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Rosy
Dreams can become nightmares. Small town girl, Sarah, hopes to find love and fame in New York City, but following her dreams leads to a downward slide into the insanity of the late 1970s: nightclubs, sex, drugs, and violence ὰ la Magic Mike.
Desperate to dig herself out of debt, Sarah becomes a pole dancer, Rosy Dreams. But the more money she makes, the darker her nightmare becomes as she sinks into a world where no one can be trusted--especially the men who claim to adore her. As Sarah slips deeper into the underworld, she questions not only her dreams, but her sanity. She battles demons--imagined and real--fighting to survive the city's brutality, fighting for her dreams, and ultimately fighting for her life.
Note: Chapter Headings are linked to Amazon MP3 sample and download
Adult themes: sex, drugs, language
Desperate to dig herself out of debt, Sarah becomes a pole dancer, Rosy Dreams. But the more money she makes, the darker her nightmare becomes as she sinks into a world where no one can be trusted--especially the men who claim to adore her. As Sarah slips deeper into the underworld, she questions not only her dreams, but her sanity. She battles demons--imagined and real--fighting to survive the city's brutality, fighting for her dreams, and ultimately fighting for her life.
Note: Chapter Headings are linked to Amazon MP3 sample and download
Adult themes: sex, drugs, language
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2012
1 person is currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Tyrpak
6 books50 followersSuzanne Tyrpak ran away from New York a long time ago to live in Colorado. She works for an airline which allows her to travel and do research for her books. When she’s not writing, she enjoys riding her bike, swimming, skiing, and dancing. In her next life she would like to be a belly dancer or her cat.
Her new novel, Rosy,—is an urban story set 1970s New York City. Her historical novels, Vestal Virgin—suspense in ancient Rome, and Hetaera—suspense in ancient Athens, book one of the Agathon’s Daughter trilogy, are best sellers on Amazon in several categories. Her (short) short story collections, Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) and Ghost Plane and Other Disturbing Tales are available on Kindle, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Smashwords.
Her short story Downhill was first published in Arts Perspective Magazine. Rock Bottom is published in the Mota 9: Addiction Anthology, available on Kindle. Her short story Ghost Plane was published by CrimeSpree Magazine. Venus Faded appears in the anthology Pronto! Writings from Rome (Triple Tree Publishing, 2002) along with notable authors including: Dorothy Allison, Elizabeth Engstrom, Terry Brooks and John Saul.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers awarded her first prize in the Colorado Gold Writing Contest, and Maui Writers awarded her third prize in the Rupert Hughes writing competition.
Her new novel, Rosy,—is an urban story set 1970s New York City. Her historical novels, Vestal Virgin—suspense in ancient Rome, and Hetaera—suspense in ancient Athens, book one of the Agathon’s Daughter trilogy, are best sellers on Amazon in several categories. Her (short) short story collections, Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) and Ghost Plane and Other Disturbing Tales are available on Kindle, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Smashwords.
Her short story Downhill was first published in Arts Perspective Magazine. Rock Bottom is published in the Mota 9: Addiction Anthology, available on Kindle. Her short story Ghost Plane was published by CrimeSpree Magazine. Venus Faded appears in the anthology Pronto! Writings from Rome (Triple Tree Publishing, 2002) along with notable authors including: Dorothy Allison, Elizabeth Engstrom, Terry Brooks and John Saul.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers awarded her first prize in the Colorado Gold Writing Contest, and Maui Writers awarded her third prize in the Rupert Hughes writing competition.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 29, 2013
At its heart, Rosy is a tense tale of how one easy decision can set us down a path that is hard to reverse. Rosy is easy to like and I quickly became invested in seeing her meet and overcome the challenges she faced. It’s a great coming-of-age story with widespread appeal.
However, for this child of the seventies, the setting made this story even more enjoyable. Tyrpak captured the attitude and climate of the decade perfectly. A nice little touch were the chapter headings, each a song title or a snippet of lyric that summarized the chapter while evoking some musical nostalgia. As a music geek, a link to the song on Amazon made me happy, as I was able to quickly answer the question “who sung that” when I was stumped. Those who read the book on a suitable device should even be able to stop for a short short musical interlude between chapters while listening to a sample of each song.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
However, for this child of the seventies, the setting made this story even more enjoyable. Tyrpak captured the attitude and climate of the decade perfectly. A nice little touch were the chapter headings, each a song title or a snippet of lyric that summarized the chapter while evoking some musical nostalgia. As a music geek, a link to the song on Amazon made me happy, as I was able to quickly answer the question “who sung that” when I was stumped. Those who read the book on a suitable device should even be able to stop for a short short musical interlude between chapters while listening to a sample of each song.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
December 1, 2012
I finished reading Rosy (Dreams Can Become Nightmares) by Suzanne Tyrpak last night. Set in New York during the 70's, Rosy struggles wanting to be an actress and independent from her father. Finding herself with bills that need paying and no job, she accepts an offer to become a pole dancer. Where the more she makes the more she finds that she needs. An innocent young girl from a small town, she fast finds herself getting mixed up into a world she knows nothing about, drugs, sex, violence, and some very unsavory characters. As in real life she meets a few men who don't have her best interest at heart and some that want to be her guardian angel. She just needs to learn spot the difference.
December 7, 2012
Wow! This book is amazing. It is horrifically amazing. from the first page you'll be drawn into Sarah's life. You'll smile when she finds love, cry when her luck falls, and want to throw punches as the book comes to a close. I do need to stress that there are rape and abuse scenes, so this book may be very triggering for some readers. If the author wasn't so talented and the story so enthralling, I would have hated it. If you're able to handle these traumatic events I don't think you'll regret reading this book.
I received a copy of this book from a LibraryThing member giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from a LibraryThing member giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2012
I loved Rosy. It was a wonderful trip back to New York in the 1970s. Rosy sold theater tickets by night and did casting calls by day looking for that big break. I felt so bad for Rosy and all she endured. We sometimes forget how much discrimination there was back then. Tyrpak really nailed the characters. Loved the old Italian in the candy store, Joe Fame, the guy who sets her up with the nightclubs, and the gangsters in the bar. Enjoyed her 5th floor walk-up apartment. Been there. Wow. Memories. This novel is dark yet realistic. Frankly, I couldn’t put it down. Bravo.
November 27, 2012
I loved Rosy Dreams best among all the Tyrpak writings. It's gritty, realistic and memorable.Tyrpak creates a Rosy that demands reader empathy. The seedy New York environment is so palpable, it's not hard to imagine how a nice girl like Rosy got into such a hell. I'm gonna read it again.
December 11, 2012
Great! this book really knows how to pull you in. Best of all, you cannot help but follow the emotions of Rosy. I really loved Rosy by Suzanne Tyrpak
September 7, 2013
The target audience is obviously adults but the characters, story, and prose all belong in a YA or teen novel.
The entire cast seems to lack any common sense. Sarah/Rosy, though appropriately airy, falls in love with a guy after 2 weeks, continues to take him back after he robs her, sleeps with another man, tells other people to rob her, and beats her. Two weeks. To determine that this man, a bi-polar, abusive thief, is her "soul-mate."
Tyrpak obviously tries with difficulty to develop her characters. However, it seems as though her idea of depth and internalization is to have the character suffer some severe trauma. However, it does not work in the slightest because not only does she fail to build on these experiences, she makes them all so heavily flawed and repulsive that they become impossible to relate to or even like. The only bearable characters were her family, whom Tyrpak didn't even have the courtesy to introduce formally.
Furthermore, Tyrpak's attempts to add another dimension but expanding on John's thoughts do not improve the story, but rather drag it down. Also, Whenever she writes about a moment where Sarah is experiencing a drug or any form of intense emotion, Tyrpak's writing seems forced and try-hard. Otherwise, her prose is simply mediocre.
Overall, the story was fast, an extremely easy read (around 3 hours), enjoyable for a summer reading fling. However, the book feels as though it was written by a college freshman in a creative writing class, so if you're looking for anything impressive or life-changing, this is not it.
Don't expect too much from a writer whose other works include "Dating My Vibrator".
The entire cast seems to lack any common sense. Sarah/Rosy, though appropriately airy, falls in love with a guy after 2 weeks, continues to take him back after he robs her, sleeps with another man, tells other people to rob her, and beats her. Two weeks. To determine that this man, a bi-polar, abusive thief, is her "soul-mate."
Tyrpak obviously tries with difficulty to develop her characters. However, it seems as though her idea of depth and internalization is to have the character suffer some severe trauma. However, it does not work in the slightest because not only does she fail to build on these experiences, she makes them all so heavily flawed and repulsive that they become impossible to relate to or even like. The only bearable characters were her family, whom Tyrpak didn't even have the courtesy to introduce formally.
Furthermore, Tyrpak's attempts to add another dimension but expanding on John's thoughts do not improve the story, but rather drag it down. Also, Whenever she writes about a moment where Sarah is experiencing a drug or any form of intense emotion, Tyrpak's writing seems forced and try-hard. Otherwise, her prose is simply mediocre.
Overall, the story was fast, an extremely easy read (around 3 hours), enjoyable for a summer reading fling. However, the book feels as though it was written by a college freshman in a creative writing class, so if you're looking for anything impressive or life-changing, this is not it.
Don't expect too much from a writer whose other works include "Dating My Vibrator".
March 22, 2016
Suzanne Tyrpak's first novel looks at first like a romance in which everything goes wrong for the protagonist. She just can't shake loose from people who use her. It becomes painful to read, as she goes from one exploitative situation to another. The point is clear.Each one of the heroine's misfortunes rings true. It is too much when taken altogether that she remains profoundly naive, vulnerable and has no resources at all. Unfortunately, most all people learn the hard way. In my view, the narrative could have been compressed for better pacing and impact.
The author knows her primary character. While the reader vacillates between sympathy and exasperation for Rosy, her errors of judgment would now be summarized: What were you thinking? But that's it: young, naive, defenseless-you are in too deep before you know it and don't have the skills to extricate yourself.
The 1970s Mr. Goodbar vibe is done well. The period details are on target. I would have liked more of it. I like the author's choice in looking back to the period, before smart phones, gps, cabs on demand.to an New York that had not been invaded by Disney.
The author knows her primary character. While the reader vacillates between sympathy and exasperation for Rosy, her errors of judgment would now be summarized: What were you thinking? But that's it: young, naive, defenseless-you are in too deep before you know it and don't have the skills to extricate yourself.
The 1970s Mr. Goodbar vibe is done well. The period details are on target. I would have liked more of it. I like the author's choice in looking back to the period, before smart phones, gps, cabs on demand.to an New York that had not been invaded by Disney.
January 1, 2013
As a fan of author Suzanne Tyrpak's other novels (both which are more historical in nature) I was pleased to discover that she writes just as well no matter the time period or sub-genre of the book.
Not every author can pull of a novel with some of the things that this one contains (violence, betrayal, sadism) without it being bleak and depressing. Tyrpak's that talented- even after reaching the novels conclusion I felt light and sated the way one does after feasting on a worthy tome.
Not every author can pull of a novel with some of the things that this one contains (violence, betrayal, sadism) without it being bleak and depressing. Tyrpak's that talented- even after reaching the novels conclusion I felt light and sated the way one does after feasting on a worthy tome.
January 16, 2014
A bit torn on this book, the sheer naivety of the female lead made me cross several times. The descriptions of the violence (some sexual) varied in their intensity and consequent impact. The blurb promised a downward spiral but then seemed to stop short. Do not wish to add spoilers but a couple of the characters did not ring home.
On the plus side, enjoyed the descriptions of 1970s New York and several of the music references. Worth a read.
On the plus side, enjoyed the descriptions of 1970s New York and several of the music references. Worth a read.
March 30, 2013
I'm not one for writing too much in the way of reviews, but I devoured this book. Great characterization...even the minor ones. This is my 3rd Typrak book and I've become a fan.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews