If you like a good old fashion Southern tale, this is the book for you. This book has it all, protagonist, antagonist, and peacemaker, with many a Southern Belle thrown in for good measure, all which are described so well that you think you actually know them. A very enjoyable read, with a very satisfying ending.
— Barbara Collins, Independent Reviews
Super Southern Lit
By Jeanie
Having been born and raised in Georgia, in this neck of the woods, every nuance of this novel struck a chord. I kept saying to myself, ‘I know this guy’ or ‘I know that town’. You can drive around Georgia and see paper mills and the towns they affect to this day. Dudley is the kind of man who wants to make a difference, but he is an outsider – from Wisconsin! What he runs into is Southern politics, debutants, discrimination, an environmentalist who sings to his heart and two new friends who are from there but are just as “outside” as he is. I loved it from the first sentence. This is a must read! It has something for everyone!
Sweet story
By plm
It’s difficult these days to find a clean and wholesome story to read. This one was very enjoyable. I appreciate a writer who can tell a good story without one word of profanity
Good read
By Amazon Customer This review is from: Rose Bush (Kindle Edition)
I was pleasantly surprised that this novel included romance without graphic sex scenes. I am fully capable of understanding what happens in a sexual encounter, and am tired of having to read through filler material of lust. This was a captivating story with a pleasing ending.
Rose Bush, a good story of the South
When I read Rose Bush, I felt like I was in the South. This book was a visual that kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. I could almost smell the roses.
Rose Bush, a literary feast
By Kathleen P “Kathleen P” (Tennessee)
In this age of fast food and chain restaurants, it is nice when you can sit down to a fine meal. Mr. Doster provides us with an excellent literary feast with rich characters, colorful language, historical landscape, and intriguing plotline. Like after a excellent meal, you will feel full and satisfied after you’ve finished this novel.
coincidence and the hand of God at work
I so enjoyed this story of a Southern town and its prominent families. Their present lives are the legacy of their ancestor’s hard work and ingenuity.
A newcomer to the town. Is a chemical engineer who is known for being a trouble shooter and efficient problem solver. He, Dudley Redfern is the catalyst in the rejuvenation of the paper factory, the defeat of a sleazy politician, the reform of the towns returned bad boy/ high school hero. Dudley a widower is also saved from his grief and loss of faith by the circumstances he has affected. He meets and falls for a woman, opposed to his dealing with the paper factory a major source of pollution. Ironically he wins her respect when the elderly teacher he is helping by fixing her home, turns out to be the woman’s mother. I don’t want to go into too many specific details because this is such a delightful read and I don’t want to ruin the discovery for other readers.
good read
By Carol Johnston (Mesquite, NV)
downloaded to my phone and am enjoying the adventure. The story takes place in the Southern US. and I enjoy reading about locations and lifestyle in that spot of the world
Rose Bush and Doster Have “it”!
By JudyAnn Lorenz “cherokee1234” (Ozarks of SW Missouri, United States)
Totally different story with a totally different vocabulary and totally less gore (but still some gore). Yet this story, from the first pages said “Similar to Man in Full Style“. Wolfe had the touch, Stephen Doster has it too. Maybe better because it doesn’t take him so long to get around the story and solve the mystery.
The cast of characters is wide and over the top. The romances are so not-realistic as to probably be accurate because that is how life goes. There is political manipulation, murder and abuse, violence (For a couple of guys pushing middle age, Charlie and Dudley endure getting the snot beat out of them pretty well), corruption, honor, racism, racism kicked in the teeth.
All stirred together in a colorful Southern stew that features some beautiful roses. A story that will have you teary, smiley, giggley, saddened, angered and rewarded with justice in the end. There’s some shocking events and plenty of candor, but yet there is a pleasant, encouraging spirituality with some sunshine and clarity.
I liked the book a lot, if you haven’t guessed. Doster wrote well on this one. Don’t argue with the outrageous, just go with it and enjoy the ride. A book that you won’t want to put down and one that will be on your mind long after you finish.
Great read! Couldn’t put it down!
By Adam Andrews “Great books grease great minds” (The sticks)
I found myself completely absorbed into this novel!
Old and new Georgia create the canvas for this refreshing, tense, and entertaining intrigue. Captivating characters – and a riveting climax – sucked me in like I was there. I don’t want to tell you where you are going, I just want you to go!
Small Town – Big Story!
By Morgan This review is from: Rose Bush (Bibliotheca Scriptorum Graecorum Et Romanorum Teubneriana) (Paperback)
The themes of family, redemption, destiny, Georgia politics, heaven, aging industries and small town relationships leavened with humor made for an interesting and fun read. Be warned, once you start, this is a difficult book to put down!
Great read
By Lynn
Kept you intrigued on the inner connections of family and small town life, those who have power and control and those who know the true meaning of relationships.
A Must Read
I skimmed reviews of this book and saw all 5 stars. I thought no way can a book be this good. I was so wrong. Stephen Doster takes you into a small southern town in Georgia called Sprite. It starts with a chemical engineer, Dudley, moving to this small town as a contractor for a paper mill. He had lost his wife and needed to get away from where he lived. Stepping into this town there are places he will go and feel like he stepped back in time to before the civil war. I don’t want to give the book away so I will just say he meets two men Charles and “Q” who will change his life and turn into great friends who have many adventures. In this book you will learn about paper mills, politics, religion, the south, love and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry. This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read. Give it a try, I promise you will love the experience!!!
A true view of the South
By Amazon Customer (Nashville, tn United States)
Stephen Doster is a talented and thoughtful author. His characterization of Southern aristocracy and the true relationships between the races in a small Georgia town made me laugh out loud more than once, as well as remember my own childhood with emotion and nostalgia. A wonderful read, great job, Stephen!
Best Ever
Stephen has done his best work with this novel. His writing is superb and the book a page turner. If you start the book, know that you will not be able to put it down until the end.
I can’t wait for the next book.
Great read!
By Tully “Avid Reader of Only the Best”
Rose Bush is the first novel, though not the first book of this talented author. It will not be his last. The characters are unforgettable. The unlikely trio who become friends, Charles Baumgartner, aka Charlie Rose, Dudley Redfern, and Urquhart McRae and their contentious encounters and ultimate alliance with the town matriarch, Koko Palmer, are fascinating to behold and will long linger in the reader’s mind once the book is closed. It has everything–Georgia politics, smelly paper mills, environmentalists, and even what proves to be predetermined love stories. I heartily recommend this book. It’s the way the world should be!
Elegant Solution by Guiding Hand
By David George
It is human nature to think each is the Captain of the ship and control our own destiny. This beautifully written novel dispels that myth and conveys the truth that life is unpredictable and the invisible is visible. A compelling and cleverly crafted gem that left me smiling and inspired. The content is rich and the characters are memorable. Doster has outdone himself.