Orphans

**V. C. Andrews** V. C. Andrews was a pseudonym used by a collective of ghostwriters who wrote a series of bestselling gothic novels. The true identity of the authors remains a closely guarded secret, but it is believed that the core group consisted of Virginia Cleo Andrews, her daughter Jeaniene Basinger, Andrew Neiderman, and ghostwriter Joan Lowery Nixon. Andrews' debut novel, "Flowers in the Attic," was published in 1979 and became a critical and commercial success, selling over 40 million copies worldwide. The novel spawned a series of sequels and prequels, including "Petals on the Wind," "If There Be Thorns," and "Seeds of Yesterday." Despite her immense popularity, Andrews received mixed critical reception. Some critics praised her for her suspenseful and evocative writing style, while others criticized her for her over-the-top plots and sensationalistic themes. Nonetheless, her books remain widely read by fans of gothic literature.