Blackberry Winter: A Novel

A PLUME BOOK

BLACKBERRY WINTER

SARAH JIO
is the author of
The Violets of March
, a
Library Journal
Best Book of 2011, and
The Bungalow
. She is also a journalist who has written for
Glamour
;
O, The Oprah Magazine
;
Real Simple
;
SELF
;
Cooking Light
;
Redbook
; and many other publications. She is the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com and lives in Seattle with her husband, their three young children, and a golden retriever named Paisley, who steals socks. Learn more about Sarah at sarahjio.com.

Praise for
Blackberry Winter

“Compelling and heartbreaking,
Blackberry Winter
is a novel that captures the reader from the first pages as the cold white storm takes hold. Sarah Jio’s story of sudden desolation, maternal love, and a mystery that still resonates a lifetime later is beautifully told and as ultimately uplifting as the green shoots of renewed spring. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys dual time narratives with a satisfying conclusion.”

—Deborah Lawrenson, author of
The Lantern

“Sarah Jio once again delivers a beautiful, page-turning novel that captures the reader’s heart. Through the frost of a mother’s soul and the thaw of second chances,
Blackberry Winter
explores the remarkable power of the past—not only in its ability to haunt but, when fed with hope, to redeem.”

—Kristina McMorris,
author of
Letters from Home
and
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves

Praise for
The Violets of March

“Masterfully written.”

—
The Star-Ledger
(New Jersey)

“Feed the kids before you settle in with journalist Sarah Jio’s engrossing first novel,
The Violets of March
. This mystery-slash-love-story will have you racing to the end—cries of ‘Mom, I’m hungry!’ be damned.”

—
Redbook

“Refreshing…lovable.”

—
First for Women
magazine

“[T]his will become a source of healing and comfort for its readers.”

—
Costco Connection

“Mix a love story, history, and a mystery and what takes root?
The Violets of March
, a novel that reminds us how the past comes back to haunt us, and packs great surprises along the way.”

—Jodi Picoult,
author of
Sing You Home
and
House Rules

“[A] rich blend of history, mystery, and romance…Fans of Sarah Blake’s
The Postmistress
should enjoy this story.”

—
Library Journal

“Mystery meets romance in this absorbing debut novel…Readers will be enthralled from the start of the dual story lines, all the way through to the satisfying conclusion.”

—
Woman’s Day

“[An] endearing tale of past heartbreaks and new beginnings. The story’s setting and sentiment are sure to entice readers and keep them captivated page after page.”

—
Romantic Times

“In a sweet debut novel, a divorcée visiting her aunt on gorgeous Bainbridge Island, Washington, finds a diary dating to 1943 that reveals potentially life-changing secrets.”

—
Coastal Living

“
The Violets of March
is a captivating, bittersweet tale of what happens when the long-buried truth finally makes its way to the surface. I didn’t want this book to end!”

—Kelly O’Connor McNees,
author of
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

Praise for
The Bungalow

“This book had the perfect mix of adventure, mystery, romance, and sorrow.”

—
First for Women
magazine

“A heartfelt, engaging love story set against the fascinating backdrop of the war in the Pacific.”

—Kristin Hannah,
New York Times
bestselling
author of
Home Front
and
Night Road

“Sarah Jio whips romance, history, and a page-turning mystery into one mesmerizing South Sea dream.”

—Carol Cassella, national bestselling
author of
Oxygen
and
Healer

“
The Bungalow
is a story as luscious as its exotic setting. Ms. Jio has crafted a wartime story of passion and friendship, loss and mystery. It’s also a story of discovery—discovering one’s own heart, and of finding a second chance long after all hope is gone. You’ll remember the sparkling water and yellow hibiscus long after the last page is turned, and will want to start searching for your own lost bungalow and the parts of yourself you’ve long since forgotten.”

—Karen White, author of
The Beach Trees

“Seasoned with mystery and awash in the glory of the South Pacific, this stirring wartime romance explores the uncompromising power of long-lost love. Readers, pack your bags and set sail for enchantment in Sarah Jio’s
The Bungalow
!”

—Sarah McCoy, author of
The Baker’s Daughter
and
The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico

“[
The Bungalow
is] extraordinarily real…a true page-turner.”

—WomansDay.com

“In this rare piece of historical chick lit, a sweeping love story unfolds between a young nurse and a mysterious soldier.”

—
Marie Claire

PLUME

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, U. S. A. • Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 2Y3 (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) • Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England • Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) • Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) • Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi – 110 017, India • Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) • Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

First published by Plume, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

First Printing, October 2012

10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

Copyright © Sarah Jio, 2012

All rights reserved

REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Jio, Sarah.

   Blackberry winter : a novel / Sarah Jio.

      p. cm.

   ISBN: 978-1-101-60349-9

1. Women journalists—Fiction.   2. Missing children—Fiction.   3. Seattle
(Wash.)—Fiction.   4. Psychological fiction.   I. Title.

   PS3610.I6B57 2012

   813’.6—dc23

2012010566

Printed in the United States of America

Set in Granjon LT Std

Designed by Eve L. Kirch

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT QUANTITY DISCOUNTS WHEN USED TO PROMOTE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. FOR INFORMATION PLEASE WRITE TO PREMIUM MARKETING DIVISION, PENGUIN GROUP (USA) INC., 375 HUDSON STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10014.

ALWAYS LEARNING

PEARSON

To my sons, Carson, Russell, and Colby, and their assortment of
beloved stuffed animals—a ragged teddy bear, three tattered giraffes,
and a little striped tiger. Being your mother is my life’s greatest joy.

And to mothers everywhere—especially those who have had
to say good-bye to a child.