Carol > Recent Status Updates

It's been 2 weeks since Dear Orchid released on Veteran's Day

Launch has been exciting!
1. I introduced Dear Orchid on WFMZ-TV
2. Dear Orchid achieved #1 best-selling in Letters and Correspondence
3. IAN Book of the Year named Dear Orchid a Finalist for Multicultural Nonfiction

Pick up a copy at https://amzn.to/3HQWjvw and militaryfamilybooks.com/orchid

It's been 2 weeks since Dear Orchid released on Veteran's Day

Launch has been exciting!
1. I introduced Dear Orchid on WFMZ-TV
2. Dear Orchid achieved #1 best-selling in Letters and Correspondence
3. IAN Book of the Year named Dear Orchid a Finalist for Multicultural Nonfiction

Pick up a copy at https://amzn.to/3HQWjvw and militaryfamilybooks.com/orchid

It's been 10 days since Dear Orchid released on Veterans Day.
Launch has been exciting!
1) I introduced Dear Orchid on WFMZ-TV
2) Dear Orchid achieved #1 best-selling in Letters and Correspondence
3) IAN Book of the Year named Dear Orchid a Finalist for Multicultural Nonfiction

Pick up a copy at https://amzn.to/3HQWjvw or militaryfamilybooks.com/orchid

One week until Dear Orchid releases! Pre-publication party tomorrow and a wonderful library interview that will be posted soon. Keep up to date by signing up here https://cvdh.substack.com/

If you know Kirkus Reviews, you know they're notoriously tough critics. So I was thrilled that their verdict on Dear Orchid is "GET IT."

"A gracefully executed exploration of an engaging scribe’s thoughts and journeys." -- Kirkus Reviews

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Last 2 days for the Goodreads Giveaway on The Complete Goodbye Orchid Trilogy.

If you liked Me Before You but hoped for a happier ending, you'll love the Goodbye Orchid Trilogy (also on KU)!

Happy National Read a Book Day! Enter the Goodreads giveaway to win my Goodbye Orchid Trilogy starting Sept 8th. And preorder Dear Orchid (coming Nov 11th) info here: https://carolvandenhende.com/books

Today is my birthday. In the spirit giving, there are birthday gifts and request for YOU here https://carolvandenhende.com/bday/

It's been quite the trip around the sun. During this last year, we celebrated our son's graduation from Cornell, a company award for my work leading Responsible AI, our 28th wedding anniversary, and my forthcoming book DEAR ORCHID.

Saturday book signing at Barnes & Noble! Come get personalized copies of the Goodbye Orchid trilogy. More info at carolvandenhende.com

Goodbye, Orchid lets you know that every minute of every day is precious, and never assume anything. As this love story continues from Orchid Blooming, tragedy strikes this happy couple. Orchid leaves for a work project in China and Phoenix stays in New York. After she leaves, Phoenix has an accident and he feels that he should not involve Orchid , so he pushes her away. This is a definite read of 5 stars --Darla F.

Happy Women's Fiction Day! Wow the Passaic County Book Fest was a blast! I sold out of all my ORCHID BLOOMING and GOODBYE ORCHID and took orders to ship signed copies to readers.

Tonight, you can join me and Pulpwood Queen Kathy L. Murphy in conversation at her YT channel starting at 7pm CST/9pm EST https://www.youtube.com/@KathyLMurphy67

We'll be celebrating Always Orchid as June's International Book of the Month

Looking for something uplifting, check out this brand-new podcast episode in which 5x Paralympian and blind athlete Lex Gillette reads aloud a short story about a blind protagonist.

His reading--from Braille--is soulful. And the conversation afterwards? Lifted my heart!

Full disclosure: I'm the author of the short story, called "Before He Heard Her" 🌺

xoxo
Carol

Happy 1-week book birthday, Always Orchid!

You were top selling in your Amazon category, and pulled prequel Orchid Blooming up into that status too!

5-star review excerpt: "I especially appreciate her compassion for what these traumatic injuries do to people. This is a story that will be in my heart for a very long time. Or dare I say....Always!"

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Sgt Bryan Anderson's Alive Day, M&M'S posted a video of Bryan and I in their story.

Visit @mmschocolate and click on their logo to view the video ("heart" the story while you're there!)

💜Thank you for your service, Bryan, and welcome home! 💜
https://www.instagram.com/mmschocolate/

Happy release day! ALWAYS ORCHID tells the tale of an entrepreneur who fears that his disabling accident makes him the exact wrong person for the woman he loves. How far will she go to prove that the injuries he sustained saving a homeless man's life don't make him less than whole? Kirkus Reviews called Always Orchid "An engrossing, inspiring depiction of traumatized individuals growing amidst challenges."

Happy 3 year anniversary, Goodbye, Orchid!
Now the trilogy finale, Always Orchid, will release in 2 weeks (can be read as standalone).
In those years, I've been honored to:
- hear how the story touches their hearts
- win 30+ awards for cultural diversity, disability awareness and more
- have met YOU, at book fairs, libraries, bookstores and online!

Learn more at: https://carolvandenhende.com/books/

Happy 1 year anniversary, Orchid Blooming!
Now the trilogy finale, Always Orchid, will release in 2 weeks (can be read as standalone).
In those years, I've been honored to:

Today is Veterans with Disabilities for Life Day. I'm honoring the Purple Heart decorated veterans who inspired and helped me with the Orchid series, and wounded warriors everywhere!

Read my newsletter to learn about heroes like Sgt Bryan Anderson: https://mailchi.mp/60fd3d177aa1/veter...

It's an exciting time. Just over 5 weeks until the finale to the Goodbye, Orchid series releases! ALWAYS ORCHID is a story of my heart!
Our street team leader, Katie, is hosting a buddy read. Message her on Instagram to join along: https://www.instagram.com/katiereads.nj/

I adore Kristan Higgins. You can tell how big her heart is from her books. She my latest review for her here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Which is why it's such a thrill that she loves my work too. “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

Wow, thank you, Midwest Book Review!
"Always Orchid" is the riveting 3rd book in the Goodbye, Orchid contemporary fiction series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. Deftly crafted characters, and inherently fascinating plot twists and turns, "Always Orchid" will hold a special appeal for fans with an interest in multicultural romance and personal life journeys that ...lead to unconditional acceptance.

Have you ever worked on a labor of love for more than a decade?

Thankfully, you won't have to wait 10 years for the finale to the Goodbye, Orchid trilogy. Always Orchid will be in your inboxes and hands in 2.5 months!

@Lovelyloveday has summarized the story beautifully here https://www.instagram.com/p/CvKLS6_MCY0/

Pre-order today and prepare yourself for the heartache and love! https://amzn.to/3AIYIRD

This book was such a wonderful and surprising read. Far from your typical romance, the characters are intelligent, thoughtful, and altruistic. I so enjoyed the world that I was transported to. As a daughter of a Marine , I also very much appreciated the way the author paid homage to wounded veterans. This book is entertaining and smart — not an easy combo. Highly recommend. - 5-stars from LA Knickerbocker

At my first ever Pulpwood Queen convention, I danced my heart out and surprise, I won the "Hair Ball" contest! It was fun to be crowned Queen of the Ball.
Please join Pulpwood Queen Kathy L. Murphy and myself as we chat about Orchid Blooming, writing, and the book convention of a lifetime...Everyone is invited!
June 6th 7pm CST/8pm EST
Zoom link: bit.ly/PQJUNE
RSVP at this FB invite: https://fb.me/e/3fsIgBjIY

Readers surprised me by nominating Orchid Blooming as one of the top 10 indie book gifts for Mom!

When you have a moment, please pop over and choose "Vote for this Book" under Orchid Blooming.

Good karma and thanks coming your way!
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Happy Mother's Day to all!
Carol

How do you know that writers love what they do?
They spend their Saturday on Zoom discussing book cover design!
Thanks to Golden State Romance Writers for hosting me to teach "5 Principles to Spark Brilliant Cover Design"
Find my next speaking engagements at https://carolvandenhende.com/speaking/
Now it's time to dive back into Phoenix and Orchid's world. Book 3, Always Orchid, will release THIS fall!

Michelle Yeoh's Oscar win as the first Asian to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress brought me to tears!

Like Michelle, my main character Orchid Paige connects with her Asian heritage while having a foot in the West.

Read more about my thoughts on Everything Everywhere All at Once here:
https://medium.com/@carol.vandenhende...

I'm over the moon excited for this Barnes & Noble signing in Hawaii!
If you happen to be in Maui, please join me on Feb 18th at 1pm HT.
Barnes & Noble Maui
270 Dairy Rd.
Kahului, HI 96732

https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/eve...