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Rose Dhu
Rose Dhu follows the disappearance of Dr. Janie O’Connor, a brilliant surgeon whose sudden vanishing rattles Savannah. Detective Frank Winger takes the case, and his search uncovers secrets that coil through old money, family loyalty, and violence hidden in plain sight. The story widens from a missing person case into something heavier. It becomes a portrait of power and the people crushed or remade by it. The final revelation, in which Janie reemerges alive under a new identity as Alice Tubman, lands like a quiet shock and changes the emotional color of everything that came before.
Scenes move quickly and often hit with surprising force. I felt pulled in by the atmosphere of Savannah. The place feels damp, shadowed, and tangled with history. Some chapters made me slow down because the emotional weight crept up on me. I found the depictions of trauma raw, but never careless. The book wants you to sit with pain, not look away. That kind of blunt honesty made me connect with Frank more than I expected. His flaws feel lived in. His memories of Afghanistan haunted me in ways I did not anticipate.
There were moments when the story’s intensity nearly overwhelmed its subtler pieces. Still, the ideas underneath the plot stayed with me. What people will sacrifice for those they love. What power looks like when twisted by entitlement. How a life can fracture and rebuild itself into something new. The book is bold about those questions. It pokes at uncomfortable truths, and I appreciate that kind of nerve. By the final pages, I caught myself rooting fiercely for Alice and for Frank.
Rose Dhu reads like a blend of Sharp Objects and Where the Crawdads Sing, only with a darker pulse and a tighter grip on the shadowy power games that shape a Southern town. I would recommend Rose Dhu to readers who enjoy mystery that leans into emotional depth, stories about moral gray zones, or Southern gothic settings with teeth.
Pages: 384 | ISBN : 1967510709
Live What You Beleive
Seeds of Bliss follows a man living in rural East Texas who relies on faith to get through troubling times that those in his hometown are facing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
There are many examples of men in my part of Texas who live what they believe. They are not perfect people, but life has deep meaning to them. Each day is permeated with existential experiences. Some of this story is autobiographical. I am writing what I know.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
I think the love of community is a big part of my life, as it is in Scott Mitchum’s life. Memories of East Texas forests, characters, football games and churches are all a part of my past. The trips to Galveston have been numerous in my life, also.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The theme of living what a person believes, especially the spiritual motivation in mental, emotional and physical decisions, is the most important theme to me.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on a volume of East Texas short stories and another novel about East Texas. I hope to have at least one of them published this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Seeds of Bliss is about the East Texas town of Lyric, its triumphs and its struggles, and the people who are an integral part of it. The novel focuses on a hometown man, Scott Mitchum, and his daily goal to live out his faith in God, how he translates it into practical actions which he inoculates into his relationships and his will to survive and thrive. The story includes other characters who are positively influenced by Scott, and those who wish him harm primarily because they don’t like him. The setting and plot are filled with the environment, the culture, the humor, and the danger of East Texas.
Seeds of Bliss
Seeds of Bliss, by J. Andrew Rice, offers a multi-faceted exploration of life in a rural East Texas community called Lyric. This narrative delves into a spectrum of themes, including rural existence, mortality, interpersonal relationships, and racial dynamics, all while threading a significant focus on Christianity, belief systems, and faith.
The plot is set in motion with the disappearance of a college student named Amy, an event that serves as a catalyst for unfolding the deeper layers of Lyric and its inhabitants. The author artfully navigates the interplay of religion and everyday life, particularly highlighting how faith is a source of strength during challenging times. This is exemplified in the bond between characters Scott and Robert, and through engaging theological dialogues that encompass a variety of perspectives, including end-times theories and the differing worldviews of Christians and atheists.
Rice’s narrative achieves a commendable balance, juxtaposing serious themes with lighter elements. The setting in Texas is not just a backdrop but a vibrant character in itself, offering insights into the state’s culture, the significance of football, and the nuances of rural life. Concurrently, the story does not shy away from addressing complex issues such as racial tensions, particularly in relation to the character Jesse’s professional journey. This book is a rich and substantial read, perfect for those who savor an immersive, character-driven experience. Its detailed descriptive style adds depth, enhancing the novel’s engaging exploration of diverse theological concepts within an imaginative fictional framework.
Seeds of Bliss is a captivating choice for readers who appreciate drama-filled narratives set within a religious context, as it offers an insightful journey into the complexities of faith and community life in a charming small-town Texas setting.
Page: 353 | ASIN : B0BXMZ7SPK
LITERARY TITAN 