The Rose Among Thorns

by Terah A Stearns, Valerie A. Faulkner-Beal

"The Rose Among Thorns" is based on the life experiences of Valerie Faulkner-Beal. She was 12 years old when her dad murdered a man in her family's home. That man was the biological father of Guns n Roses front man, Axl Rose. Prior to and after the murder, she and her family endured abuse inflicted by her dad. Out of fear, they remained silent about the murder for three years. ·At age 15 Valerie testified against her dad in his murder trial. Although the body of William Bruce Rose was never found the judge sentenced her dad to life in prison without a chance of parole. Her dad, James V. Faulkner, died in prison in 2012 after having exhausted every post-conviction appeal. It was the grace of God reaching out through believers who helped establish Valerie's faith. This enabled her to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES). At age 50, with the guidance of a Christian counselor, Valerie began a deep introspective journey into her past. She had to look back in order to move forward. Valerie was shocked to uncover the historic tentacles of her dad's criminal familial patterns all the way back into the early l 900's.



The devastation children experience through dysfunction, trauma, and abuse can be transformed through the power of the cross and with the influence of special people perfectly placed in their lives at God ordained times. Valerie has victoriously triumphed over childhood trauma and significant losses to become spirit, soul, and body. Ironically, Valerie's childhood story has many parallels to that of Guns N' Roses frontman, Axl Rose. Valerie's life is a beautiful example of how God can reach past the thorns in life and create a masterpiece.

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2025

Reviews

[Amie J Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling account shaped by violence, control, and manipulation, this work shines with the power of God’s redemptive work. Though the story touches on the cultural legacy of Axl Rose, it is Valerie who emerges a resilient rockstar. May the mission to inspire others through life’s thorns continue to bloom with roses.

PS. Animal lovers need to skip p.156

[Joy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inspirational true story testifies of God’s loving and redemptive grace in Valerie Faulkner-Beal’s dysfunctional, abusive and traumatic childhood life.

Terah Stearns, delicately and knowledgeably weaves Valerie’s past with the present, all the while inserting trauma facts and insights, along with the Word of God, to paint a poignant picture of how Valerie survived her childhood horrors at the hands of her really messed up parents.

Filled with lots of local history of southern Illinois, this book provides Valerie’s eyewitness account of her father murdering Bill Rose, the father of musician Axyl Rose.

This deeply moving memoir will inspire, encourage and motivate others that their life is never completely hopeless, and that good friends and counselors can help provide lasting hope that comes through knowing the LORD Jesus as Savior, Protector, Provider, Healer and more….

A must read for those suffering from terrible childhood trauma. God is so good!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking story to read because you can feel the authors pain and deviation as she relives her horror filled childhood. However, her faith in God is palpable as you continue with her through her journey. Even those who are not religious or spiritual by nature can feel the power of faith. This book will leave you feeling some kind of a way……