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Rose #2-3
A Burnished Rose
This book is no longer available. It has been split in two new editions: A Burnished Rose: Book I and A Burnished Rose: Book II
Today women have a glass ceiling. In the 1930s that ceiling was made of wood, so following your dream only took you so far—especially if you went against societal norms and what your friends and family told you you should or should not do. This is the story told in A Burnished Rose, the much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning Rosebloom.
Rose Krantz, a soon-to-be eighteen-year-old, has just come home to the family farm in southwest Wisconsin after running away from home two years earlier to follow her dream. She’s home because her mother has been ill, but Rose is not looking to stay. Despite the objections of her family and a new man who comes into her life, Rose makes it back to her second home, New Orleans, and her boyfriend, Malcolm.
Then, early one morning on December 7, 1941, bombs explode on the small, distant island of Hawaii. This incident pushes Rose, who is in Baton Rouge training to be a nurse, into a global conflict that ironically will come to be known as “The Good War.”
A Burnished Rose entertains, inspires, and reminds us what life was like for women of that era, and for the nurses who, right along with the men, made significant sacrifices for their country.
A percentage of the profits of each book sold will be donated to help in the education of disadvantaged children, because Christine believes that knowledge is a powerful tool.
Today women have a glass ceiling. In the 1930s that ceiling was made of wood, so following your dream only took you so far—especially if you went against societal norms and what your friends and family told you you should or should not do. This is the story told in A Burnished Rose, the much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning Rosebloom.
Rose Krantz, a soon-to-be eighteen-year-old, has just come home to the family farm in southwest Wisconsin after running away from home two years earlier to follow her dream. She’s home because her mother has been ill, but Rose is not looking to stay. Despite the objections of her family and a new man who comes into her life, Rose makes it back to her second home, New Orleans, and her boyfriend, Malcolm.
Then, early one morning on December 7, 1941, bombs explode on the small, distant island of Hawaii. This incident pushes Rose, who is in Baton Rouge training to be a nurse, into a global conflict that ironically will come to be known as “The Good War.”
A Burnished Rose entertains, inspires, and reminds us what life was like for women of that era, and for the nurses who, right along with the men, made significant sacrifices for their country.
A percentage of the profits of each book sold will be donated to help in the education of disadvantaged children, because Christine believes that knowledge is a powerful tool.
583 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2011
50 people want to read
About the author
Christine Keleny
21 books63 followersI am a writer, reader, author, editor, book designer and publisher. I am a mother of two, grown, children and a wife. I like working with my hands, so when the need or desire arises, I crochet, sew, tile, paint, cross stitch, frame pictures, stain furniture, cut and split fire wood, x-country ski, train and ride horses…
But my main loves are writing and helping others publish the book of their dreams. I started writing in college (a while ago!) and haven't stopped since. I'm having the time of my life!
But my main loves are writing and helping others publish the book of their dreams. I started writing in college (a while ago!) and haven't stopped since. I'm having the time of my life!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 26, 2017
Rose Marie Krantz, the protagonist of “A Burnished Rose,” after visiting her family home in rural Wisconsin, trains to become a nurse, joins the army, and for a good portion of the book serves with the 95th Evacuation Hospital as it accompanies American forces through North Africa, Italy, and Germany during World War II.
What I liked best about Christine Keleny’s historical novel is its authenticity. I was impressed with the detail of Wisconsin farm life, which only a person who has lived it could provide. An example: Rose’s friend Lilly Mae watched “the swallows dive and dance around the tractor as it kicked up the moths and grasshoppers that were resting on the new, spring plants.” More impressive is Mrs. Keleny’s detail about diseases and military wounds and the treatment of such, information she obtained in large part by interviewing knowledgeable medical personnel. Her research, as revealed in a section after the conclusion of the novel, was extensive.
Independent-minded, adventurous, and empathetic, Rose is a singular character. She is the kind of person that people gravitate to. Of the secondary characters, I liked especially Rose’s mother. They had an understated special bond, a connection that is revealed in chapter 2 when Rose helps her mother stabilize her breathing during a serious pneumonia attack. The bond is revealed again at the end of the book when Rose’s mother helps her daughter during a special time of need. I also liked Earl, a young man Rose meets while in Wisconsin. Earl is especially helpful. He is sincere in his attentiveness. She is attracted to him despite her commitment to Malcolm, a young man who lives in New Orleans. Then there is blunt-speaking Lilly Mae, Rose’s African-American Louisiana friend, whose presence in Wisconsin demonstrates Rose’s refusal to adhere to the prevailing cultural racial prejudice. Several secondary characters -- Rose’s army nurse friends and Alfee, Rose’s male 95th transport friend – needed, I felt, more development.
The story is well-planned. Many of the scenes are imaginative. I liked especially the driving lesson that Gertie, Rose’s older sister, gives Rose (a pitch-perfect depiction of sibling animosity). The scene in which Rose talks to dead nurses while she washes their bodies was moving. The author makes excellent use of letters to inform the reader of useful information. I was not particularly interested in the section of the book in which Rose is trained to become a nurse. Her major concern is her having to tell Malcolm that she plans to join the army knowing he expects them to be married and to settle down and raise a family after her training is completed. When she left Wisconsin to begin her training, she had decided she would shut Earl out of all her thoughts. Because the author makes no mention of Earl until late in the book, she succeeds. This section of the book would have interested me more if Rose hadn’t.
I had difficulty accepting the scene in which Rose is finally forced to tell Malcolm her plans. Malcolm has showered Rose repeatedly with numerous favors and much attention. He does so again, setting the scene for his proposal. He is justifiably angry at her refusal. She is upset with his having pulled strings to obtain a determent, which allows him to profit financially from the country’s mobilization for war. I was bothered that Rose was willing to accept his attentions over a three-year period knowing she would not be marrying him upon graduation. This made me question how much she loved him. I felt that because she had been dishonest she deserved punishment. A logical outcome would have had Malcolm terminating, at least temporarily, their relationship. After too brief a display of temper Malcolm, however, surrenders. Malcolm’s acquiescence bothered me more than Rose’s dishonesty. Most men would have dropped her. A separation during which Rose soul-searches and Malcolm reassesses his needs would have been realistic. Their coming-together afterward, having reached a better understanding of each other, would have worked.
Christine Keleny has chosen to express herself mostly with uncomplicated sentence structure and easily comprehended vocabulary. Although this encourages wider readership, it does limit, I believe, an author’s opportunity to be expressive. In most instances, though, Mrs. Keleny’s style succeeds. In certain scenes simple dialogue and precise character actions do work better to convey emotion than a reliance on subjective narration. This was true of the climatic scene at the end of the book.
Two aspects of Mrs. Keleny’s narration did bother me. I did not care for her use of colloquial expressions, like “made a beeline to,” “running out of steam,” “might be in the clear,” and “beaming from ear to ear.” I was also annoyed by her use of teasers at the ends of some of her chapters: “Soon she would have a new title, one that fit her even less.”
I enjoyed the historical content of this novel – very well presented – more than the romantic thread, but, then, I am a man. I consider Mrs. Keleny’s book a tribute to the many thousands of Americans, male and female, who sacrificed so much during those terrible years for our and humanity’s benefit.
What I liked best about Christine Keleny’s historical novel is its authenticity. I was impressed with the detail of Wisconsin farm life, which only a person who has lived it could provide. An example: Rose’s friend Lilly Mae watched “the swallows dive and dance around the tractor as it kicked up the moths and grasshoppers that were resting on the new, spring plants.” More impressive is Mrs. Keleny’s detail about diseases and military wounds and the treatment of such, information she obtained in large part by interviewing knowledgeable medical personnel. Her research, as revealed in a section after the conclusion of the novel, was extensive.
Independent-minded, adventurous, and empathetic, Rose is a singular character. She is the kind of person that people gravitate to. Of the secondary characters, I liked especially Rose’s mother. They had an understated special bond, a connection that is revealed in chapter 2 when Rose helps her mother stabilize her breathing during a serious pneumonia attack. The bond is revealed again at the end of the book when Rose’s mother helps her daughter during a special time of need. I also liked Earl, a young man Rose meets while in Wisconsin. Earl is especially helpful. He is sincere in his attentiveness. She is attracted to him despite her commitment to Malcolm, a young man who lives in New Orleans. Then there is blunt-speaking Lilly Mae, Rose’s African-American Louisiana friend, whose presence in Wisconsin demonstrates Rose’s refusal to adhere to the prevailing cultural racial prejudice. Several secondary characters -- Rose’s army nurse friends and Alfee, Rose’s male 95th transport friend – needed, I felt, more development.
The story is well-planned. Many of the scenes are imaginative. I liked especially the driving lesson that Gertie, Rose’s older sister, gives Rose (a pitch-perfect depiction of sibling animosity). The scene in which Rose talks to dead nurses while she washes their bodies was moving. The author makes excellent use of letters to inform the reader of useful information. I was not particularly interested in the section of the book in which Rose is trained to become a nurse. Her major concern is her having to tell Malcolm that she plans to join the army knowing he expects them to be married and to settle down and raise a family after her training is completed. When she left Wisconsin to begin her training, she had decided she would shut Earl out of all her thoughts. Because the author makes no mention of Earl until late in the book, she succeeds. This section of the book would have interested me more if Rose hadn’t.
I had difficulty accepting the scene in which Rose is finally forced to tell Malcolm her plans. Malcolm has showered Rose repeatedly with numerous favors and much attention. He does so again, setting the scene for his proposal. He is justifiably angry at her refusal. She is upset with his having pulled strings to obtain a determent, which allows him to profit financially from the country’s mobilization for war. I was bothered that Rose was willing to accept his attentions over a three-year period knowing she would not be marrying him upon graduation. This made me question how much she loved him. I felt that because she had been dishonest she deserved punishment. A logical outcome would have had Malcolm terminating, at least temporarily, their relationship. After too brief a display of temper Malcolm, however, surrenders. Malcolm’s acquiescence bothered me more than Rose’s dishonesty. Most men would have dropped her. A separation during which Rose soul-searches and Malcolm reassesses his needs would have been realistic. Their coming-together afterward, having reached a better understanding of each other, would have worked.
Christine Keleny has chosen to express herself mostly with uncomplicated sentence structure and easily comprehended vocabulary. Although this encourages wider readership, it does limit, I believe, an author’s opportunity to be expressive. In most instances, though, Mrs. Keleny’s style succeeds. In certain scenes simple dialogue and precise character actions do work better to convey emotion than a reliance on subjective narration. This was true of the climatic scene at the end of the book.
Two aspects of Mrs. Keleny’s narration did bother me. I did not care for her use of colloquial expressions, like “made a beeline to,” “running out of steam,” “might be in the clear,” and “beaming from ear to ear.” I was also annoyed by her use of teasers at the ends of some of her chapters: “Soon she would have a new title, one that fit her even less.”
I enjoyed the historical content of this novel – very well presented – more than the romantic thread, but, then, I am a man. I consider Mrs. Keleny’s book a tribute to the many thousands of Americans, male and female, who sacrificed so much during those terrible years for our and humanity’s benefit.
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September 2, 2011I absolutely loved this story! I couldn't wait until I had a chance to sit and read again. Following Rose's journey into adulthood during such adverse situations as war was compelling. The attention to detail made me feel like I was right there with her. And I must admit, sometimes it was all too real. Looking forward to more of Christine Keleny's works!
January 30, 2017
Set in the 1940s, A BURNISHED ROSE is a sequel to the first full length novel, ROSEBLOOM. Rose Krantz, now seventeen, returns after having run away for two years. She didn’t entirely disappear. Whenever possible, Rose sent letters home and keeps track. Worried over her mother Lilly’s health, she visits the Wisconsin family farm and brings her black girlfriend, Lilly Mae. Her polite white family is uncomfortable, but Rose is different from them. She and Lilly Mae have survived their cleaning and cooking jobs together from the riverboat to a brothel in New Orleans. In Rose’s absence her Creole boyfriend, Malcolm, works for the madam to hold down her kitchen job. Capable on the tractor, Lilly Mae proves to be an asset while visiting. Much to her big family’s surprise, Rose has developed skills and pitches in with older sister, Gerty, who does hold a grudge. One of Rose’s skills is medical when she uses a camphor rub with steam for her mother’s breathing difficulty. Rose’s parents and eight siblings want her help, but she’d trade all she loves and knows for new experiences. Talented writer Christine Keleny’s scene with the cute piglet mirrors her feelings; when the piglet is held, it squeals to be put down. Her mother Lilly understands her daughter. Rose is burnished (shimmering with enthusiasm) with youthful inexperience. Holding on to what Rose has means she had to give up on other dreams. Similarly, Rose leaves Malcolm behind and enters a work/study nursing program Louisiana after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Rose works at an army tent hospital during World War II, and this 95th Evacuation Hospital moves from North Africa and into Italy, France, and Germany. All the while Rose cares for wounded and diseased soldiers with accurate treatment and medicine of the period. Secondary characters represent viewpoints and mindsets Rose battles. Ahead of her time, Rose is a feminist, meets challenges with dedication, and values her worth.
Author Christine Keleny’s research glows with authenticity. I highly recommend A BURNISHED ROSE to all readers of historical fiction who appreciate factual content. Keleny’s omniscient narrative style is sprinkled with dialog and a touch of romance. I am going to start reading Christine Keleny’s third book, ROSE FROM THE ASHES!
Rose works at an army tent hospital during World War II, and this 95th Evacuation Hospital moves from North Africa and into Italy, France, and Germany. All the while Rose cares for wounded and diseased soldiers with accurate treatment and medicine of the period. Secondary characters represent viewpoints and mindsets Rose battles. Ahead of her time, Rose is a feminist, meets challenges with dedication, and values her worth.
Author Christine Keleny’s research glows with authenticity. I highly recommend A BURNISHED ROSE to all readers of historical fiction who appreciate factual content. Keleny’s omniscient narrative style is sprinkled with dialog and a touch of romance. I am going to start reading Christine Keleny’s third book, ROSE FROM THE ASHES!
August 23, 2011
"A BURNISHED ROSE" WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ IN A LONG LONG TIME. I STARTED TO READ THE BOOK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN. I WOKE UP AT 2 AM AND WOULD START TO READ THE BOOK. IT HAD SOME WONDERFUL HISTORY, VERY TOUCHING MOMENTS AND JUST CAPTIVATED MY HEART.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE THAT LOVES TO PICK UP A BOOK AND NOT PUT IT DOWN UNTIL YOU HAVE
FINISHED IT.
I ALSO READ "ROSEBLOOM", CHRISTINE KELENY'S FIRST BOOK, AND THAT'S WHEN I KNEW I HAD FOUND A NEW AUTHOR TO LOVE. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE THE SEQUEL TO COME OUT.
THESE STORIES ABOUT THIS FAMILY ARE SO WONDERFUL THEY COULD BECOME A MOVIE. I JUST LOVE THESE BOOKS. THANK YOU CHRISTINE KELENY.
CHERYL SLINDE
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE THAT LOVES TO PICK UP A BOOK AND NOT PUT IT DOWN UNTIL YOU HAVE
FINISHED IT.
I ALSO READ "ROSEBLOOM", CHRISTINE KELENY'S FIRST BOOK, AND THAT'S WHEN I KNEW I HAD FOUND A NEW AUTHOR TO LOVE. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE THE SEQUEL TO COME OUT.
THESE STORIES ABOUT THIS FAMILY ARE SO WONDERFUL THEY COULD BECOME A MOVIE. I JUST LOVE THESE BOOKS. THANK YOU CHRISTINE KELENY.
CHERYL SLINDE
July 22, 2016
I won this book here on Goodreads, which was very pleasant.
And looks like I forgot to write a review immediately after I read it back in 2011 :( Fist of all, I'm sorry for that, secondly, the consequence being that I won't be able to recall too many specific details to the review now (my mind is always preoccupied with whatever I'm concentrated on at the moment :). I think I remember correctly that I liked the story overall, it allowed me to immerse into the 40-s era.
And looks like I forgot to write a review immediately after I read it back in 2011 :( Fist of all, I'm sorry for that, secondly, the consequence being that I won't be able to recall too many specific details to the review now (my mind is always preoccupied with whatever I'm concentrated on at the moment :). I think I remember correctly that I liked the story overall, it allowed me to immerse into the 40-s era.
February 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this account of a Rose, a fictional nurse during World War II. The author elicited a myriad of emotions, from humor to sorrow, and she obviously put a lot of time and effort into her research. I would recommend this book for fans of historical fiction as well as women's literature. It'll be interesting to see where the next installment leads.
March 13, 2013
Rose book 2 of 3
This is a very good read which I highly recommend!
Detailed review to follow.
This is a very good read which I highly recommend!
Detailed review to follow.
October 8, 2012
I started reading this book when I took a vacation around Europe. The beginning was pretty good but the rest of the book up until almost the end was a total bore. I caught myself dozing off and thinking of other things I had to do instead of focusing on the book. This is the second book and I did not read the first, but after feeling the drag I felt reading this, I think I will pass.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews