I enjoyed re-reading my review of Tina Ann Forkner’s first novel, Ruby Among Us, in preparation for writing this review.
Rose House features a little more mystery and a little more romance. But it also had what I appreciated about her first novel: clear, vivid, evocative writing following broken people making connections with other people who help them get to where they need to go.
Rose HouseLillian Diamon is still dealing with the tragic loss of her family in an accident five years earlier when she unexpectedly comes across a painting that features her in a gallery in La Rosaleda. The painting features her in a private moment of grief that she had on her first visit to the Rose House in La Rosaleda four years earlier.
Who painted the picture that was donated anonymously to the gallery? Has someone been watching her? Is any of this connected to the accident that killed her family all those years ago?
These questions and more drive the storyline. I enjoyed meeting each of these characters and soaking in the lush setting as created by Tina Ann Forkner — both the beauty of the California wine country setting, and the tasty food writing (much of the story is set at a Bed and Breakfast, and Lillian is a chef!).
Rose House is the story of how one woman remakes herself — finding a new vocation, a new home, and working to restore her relationship with her estranged sister, while testing the waters to see if she’s ready to accept a new romantic interest in her life.
The story builds to an exciting climax. I read the last several chapters quite quickly. This book also has an Epilogue, which I LOVE to see in a novel — to find out where the characters are a few months or years down the road. It gives it great culture.
If you’d like to win one of THREE copies (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses) of Rose House, please leave a comment. We’ll announce the winners in next week’s column.
Post written by 5 Minutes for Books managing editor Jennifer Donovan, who also blogs at Snapshot.
The winners of the Hachette Books Mother’s Day Book Giveaway are
#89 Sara
#144 Karen L
#109 Renee
#126 Willowsprite
#49 JiniiYou have one week to claim your prize. You should have received an email from me, but if you didn’t, send your address to 5minutesforbooksATgmail(dot)com.
I got this book from Paperback Swap based on this review. I am really glad I didn’t pay for it! I thought the book was awful!
It never fully develops the mystery of the story.
Where does she get her money that she’s able to have a driver???
There were no conclusions to the mystery of the story except that they arrested one person for doing what???? and why was he doing it? The author never says.
I found the story to be stilted and boring and I didn’t think it developed the characters at all.
Just thought I’d share in case anyone considers getting the book!!
I would like a chance to win this book. Thanks.
i’m entering the contest! thanks
I follow you on twitter.
Please, enter me, great prize!!!
I need a good book for this summer. Thanks!
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love to read. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
I would very much like to read this book. Thank you very much!
Sounds great 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway.
the book sounds good
I love to read and am a big fan of mysteries so this would be a great win!
This sounds like a winner; especially with this being pool reading time this summer!!!! Thanks SW
I would love to win this boook!
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway
please count me in 🙂
This style of book is right up my alley.
This looks like a good book, we all could use a little intrigue and romance! Thanks for the chance to win.
Would love this book!
This sounds like a great read!! I would love to enter!
I think I’d really enjoy this book! I love mystery and romance.
I would love to win a copy of the book
i would love to read this please enter me thank you
I would love to read this book. It sounds great.
I love reading, the book looks good. Thanks for the contest.
I love to read new books!
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
It sounds terrific!
Looks & sounds awesome; great cover!
This book sounds really interesting. Great giveaway!
That book looks really good 🙂
I would love to enter this!
I agree with you about epilogues, I enjoy them as well. Its interesting to know how characters end up.
Hi. I would love to enter this giveaway. Thanks.
I would enjoy reading this
I love mystery romance books! Sounds like a good read.
Another great summer read. Cool!
Please enter me 🙂
This book sounds a little mysterious, I would love to read it!
smchester at gmail dot com
Sounds like an interesting book.
Sounds like a super read! Romance and suspense rolled into one! Thanks for the chance!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
Sounds like a fantastic read! I love reading books and I hope to win!
This one sounds like a good read ~ thank you 🙂
Happy Weekend!
Would love to read this!
I would love to read this!
lookin good add me please!
Now I can certainly appreciate a read like this. ;-))
enter me
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
Oh! what a great scenario.
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
My local library is closing so I’m hoping to stockpile some books to get me thru until I can find a job.
would love to read such a wonderful book
Ooh – book sounds good. Never heard of the author. I’m always looking to find new authors that write good books!
I like books that combine mystery and romance–so I think I’d like this one.
enter me!
SOUNDS LIKE A REAL NAIL BITTER BUT GOOD
I am a subscriber
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GREAT BOOK REVIEWS
This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am a subscriber.
I would like to read this book.
Thanks!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
This looks like a fun book and one I would love to read.
Looks like a good book
I would love to read this,
Thanks.
Sounds like a fun one!
sounds like a great read!
Thanks for the chance!
Looks like an exciting book.
Looks like a good book.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
I like books about strong women finding their way. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to win Rose House. The review sounds great!
love the giveaways…just hope to win one one day.
sounds like a wonderful book for summer
thanks for the giveaway
would love to win this
I need some summer reading.
Please enter me. Thanks!
Sounds like a great book.I would love to win
Newsletter subscriber.
JD
visionquest2020@msn.com
Email subscriber.
JD
visionquest2020@msn.com
I enjoy reading so much. This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
JD
visionquest2020@msn.com
this would make an excellent summer read……..please include my name!
sounds like a good read, thanks
I’m always looking for new books to read! =)
Please enter this bookworm,Iwould love to win and read the book.
It looks like something I would enjoy reading.
I’d love to read this
I’d love to read this. Enter me, please.
This book sounds wonderful-please enter me to win! Thank you!
Thank you for a great giveaway! Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
i woild love to read this book.
Loved Ruby Among Us and this one sounds amazing too. Great job Tina!
SOunds like a great book!
I have been very interested in reading Tina Ann Forkner books, just haven’t been out to pick one up. I would love to be entered into the drawing. Thanks for the great review.
Tina Ann Forkner is an artist with words. She can capture you immediately with the pictures she paints. Rose House is the kind of book that you want to savor. I do want to know what happens next, yet, I want to absorb all the pictures that were just painted.
This sounds like a great read. thanks for the chance.
sounds good
sign me up
Always willing to put a new book on my TBR pile.
Roses are my favorite flower my Cat is named Rose a book named ROSE HOUSE how interesting
This book sounds very interesting.
I would love to read this book, very interesting review
This is great, count me in.
Sounds great! 🙂
I love an epilogue in a book too. Sometimes I even have to make up my own.
Your review is excellent and it makes me want to read this book. Thank you for the contest.
sounds like a good read
I’d love to read this, thanks!
Sounds like a good book. would love to win. Thank you for the entry.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
After reading this, I want to know who painted the picture! Please enter me in the contest.
The book sounds really good! I would love the chance to read it. Thank you!
I would love to read this! Please enter me
Mystery and romance always make for a good book. Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks.
After reading your review, I am really anticipating reading Rose House! Would so love to win this – am an avid reader and this sounds like a terrific late night read!
I have Ruby Among Us and would love to win Rose House to go with it!
From your description, this sounds like the type of book I would pick up at the bookstore, read the back cover and put it on my to read list. (I don’t like paying full price for books so I probably would look for it after it goes on sale or wait for a coupon!)
Sounds like a great read.
It sounds like a book you can just sink your teeth into. I live near the Napa Valley so I’d love to read how it’s described in the book.
I love books where the heroine who is on a journey whether caused by loss or growth or any major change. Journey’s are real and I feel honored to vicariously experience emotions as I go along for the ride.
Looks like something I’d love!
I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
I’d love to win!
I’d love to read this, thanks!
I want to read this!
sounds great
This book sounds like an intriguing story.
Sounds good, I love a good mystery!
I can not wait to read your book. Please enter me into the contest. Have a great remainder of the week!
Sounds like a great summer read!
I always love to read a new book 🙂
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
accoupons at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great read… and the timing is perfect with summer just around the corner!
I would love to win this book!
Sounds like a good one!
I would love to win this book!
I’d love to win a copy! Looks like a good book.
I love wine, bed & breakfast inns and cooking. This sounds like the perfect book for me.
This sounds like a great book, please enter me, Thank you!
Please enter me, this book looks very good! 🙂
MovieMomma@gmail.com
Sounds like a great book! I’ll have to see if our library has a copy of it.
Sounds like fun!
looks like a very interesting book. i’ll have to check it out.