An "inspirational memoir" from Jenny Sanford

Perhaps following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Edwards, Jenny Sanford, estranged wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, has signed a deal to write a memoir. Ballantine Books said today that it will publish Jenny Sanford's "inspirational memoir" in May 2010.

Ballantine says the book, which is yet untitled,  "will grapple with the universal issue of maintaining integrity and a sense of self during life's difficult times." Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sanford and her husband have been living apart since last month when she and the Sanford's four sons moved out of the governor's mansion and back into the family home on Sullivan's Island, S.C. It was in June that her husband told the press that he had been having an affair with an Argentinian woman. The Sanfords say, however, that they are working to save their marriage.

It is unclear how much of her life story Sanford will included in her memoir. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs, one of five children, in a well-connected family. Before marrying Sanford, she worked in New York as an investment banker. She managed her husband's 1994 campaign for the US Congress and his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, as well as co-managing his 2006 re-election campaign.

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