Architect and single mother Emily Harada has structured a well-ordered existence around her work restoring historic houses and the parenting of her teenage son, Jesse. But her carefully laid foundation cracks when she develops a nagging ache in her shoulder, has her architectural integrity questioned, and feels shut out by Jesse’s assertions of independence. What she doesn’t need right now - or does she? - are the romantic attentions of a former student, an attractive but much younger man. Or for an old acquaintance to resurface with questions about a Bronze Age artifact that Emily might have, uh, stolen, once upon a time, in her youth.

Emily, her son, and the 2,000-year-old artifact all come of age in this funny and moving novel about motherhood, middle age, and one woman’s attempt to restore herself to a state of grace that combines the best elements of past and present, old and new.

Kim Moritsugu was born in Toronto, where she now lives with her husband and two sons. She holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto, and worked for several years in a corporate setting before turning to the writing of fiction. She has taken hundreds of dance classes in her lifetime, and sometimes teaches hip-hop dance to children. She has written for CBC Radio, the Toronto Star, The Globe & Mail, and other publications.

Moritsugu's first novel, Looks Perfect (Goose Lane Editions, 1996), was shortlisted for the City of Toronto Book Award. Books in Canada called it `highly entertaining -- a romantic comedy with an edge` and the Toronto Star found its lead character `one of the most appealing heroines in current Canadian fiction`. Since then she has written three more novels. Kim Moritsugu lives in Toronto and, besides her own writing, also teaches creative writing at the Humber School for Writers.

Kim Moritsugu's profile page

"Kim Moritsugu's The Restoration of Emily is a very funny, sometimes suspenseful novel for grown-ups. Women of a certain age with adolescent sons will find it particularly appealing. So will those who have had the delightful experience of being attracted to a younger man and having that attraction returned.

...Moritsugu is a pro when it comes to telling a story in a fresh and engaging way. I stayed up late to finish it...

Mary Soderstrom, Quill & Quire, June 2006

Kim Moritsugu was short listed for the Arthur Ellis Best Crime Novel award for The Glenwood Treasure. She has a talent for surprising in a novel that is about saving the best elements of the past and present, the old and the new.

The Sun-Times

With much grace and tremendous wit, Kim Moritsugu's The Restoration of Emily moves the reader skilfully through the fractured but colliding time between youth and middle age. Emily is masterfully drawn and this is a delightful book.

Michelle Berry, author of Blind Crescent

A very funny, sometimes suspenseful novel for grown-ups ... Moritsugu writes with dash and irony.

Quill & Quire

A fun, light, and adept piece of writing.

Globe and Mail

Entertaining ...insightful exploration of the mother-son bond

Books In Canada

Funny, wise and sharp, this is a character all of us can see a little bit of ourselves in.

Chatelaine

She has a talent for surprising

Andrew Armitage, The Sun Times