Rated of 5
by Cathy W. (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) Good but flawed
I am ambivalent about this book. The author has created a story that is both charming and annoying. Pony Jones, the dead rodeo star, is feisty, unique character that sparked my interest. But I found it difficult to stay involved with a story that just did not make sense. Magical elements appear and disappear signaling the birth and death of members of a Native American family. I could handle the wolves, but it seemed comical rather than spiritual to imagine thick stems of roses instantly growing right before your eyes. Why not settle on something a little more subtle and realistic such as a strong scent of roses rather than the whole bush coming to life? The writing is filled with fanciful imagery and metaphors. It's beautiful some of the time, but the author over does it and it loses its impact. Despite the flaws, the writer does show promise and I would give her another chance.
Rated of 5
by Daniel A. (Naugatuck, CT) The Tender Mercy of Roses
I was pleasantly surprised at the ending where you find out who did it, because I never would have guessed it. Overall, the book was a page-turner, and one that I could not put down; it's that good. I liked this story a lot.
Rated of 5
by Audre G. (Othello, WA) The Tender Mercy of Roses
I chose this book because the publisher compared it to The Lovely Bones and Garden Spells. Unfortunately it seemed like a failed attempt to capitalize on the success of these books. I didn't care about the characters because they weren't fully developed and it was difficult to keep track of the two families and the time lines. The language was flowery and repetitive.
Rated of 5
by Kristen K. (Atlanta, Georgia) The Tender Mercy of Roses
Mystery, mysticism, cowboys and Indians, addiction recovery…. what's not to like about this book? It is a fast paced read and kept me entertained and amused. The book is probably not for the hard-boiled realist but for those who believe life can be mysterious and whimsical. I look forward to reading more of this author
Rated of 5
by MeM (tempe, az) Excessive descriptions, not enough story
I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis sounded interesting and it was my first review. I was so excited.
The descriptions are pretty. But there are so many of them and they’re extra long and flowery, they lost their impact and became tedious. It seemed they were added to a short story to make a book.
Rated of 5
by Carole P. (Framingham, MA) The Tender Mercy of Roses
This spellbinding book has it all. Mystery, mysticism, family secrets, and above all else love. Beautifully written, it draws you in from the start.
Although totally different from these two books, it reminded me of how I felt reading "The Help" and "Room". A chill up my back, the need to keep reading and sadness when the book ended.
A bold, mesmerizing novel about the woman known as "Typhoid Mary," the first known healthy carrier of typhoid fever in the burgeoning metropolis of early twentieth century New York.
Z, the novel about the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald is at points charming and; like another reviewer, I kept thinking of the movie, "Midnight...
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Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
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Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
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British Parliament asks Amazon to clarify why it pays $9 million in income tax on $23 billion of UK sales.(May 20 2013) Amazon will be called back to give further evidence to members of the British Parliament "to clarify how its activities in the U.K. justify its low corporate...
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of 5
by Cathy W. (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) 
of 5
by Audre G. (Othello, WA) 
of 5
by Carole P. (Framingham, MA) 
