Plastic Tulips in the Winter

by Denice L Vickers

Denice is an all-out tomboy and proud of it. Her claim to fame is, she can burp louder than anyone on her street. And if need be, she can whoop any boy’s tail. Born in the Deep South in 1950 she is the third child of Nellie May, a beautiful red-head with deep emotional problems. Denice’s mother suffers from severe depression and struggles with every breath to raise her five Janice, the hippie; Pam, the beauty queen; Denice, the tomboy, and the two youngest, Lee Ann and Charlie. Charles, the father, is a con man, habitual liar, and self-proclaimed ladies’ man. He makes a buck anyway he can including coffee salesman, bootlegging, running a whorehouse, and a doctor. His lifestyle continually brings chaos and heartbreak to the home and drags them to the depths when he molests one of his children. On a cold morning Charles wakes Denice to help him plant Plastic Tulips In The Winter. “Daddy” she ask, “Why are we planting plastic tulips in the winter?” He answered her, “Because, when people drive by and see our tulips, we will be the only ones that can grow tulips in the winter.” Denice learns that a fatherless child grows up thinking all things are possible, but nothing is safe. She searches for the answer to the “Momma, are we there yet?” Get ready to laugh but keep the kleenex close by as you take this journey with Denice. As you read this coming of age book. You will say to everyone, "It is a must read." It will be life changing for all that go on this journey with Denice.

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2013

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book began at an early point in the author's childhood, right in the thick of the action. From the very beginning we see that the typical idea of family and home were not what the author, her sisters and her mother experienced. Growing up in the 1950s, things were handled in very different ways and the people who had to deal with them had no other alternative but to weather the storms and make the best of what they had. It was a cycle repeated for the author until her mother felt it would be easier to bear the weight of social stigma than to remain in a place to constantly be beaten emotionally, physically and mentally.

When I purchased the book from Amazon, I had a few reservations but was intrigued by what was written about the characters in the blurb on the sale page. I truly grew to love the characters toward the middle and end of the book. The beginning was a little difficult to find someone to root for because everyone was floundering under the weight of life and its ceaseless changes. The honest and candid way in which the author writes about her own faults and flaws is refreshing. She is who she is and nothing more than that. Presenting both the good and bad times in her life made the story compelling as well as exciting. It became much more than a simple glimpse into someone's life by the end of the book.

As compelling and wonderful I found the book to be, there were some serious editing issues that distracted me as I was reading. I would have given a much higher rating but the number of punctuation, grammar and spelling mistakes was more than I could overlook. Even taking into account the tone in which the book is written, there were simply too many. It saddens me that such a wonderful story is hampered by that. I believe if the book were given a thorough editing, it would definitely be near the top of my recommendation list.

Overall, it is a real and compelling life story that did keep me turning the pages. If you are a reader of life stories or testimonies of faith beyond measure, this is one book that you'll want to have on your to-be-read list.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting though this book. The flow was hard to follow and the grammar made it that much worse. It had great stories in it but it was like sitting at the kitchen table talking with your elderly neighbour as they rambled on about their life. Very interesting at the kitchen table but not in a book.

[Mickie Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

story of a life that covers the good, the bad, and the ugly moments

Denice tells her life story and doesn’t skip anything- good, bad, and ugly. . . BUT GOD . . is faithful through it all. From an extremely dysfunctional family she shares how god walked her whole family through, Have your Kleenex ready. Her honesty will,touch your heart

[Esther Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best true story you will ever read

This book was such a encouraging, funny, heartbreaking story. It gives hope to everyone who reads it. The family is so familiar it’s like extended members of my own family. Thank you for sharing your life with us .

[Pattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Spiritual kind of book. Some far fetched stuff. But really good messages that I really needed right now.
Some funny stuff too: "I was only helpless when my nail polish was wet. Even then, I could pull a trigger. "
Love that line! Should have it tattooed! Want it on my tombstone!

[Sharon Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough to keep me reading but also a lot of preaching/sermonizing that I didn’t expect

[Denice Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plastic Tulips in the Winter by Denice Vickers
Has now been revised.2020 It is now getting 5 stars if you gave a review in the past and are willing to read the revised copy I will be happy to send you one, if you had given me reviews from the older copy. Contact me for a second chance to read again. I would be honored to let you have the latest corrected edition for a better review. I listened to you the reader and I worked hard to improve it. This is my true story. The older version is still selling in used copies and my newest edition has a black cover with two pink tulips. I need readers and reviews of this new version.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book to rate. If I could give half stars, then this would get a 3.5. The grammar, writing style and disorganized content really bothered me throughout, but the end product was powerful. I had absolutely no idea that this was going to be such an emotionally intense, God-centered story. I was mad, I was happy, I absolutely bawled my eyes out near the end.. Plastic Tulips in the Winter came into my life at just the right time. Thank you, Denice Vickers, for sharing.