What do readers think of The Tender Mercy of Roses by Anna Michaels? Write your own review.

I was pleasantly surprised at the ending where you find out who did it, because I never would have guessed it. Overall, the book was a page-turner, and one that I could not put down; it's that good. I liked this story a lot.

I am ambivalent about this book. The author has created a story that is both charming and annoying. Pony Jones, the dead rodeo star, is feisty, unique character that sparked my interest. But I found it difficult to stay involved with a story that just did not make sense. Magical elements appear and disappear signaling the birth and death of members of a Native American family. I could handle the wolves, but it seemed comical rather than spiritual to imagine thick stems of roses instantly growing right before your eyes. Why not settle on something a little more subtle and realistic such as a strong scent of roses rather than the whole bush coming to life? The writing is filled with fanciful imagery and metaphors. It's beautiful some of the time, but the author over does it and it loses its impact. Despite the flaws, the writer does show promise and I would give her another chance.

Mystery, mysticism, cowboys and Indians, addiction recovery…. what's not to like about this book? It is a fast paced read and kept me entertained and amused. The book is probably not for the hard-boiled realist but for those who believe life can be mysterious and whimsical. I look forward to reading more of this author

When I refer to "a quick read" it usually means "This book was not worth my time", but this book was a quick read because I did not want to stop reading. This is a murder mystery with many family secrets, involving Native Americans, rodeo stars, a police officer who had to leave the force because she used alcohol to escape her problems and other flawed, but genuine characters. Readers who are able to suspend reality and enjoy the magical realism format will find this book a delight.

Anna Michaels succeeds in weaving a basket of colorful, distinctive voices in her first novel, The Tender Mercy of Roses. Hardscrabble country, rodeo and law enforcement life in Alabama set the stage for prejudice, envy and tangled relationships that twist this murder mystery-love story-spiritual journey to its conclusion. Native American magic and thought mingles with the sudden splendor, fragrance and abundance of Cherokee Roses as the author sends flashes of bittersweet loveliness into unfolding events, but be ready to walk away from this tale feeling some well-targeted thorn pricks to the heart.

I enjoyed the book. I finally had to start writing down who belonged to who to keep the characters straight. It was an interesting trip from beginning to end. I like that she was not repetitive like many longer novels. It was engaging from the beginning. Thank you for sharing this novel with me. I wish Anna the best. She does have talent.

Reading the first page, I was thinking The Lovely Bones with Native American and cowboy characters. Pony Jones, a fiesty 26 year old rodeo bull rider is dead and she doesn't know her murderer. Titus, her father and Jo Beth Dawson, an alcoholic former detective, wanting answers, form an uneasy truce. The reader will laugh and cry; there are miracles, totems, and lost of Cherokee roses, The book was enjoyable. I did have to look back several times to understand the family history, but I never lost interest. Pony Jones is a character the reader will remember long after the book is done. Waiting for the next novel!

The basic plot is a good one, and the characters have potential to be interesting and engaging, but they get lost in metaphor and are held back by too many points of view. At first, the symbolic language is lovely and paints a picture of beauty and sadness. But it is so overdone, that by the end of the book, the constant metaphors are distracting and meaningless.