ouch, what is that book about? I think having the roses a bit more our of focus would work better and maybe have jsut a couple stems to simplify and concentrate on the line on thorns against the dark background. Background in slightly green - use a color cast tool to remove (or does that desaturate the green in the plants too much?)
Very good photo. I like the use of lights and the soft focus. Too bad you had to sacrifice those beautiful roses but well... art ask for sacrifices. :):):)
I've read the book, I think this could have been a bit better if the DOF had been either more shallow or deeper, one or the other.
Good idea. and nice colours.