ROSES

ROSES by Leila Meacham was read for the Chunkster Reading Challenge 2011.

From the book flap:

Spanning the twentieth century, this is the tale of the powerful founding families of Howbutker, Texas, and how their histories intertwined over three intriguing generations.

Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timer magnate Percy Warwick fell in love but because of their stubborn natures and Mary's devotion to her family's land, they unwisely never wed.  Now they must deal with the deceit, secrets, and tragedies that surround them, and the poignant loss of what ight have been - not only for themselves, but also for the children who follow them.

On an unabashedly big canvas, author Leila Meacham has penned a deeply moving love story of struggle and sacrifice set in a time when honor and good manners were always the rule.

I needed a book for the Chunkster Challenge and saw this one in a store.  The size was right, and it looked like it might be interesting.  I had never heard of the book or the author.

It turned out to be a good choice.  Full of great characters - some I loved, others made me furious at times.  It was a story of wrong timings, miscommunication, doing the right thing for the wrong reason, missed chances, and misplaced devotion.  For a big book (609 pages), it was very easy and enjoyable reading.

This book purchase was definitely money well spent.