An inspiring, uplifting story of love and loss, courage and adventure, from the bestselling author of The Skylark's Secret.

1927. Violet Mackenzie-Grant is embarking on her dream of studying at the Edinburgh School of Gardening for Women. She doesn't yet know that it's a journey that will take her to Kathmandu and beyond, deep into captivating landscapes and cultures that are worlds away from everything and everyone she's left behind in Scotland.

2020. Daisy Laverock has dreamed of retracing the footsteps of her great-great-aunt Violet ever since discovering her long-lost journals, whose accounts of plant hunting in the 1930s inspired Daisy's own career. Divorced, and facing an empty nest, Daisy decides to embark on the trip of a lifetime. She arrives in Nepal, ready to start trekking in the shadow of Everest. But fate, and the pandemic, have other plans.

Stranded and alone, Daisy must fall back on the kindness of strangers, taking inspiration from Violet's determination and resilience to keep going in the darkest of times. As she gradually pieces together the fragments of Violet's story and uncovers long-held secrets, can Daisy finally reveal a path forward to her own future?

About the Author
Fiona is an acclaimed number one bestselling author whose books have sold over three million copies and been translated into more than thirty languages worldwide. She draws inspiration from the stories of strong women, especially during the years of the Second World War, and her meticulous historical research enriches her writing with an evocative sense of time and place. For more information, to sign up for updates or to get in touch, please visit www.fionavalpy.com.

Reviews

"A gifted storyteller with a unique voice. This is a beautifully written, uplifting, moving and evocative story that will stay with you! I loved it so much, I didn't want it to end!" -Santa Montefiore

"An immersive and moving story which will stay with me for a long time. Such a compelling sense of place and beautifully drawn characters, I savored every moment." -Freya North

"What an exquisite and unforgettable journey! I loved every shaky step, breathtaking vista, minute discovery and unexpected adventure in Katmandu, Edinburgh, Phortse and the north-west Highlands of Scotland with Daisy and her great-great-aunt Violet. Theirs are inspirational stories of love and hope lost and found as they courageously ascend paths unknown and welcome the unexpected. Meticulously researched and beautifully written with fascinating detail about botany, the Sherpa people and Nepal. As deeply satisfying as a clear view of a flower-filled valley from a mountain top." -Penny Haw, author of Follow Me to Africa

"A soaring tale sweeping from the romantic Scottish Hebrides to Mount Everest, her heroines, appropriately Violet and Daisy, find challenging adventures, personal bravery, love and the elusive Himalayan brilliant blue poppy sheltering in the mysterious Valley of Flowers, plus a typical Fiona Valpy unexpected twist in the tale. A glowing book." - Ann Lindsay, author of Seeds of Blood and Beauty

"A soaring tale sweeping from the romantic Scottish Hebrides to Mount Everest, her heroines, appropriately Violet and Daisy, find challenging adventures, personal bravery, love and the elusive Himalayan brilliant blue poppy sheltering in the mysterious Valley of Flowers, plus a typical Fiona Valpy unexpected twist in the tale. A glowing book." -Ann Lindsay, author of Seeds of Blood and Beauty

Book Information
ISBN 9781662516863
Author Fiona Valpy
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Lake Union Publishing
Publisher Amazon Publishing
Weight(grams) 272g
Dimensions(mm) 200mm * 127mm * 22mm