Julie
Proverbs 3:5-6
I’ve been a Penguin book fan since i was old enough to read. especially like the paperback style!!! i love to read.
I do also plan on putting this book on my reading list. I enjoy reading history and mystery and anything that could very easily happen today. Looking forward to obtaining book and sitting back when the rains start and reading. Thank you
The book sounds fantastic. After the chaos of a new school year starting, I think this mama could use a good book to escape into.
Looks like an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to it. Winning would be a lovely added bonus!!
I signed up for the online book club and checked the book out at the library before I went on vacation. Well, I could not put the book down and finished it at the beach. Loved the book. It made me think about my relationships. Would say more, but will wait .
VIOLETS are now added to my reading list! Sounds too good to ignore. Thanks, Ms Jio, for sharing your vision and writing skills in this book.
That book sounds great and I’d love to win the giveaway!
I’m glad I found “She Reads.” I am intrigued by the story line, but I am interested to read how Sarah Jio writes with her faith underlying her craft. I love the ocean (who doesn’t)? I like the idea of finding letters or a journal.
I am venturing towards a career in writing myself and have started a blog to practice and receive feedback. It is called Sacred Oysters. It interweaves faith with memoir mostly. The premise is that we are all oysters skirted by the tides for a purpose outside of ourselves. We of course are also pearls, crafted from the hand of a marvelous Creator. http://sacredoysters.blogspot.com/
I’m so excited that the book comes out in April. It will give me a chance to read others stacked by my night table.
I bought this book last summer, but never got around to reading it. Since it is the book of the month, I am excited to pull it out and get started. I like what Sarah Jio said about the writing of the book.
this looks like a good book to add to my list. I keep several book going at a time…looking forward to this.
Looking forward to reading this book and thanks for such wonderful giveaways!
Looking forward to reading this and thanks for the wonderful giveaways!
Love to hear about new books that I can hardly wait to read! Thanks for the chance to win a gift…Love your website….
Looks like a great book to add to my list!
Finding one good story with complex characters is sometimes a challenge, but Sarah intertwined a story within a story with realistic characters so seamlessly. Really enjoyed this book!
sounds like a great read!
Sarah Jio is darling, and I love to read from local authors.
I read this book and it was so captivating! I had to know how things turned out for Emily so I kept reading and reading. I enjoyed exploring Bainbridge Island through her eyes, as well as experiencing the suspense of uncovering old family secrets. Great pick!
Look forward to reading this book!!
I’m hoping to take a chance to read this. Sounds quite interesting! Thanks for the opportunity to win too!
Sounds like a wonderful book. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for the great book selections. I look forward to reading Violets of March. Thanks for all the great giveaways too!
Just received my “She Reads” e-mail and, as usual, left the newsletter intrigued and excited to read the new book selection. Keep up the great work! And to all you other book lovers out there: Happy Reading!!
I am psyched to have found this book club through Prov 31 Ministries. I live in rural Maine and book clubs are few and far between. I learn so much and grow in faith through books and would like to do so while growing with friends/family. I am trying to organize a book club or bible study with a few friends of mine, but am struggling with doubt. I am looking for connections on the online Christian community to get inspiration, courage, support, and resources to step out in faith and be a bold initiator. I feel very much like Moses must have, right now, but I do not want to ignore this call any more. I am looking for appropriate books or bible studies or devotionals that I can have my friends choose from. This and Prov. 31 Min are a great resource! Thank you!