Twin Roses

by D. J. Sumpter

Obsession blooms where love dies.

Twin Roses is a dark erotic thriller set in the decadent shadows of Paris's elite art world. At its center is Camellia Solé, a brilliant and enigmatic gallery director who curates not only masterpieces-but people. Elegant, poised, and emotionally ruthless, Camellia controls her world like a stage, where desire is power and secrets are currency.

But when Maris, a former lover with a dangerous past, resurfaces, and Alex, a poetic intern with a hidden agenda, enters the gallery, Camellia's carefully constructed empire begins to crack. What follows is a psychological war of lust, surveillance, betrayal, and masked identities-where every glance conceals a threat and every touch could unravel the soul.

She thought her twin sister died in a fire. She was wrong.

From beneath the ashes of a family tragedy, Dhalia Solé returns-not as a memory, but as a myth made flesh. A ghost with a face like Camellia's, she pulls strings from the shadows, manipulating hearts and allegiances to ignite a reckoning that no one sees coming.

What begins as a love triangle spirals into a dark symphony of power, obsession, and revenge.

With erotic tension, femme fatale energy, and a noir-laced narrative, Twin Roses blends psychological suspense, dark romance, and espionage intrigue into an unforgettable debut. Perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Gillian Flynn, and Laurell K. Hamilton.

Secrets unravel. Loyalties fracture. And between mirrored illusions and velvet traps-two women will decide who burns, and who blooms.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2025

About the author

D.J. Sumpter is an Army veteran, IT professional, and lifelong artist whose passions span from drawing and saxophone to storytelling that cuts to the bone. Writing under a bold, evocative voice, Sumpter blends psychological intrigue, sensual tension, and noir atmospheres into unforgettable fiction.

His debut novel, Twin Roses, is an erotic thriller set in the Parisian art world—where obsession and betrayal bloom like thorns behind every mirror.

When not writing, D.J. enjoys time with his wife and daughter, creating music, and building immersive worlds that cross the boundaries of art, literature, and experience.

Author Q&A: On Writing Twin Roses

Q: Your book uses a fluid POV style that some readers have called “cinematic.” Why did you choose this approach?

A: I wrote Twin Roses the way I see it in my mind—like a film unfolding on the page. The story demanded a cinematic third-person style, one where the lens shifts fluidly between characters in a scene, the way a camera glides across faces and details. Instead of rigid, standardized POV breaks, the narrative immerses you directly into the moment—into Camellia’s precision, Maris’s vulnerability, Alex’s longing—whenever the tension is sharpest.

This style isn’t conventional, and I didn’t want it to be. Twin Roses is about obsession, power, and intimacy, and the storytelling itself reflects those themes. For some readers, the effect is disorienting at first—but once they sink into it, they often say it feels like they’re watching the story rather than just reading it. That’s exactly the experience I wanted to create.

Q: So, is this “head-hopping”?

A: Not at all. Head-hopping is unintentional POV shifting that breaks immersion. What I use is intentional cinematic perspective—a deliberate choice to heighten intensity and give the story a film-like immediacy. It’s about control, rhythm, and mood.

Q: Who do you think this style is for?

A: Readers who want something immersive, sensual, and unconventional. If you love stories that read like a movie reel in your head—with tension, atmosphere, and intimacy at the forefront—this book is for you.

Reviews

[ashlee]

Let me first start off by saying I haven’t read a thriller/suspense book in a long time and this hit all the vibes! If you’re looking for a book with a thick plot, this is it. There’s obsession, betrayal, and power plays that makes this hard to put down. The story moved between multiple pov’s giving a rich insight into each characters motives and secrets. This was beautifully written and the authors talent really shines through!

Tropes
✨3rd Person
✨Multiple POV
✨Powerful FMC
✨Secrets & Betrayal
✨Suspense/Thriller Vibes

Expected Publication Date: 09/14/2025

I want to thank Author D.J. Sumpter for allowing me to be an arc reader!

[Pernellia Stewart]

I had the chance to read Twin Roses early, and Lord, this story took me on a ride. It’s sensual, dramatic, and filled with secrets that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The way these characters love, fight, and betray one another felt so real, like I knew them myself. This book is bold, unforgettable, and I can already see folks talking about it for a long time.

[Jasmine Mitchell]

Twin Rose is a seductive blend of erotica and thriller suspense. The novel wastes no time in weaving together desire and danger, pulling you into a labyrinth of betrayal, obsession, and twisted loyalties. The plot is thick with intrigue, carefully layered so that every revelation feels both surprising and inevitable. This book is written in 3rd Person POV but it didn’t bother me at all. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. By the end, I was breathless—equal parts satisfied and wanting more. If you like your thrillers dark, erotic, and full of turns, this one’s for you.

[Clarissa Hancock]

I absolutely love this book. I love how it was a cinematic 3rd-person POV read. Had no issues keeping with the flow of things and could not put the book down. I hope the author comes out with a sequel or turns it into a series.

[Torry Weatherspoon]

I was lucky enough to be an advance reader for this book, and I couldn’t put it down. The story is seductive, intense, and full of twists that had me locked in the whole way through. The characters feel so real with all their secrets and scars, and that made every chapter hit harder. Twin Roses is the kind of book that stays with you, and I’m glad I got to read it early.

[Katelyn Timperio]

I am very thankful that I got to be an ARC reader, but feel guilty that I only made it 23% before I DNF’d. I debated what to say, but ultimately decided I needed to be honest, as with any book out there it’s not for everybody and that’s okay. I know authors ask for all feedback and that’s what I kept in mind.

I gave it two stars still because I really like the idea of this book, en erotic thriller sounds exactly up my alley. The first thing that threw me off was really a personal preference and that’s the 3rd person POV. I’m not a fan of 3rd person in general, and I found the changes in POV to be unclear and I was getting confused when there was a shift to a different character.

There is a mystery element and I would love to return to the book at some point to have my questions answered, but for now I needed to take a break. There were elements that did intrigue me and I feel like there is a lot of potential for this book. I would still recommend for others to give this book a try and make your own assessment. If you don’t mind 3rd person and an erotic thriller sounds enticing to you as well, then read this book. I really hope you enjoy it, even if I couldn’t get into it.

Again, thank you to the author for the opportunity to read it early and I hope to pick it up again in the near future!

[Book Dragon]

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of Twin Roses by D.J. Sumpter, and it completely captivated me. This isn’t a story you simply read—it’s one you see and feel. The writing moves in a cinematic third-person style, fluid and visual, as if the scenes are framed through the lens of a film. It creates an atmosphere that is immersive, psychological, and breathtakingly original.

The prologue is haunting and mythic, setting the stage like fragmented flashes of memory. Chapter One brings us into the gallery with Camellia Solé, where art, desire, and power blur in ways that feel both elegant and dangerous. The mirrored-room sequence is one of the most striking openings I’ve encountered—sensual, symbolic, and unforgettable.

What impressed me most was how deliberate everything felt. Each perspective shift, each sharp cut, each moment of silence has weight. The prose is lean, visual, and layered with emotion, pulling you into the undercurrents of obsession, betrayal, and control.

Twin Roses is not a formulaic romance. It’s an erotic thriller, unapologetically noir, steeped in psychological tension and cinematic flair. For readers who crave bold storytelling that defies convention, this book delivers in every sense.

Recommendation: Twin Roses is film on the page. If you want a reading experience that is daring, seductive, and unforgettable, put this at the top of your list.

[Nyx Seshat]

I won’t be finishing it past chapter three, and while that makes me feel guilty as an ARC reader, I’d rather be honest than offer false praise. My hope is that the author revisits this manuscript, invests in editing, and gives the story the care it deserves because the spark of something good IS there, hidden under the rough draft.

I would be willing to read this again, after it has been revised. I feel like it needs consistency, flow, and more explanation. Scenes felt rushed, and POV switches should have been identified better. Setting was unclear. I was so excited to read this, it feels like a let down.

Full review here:
https://nyxseshat.wordpress.com/2025/...

(old blog also has the review, link to old blog is on new blog)

[Gloria Sumpter]

Twin Roses by DJ Sumpter is a book that explores the difficulties of family, hidden secrets, and the journey toward personal redemption. Through vivid storytelling and well-drawn characters, the author crafts a narrative that is deeply emotional and thought-provoking, resonating with readers who appreciate stories about the power of forgiveness and the search for identity. You will understand how the author balances heartbreak with hope, making the characters' journey feel authentic and relatable. This book is filled with obsession, romance, dominance, manipulation, deceit, lust, loyalty, family, elegance, mystery, and greed, with a hint of third-person point of view.

[Elizabeth Veatch-Kellett]

I had a hard time getting into this one. I like the concept which is why it got 2 stars. I know there’s always debate about which point of view is best; that being said, I have a hard time with narrator 3rd point of view. My mind is always trying to figure out who we are when it changes and I do have to go back to figure that out sometimes. Again that’s mainly on me and my brain. I think those who enjoy 3rd point of view would truly enjoy this.

[Allisa]

super thrilling

The amount of adrenaline that was running through my veins with this book was insane! I love the setting in Paris and the way the author sets the atmosphere! This is definitely a page turner and I can’t wait to read the next one! I enjoyed the characters and their personalities.

[Stephanie Saavedra]

I read Twin Roses from start to finish and it was everything I expected. The story itself was cinematic and it pulled me in. I would love to see this author continue this story and I hope this book makes it to tv or the big screen because I would definitely watch this one as well.

[Yajaira Ferrer]

Sultry, elegant, erotic with a dash of thrilling suspense. That is what you will feel when you read this book. Giving the readers a cinematic view point of the characters and the choices they make. A must read.