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The Color of My Heart
A moving, thought-provoking tale of history, heartache, and healing . . .
Living in the foothills of North Carolina, Laura Carter has it all: a nice home, wonderful adoptive parents, two lovely teenage daughters, and a to-die-for handsome husband.
As they celebrate freedom on the Fourth of July, she's certain that nothing could ever shatter her perfect American life.
Suddenly, an unexpected letter from her great-grandmother brings Laura face-to-face with her birth family and secrets surface about her African heritage that threaten to destroy her family.
Lurking in the shadows is a small group called the brethren. The brethren's dirty deeds are meant to preserve the purity of race in a South that still wears old patches of hate.
Will they succeed in chopping down Laura's family tree, or will the newest branches have a better chance at peace and acceptance in a more open-minded South?
The Color of My Heart weaves the tragedy of slavery and hate into a beautiful tale reminding readers of God's never-ending love and forgiveness.
Living in the foothills of North Carolina, Laura Carter has it all: a nice home, wonderful adoptive parents, two lovely teenage daughters, and a to-die-for handsome husband.
As they celebrate freedom on the Fourth of July, she's certain that nothing could ever shatter her perfect American life.
Suddenly, an unexpected letter from her great-grandmother brings Laura face-to-face with her birth family and secrets surface about her African heritage that threaten to destroy her family.
Lurking in the shadows is a small group called the brethren. The brethren's dirty deeds are meant to preserve the purity of race in a South that still wears old patches of hate.
Will they succeed in chopping down Laura's family tree, or will the newest branches have a better chance at peace and acceptance in a more open-minded South?
The Color of My Heart weaves the tragedy of slavery and hate into a beautiful tale reminding readers of God's never-ending love and forgiveness.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2012
18 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Martin Byrd
6 books14 followersABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sarah Martin Byrd graduated from The Institute of Children’s Literature, West Redding, Connecticut and lives with her husband at the foot of The Blue Ridge Mountains in Elkin, North Carolina. She states: “Guardian Spirit was written for women, specifically young adults. It is a journey from abuse to healing with miracles and magic woven throughout. Even though the work is fiction, it was inspired by the true experiences of many I know.”
In the Coal Mine Shadows, the author’s first novel (not yet published), placed in the top 30 of 400 entries in The 2009 Santa Fe Writers Project. Mr. Andrew Gifford, Project Director said, “In the Coal Mine Shadows stood out as an example of excellence in the craft of writing.” The author is at work on a third novel, The Color of My Heart. Sarah Martin Byrd has also written a weekly column in a local newspaper for years.
In the Coal Mine Shadows, the author’s first novel (not yet published), placed in the top 30 of 400 entries in The 2009 Santa Fe Writers Project. Mr. Andrew Gifford, Project Director said, “In the Coal Mine Shadows stood out as an example of excellence in the craft of writing.” The author is at work on a third novel, The Color of My Heart. Sarah Martin Byrd has also written a weekly column in a local newspaper for years.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 4, 2013
Laura Carter had a happily ever after life with a handsome husband and two beautiful teenage daughters. She had the wonderful adoptive parent's that raised her as their own and with a strong belief in God. She knew nothing about her birth mother.
One day her fairy tale started falling apart when she received a letter from her birth family stating her birth mother was not well and needed Laura to come to her home. Her visit with her birth family revealed her roots were from Africa beginning with an educated African woman her small daughter that were kidnapped, shipped to America in the hull of a ship then sold into slavery.
At first Laura did not want to believe her mother and great-grandmother but the proof was in a set of journals written by women of color, all no doubt her ancestors. Out of concern for her the health and well being of her birth mother and one hundred year old great-grandmother she insists on staying with them as their caretaker. Even her daughters wanted to stay some to help and to learn more about their grandmother and great-grandmother.
This was news her husband did not want to accept. It made him sick that the blood running through the veins of his wife and children was tainted blood. Ever since he was a young boy he had been raised with an iron fist by his father and was forced to join a white supremacy group called the brethren. He did not approve of the groups tactics but feared his father's anger if he did not go along with their madness. Her husband feared what the brethren were capable of , especially his father, if they found out about his wife's roots and tainted blood.
Laura knew nothing of her husband's dark secrets but suspect something evil brewing. The relationship with Laura and her birth family flourished, but the relationship with her husband was becoming more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. Laura puts her faith and trust in God for the healing of her family.
Would his father really harm Laura and the children? What horrors await?
When it comes to Laura's father-in-law and the brethren I can't help but remember the expression, "O, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive." written by Sir Walter Scott.
The author has written about how the color of ones skin can create a variety of opinions and feeling within our culture. Add the element of the women ancestors journals was major plus in this story. It lets the reader see the hardships and heartfelt feelings of these women without actually seeing a color. You will see them as men, women and children with the very same hearts and minds being punished because of the color of their skin, no other reason.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:28-29
I highly recommend this book.
I rate this book a 5+ out of 5.
Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Ambassador-Emerald International for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.
If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
One day her fairy tale started falling apart when she received a letter from her birth family stating her birth mother was not well and needed Laura to come to her home. Her visit with her birth family revealed her roots were from Africa beginning with an educated African woman her small daughter that were kidnapped, shipped to America in the hull of a ship then sold into slavery.
At first Laura did not want to believe her mother and great-grandmother but the proof was in a set of journals written by women of color, all no doubt her ancestors. Out of concern for her the health and well being of her birth mother and one hundred year old great-grandmother she insists on staying with them as their caretaker. Even her daughters wanted to stay some to help and to learn more about their grandmother and great-grandmother.
This was news her husband did not want to accept. It made him sick that the blood running through the veins of his wife and children was tainted blood. Ever since he was a young boy he had been raised with an iron fist by his father and was forced to join a white supremacy group called the brethren. He did not approve of the groups tactics but feared his father's anger if he did not go along with their madness. Her husband feared what the brethren were capable of , especially his father, if they found out about his wife's roots and tainted blood.
Laura knew nothing of her husband's dark secrets but suspect something evil brewing. The relationship with Laura and her birth family flourished, but the relationship with her husband was becoming more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. Laura puts her faith and trust in God for the healing of her family.
Would his father really harm Laura and the children? What horrors await?
When it comes to Laura's father-in-law and the brethren I can't help but remember the expression, "O, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive." written by Sir Walter Scott.
The author has written about how the color of ones skin can create a variety of opinions and feeling within our culture. Add the element of the women ancestors journals was major plus in this story. It lets the reader see the hardships and heartfelt feelings of these women without actually seeing a color. You will see them as men, women and children with the very same hearts and minds being punished because of the color of their skin, no other reason.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:28-29
I highly recommend this book.
I rate this book a 5+ out of 5.
Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Ambassador-Emerald International for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.
If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
January 27, 2013
I have known Sarah most of my life and when I found out that she had published her first book I couldn't resist reading it. I was pleasantly surprised reading Guardian Spirit since it is a little different from my usual genre of book reading. With the release of The Color of My Heart, I knew I had to read it as well. This book held my interest from the very beginning. Sarah has such a way with words that it is so easy to visualize the characters and the locations. You can feel the emotions and conflict when Laura finds out about her birth mother and that her roots were from Africa. The journals written by Laura's ancestors give her an insight to her history and what their lives were like. Sarah did such a wonderful job with the journals that you really thought you were reading someone's journal.
I cannot imagine anyone reading this book not taking a good look at their own heart and evaluating how they think of and treat other people.
I cannot imagine anyone reading this book not taking a good look at their own heart and evaluating how they think of and treat other people.
January 30, 2018
A great read!!!
I chose this book for my senior book club in Yadkinville NC. I love Sarah's writing style and the vividness of her details. My bookclub loved it and we are looking forward to soon meeting Sarah Martin Byrd!!!
I chose this book for my senior book club in Yadkinville NC. I love Sarah's writing style and the vividness of her details. My bookclub loved it and we are looking forward to soon meeting Sarah Martin Byrd!!!
April 6, 2021
Page turner!
June 6, 2013
I finished The Color of My Heart, by Sarah Martin Byrd, last week. I can't stop thinking about this book! I've only had a little time to read before bed each night and the book has interfered with my sleep! I dreamed about the book, multiple times! One night I got up at 3:00 and read for an hour! Another night, I turned the water on in the tub and went into the bedroom to pick up the book. Yes, I opened the book, and completely forgot about the tub! I felt like I was in the story. What a wonderful thought provoking book! The Color of My Heart should be required reading for high school students; there is so much to learn from this book! I look forward to your next book, The River Keeper. Congratulations on an excellent book!
Jan
Jan
November 29, 2014
Mesmerizing
This is not my usual type of read. But I saw it offered on one of the Kindle email sites and the 5 star reviews encouraged me to buy it - for the spectacular sum of $.99. In light of recent racial conflicts in Ferguson and Cleveland, reading this book is timely. I urge you all to read it.
This is not my usual type of read. But I saw it offered on one of the Kindle email sites and the 5 star reviews encouraged me to buy it - for the spectacular sum of $.99. In light of recent racial conflicts in Ferguson and Cleveland, reading this book is timely. I urge you all to read it.
February 26, 2014
I really wanted to like this book. The story idea sounded interesting. But the writing was horrible. I made myself finish the book, because that's how I am, but it was a total waste of my time.
October 16, 2014
Another great book by Sarah....River Keeper on its way to my house!!!!!!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews