EXPLORE THE AWARD-WINNING DEBUT NOVEL

FLOWERS FOR PAPA

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01

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Down Bruckner Street, it was a smoldering Louisiana summer.

August Johnson had just been delivered to his adoring fathers: Peter, the tediously stable, and Alvin, the accidental eccentric. It was a quiet penguin-pajama childhood until Alvin's sudden death following his son's sixth birthday. For the next six years, August's young eyes witnessed the emotional liquidation of his father Peter, and he endured his own struggles silent and fatherless.

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At the age of twelve,

he was sent away from the home that was no longer, and to his Great Aunt Myrtle in Twin Falls, Idaho. Thus began a six-year estrangement.

02

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03

August, eighteen now, doesn't talk about his childhood. He doesn't intend to.

But he finally accepts his fate at the final push: an unmarked letter in the mail, telling of Peter Johnson's sudden sickness and his seeking of his son.

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The six years of their parting has now begun to wane

as the road unfolds before August and his spirited passenger, with the chance encounters of near-death at Denny's, the ever-enjoyable meeting of a one-eyed drug dealer at the urinal, and the loss of the only person August was certain he ever loved.

04

Black and white photograph of daisies with dark centers and light petals, some in focus and others blurred.

Finally, the estranged will be reunited at last, and the truth of Alvin's death unearthed...

Awards & Recognition

Readers' Favorite Five-Star Cover Seal
2024 American Writing Awards Finalist
2025 New York Book Festival Runner-Up
2025 Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention

chapter one starts here

"As an immersive piece that encompasses a variety of themes, this work will appeal to a wide audience, especially to those who enjoy stories with detailed character development and personal journeys, as well as to those with interests in self-development and in the topic of estranged parents and children more widely."

—Austin Macauley Publishers
"I have never read an LGBTQ book with so much insight and realism. I laughed, cried, nodded in approval, and held my breath all while reading this incredible story. . . . This book is not spellbinding; it carries you from chapter to chapter, pulling you in with wonder, smiles, frowns, and tears. I would give this a 5-star rating and recommend reading this book."

—Jubaleigh Mason, Author of the "Chronicles of Quixotic" Series
"Author Margaret Beaver skillfully weaves a tale of grief, healing, and the search for truth as August navigates the challenges of growing up and coming to terms with his past. . . . The reading experience showcases the variance and depth of a beautifully written novel that explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the power of connection. . . . Overall, Flowers for Papa is a touching and moving read that delivers a poignant exploration of coming into adulthood surrounded by family, loss, and the enduring power of love."

—K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite, Starred Review
"This is a novel where the destination is second to the journey and Beaver's measured, gentle pacing ensures that we are at all times invested in August's coming of age. . . . Beaver bookends August's narrative with that of Dad, his late father, and Alvin, his surviving father's husband. It's a nice touch that adds an additional layer to the reader's perception of what transpired both before and, as the story closes, after. Overall, Beaver delivers a thoughtful literary novel that is worth the time it takes to savor it. Very highly recommended."

—Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite, Starred Review
"Flowers for Papa by Margaret Beaver is an unforgettable and engaging YA coming-of-age novel containing dark themes eased by humor. . . . Flowers for Papa is a heartwarming and authentic story containing heart-wrenching moments . . . This fantastic coming-of-age novel is full of emotion, loss, grief, guilt, love, and the pain of being abandoned. I recommend this book to young adult and teenage readers interested in coming-of-age stories about loss, friendship, finding yourself, mental health struggles, and LGBTQIA+ life."

—Emma Megan, Readers' Favorite, Starred Review
"I must say [the] sentence structure and story development are awesome. I am so impressed with [the] style and presentation of the whole book. Overall, Flowers for Papa was a lovely, enjoyable read. I could hardly put it down, and the 130K words flew by. I was sad when it ended, as I felt that I had gotten to know the two main characters very well."

—Steve Braker, Author of the "William Brody" Action-Thriller Series
"Flowers for Papa by Margaret Beaver is a good read. I particularly love a lot about this book; I love the idea of the author switching a first-person narrative . . . and how emotionally gratifying the book could get. . . . I recommend this work to newlyweds, gay people, and folks who love to build a family the right way."

—Anthionette Ejimofor, Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Rich and lyrical. . . The story unfolds in a slow, melancholy rhythm, like the raindrops on a windowpane. Each chapter is a vignette of longing and regret, told in the intimate voices of the main characters. . . Beneath the humorous surface, there's a deep current of grief and longing, exploring the human capacity for resilience and reinvention in the face of tragedy. . . Overall, an intensely rewarding and memorable reading experience."

—Lydia Efobi, Goodreads, Starred Review

A Little Extra Info

Flowers for Papa is 410 pages.
Flowers for Papa contains themes and depictions of abuse, sexual content, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, suicidal thoughts, and suicide. Please proceed with caution.
Flowers for Papa has the following dimensions: 6.14 x 0.91 x 9.21 inches
Flowers for Papa was published by Pegasus Publishers on November 28, 2024.