About this item
When Helen Francis was a child, her mother died and her father walked out, leaving her to be raised by her older sister. Now thirty-five, married, and trying to start a family of her own, Helen has moved on but never really healed from her traumatic childhood. She has always believed that a new baby would help fill the loss of what was taken from her at such a young age. After four years of trying to become pregnant, however, she is resigned to the fact that she will never be able to bear children. Halfheartedly accepting adoption as an alternative, Helen gradually embraces and grows excited over the prospect. And when her new baby is finally in her arms, true happiness washes over her. But her unimaginable bliss is dashed when she learns that Claire, the sister who raised and loved her throughout her childhood and adult life, has been diagnosed with cancer.
About the Author
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Jennifer Handford now lives in the Washington, DC, area with her husband and three children. A first-place finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest in 2010, her first novel DAUGHTERS FOR A TIME was published in 2012. People magazine hailed it as "a wrenching, resonant debut about infertility, cancer and adoption. Grab your hankies." In 2014, ACTS OF CONTRITION was published. New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf said "A powerfully intimate tale that illuminates how our past relationships mold and transform us into who we become." THE LIGHT OF HIDDEN FLOWERS was released in November of 2015 and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She is currently busy at work on her fourth book.
"Handford's third novel (after Acts of Contrition and Daughters for a Time) centers on identity and how the people in our lives shape our choices ... Fans of Carrie Brown and Helen Simonson will enjoy this quietly moving tale." - Library Journal
"A deftly crafted and deeply engaging story from beginning to end, The Light of Hidden Flowers is another superbly written novel by Jennifer Handford and very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections." - Midwest Book Review
In The Light of Hidden Flowers, "Missy finds the courage to live life for herself and rekindle lost love." - Northern Virginia Magazine
"Not to sound all Oprah, but The Light of Hidden Flowers is one of those wonderful books that really makes you think about how you're living your own life." - 1776 Books
"An epic journey through love, war, family, and fate. An enjoyable, interesting read with deftly drawn characters that leap to life. This book will stay with you long after you've turned the last page." - Adele Levine, bestselling author of Run, Don't Walk: The Curious and Courageous Life Inside Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Please visit Jennifer at www.jenniferhandford.com
