The poignant story of a child's loss of innocence, "Roseflower Creek" is told with an honesty and authenticity that only child narrator Lori Jean could achieve. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons, describes "Roseflower Creek" as "a powerful, extraordinary novel. The characters haunt the reader long after the last page is turned."
Lawrenceville, Georgia (PRWEB) July, 2003 -- After being misdiagnosed and placed in an institution at age 17, Jackie Miles overcame almost insurmountable obstacles to reach a level of success high enough to become a spokeswoman for those similarly abused.
Miles not only was released from institutional care, but was able to overcome the scars of abuse and forgive those who wronged her. The experiences she lived through resulted in Miles authoring and publishing her first novel -- the highly popular and powerful "Roseflower Creek."
The poignant story of a child's loss of innocence, "Roseflower Creek" is told with an honesty and authenticity that only child narrator Lori Jean could achieve. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons, describes "Roseflower Creek" as "a powerful, extraordinary novel. The characters haunt the reader long after the last page is turned."
Born poor, all ten-year-old Lori Jean ever wanted was a family to love and them to love her back. Instead, she dealt with death, poverty, indifference, alcoholism, as well as physical and emotional abuse. "Lori Jean is the culmination of all my experiences as a child, coupled with all of my research into the lives of other children who have suffered from abuse," says Miles. Together, their journeys made an enormous impact on my heart.”
Their stories needed to be told, and upon hearing of the death of a ten-year-old boy in Athens, Georgia in the late 1990s, I chose to tell the one burning in my heart, that of Lori Jean, a sensitive dreamer of a child who longed for a real family, as all children do. I chose 1950s rural Georgia because that setting and particular decade in time spoke to me.
The book opens with Lori Jeans death, and begins in her own words, The morning I died it rained.” She then takes the reader on a fast-paced narrative journey one cant help (given her circumstances) being drawn into. The book is not depressing; rather, it celebrates the true power of forgiveness and what is found at its center. I chose to let Lori Jean speak from the grave so that, hopefully, many other little children won't have to."
"Lori Jean is the essence of what suffering, forgiveness, and recovering from childhood is all about. Each of us in our own ways spend the balance of our adult lives recovering from our childhood, and watching how Lori Jean recovers is a healing balm for many."
Miles herself reached the point where she was able to unconditionally forgive those who wronged her in life. After personally experiencing the power of forgiveness, Miles felt driven to write "Roseflower Creek." After penning the initial first fifty pages, she completed the novel in just 10 days. It was sold seven days after its completion.
The entire premise of Roseflower Creek” centers on the truth that forgiveness brings peace. "Above all, there can be no recovery without forgiveness," stresses Jackie Miles. Suffering is part of the human condition, and basically, none of us are spared our share. I see in the eyes of Lori Jean that very suffering, that same pain, of all those whove shared their humanity with me.
"The miracle is that despite that burden, joy finds a way out and can triumph. Lori Jeans spirit is that joy. She is the essence of what it is that I wish to keep safe, deep in the recesses of my heart, where the child of every adult still resides. The innocence she evokes is what keeps me tender in an unkind world, what keeps me loving when others dont love back, and what gives me hope when despair sets in, as it oftentimes can during our time here on earth."
The book is dedicated in memory of all the little children whose bodies were broken but whose spirits rose above it to flower.” Since the publication of "Roseflower Creek," Miles has dedicated her time to fund-raisers to help abused children and offers her services as a speaker to advocate their cause.
Roseflower Creek (ISBN 1-58182-240-5), Trade paperback (ISBN 1-58182-377-0) Published by Cumberland House, ships to stores August 1, 2003. Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and fine booksellers everywhere $12.95. Visit www.roseflowercreek.com.
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Heres what authors and members of the media are saying about
Roseflower Creek.
"A powerful, extraordinary novel.”
Earl Hamner, Creator of The Waltons
I read Roseflower Creek and enjoyed it immensely!!"
Terry Kay, "Taking Lottie Home", "To Dance With The White Dog"
"The lyrical prose will thrill you, the story is unforgettable, and the characters will stay with you forever."
William Diehl, "Eureka", "Primal Fear"
"A touching, compelling fast-paced narrative that captivates from the first page to the last. Don't miss it!"
Haywood Smith, "The Red Hat Club", "Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch"
"I can't wait to put it onto film."
Dennis H. Christen, Film Producer
M*A*S*H Contributing Script Writer
Author, Madam, The Grass Is High
"Agony of a young boy moved author to write . . . (novel depicts) child abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, friendship and loyalty."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"I may be through with this book, but this book will never be through with me."
Barry Farber, Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host
"Lori Jean will jam her thumbprint into your heart forever!"
Carmen Agra Deedy,
National Public Radio's All Things Considered"
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