Emily Johnson

I was born in Aspen, Colorado where I enjoyed skiing, dancing ballet and playing golf. At the age of 13, my family and I moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. I attended UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. I currently live in Raleigh, North Carolina with my husband and son. I love playing golf, running, kickboxing, hiking, reading, travelling and spending time with my family.

When I was 13, my mother was diagnosed with breast and advanced stage ovarian cancer. She began writing Bird of Paradise as what she described being a "life gift for her daughter." In 2012, she passed away with the book unfinished, leaving a letter asking me to finish it for her. Finishing her work has been the honor of a lifetime. She dreamed of being a published author and on March 29th, what would have been her 71st birthday, her dream finally came true.