Book Review: Roses by Leila Meacham

Sunday, Dec 27, 2009

Book Review: Roses by Leila Meacham

Author: Leila Meacham

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing/Hachette

ISBN #: 978-0-446-55000-0

Type: Fiction

Pages: 609 Hardback

Published: January 6, 2010

Website: CLICK HERE

Purchase: $14.99 (HERE)

The Story

Mary and Percy were meant to share a life, in love, with one another. Yet, their heritage held such an importance in their lives that neither could put their love ahead of their birthright and duty to maintain family lines. The inherited land and their families’ businesses were the central focus of each of their lives. Yet, they never stopped loving one another, wanting each other, and truly falling in love with no other for the rest of their lives.

This is the story of an emerging city in East Texas, its founders, and their children. These families founded a cotton plantation, a timber industry, and a dry goods merchandising business. Their children were expected to carry on these profitable companies, in addition to maintaining the family traditions and lifestyle. The family name and the land were paramount to their legacy. With Mary being a cotton-plantation Toliver and Percy the heir of the timber Warwick family, neither could relinquish their birthright and duty to their families. What transpires between Mary and Percy.. the love, the lies, the friendship creates an amazing story of the meaning of family, forgiveness and true love.

My Thoughts

My most favorite book of all time is Gone With The Wind. When I read the synopsis of this story, it reminded me of that famous saga of the South, with the strong heroine and the dashing, debonair hero.

When my copy arrived in the mail, I COULD NOT WAIT to start it. It’s a gorgeous book! Leila Meacham opens the story with the origins of the families who immigrated from the deep south to East Texas in an entrepreneurial spirit. They founded a town and these successful families became the pillars of the new society. With strong family ties and rich history, Mary and Percy faced hurdles seemingly greater than a mountain to find a way to be together. Pride and family loyalty were at the base of these barriers. What Roses reminds the reader is that when you are destined to love somebody, that connection never dies. No matter what you try to do to move on or live a life without that soul mate, you can never escape those invisible ties between the two of you. What is meant to be… should be… and denying yourself that will result in a life lost.

I ABSOLUTELY could not put this superbly-written book down. I took it with me everywhere I went! Even if it was only 5 minutes here, or 10 minutes there, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to read just a little bit more. I simply LOVED this book! Why? It was like watching a terrific mini-series on television. I was so caught up in the story and couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Technically I read this 2010-publish date book in 2009, but it will be on my “Best of 2010″ list.

The Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving Roses a rating of 10 out of 10. You can never go wrong with a sweeping saga of the south!

Giving Thanks

I wanted to thank Hachette Books for providing me a copy for review.

17 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

17 Responses

Jo-Jo

December 27th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

Oh my goodness, what a great review! It looks like I will need to read this one that much sooner!
.-= Jo-Jo´s last blog ..Merry Christmas! =-.
Menagerie

December 27th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

I just loved it….
Kathy

December 27th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

I’m so glad you loved this one so much! I had the opportunity to meet Leila and I must tell you she is a very kind and gracious lady. She certainly deserves all the success this book is sure to bring her.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Our life in France – apartment =-.
Mary

December 27th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

Great review, Sheri! It’s definitely on my list now!
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Sunday Summary – Dec. 27 =-.
Menagerie

December 27th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

You are so lucky… first Nicholas Sparks and now Leila!
Anna

December 27th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

I’m looking forward to reading this one soon. Glad to see you gave it your highest rating and that it resembles GWTW, which is among my all-time faves.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Post-Christmas Recovery (With Pictures!) =-.
danielle

December 27th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

I’m not usually into fiction, but the cover looks gorgeous.
.-= danielle´s last blog ..Book Review: You Don’t Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem =-.
Teddy

December 27th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

Thanks for bringing my attention to this book. It sounds like a book I could really sink my teeth into.
carol

December 28th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

Wow, what a glowing review. Now, I will definitely need to add this to my list.
Alyce

December 28th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

How wonderful! I love it when books live up to expectations that way. I’ll have to keep this one in mind.
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..December Bookshelf Cleaning Winners! =-.
Toni Gomez

December 28th, 2009 at 9:56 pm

I have have have to read this book. I am sooooo glad you liked it. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
.-= Toni Gomez´s last blog ..Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout =-.
Stacy

December 29th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

10 out of 10? I’ll definitely have to get my hands – and eyes – on this one!
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..The results are in… =-.
Miriam Parker

January 7th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

Hope you can join us on the BlogTalkRadio show tonight at 9PM ET: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/grandcentralpub
Janie Chauvin

April 20th, 2010 at 7:02 am

Like Thornbirds and Gone with the Wind, I thought this book was simply one that I had to read to the end. Truly enjoyed it. I almost hated to see the book come to an end. Will there be a movie to follow on this book? That would be ideal.
Michelle Hart

May 2nd, 2010 at 6:07 pm

I seriously don’t know what all the fuss is about! I thought the book was like a romance novel without the juicy parts. Although I liked Mary as a heroine, by the time I got to Rachel’s story I was bored stiff with all the repetition. Indulgent and overrated!
table runner linen

June 17th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

All blossoms in your book as named it roses. This is a beautiful love story.
Waasookwe

January 31st, 2012 at 8:55 am

WHAT A RACIST BOOK “ROSES” IS!! LEILA MEACHAM USES THE WORD ‘SQUAW’ AND DOESN’T REALIZE HOW HURTFUL THAT WORD IS!! DOESN’T SHE KNOW IT OFFENDS AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN, DOESN’T SHE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS? DOESN’T SHE KNOW IT DENOTES FEMALE GENATALIA?? I LOST INTEREST IN THE BOOK AFTER SHE USES IT TO DESCRIBE THE MAIN CHARACTER’S DISHEVELED STATE! WOW!! REALLY LEILA MEACHAM?? NOT ONLY DO YOU POINT OUT THE MAIN CHARACTER AS HAVING DIRTY HANDS WITH DIRTY FINGERNAILS AND OLD RATTY CLOTHES BUT THE HAIR IS DESCRIBED AS BEING “HANGING DOWN HER BACK LIKE AN INDIAN SQUAW’S”??? NOW WE SEE HOW YOU LOOK AT AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN!! THANKS!! BOOK BURNING OF ‘ROSES’ BY LEILA MEACHAM AT MY HOUSE!!