Product Description

"A powerful book. The characters haunt the reader long after the last page is turned."
Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons

"The morning I died it rained. Poured down so hard it washed the blood off my face."

Thus begins the story of Lori Jean, whose short life and early death are woven into this worldly-wise novel set in the rural South of the 1950s. Told from the point of view of ten-year-old Lori Jean, a sensitive dreamer of a child who longs for a "normal" family, Roseflower Creek boldly explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional Southern family. Abandoned by her father when she was five years old, her world consists of a weak-willed mother and an alcoholic step-father who can't—or won't—keep a steady job. Yet Lori Jean is filled with the curiosity and hope common to all children.

After Lori Jean's step-father, Ray, begins attending AA meetings, he seems like a changed man, and Lori Jean begins to think that finally she and her mama are going to experience some long-overdo happiness—to be a real family and "git ourselves one of them futures, just like regular folks." But when Ray returns to his former ways and Lori Jean uncovers his secret, everything begins to spin out of control and she pays the ultimate price for what she knows.

Humorous, yet poignant, Roseflower Creek is a story of the loss of innocence and the power of forgiveness. Above all, it is a tribute and a testament to the human heart's ability to heal. Told with an honesty and authenticity that only a child narrator could achieve, it is a remarkable novel that will move readers long after the last paragraph has been read.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11694 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

From Booklist
Ten-year-old Lori Jean believes that love can heal Ray, her abusive stepfather whose drunken rages have left Lori Jean and her mother beaten and bruised. Growing up impoverished in rural Georgia in the 1950s, Lori Jean survives abandonment by her biological father, as well as the deaths of her grandmother and her best friend, Carolee. Despite these tragedies, Lori Jean clings tenaciously to faith and hope. When she discovers that her stepfather was the victim of sexual abuse as a child, she struggles to "fix" Ray's problems, but unfortunately, his illness runs too deep. Told in southern dialect through the innocent eyes of a child, the first-person narrative effectively draws the reader into Lori Jean's world. Though the ending is a bit contrived, Miles' story proves haunting and even inspirational. Linda Zeilstra
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"This is a powerful book, and the characters haunt the reader long after the last page is turned."

About the Author
J. L. Miles, a native of Racine, Wisconsin, lives and writes in Lilburn, Georgia. Roseflower Creek is her first novel.

Customer Reviews

This one deserves more than 5 stars
This book is short and a quick read, but you need to take your time to absorb the story, eventhough it's very tragic sad story of the only life this 10 year old little girl knew growing up in poverty with her mother and abusive stepfather. Lori Jeans young eyes witnesses her mother's sadness and bruises from the man her mother marries after Lori Jeans own father abandons her. This little girl tries hard to lead her stepfather down a better road. This story involves murder, incest, alcholism, wife & child abuse, poverty (beyond words), abortion, and so much more. But this story also involves love, deep friendship, mentorship, understanding, and most of all....forgiveness
I usually feel a little sad after a book like this, but this book leaves the reader thinking about forgiveness.
This book is exceptional. It's not just fiction, it's a book that makes you realize that others act the way they do because of the life they have lived......but it's not an excuse, only a fact. This author has done a tremendously good job with this storyline.
Don't miss the chance to read and think about this book. This book is terrific.

Absolutely Stunning
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.

Review from a father.
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.