Roses

By: Leila Meacham

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Two East Texas families must deal with the aftermath of a marriage that never happened leading to deceit, secrets, and tragedies in a sweeping multigenerational Southern saga "with echoes of Gone with the Wind" (Publishers Weekly).

Spanning the 20th century, the story of Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, controlled by the scions of the town's founding families. Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick should have married but unwisely did not, and now must deal with consequences of their momentous choice and the loss of what might have been--not just for themselves but for their children, and their children's children.

With expert, unabashed, big-canvas storytelling, Roses covers a hundred years, three generations of Texans, and the explosive combination of passion for work and longing for love.

Good History

I love historical fiction. And this was a great one. It gets long but you have to be sure and follow the character and the story line or you will be lost at the end.

Favorite book!

Somerset and Roses remain two of my favorite novels! A splendid drama, as are all her books!

Capturing the healing of generational trauma

Reading Somerset before Roses is one of the best experiences of my literary lifetime. I’ve returned to both books several times over the last 10 years and have never regretted rereading the stories of these East Texas families. I recommend reading Somerset prior to Roses, and personally think Somerset is the better story. Roses holds its own and is a fine finale.

Stupendous work

I learned of this author not long ago from a friend and and I’m so glad I did. Leila Meachum captivated not only the history of the era, but the story line, the characters, etc. Every description, every character came to life in both this book and Somerset. I read Somerset first. You laugh, you cry and you are happy right along with the people in this book. Life was harsh during those times. Coleen Marlo narrated like she felt every word and every chapter. When the book ends, you feel like you are turning loose old friends.

Powerful. The Best Narration of a book.

I loved the narrator and storyline. Captivating. Loved each generation. I could picture each description of the characters, houses and land.