Roseflower Creek

Lori Jean, a 10 year old child from rural Georgia, narrates what is one of the most gripping stories ever written. Poverty, abuse, horrible accidents and death all overwhelm, but our 10 year old protagonist accepts, forgives, and infuses hope where it seems hopeless. Living with an abusive stepfather and distant mother, she befriends people who validate her existence....Uncle Melvin, Aunt Lexie, their twins, Mz Hawkins, and her dearest friend, Carolee, infuse Lori Jean with hope that the world is not all about terror. The book is harsh as the subject matter is such; however, Lori Jean's take on so many advetnures she has you smiling and laughing out loud at times. This character is a keeper and she will be in my heart along with Ellen Foster, Emma, Lily, and many other children that endear themselves to me through their creators. J.L. Miles is a new discovery for me and I have ordered her other two novels as I have complete confidence they will keep me as riveted as Roseflower Creek did. Her use of precise descriptions, colloquial language weave a story that will never let you completely out of it's web. Highly, highly recommend.

This book is not only a page turner, but it pulls you into the characters. It is well written and a must read!

Lori Jean will never leave you once you have read this book. She will always be with me. The sadness in this book is overwhelming. All she wanted was a real family. A trailer house & one of those Chevrolets. Lori Jean touched my heart & I'll always think about the sadness of her death and the happiness she searched for in her short life. I keep looking for another book by Ms. Miles. Hopefully it will be as good as this one.

Being the father of a 5 year old little girl I was emotionally attached from page one. The story is told from the point of view of a recently deceased 10 year old girl who had been beaten to death by her alcoholic step father. Despite his own traumatic upbringing he was truly a decent man had it not been for the liquor.The mother, so lonely as to accept this abusive man into her life to ease her own pain of being alone, finally paid the price with her dear daughters life.As I turn the page I find myself hoping for a better ending for the poor, sweet Lori-Jean.The story is gripping, vivid, and heartfelt.I was left with a broken heart, but most of all a wake up call. Life could be worse for all of us.

From the moment Lori Jean begins her story, with "The morning I died it rained. . .", I wasn't able to put it down. Read it and laugh, read it and weep. A most special story. An unforgettable child.Lori Jean taps into your memories and never lets go. You might think it's a book for women. You may think it's a book for a friend. I think it's just right for anyone who survived childhood.