The author of this month’s book club selection is a huge favorite around She Reads. She is smart and talented and generous and happens to be one of the cutest people on the West Coast. We first introduced her to our readers last year with her debut novel The Violets of March. And we heard from readers for months afterward about how much they loved the story. So it was no surprise that we were drawn to Sarah Jio’s latest novel, BLACKBERRY WINTER.
We’ve got some amazing things lined up this month: guest posts and interviews and behind the scenes glimpses of Sarah’s life and workspace (she’s writing her next novel on a houseboat–how cool is THAT?). And of course, in celebration of BLACKBERRY WINTER we’re giving away some really fun goodies:
Giveaways:
For our main giveaway: one winner will receive this “box of blackberry bliss.” Leave a comment on this post and we’ll toss your name in the hat.
For our online book club: one winner will receive signed copies Sarah’s two previous novels, The Violets of March and The Bungalow, and a box of Fran’s Gourmet Chocolates (a Seattle favorite). We’ll be discussing the book all month long and we would love for you to join us!
About the book:
The story, which takes its title from a late-season, cold-weather phenomenon, continues Sarah Jio’s rich exploration of the ways personal connections can transcend the boundaries of time.
Seattle, 1932. Single mother Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, goodnight and departs to work the night-shift at a local hotel. She emerges to discover that a May snowstorm has blanketed the city, and that her son has disappeared into the heart of the storm. Outside, she finds his teddy bear lying face down in the cold snowy streets.
Seattle, 2010. Seattle Herald reporter Claire Aldridge is assigned to cover the May 1 “blackberry winter” storm and its predecessor that occurred on the same date nearly eighty years earlier. Learning of the unsolved abduction, Claire vows to unearth the truth—only to discover that she and Vera are linked in unexpected ways.
Sarah Jio is a journalist who has written for Glamour; O, The Oprah Magazine; Real Simple; SELF; Cooking Light; Redbook; Parents; Woman’s Day; and many other publications. For the past four years, she has been the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com. She lives in Seattle with her husband, their three young children, and a golden retriever named Paisley, who steals rocks. Sarah is the author of The Violets of March, The Bungalow, and Blackberry Winter. Sarah is hard at work on her next novel.
About Marybeth Whalen
Marybeth Whalen is the co-founder of She Reads, mother of six, and life-long reader. She is also the author of two novels with a third out in July: The Mailbox, She Makes It Look Easy, and The Guest Book.
Read both of Sarah’s first two books and am really looking forward to this next one!
Would love to win this. The book looks like a great read.
Can’t wait to read this book! The give-away is great – we grow and freeze blackberries, so would live to try the tea and get new recipes! Thanks for your wonderful blog.
Would love to read this book. Seems like a good read.
Would love to read this book. I read Violets of March but not Bungalow so will be checking that book out soon as this author is fab!
Being a fan of Maeve Binchey also, I look forward to reading Sarah Jio’s books too!
Would love to win this giveaway
This is on my list of books to read!
This sounds like a great book. I haven’t read any of her books, so this would be my perfect opportunity. Thanks!
I found your website through the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt (a sidebar logo I think?). I think this is an awesome idea and would love to be a part of this. Also, I would love to win this giveaway! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Love Sarah Jio books!