In The High Cost of Flowers, Kraack presents us with the Kemper family. They’re just like your family and mine, except the author gives the reader access to all of their secrets, warts and all.

“The character of Art Kemper in some ways was inspired by my Dad. My mother did, in fact, have a series of strokes. And watching him care for her and (exhibit) all the patience and long devotion to a spouse. We’ve also had some unhealthy relationships with alcohol in our family, as well. And the Catholicism. My folks were very strong Catholics. That’s about where the similarities between my family and the Kempers in ‘The High Cost of Flowers’ stop.”
—Cynthia Kraack