Rating: 
Summary: Am I my sister¿s keeper?
Review: Being a part of a set of twins has got to be one the hardest situations for children as they grow into adulthood. In ROSES ARE THORNS VIOLETS ARE TRUE, Shelia Goss takes a very in-depth look at the lives of twins, Rose and Violet. They are identical twins and that's where the similarities end. They are as different as night and day. Rose is very self-centered, jealous and devious. Violet, on the other hand, is sweet natured, attentive and cares very deeply for others. Even as little children, Rose was allowed to cast Violet in an unpleasant light using childish pranks that only twins can play. Violet, however, was always expected to forgive Rose and move on. Their parents and Rose expected her to always have her sister's back no matter the circumstances. As they grew into adults it was easy to see that Rose coveted everything that Violet was and had. But, there are some lines that sisters just don't cross. Once that line is crossed, forgiveness becomes a little too hard to carry out. In her debut novel, Ms. Goss weaves a fascinating tale that had me reading well into the night. This was sibling rivalry at its worst. The ending was not what I was expecting. Instead, I received a lesson in familial love and forgiveness. It left me rooting for both sisters to find that elusive happiness they both craved and a way back to each other. This was a great read and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Blood is Thicker than Water...Not
Review: I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. My friend told me about it and she's right, I was drawn into the story from chapter one. Blood is suppose to be thicker than water, but in this case it ain't. Rose is a low down dirty snake. Oh, but she wasn't by herself. What about that Marcus? Ms Goss you made the characters come alive. I had to laugh because me and my friend talked about them like we really knew them.
I can't wait to read your next one. Hope it's a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Hot Book
Review: Oh man, where do i begin: Well I must say that I read this book overnight and I am upset that I finished this book too quickly.
This book tells a story about two rivaling sisters who happens to be twins and one twin ROSE kind of envied her sister VIOLET because she was always the calm one and innoncent instead of sneaky like herself. Violet was a strong woman to me because she put up with a lot of mess from her sister and past lovers. Rose betrayed her sister. This book is intense and steamy. I hope there is a sequel to this novel because it was really a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Grabs Your attention from Page One
Review: Roses are Thorns Violets are True is a wonderful piece of work by Ms. Goss. This novel is not only a love story, but a mystery as well. When Rose covets whats very precious to Violet an entire web of deceit is spun. Will the love Violet has for family be enough to repair their relationship? You must read to find out. I highly recommend this book. Look out for Ms. Goss' new work, "Love Unexpected".
Rating:
Summary: Them sistah's ain't right!
Review: Sheila Goss's debut novel is truly a book that keeps you turning the page.... This novel is about twin sisters Rose and Violet.. and Rose was truly a trip! A simple prima-donna, low down and dirty while Violet on the other hand was the complete opposite.. not only did they share the same dna, mitochondria and looks but they shared Violet's husband as well!!! Even though the sister's didn't get along, this book shows that sisters can overcome any type of adversity that is thrown at them. Toschia, Circle of Friends Bookclub Chapter XIII
Rating:
Summary: Sibling Rivalry?
Review: Sheila Goss's Roses Are Thorns Violets Are True is an excellent debut novel. The book is about twin sisters, Rose and Violet. As children Rose always got her way and Violet got what's left. Nonetheless, Violet, now a Director of Community Affairs, is sure of herself, confident in her work and satisfied with her life as an adult. Rose is successful as well, with a great movie career and a budding singing career. However, Rose is not satisfied. She wants Violet's life as well, more importantly her husband. Violet and Davis had been happily married for seven years. Violet decided to play hooky one day and left early from work to come home to prepare a romantic dinner for her husband. When Violet got home she discovered her husband in bed with her sister. After Violet and David divorced, Rose and David married under the pretense that Rose was pregnant. To this day, David regrets what he has done to Violet and is on a quest to get her back. In the interim, Violet has moved on with her life. She's dating occasionally and hangs out with her best friend and co-worker Janice. With her mother's coaxing Violet starts to talk to her sister again. They have a strained relationship at first, but as time goes on they become more like sisters and less like enemies. Violet meets Marcus, an up and coming basketball star, and everything seems perfect, or so she thinks. Read what happens in this exciting tale of sibling rivalry and love. This is a fast paced read that will have you on the edge of your seat. Tracey
R.E.A.L Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Sibling Rivalry?
Review: Sheila Goss's Roses Are Thorns Violets Are True is an excellent debut novel. The book is about twin sisters, Rose and Violet. As children Rose always got her way and Violet got what's left. Nonetheless, Violet, now a Director of Community Affairs, is sure of herself, confident in her work and satisfied with her life as an adult. Rose is successful as well, with a great movie career and a budding singing career. However, Rose is not satisfied. She wants Violet's life as well, more importantly her husband. Violet and Davis had been happily married for seven years. Violet decided to play hooky one day and left early from work to come home to prepare a romantic dinner for her husband. When Violet got home she discovered her husband in bed with her sister. After Violet and David divorced, Rose and David married under the pretense that Rose was pregnant. To this day, David regrets what he has done to Violet and is on a quest to get her back. In the interim, Violet has moved on with her life. She's dating occasionally and hangs out with her best friend and co-worker Janice. With her mother's coaxing Violet starts to talk to her sister again. They have a strained relationship at first, but as time goes on they become more like sisters and less like enemies. Violet meets Marcus, an up and coming basketball star, and everything seems perfect, or so she thinks. Read what happens in this exciting tale of sibling rivalry and love. This is a fast paced read that will have you on the edge of your seat. Tracey
R.E.A.L Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Twin Division
Review: Shelia M. Goss has crafted a well plotted novel that takes sibling rivalry to the next level and delves deep into the core of what makes her characters tick. This novel is about twin sisters and of course one is the evil twin. Rose definitely has thorns in that she is self-centered and will manipulate everything in sight to get exactly what she wants. Violet has always been in her sister's shadow and has been trying to get past the ultimate betrayal her sister committed against her. I truly enjoyed the way the mother was able to see how her actions and the actions of the father or the lack thereof affected the outcomes of both sisters lives. Permissive parenting on the part of Rose created a monster who it seems no one could control. I enjoyed the ride through the tell all interview, the missing money and all the unraveling of both sisters. The elements in this story truly play out like a major motion picture. I won't tell the ending but you will love this book. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Shelia M. Goss is an excellent storyteller!
Review: Shelia M. Goss is an excellent storyteller! I sincerely liked reading Roses are thorns, Violets are True. After each chapter, I scratched my heading wondering, "Ok, what's next?" There were so many shocking twists, turns, and scenarios that kept me intrigued. This book has to become a movie because it would make a very compelling film. Goss provokes thought about genuine love and family in a very entertaining way. This classic tale of twin sister's rivalry, Rose and Violet is laced with all of the elements of trust, loyalty, and forgiveness. I commend Goss on her debut novel. Shelia M. Goss is a very talented writer. black wax
author of "The Hoods of Life" & "Black Wax aka Poet Preacher Candlemaker"
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Metaphors
Review: Twins are individuals first and foremost and Roses are Thorns, Violets are True exemplifies this in a very poignant and metaphoric way. Meet twin sisters Rose and Violet Perdue. The two are very different, but identical, persons who growing up experienced the same emotions as siblings often do - the affection and attention of loving parents. Often times there seems to be one child who tries to outdo the other to become the "apple of the parents' eye". On the outside, Rose is the glamorous, outgoing, egregious one - a movie star. Violet is more reserved and demure and runs a center for troubled youth. It appeared to Rose that Violet had the attention of their parents and Rose constantly schemed and conspired against Violet throughout childhood. This pattern of competition continued until adulthood and fostered horrible resentment between the sisters. Rose did horrible things to sabotage anything that Violet did and this, of course, shattered any trust that Violet might have in her sister. The novel opens with a scathing interview that Violet has given to a magazine detailing the life of two lovely flowers who have weeds growing and choking their beautiful blooms. Violet has cut ties with Rose for a very good reason. Rose seduced Violets' husband and to make matters worse, feigned pregnancy to make the man marry her. Naturally Violet should be hurt and lets be real ladies, Rose should be shot. Instead the sisterly bond died. The interview hit the stands, appropriately entitled "Roses are Thorns", and Rose saw her career take a nosedive and immediately began plotting against Violet. Their mother, ever the peacemaker between the two, tries to foster reconciliation between her beloved daughters. Violet decides that she can talk to Rose and they begin to carefully reconcile their friendship and sisterly bond. Violet has found love with Marcus- a basketball star, and Rose has started a relationship with her CD Producer. Both ladies have careers that are in full swing-even after damage control - and things are looking good personally and professionally for both of them. Their mother couldn't be happier. Rest assured this story takes the reader on another adventure, reminiscent of the past and we read, hoping to find out if there is a successful resolution. Drawn in by the plot, the intricate metaphor between flowers and the bonds of sisterhood, I was compelled to read this book quickly. I couldn't wait to find out how the relationship between these twins turned out. We often hear of how close twins are to one another, but this book can shatter that myth. This was Ms. Goss' first novel and I certainly hope it is not her last. Her writing style, conversational in approach, kept me entertained and reaching to turn the page. Roses are Thorns, Violets are True was well thought out and put together.
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