Always Orchid

Shortlisted for the Hawthorne Prize for Fiction.

He almost let her go. Her trauma 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 left 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?

“…engrossing, inspiring…” –Kirkus Reviews

“An engrossing, inspiring depiction of traumatized individuals growing amidst challenges.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“Deftly crafted characters, and inherently fascinating plot twists and turns…that ultimately and successfully lead to unconditional acceptance.”

— Midwest Book Review

“Carol Van Den Hende never disappoints. Her books are full of rich characters, real challenges and deep emotion.”

— Kristan Higgins, New York Times, USA TODAY, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author

“Always Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende is a heartwarming tale of love and resilience that reminds us of the power of forgiveness, the strength of the human spirit, and the unbreakable bond that can withstand any obstacle.”

— Noah Galloway, Purple Heart decorated veteran, author Living with No Excuses: The Remarkable Rebirth of an American Soldier 

“A powerful, emotional story, Always Orchid follows the welcome reunion of lovers Phoenix and Orchid only to have the demons of his injuries and the ghosts of her past drive them apart again. Carol Van Den Hende’s artistic gaze is unflinching in the depiction of Phoenix’s recovery and Orchid’s ongoing PTSD. Propulsive and richly detailed. Absolutely gripping!”

—Jeannée Sacken, award-winning author of Behind the Lens and Double Exposure

“A compelling story of sacrifice, resilience, and acceptance, Always Orchid crosses countries and cultures to stir emotion and self-reflection.” “From New York to Beijing, Carol Van Den Hende’s Always Orchid crosses countries and cultures, taking the reader on a journey exploring sacrifice, resilience, and acceptance. From the first sentence we are asked, ‘Have you ever been in the middle of a moment, an instant that’s suspended between what was and what is about to be?’ From this question, to the middle, and clear to the end of this compelling story, Always Orchid stirs emotion and self-reflection.”

—Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of The Cicada Tree

“Profound and redemptive, Always Orchid made me understand the power of forgiving each other and ourselves.”

—Rebecca Rosenberg, award-winning novelist of Champagne Widows novels

“Phoenix and Orchid’s journey explores what it means to be a whole person, in body and in heart. It questions what it means to be fulfilled, whether alone or with another. Theirs is not an easy story, but Carol Van Den Hende tells it with kindness and care.”

—Jeffrey Dale Lofton, award-winning author of Red Clay Suzie

“Always Orchid hits it out of the park! The lovers may be fictional, but the emotions and physical challenges are genuine. I couldn’t put this book down!”

—Dr. Linda Olson, author of Gone a Memoir of Love, Body, and Taking Back My Life

“Honest and stirring, Always Orchid inspires hope for every wounded veteran. Always Orchid earns 5 Purple Heart decorated stars.”

—Purple Heart-decorated Sgt Bryan Anderson, author No Turning Back, actor American Sniper

“Always Orchid explores the power of love and perseverance in the face of trauma and discrimination. A heart-warming story with compassionate connections.”

—Rachel Barenbaum, author of Atomic Anna

“Always Orchid is an important book that will help people. Every detail of Phoenix’s reaction to his injuries is authentic. Reading the interactions, his thoughts, his actions, and reasoning behind them takes me back to my initial recovery and daily challenges a decade after injury.”

—Bronze Star of Valor decorated Navy Corpsman Doc Jacobs, author MaCoven and There and Back Again

“Author Carol Van Den Hende makes no secret of her goal to enlighten the public about disabled veterans in her Phoenix and Orchid book series. Her commitment to highlighting people with disabilities is awe-inspiring. We cannot help if we cannot see.

In this third book in the series, Always Orchid, the author presents the final chapter of Orchid and Phoenix’s heartbreaking love story (if you haven’t read Orchid Blooming and Goodbye, Orchid, I highly recommend them both). Now in this final story, she also finalizes Roy’s story: the man who wanted to jump in front of the train that hit Phoenix instead. I loved this book so so much!”

—Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author Nowhere Near Goodbye and My Secret to Keep