Thursday, May 29, 2014

Sarah Jio shows her characters some love...plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Melissa Amster

Sarah Jio has been a regular guest at CLC since her debut appearance in 2011 when she introduced The Violets of March. Since then, she has produced five more beautifully written and compelling novels. Her sixth, and most recent, is Goodnight June (published May 27th from Plume), which delves into the history of the beloved children's classic book, Goodnight Moon. I finished it last week and can tell you that you're in for a real treat. Just have some tissues handy. (A whole box will do!) What amazes me most about Sarah is how she has three young children (all boys, for that matter!!!) but is able to produce so many amazing novels in such a short span of time. It's like she's a literary fairy godmother! She even has a seventh novel coming out later this year (it's already available for pre-order)! And we want to congratulate her on being A Novel Review's inductee for the 2014 International Chick Lit Month Hall of Fame! Also, Goodnight June was chosen as an IndieNext Pick for...wait for it...June! (It will be posted next week.)

Today, Sarah is revisiting some of her favorite characters and the love she has for them is still going strong. I can imagine that choosing your favorite characters from your own books is rather difficult!

Thanks to Plume, we have FIVE copies of Goodnight June for some lucky US readers. Perhaps June and/or Ruby will become your favorite characters. They're both very special.

Visit Sarah at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

One is Silver, the Other is Gold

I just finished my seventh novel for Penguin (Plume), and spending time with new characters always makes me think of those from my past stories. (The old song about making new friends and keeping the old comes to mind!). I love all my characters (even the villains!), but a few stand out as my favorites for various reasons. Here they are:

Emily, from THE VIOLETS OF MARCH: I think an author should always have fondness for the protagonist in her first novel. As such, I love my character, Emily, in THE VIOLETS OF MARCH. I agonized with her, cried with her, walked with her on the shores of Bainbridge Island. And this year, when I went through some personal turmoil in my own life, I thought about Emily a lot and wondered how she'd navigated the rough waters I was sailing in.

Claire, from BLACKBERRY WINTER: I decided to make Claire a runner, like me, and, in fact, when she faces her own tragedy, it is while she is running. Finding the strength and courage to run again was a major theme in the development of Claire's character. I relate to her in so many ways and think of her often when I'm on my daily runs through my Seattle neighborhood.

Penny, from MORNING GLORY: Free-spirited, and yet caged in some ways, Penny was also a favorite heroine of mine. I loved creating her world on Boat Street, and learning about the longings of her heart on her little houseboat. I think of her now, out sailing in some exotic location of the world—tan and happy, with a cocktail in hand. The life!


Bee, from THE VIOLETS OF MARCH: Quirky, artsy and soulful, I fell in love with Aunt Bee and all she represented about life. I actually modeled a bit of her personality after my late artistic grandmother, Cecelia, who I miss every day.

Westry, from THE BUNGALOW: Dreamy, handsome, adventurist—let's just say that I may have had a tiny crush on Anne Calloway's long lost love, Westry Green, while writing my second novel, THE BUNGALOW. If only all men were so divine.

Thanks to Sarah for sharing her characters with us and to Plume for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US only. Giveaway ends June 2nd at midnight EST.

32 comments:

Janine said...

My favorite child's book would be Cinderella (I know very typical). I'm still looking for that prince.

Unknown said...

I'm also a sucker for Cinderella!

Kimberly V said...

Are You My Mother? And The Best Nest

Suzanne said...

Any of the Boyton books - fun and cute!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco is definitely one of my favorites!!

S.Sabia said...

My favorite children's book is Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman. It was the first book that I was able to read all on my own. I have no idea how old I was but I can still remember the feeling of accomplishment I got when I read it through the first time.

Hailey Fish said...

My favorite children's book is The Cat in the Hat! :)

fishiegirl22@yahoo.com

Bonnie K. said...

My favorite children's books are the Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit Tales.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

Melanie Backus said...

My favorite children's book......Brier Rabbit and The Tar Baby......boy, Have I traveled back years and years!!!!!!

mauback55 at gmail dot com

Lisamarie said...

The adventure's of Winnie the Pooh!

Linda Kish said...

Mortimer K Saves the Day

Unknown said...

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg or any book by Van Allsburg.

Anita Yancey said...

My favorite has always been Alice in Wonderland. Thanks for having the giveaway.

ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

rhonda said...

Cinderella for me

susieqlaw said...

Alexander's Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

Carl Scott said...

I think it would be Peter Pan. Lots of action and interesting characters.

Mary Jo Burke said...

The Velveteen Rabbit

Preet said...

I don't know if it's a child's book, but The Witch from Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George is a child hood favorite.

bn100 said...

Ton Sawyer

jpetroroy said...

Anne of Green Gables

Viv V. said...

I love Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree.

DarcyO said...

I love "Bark, George" by Jules Feiffer.

Sarah said...

Some Remembered Favorite Childhood Books include: Dakota Dream; Save the Last Dance for Me; Anne of Green Gables; Running of Time. We'll call Anne of Green Gables all time favorite.

Shoshanah said...

I absolutely love Miss Rumphius!

Erica said...

The Secret Garden

cyn209 said...

I loved the Little House books!!!!

Unknown said...

I love The Giving Tree! I have the copy that my godfather gave me, and I love reading it to my daughter!

Unknown said...

A series of unfortunate events for sure!!!:D
Thanks for the giveaway

Kristen said...

I loved Paddington Bear. :)

PoCoKat said...

Little House on the Prairie

Connie Porter Saunders said...

The Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew series

Unknown said...

Grimm's Fairy Tales :)