PARKTON — A new author’s debut novel, set in Parkton, will be released next Friday.

“The Unplanned Orchid” is a lighthearted romance novel, the first in a series, by Daria Kay, a pen name used for the author’s privacy. Kay’s passion for writing has been with her since she was young, but she only found the motivation to publish a story after experiencing several family losses in a short time.

“When that happened, it seemed like every time I turned on the television or tried to read something, there was always someone dying,” Kay said. “I needed more control of my entertainment. I could entertain myself and come up with this light story that was fun and a little bit chaotic.”

Though Kay’s love for writing has been lifelong, her journey to publication wasn’t all easy. During her college ed

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