I Sold My Second Novel: "The Bungalow"!

I’m so happy to announce that my second novel, tentatively titled The Bungalow, has just been sold to my terrific editor, Denise Roy, at Penguin (Plume). We had such a blast working together on The Violets of March (debuting on April 26th!), and I’m so thrilled to start the process anew again with a new book! Thank you to my dear agent, Elisabeth Weed, for her guidance and editorial eye!

We’re gearing up for a spring/summer 2012 release (that’s just a year after The Violets of March makes its way into the world! Have you pre-ordered your copy? I’d be so honored if you did!), and I’ll be sharing lots of exciting updates as we gear up to publication.

For now, I wanted to tell you a little about this new story, which I’m so very proud of (am I allowed to say that?!). After mulling some other second novel ideas, I was struck (literally, like a lightning bolt) with the idea for this book, which takes place partially in the South Pacific during World War II. The title, The Bungalow, came to me immediately, and I then imagined a story to go with it. Funny tidbit: I wrote the book in the period of a few months during the second trimester of my (current) pregnancy. I, oddly, get very creative in the second trimester! Anyone else experience this phenomenon?

So, more about the story: I’m no stranger to the South Pacific. After Jason and I honeymooned there in 2001–on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea–I fell in love with French Polynesia, its people, culture, scenery, food and feel. We stayed in a rickety old beach bungalow for part of our stay, and I never imagined that my time there as a new bride would inspire a novel that has absolutely captured my heart.

Those of you who know about Violets know of that the novel is partially set in 1943, and it’s true, I have a fascination with the 1940s. I’ve not only gone back to the 1940s for this story, but I’ve plucked a character from Violets into this new book. It’s not a sequel, but the stories link together in a way that will make readers of Violets smile (I hope) with familiarity.

For now, I’ll leave you with a short synopsis for this new novel–just to pique your interest a bit:

In the summer of 1942, Anne Calloway, then 21 years old, left her home in Seattle, and her sweet, but predictable fiancé to join her best friend Kitty on the adventure of their lives serving in the Army Nurse Corps on the island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific. During her year in service, Anne’s heart becomes captured by Westry, a mysterious soldier unlike any man she’s ever met. As their friendship grows, together they discover an abandoned beach bungalow not far from the base. The thatched-roof hideaway becomes their secret, a place where romance, and a deep love, blooms. But their private little world is forever rocked by a gruesome act of violence that they, alone, witness, and the burden it leaves them to carry. Before they can come to terms with the crime, Westry is deployed elsewhere, leaving Anne behind to wonder and wait. Years later, in 2005, Anne, now frail and in the final years of her life, receives a letter, postmarked from the Tahitian Islands, that forces her to relive the passion and the heartbreak of her past. Despite her ailing health, she and her granddaughter embark on a journey back to the island, and to the bungalow, where the story began. Armed with new clues–both about the murder and Westry–Anne is determined to find answers to the questions, and the love, that have haunted her for more than 60 years.

[Photo: Destination360.com]

15 Comments
  • January 24, 2011
    reply

    That sounds AMAZING Sarah! I cannot wait to read both of your books. You are so talented! 🙂

  • January 24, 2011
    reply
    Melissa

    Wow, that’s incredible, Sarah! Congratulations!!!

    The novel sounds wonderful as well! Can’t wait to read it! 🙂

  • January 25, 2011
    reply

    I’m so happy for you, Sarah!! Brava!

  • January 25, 2011
    reply
    Glenda

    Congrats! Captured me already! Keep them coming!

  • January 25, 2011
    reply

    Congratulations! Although I think it’s really not fair for you to be teasing us with your second novel when we can’t even read your first one yet – ha! 🙂 So so so pumped for you!!!!

  • January 30, 2011
    reply

    How did I not see this before!?? I am so excited and I love the excerpt. Congratulations!

  • February 2, 2011
    reply

    Fantastic news Sarah! Congratulations! Wow! So many great things going for you right now, it’s wonderful.

  • February 6, 2011
    reply

    I love the sound of The Bungalow, very intriguing! I also love stories that span many years, so this sounds like a great read 🙂

    Good luck with both your releases!

  • May 13, 2011
    reply

    i hope its ok to say this – i really really hope that the person you pluck from violets and put into the bungalow is esther because i want to know more about her!

  • May 28, 2011
    reply
    Peggy jaroma

    Just fnished violets. Loved loved loved it. Cant wait for the bungalow to be released!

  • July 10, 2011
    reply

    I just finished Violets of March, and cannot wait to read The Bungalow!! Cheers to my new favourite author!

  • August 28, 2011
    reply
    Janis Meyer

    It took me 2 weeks and 2 days to read Violets of March. I could not leave it out of my site or put it down. Time just past. It was a phenomenonal book. I recommended to my library for a Book Discussion next year and since it is in paperback now the library will order it.

    I order Violets of March as part of my library and have already ordered The Bungalow.

  • January 8, 2012
    reply

    I read Violets of March in less than 3 days, could not put it down. Waiting to receive The Bungalow, almost ready to just buy it and not wait for the one I ordered.

  • March 25, 2012
    reply

    Hi Sarah,
    Just read “The Bungalow” LOVED IT!
    I was so thrilled when I found that your book was situated in Tahiti/Bora Bora.
    I went there to Tahiti and Moorea when I was 27. . . 37 years ago. I have been trying to get back ever since. I loved it. I totaly fell into your book and was Anne when I went there in my mind. Sooooo romantic and sad and happy.
    Now I will read “The Violets of March.” Keep Writing!
    Thank you,
    Connie

POST A COMMENT

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.