Menu

The Gold Rose

Category: Historical Fiction
Author: Jodi Lea Stewart
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
Number of Pages: 356

The Gold Rose by Jodi Lea Stewart is a gripping tale chockful with intrigue and a story with strong and mature themes. Charlotte Hunt-Basse works for ROSE International, a secret rescue agency veiled as an international horticulture enterprise and funded by some of the wealthiest people in the world. Charlotte is stuck in dire conditions due to bad weather, and again, flashes of dangerous work she has done for the agency begin to come to mind. She has handled very dangerous cases, especially the two-year-old Pinkie and Babe. 

During a violent storm, two-year-old Pinkie wanders away from a tragic scene into a dirt road. Found by Clint Sutton on his way to Mexico, driving Angelina home, the oil tycoon takes the baby with them. Angelina is supposed to keep the child only temporarily, but Clint doesn't come back for them. The child is stolen by a Croatian Romani and brought to Argentina. ROSE International is out to get the child, but the captor is very slippery, succeeding to move Pinkie to Brazil. Can the child be saved?

Against the backdrop of the war in 1941, the child of missionaries based in Texas is hidden within a Chinese family as the Japanese invade China. The child moves from one foster home to another after a tragedy and is forced to disguise herself as a boy. When Babe's life is threatened by the matriarch of her foster family, now a powerful communist, she must follow a secret code from a rescue agency and navigate treacherous landscapes to reach Hong Kong.

Jodi Lea Stewart's The Gold Rose is a riveting story that features relentless conflict at multiple levels. The key characters in the story are at their most vulnerable when readers encounter them, their lives surrounded by mystery and intrigue. The author uses their circumstances to build suspense, keeping readers in the dark and making them guess what could happen next. The first-person narrative voice is expertly executed; the characters are vividly drawn, and the historical settings are impeccably written. This page-turning novel is a propulsive and unpredictable romp of a thriller that offers unsuspecting twists. The clear writing and the gripping narrative voice make it more enjoyable!

Reviewed By: Daniel Rhodes

|

Date: January 31, 2023

Featured

Weekly Top Picks

Hand-picked reviews our authors and readers are loving right now

Thriller, Suspense & Mystery

The Book Commentary

The Read Down

Essays, author interviews and publishing advice for curious readers and writers.

How Editorial Book Reviews Build Trust Between Authors and Readers
How Editorial Book Reviews Build Trust Between Authors and Readers
Writing and Publishing Advice

How Editorial Book Reviews Build Trust Between Authors and Readers

By The Book Commentary  · 

With over two million books published every year, how do readers decide what to buy—and how do authors break through the noise? The secret lies in trust. Discover how Editorial Book Reviews, ethically leveraged paid book reviews, and prestigious Author Award Contests work together to build instant credibility, boost sa...

Read the article →
Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving
Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving
Author Interviews Aug 10, 2026

Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving

By Sanjay Sabnani

Discover why your brain sabotages success and how to rewire your identity in this ActualizationOS interview on stillness, self-sabotage, and lasting change.

Read the article →
10 Top Editorial Review Sites for Authors: Where to Get Editorial Book Reviews in 2026
10 Top Editorial Review Sites for Authors: Where to Get Editorial Book Reviews in 2026
Writing and Publishing Advice Aug 6, 2026

10 Top Editorial Review Sites for Authors: Where to Get Editorial Book Reviews in 2026

High-quality book reviews for self-published authors are more accessible than ever. Below, we've ranked the 10 top editorial review sites for authors—platforms that combine credibility, reach, and genuine value—to help you choose the right partner for your boo...

Read the article →