Customer Reviews

Roses are Thorns, Violets are True

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Violet had to put up with her deceitful twin sister, Rose, from early childhood. Their parents always said Rose was special therefore her bad deeds went unpunished throughout her childhood and into adulthood. In Shelia M Goss' novel, ROSES are Thorns, VIOLETS are True, the twins, aptly named after their parent's favorite flowers, are at odds with one another. Can past hurts be buried and new beginnings planted?

For Rose, life is a stage and the world is her audience. She is an actress, singer and has her choice of men. So why is it that whatever her sister has, she wants. She seduces Violet's husband, David, and then they marry. Only, David is still in love with Violet but refuses to divorce Rose. They stay in a loveless marriage until Rose's extreme actions tear them apart. Because they are twins, Violet always finds a way to forgive Rose, even when she is the victim of Rose's detrimental actions. When some photos are mailed to Violet and shows Rose in some compromising positions with Violet's man, the strong bond between the sisters is shattered. Violet moves away and breaks all ties with Rose. For ten years the sisters do not communicate. The tables are turned as Rose now wants a closer relationship with Violet, and Violet who can not trust Rose is unbending in her determination to stay far away from Rose. It takes the determination of their mother to bring them together.

While much of the story is devoted to the relationship between Rose and Violet and the relationship of the ladies and their male friends, the theme of the book is forgiveness. Not only do the ladies have to find it in their heart to forgive each other, but also forgive those who have hurt them in the past. I liked how the novel was told in alternating voices as Rose and Violet explain their actions. I eagerly turned the pages to find out what Rose had up her sleeve, who was to be the "man du jour" and how far the sisters would go to protect their hearts. This is a quick good read that I would recommend putting in your TBR pile.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

Oh man, where do i begin: Well I must say that I read this book overnight and I am upset that I finished this book too quickly.

This book tells a story about two rivaling sisters who happens to be twins and one twin ROSE kind of envied her sister VIOLET because she was always the calm one and innoncent instead of sneaky like herself. Violet was a strong woman to me because she put up with a lot of mess from her sister and past lovers. Rose betrayed her sister. This book is intense and steamy. I hope there is a sequel to this novel because it was really a good book.

What happens when you combine sibling rivalry, deception, and secrecy together in one book? You discover "Roses are Thorns, Violets are True", the sizzling story of identical twins who couldn't be farther apart. In this highly suspenseful novel wonderfully written by author, Shelia M. Goss, readers are engulfed by the many twists and turns of events taking place in the lives of Rose and Violet Purdue. For these twins, sibling rivalry takes on a whole new meaning; escalating to a higher level as Rose's compulsive need to be the center of attention, forfeits the love of a sister.

Since their early childhood, Violet has been the object of Rose's conniving behavior. Rose discovered early on the ploys guaranteed to grant her heart's desires. But the single element driving Rose to deceive Violet in such a reckless manner is the last thing Violet could have ever conceived to be true of Rose. Beautiful and equally delicate as her name portrays, Violet has disciplined herself to be forgiving of her sister's antics all of their lives. But gone are the days of competing for dolls and daddy's attention. The stakes have become much higher and someone must pay the price when Rose commits the ultimate act of betrayal; one that could destroy the relationship between her and Violet forever.

Can Rose and Violet ever truly overcome the distance between them? More importantly, will Rose ever confess to Violet the secret that has been driving her to destroy her sister all these years? "Roses are Thorns, Violets are True" sheds light on the essence of sibling rivalry and the road to redemption. Cleverly plotted, Shelia M. Goss' debut novel will have its readers on edge until the last word is read.

Collier Lunn, founder of Namari Publishing
Flavah Reviewers

Even though this was a story about twins, anyone with siblings could relate to the relationships in Roses are Thorns, Violets are True. Often times childhood resentments between siblings, cousins, and even childhood friends can carry over into adulthood and plague our lives forever. That's exactly what it can do, unless we learn as adults to forgive. Roses are Thorns shows us how forgiveness can be a hard thing, but how good it can be once we free ourselves of such burden.

Shelia Goss does a wonderful job breaking rules and doing it perfectly as she uses third and first person fluidly throughout the story. It is craftily told in alternating and non-repetitive voices between the sisters and you are able to understand their innermost thoughts as situations arise. The refreshing new voice explored in Roses are Thorns, Violets are True will definitely entertain you.

Shelia Goss has weaved the most heartwrenching novel about sibling rivalry. Being a sister can sometimes be very difficult and long lasting for children even into adulthood. Roses are Thorns, Violets are True paves the road filled with many twists and turns that will lead the reader toward this awesome realization. Whether you're a twin or not, this fascinating tale of sibling rivalry will keep you turning the pages. This is a great read and I highly recommend it!

December 3, 2003

What happens when the person that is supposed to be the closest to you winds up being the one that hurts you the most? Shelia Goss gives us the answer in her debut novel, Roses are Thorns Violets are True.

Sibling rivalry is an understatement for the feelings that Rose and Violet have towards one another. All of their lives Rose has made it her mission to get what she wants; usually at the expense of her sister. Her constant need for attention has driven a wedge between the two sisters. She is a true drama queen that is why she is a very successful actress. At the other end of the spectrum you have her twin, Violet. Violet is very bright woman. Her "girl next door" demeanor makes people want to be in her presence. She shuns any form attention, which is hard when your twin is a megastar. Throughout their lives Violet has been able to forgive Rose for all her indiscretions; that is up until now. Has Rose finally gone past the point of no return or is she finally looking out for her sister's best interest. Their relationship has finally reached a crossroad. It is now time for them to decide if they will finish the journey together or forever walk separate paths.

Ms. Goss has the makings of a master storyteller. Her attention to detail allows her novel to span a period of years without you feeling as if you have missed something. She grabs her readers' attention and doesn't let go. This is definitely one that will give the bookclubs something to discuss.

Angie Pickett-Henderson
Moderator/Reviewer
Readincolor Bookclub

Shelia Goss has done it again - she has delivered another story with a twist. In this story of the Perdue sisters, we peek into the lives of twin sisters who most likely love each other but that love and family bond is put to the test repeatedly by Rose, the "evil" twin.

Goss has penned a fast-paced story with plenty of plot twists and turns and characters that have you ready to choke them, hug them, or just shake your head. From the beginning, it was easy to root for Violet, the soft-spoken, easy-going, forgiving sister who took it all in stride and just did what she needed to do to move her life forward. It was easy to dislike Rose, the manipulative sister who envied her twin in every way even though she was the one living the glamourous life. In the end, you find out how unhappy Rose really is, you see her struggle to change and be a better person only to be blind-sided and lose the tentative sisterly bond she established with Violet. That's where the story really gets good! Pick up a copy to find out what happens.

Shelia Goss's book "Roses Are Thorns, Violets Are True" was an amazing book. It showed the importance of family. Showed how we should be able to forgive one another if we want 'God' to forgive us.

It was a wonderful story of twins growing up in the span of about 20 years. The heartache of betrayal is highly evident and sometimes a touch shocking. Yet through the entire story, Shelia kept it real and exciting. It had a few twist and turns I didn't expect, but it bought out the story line very well. The novel makes you refelect on your own family life and how it should be.

Thank you for sharing Shelia!!!

Thank you for stopping by Amazon to inquire about purchasing Roses are thorns, Violets are true. It has been picked up by Urban Soul, the women's fiction imprint of Urban Books/Kensington. It will have a new cover and the story has a few added scenes.

You'll be able to purchase it in 2007. Visit my website "sheliagoss dot com" for updates.

Twins are individuals first and foremost and Roses are Thorns, Violets are True exemplifies this in a very poignant and metaphoric way. Meet twin sisters Rose and Violet Perdue. The two are very different, but identical, persons who growing up experienced the same emotions as siblings often do - the affection and attention of loving parents. Often times there seems to be one child who tries to outdo the other to become the "apple of the parents' eye". On the outside, Rose is the glamorous, outgoing, egregious one - a movie star. Violet is more reserved and demure and runs a center for troubled youth. It appeared to Rose that Violet had the attention of their parents and Rose constantly schemed and conspired against Violet throughout childhood. This pattern of competition continued until adulthood and fostered horrible resentment between the sisters. Rose did horrible things to sabotage anything that Violet did and this, of course, shattered any trust that Violet might have in her sister.

The novel opens with a scathing interview that Violet has given to a magazine detailing the life of two lovely flowers who have weeds growing and choking their beautiful blooms. Violet has cut ties with Rose for a very good reason. Rose seduced Violets' husband and to make matters worse, feigned pregnancy to make the man marry her. Naturally Violet should be hurt and lets be real ladies, Rose should be shot. Instead the sisterly bond died. The interview hit the stands, appropriately entitled "Roses are Thorns", and Rose saw her career take a nosedive and immediately began plotting against Violet. Their mother, ever the peacemaker between the two, tries to foster reconciliation between her beloved daughters. Violet decides that she can talk to Rose and they begin to carefully reconcile their friendship and sisterly bond. Violet has found love with Marcus- a basketball star, and Rose has started a relationship with her CD Producer. Both ladies have careers that are in full swing-even after damage control - and things are looking good personally and professionally for both of them. Their mother couldn't be happier. Rest assured this story takes the reader on another adventure, reminiscent of the past and we read, hoping to find out if there is a successful resolution.

Drawn in by the plot, the intricate metaphor between flowers and the bonds of sisterhood, I was compelled to read this book quickly. I couldn't wait to find out how the relationship between these twins turned out. We often hear of how close twins are to one another, but this book can shatter that myth. This was Ms. Goss' first novel and I certainly hope it is not her last. Her writing style, conversational in approach, kept me entertained and reaching to turn the page. Roses are Thorns, Violets are True was well thought out and put together.