They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but author Mia King knows that one way to a woman’s heart lies somewhere between a good read and heaps of chocolate.

King, whose debut novel, Good Things (Berkley Trade, $14, ISBN-10: 0425213714) was a national bestseller, has partnered with Big Island Candies to offer readers a chance to win one of 30 Hawaiian chocolate and shortbread gift baskets along with signed copies of King’s novels, Good Things and Sweet Life (Berkley Trade, $14, ISBN-10: 0425221679). The gift baskets are valued at $80 a piece.

Sweet Life, King’s second novel, will be published September 2, 2008. The novel chronicles the transformation of a New York corporate executive, Marissa Price, who trades in her stilettos for sandals when the family moves to the Big Island of Hawaii in a seemingly impossible pursuit of paradise. Hawaii seems like the perfect place for Marissa to find herself, save her marriage, and reconnect with her eight-year old daughter, Pansy. But life—or the island—has other ideas, and Marissa is pulled in opposite directions as she is faced with the most important decision of her life, a choice that will define who she is, what she wants, and where her happiness lies.

King, who moved to Hawaii in 2000 from California, says that a central theme in her books has to do with women who are pushed by unexpected circumstances to make changes that result in a more fulfilling and authentic life. “My main characters are successful women in their forties who’ve achieved, in their mind, the ultimate successes. They’re content with where their lives are and unaware that life has more in store for them. But before they get to experience that deeper, richer life, they have to undergo a trial-by-fire. Their transformation is driven by events outside of their control, and yet they get to participate and decide every step of the way what it is that they truly want.”

King’s own story isn’t much different. “My husband and I had high-paying corporate jobs which we gave up to move to Hawaii. But we didn’t have a lot of money saved when we moved and had no idea what we’d do for work. This new, simpler lifestyle caused a lot of havoc for us the first couple of years but we grew deeply from it. Now, having come out on the other side, we can honestly say that we wouldn’t have changed a thing.” Fast forward to today: King and her husband are both published authors and owners of a golf academy that focuses on the mental game. They have three children, all born in Hawaii.

King’s “Sweet Life” gift basket give-away will be promoted online and in print media. They are also making the gift basket give-away available to magazines and newspapers who would like to offer their readers a chance to win. Interested media should contact King or her publicist directly if they would like to have gift baskets earmarked for their readers. The contest ends September 2, 2008. More details are available at www.miaking.com.

Big Island Candies was established in 1977 to manufacture and market Hawaii’s finest chocolates and cookies, using 100% Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts and Kona coffee, island eggs, real butter and high-grade chocolate. For more information, please visit them at www.bigislandcandies.com.

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Digital images available upon request