Congratulations Carol
on the recent release of
Always Orchid!
Always Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende
Contemporary Women's Fiction, 348 pages
Published October 24, 2023 by Azine Press
Shortlisted for the 2023 Hawthorne Prize for Fiction
He almost let her go. Her past could tear them apart. But a love like theirs is worth fighting for...
Phoenix Walker will never be the same. Nine months after a heroic act leaves him forever changed, he refuses to hurt Orchid Paige ever again.
Orchid is ready to forgive. Convincing her guy she still loves him, no matter his injuries, she works to rebuild their intimacy. But their move to her family's ancestral country unveils China's superstitions against people with disabilities. Worse, their friend's life has been upended by those prejudices.
Will Phoenix and Orchid find a way to beat the odds and turn discrimination into acceptance?
Always Orchid is the riveting third book in the Goodbye, Orchid contemporary fiction series, and can be read as a standalone. If you like relatable characters, surprising twists, and stories that pull on your emotions, then you'll love award-winning author Carol Van Den Hende's journey to unconditional acceptance.
My thoughts about Always Orchid ~~
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)
First lines—"Hope is a finite resource for the homeless. Each handout and act of petty theft had whittled away Roy's dignity."
Always Orchid lives up to the wonderfulness of the other two books in this series. Written as book three of the Goodbye Orchid series, this can definitely be read as a standalone. The author does a great job of filling in the story but to experience the depth of the characters and their love, I would recommend reading all three.
I love both Orchid and Phoenix. They have had their share of hardships and drama but they have a love that is meant to be, no matter what. I just wanted them to work through all the issues and get to their satisfyingly great love story!
The introduction of a new character on the first page and seeing where his life went, helped satisfy that issue of the story for me. And I love how the author has taken up the cause to support disabled veterans. "The Goodbye, Orchid series came about as a way to pay homage to the wounded veterans who inspired me." (Carol Van Den Hende)
Always Orchid is an emotional, fulfilling look at two people who are meant to be together, and the trials they go through to get there. Total star-crossed lovers. So much drama.... so much love. I love this series and all of the characters within the pages. I, honestly, am a little sad that the Orchid/Phoenix story is over. I highly recommend the entire series!
And I have to say this as a parting comment—these covers are absolutely amazing, aren't they? Their beautifulness is what drew me in to begin with. Anyway, pick up these books, you will not be disappointed!
I received a copy of Always Orchid from SparkPoint Studio and this is my honest opinion.
Book #1
Book #2
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About the author
Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of Orchid Blooming and Goodbye, Orchid which are inspired by wounded veterans and have won 20+ literary awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and 2020 Royal Dragonfly for Disability Awareness.
Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named “heartwarming, heartbreaking” Goodbye, Orchid a most anticipated read. Glamour Magazine recommended this “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens, selected Goodbye, Orchid as a 2022 Bonus Book-of-the-Month.
Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all. ~ Goodreads
Connect with Carol
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Thank you - I love that you love this series, Susan!
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