Among Petals and Thorns

First runner-up in the R for Romance 2021 literary contest for best female protagonist with the title Even Cacti Have Petals tells of Maria a florist passionate about her work which she carries on with determination even in the time of the pandemic and lockdown. She is helped in the store by a group of young college students. Their friendship with each other will help them solve problems surfacing from the past encourage job aspirations after their studies. There is no shortage of romantic scenes chivalry and romantic relationships revolving around the other characters. It is a gentle narrative framed by the flowers that mark the highlights of human existence. It is about romance but also about stalking careers for women friendship and human values.