Author Ginny Aiken has come up with a gem of an idea to promote her latest novel, A Steal of a Deal.

The York, Pa.-based writer is giving away a free sapphire valued at $130 in a competition promoted at her Web site and in an e-mail from publisher Revell Books.

The winner of the half-carat sapphire will be selected at random after the competition closes April 30. Released this month, A Steal of a Deal follows gemologist and TV shopping host Andie Adams on a trip to Pakistan during which she is caught up in a theft and murder.