In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after.

Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.

A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.

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AUTHOR
Sarah Jio is the author of "The Violets of March," her debut novel. Based in Seattle, she's been the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com and a contributor to major magazines, including Real Simple, Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Glamour, SELF, Health, American Baby and many others. She has also appeared as a commentator on NPR's Morning Edition.

AUTHOR WEBSITE
sarahjio.com

NARRATOR
Lyssa Browne started performing in theatre when she was very young. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Dance she moved to Seattle where she has performed in many area theatre companies. Lyssa's voice can be heard as many different characters in Nintendo and X-Box games, as well as the narrator of documentaries for the Discovery Channel and others.

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REVIEWS
Audiofile
"Narrating with excitement and flair, Lyssa Browne brings life to the vivacious Emily as she rediscovers life and love with the help of her aunt and two men--one a high school flame and the other a mysterious neighbor. In contrast to Emily, Aunt Bee is given a slow-paced, grandmotherly voice. A mystery presents itself when Emily finds a diary from 1943. Browne delivers the story-within-a-story in a more subdued, even tone that sets it off from Emily's own."

Unabashedly Bookish: The Barnes & Noble Community Blog
"First on my list is The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. I was lucky enough to get an advance reader's copy of this debut novel coming out in August of 2011. It's the story of Emily Wilson, a bestselling author whose married to a husband plucked from the pages of GQ and seems to be set for happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. And when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend a month with her on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, she readily accepts. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life. And if the premise didn't already sound interesting, one of my favorite authors, Allison Winn Scotch blurbed, 'A book for anyone who has ever lost love or lost herself. A fresh, satisfying, resonant debut.'"