The Rose Among Thorns

By: Terah A. Stearns, Valerie A. Faulkner-Beal

Narrated by: Terah A. Stearns

The Rose Among Thorns is based on the life experiences of Valerie Faulkner-Beal. She was 12 years old when her dad murdered a man in her family's home. That man was the biological father of Guns n Roses front man, Axl Rose.

Prior to and after the murder, she and her family endured abuse inflicted by her dad. Out of fear, they remained silent about the murder for three years. At age 15 Valerie testified against her dad in his murder trial. Although the body of William Bruce Rose was never found the judge sentenced her dad to life in prison without a chance of parole. Her dad, James V. Faulkner, died in prison in 2012 after having exhausted every post-conviction appeal.

It was the grace of God reaching out through believers who helped establish Valerie's faith. This enabled her to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES). At age 50, with the guidance of a Christian counselor, Valerie began a deep introspective journey into her past. She had to look back in order to move forward. Valerie was shocked to uncover the historic tentacles of her dad's criminal familial patterns all the way back into the early 1900's.

The devastation children experience through dysfunction, trauma, and abuse can be transformed through the power of the cross and with the influence of special people perfectly placed in their lives at God ordained times. Valerie has victoriously triumphed over childhood trauma and significant losses to become whole: spirit, soul, and body.

Ironically, Valerie's childhood story has many parallels to that of Guns N' Roses frontman, Axl Rose. Valerie's life is a beautiful example of how God can reach past the thorns in life and create a masterpiece.

©2025 Terah A. Stearns (P)2025 Terah A. Stearns

Hard story, well done!!

I was drawn in from the first few minutes! The narration (with the voices for various characters) made it easy to listen to. Such a well written story, it was had to put down. I can’t imagine how difficult it was to write even after all those years. I am so thankful healing was found through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.