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True Colors
Cassie Golden feels called to leave her safe but lonely Pennsylvania farm to tend the Union wounded in Alexandria, Virginia. Love and conspiratorial intrigue enter her life there, both arriving in the form of an intelligence officer, Major Michael Byron. When duty sends him away, Cassie becomes unwittingly enmeshed in a mosaic of espionage, kidnapping, imprisonment and murder. Their unanticipated reunion only creates a chasm between them as sweeping as the one dividing the nation. Only the truth can bridge such a chasm. And truth is in short supply.
420 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2006
35 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Erin Rainwater
7 books3 followersErin is Pennsylvania born and raised. She served as an Army nurse during the Vietnam War, and is now a disaster nurse as well as an author. Her passion is historical fiction, and for her one of the most fun elements of writing is the research. Her nursing experiences also have found their way onto the pages of her novels, including war injuries and treatments, and the struggles of POWs. She and Texan husband Keith now live in Colorado. Erin invites you to visit her virtual fireside at www.erinrainwater.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 27, 2019
The writing wasn’t great, dialogue in particular, but the story was good. The pacing was also great and I was never bored!
April 7, 2014
I just finished reading “True Colors” by Erin Rainwater. I was absolutely engrossed in this book. What a great story!
I thought this was an excellent book about the Civil War and those who not only fought in it, but who labored in the hospitals and prison barracks. It’s the story of one of these nurses who was not thought fit to work amongst the injured because of her young age and comeliness. Cassie Golden comes to Washington, D.C. to offer her help in one of the many hospitals that have opened since the beginning of the war. She begins her job in one of the former hotels in Washington that was commandeered as a hospital after the wounded flood into the north. She helps the prisoners of war and the Union soldiers as well. She lives in a boarding house near where she works and is taken in as a friend to the doctor and his wife. During an officers’ ball which she reluctantly attends, she meets a dashing Union officer. They become friends and then fall in love. After a time, they secretly marry and on their wedding night Michael Byron is called away. She is aware that he is in the Secret Service, but is not privy to any of his official actions.
She goes on with her work without Michael, but one night is ambushed and taken prisoner and transported under sedation to Richmond, Virginia. She is made to live in a compound hospital and help the wounded Union soldiers from a nearby prisoner of war camp. She sees Michael intermittently, but now he is wearing a Confederate uniform. Just whose side is Michael on? Why has she been abducted and her whereabouts kept a secret? Will she and Michael remain married after all the turmoil of the war?
This book is really hard to put down. I read it in two days and was so caught up in the story that I thought about it every day for a week after I finished it. I lost myself in the lives of Cassie and Michael. I experienced so many different emotions while reading this book. I recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested in the War Between the States. This story gives a look at the repercussions of the war that are not usually discussed. I know you will enjoy this book. The writer has done an excellent job of personalizing characters on both sides of the conflict.
I downloaded this Kindle book during a free offer from Amazon.com. You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-aR.
I thought this was an excellent book about the Civil War and those who not only fought in it, but who labored in the hospitals and prison barracks. It’s the story of one of these nurses who was not thought fit to work amongst the injured because of her young age and comeliness. Cassie Golden comes to Washington, D.C. to offer her help in one of the many hospitals that have opened since the beginning of the war. She begins her job in one of the former hotels in Washington that was commandeered as a hospital after the wounded flood into the north. She helps the prisoners of war and the Union soldiers as well. She lives in a boarding house near where she works and is taken in as a friend to the doctor and his wife. During an officers’ ball which she reluctantly attends, she meets a dashing Union officer. They become friends and then fall in love. After a time, they secretly marry and on their wedding night Michael Byron is called away. She is aware that he is in the Secret Service, but is not privy to any of his official actions.
She goes on with her work without Michael, but one night is ambushed and taken prisoner and transported under sedation to Richmond, Virginia. She is made to live in a compound hospital and help the wounded Union soldiers from a nearby prisoner of war camp. She sees Michael intermittently, but now he is wearing a Confederate uniform. Just whose side is Michael on? Why has she been abducted and her whereabouts kept a secret? Will she and Michael remain married after all the turmoil of the war?
This book is really hard to put down. I read it in two days and was so caught up in the story that I thought about it every day for a week after I finished it. I lost myself in the lives of Cassie and Michael. I experienced so many different emotions while reading this book. I recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested in the War Between the States. This story gives a look at the repercussions of the war that are not usually discussed. I know you will enjoy this book. The writer has done an excellent job of personalizing characters on both sides of the conflict.
I downloaded this Kindle book during a free offer from Amazon.com. You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-aR.
October 9, 2010
Cassie Golden is a nineteenth century Nurse working at the Alexandria, Virginia hospital where she cares for the sick and wounded men fighting in the civil war. The hospital was a hotel but converted to an infirmary and the ward Cassie worked in was once the formal dining room.
True Colors is masterfully written and weaves history and emotion together until you are so engrossed in the tale that you don’t know what’s going to happen next. Rainwater’s talent for creating characters, adventure and drama are utterly inspirational.
The book is well written and Rainwater’s storytelling abilities keep you turning page after page after page. The people, the sites, the sounds are real and one feels as though they’ve been transposed into the pages of the book. I can almost smell the injuries and wounds emanating from the men who Cassie so tenderly cared for. I can feel the emotions with her as she goes through her daily routines and hear the sounds of the wounded men crying out for their loved ones or to not let them die. At times heartbreaking, at times exhilarating and at times the story shakes you to your core.
I would recommend that everyone read this book full of history, espionage, kidnapping, imprisonment and murder set in the nineteenth century during the civil war. Erin Rainwater is a talented historical author beyond compare.
True Colors is masterfully written and weaves history and emotion together until you are so engrossed in the tale that you don’t know what’s going to happen next. Rainwater’s talent for creating characters, adventure and drama are utterly inspirational.
The book is well written and Rainwater’s storytelling abilities keep you turning page after page after page. The people, the sites, the sounds are real and one feels as though they’ve been transposed into the pages of the book. I can almost smell the injuries and wounds emanating from the men who Cassie so tenderly cared for. I can feel the emotions with her as she goes through her daily routines and hear the sounds of the wounded men crying out for their loved ones or to not let them die. At times heartbreaking, at times exhilarating and at times the story shakes you to your core.
I would recommend that everyone read this book full of history, espionage, kidnapping, imprisonment and murder set in the nineteenth century during the civil war. Erin Rainwater is a talented historical author beyond compare.
June 11, 2011
Good book! I really enjoyed the storyline and was able to connect with characters. Like the other Rainwater book, it does has the theme of hit the character when they are down.... again.... and again. The only thing that I wish it had was more spirituality. It is a christian novel but God is just kind of sprinkled here and there, so it's more a good wholesome book rather than inspiring.
December 24, 2024
Michael and Cassie
This is not the type of story I read, but I just thought I’d try a few pages. That’s all it took to have me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down. Life is and love are not always what we think they are and this tale is a testament to that. I feel sure once you start reading and get interested in nurse Cassie and Major Byron you won’t be able to stop reading either.
This is not the type of story I read, but I just thought I’d try a few pages. That’s all it took to have me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down. Life is and love are not always what we think they are and this tale is a testament to that. I feel sure once you start reading and get interested in nurse Cassie and Major Byron you won’t be able to stop reading either.
March 31, 2010
5 stars Gold Medal Winner for historical fiction from Military Writer's Society of America 2009 Book Awards, March 6, 2010
By Kathleen M. Rodgers "Author" (Colleyville, TX USA) -
This review is from: True Colors (Paperback)
Award-winning novelist Erin Rainwater knows how to keep the reader engaged. She breathes life into her story by creating characters that demand your attention from the first line of the book to the last. In "True Colors" Cassie Golden is a nurse working in a hospital in Alexandria, Va. while the Civil War rages on. The reader can't help but fall in love with Cassie as she tends to young soldiers who have been injured in battle.
The author's background as an Army nurse during the Vietnam War helps lend credence to this story that focuses on a young and beautiful nurse who is kidnapped and held prisoner in a confederate prison in Richmond, Va.
This book is well written and the author's storytelling abilities keep the reader turning pages. While the story focuses on Cassie Golden, we are swept up in this tale of love, intrigue, espionage, murder and kidnapping at a time when our country's loyalties were divided between the North and the South. This is a smart, intelligent and entertaining book. I laughed, I cried, I winced, I learned, I jumped in fear at times, and I prayed that Cassie would some day get out of prison and be reunited with a handsome Major named Michael Byron. But is Michael really a major in the Union Army or a colonel working for the Confederacy? That's one of the key story questions that kept this reader turning pages and cheering Cassie on.
Praise to author Erin Rainwater and her unforgettable character, Cassie Golden, who has found a home in my heart. I highly recommend this book and that's why I'm giving it 5 stars!
Kathleen M. Rodgers
author of "The Final Salute:Together We Live On"
MWSA silver medal winner 2009
October 26, 2015
Well written, highly emotional story of intrigue and suspense set during the Civil War. It would have been a five star read but it dragged a bit at times and some of the scenarios were a little out there. I live in Northern VA and have visited many of the Civil War battlefields mentioned as well as the areas Cassie traveled. The historical aspect is highly accurate.
The author gave the reader a glimpse of the tough life soldiers endured when injured. She was able to put the reader in the story with larger than life descriptions. I'll admit about half way through I had to read the epilogue to see how it turned out because it took an unexpected turn. Can't say more for fear of giving too much away. Recommend to historical fiction and Civil War fans.
The author gave the reader a glimpse of the tough life soldiers endured when injured. She was able to put the reader in the story with larger than life descriptions. I'll admit about half way through I had to read the epilogue to see how it turned out because it took an unexpected turn. Can't say more for fear of giving too much away. Recommend to historical fiction and Civil War fans.
June 21, 2015
This is supposed to be historical fiction but over and over it felt so 21st century. The characters think things and say things that are not consistent with the time period. I had to keep reminding myself that this story is set in the 1860s. The plot seemed pretty good and then devolved into cliche. Character development also felt lacking to me as well and I found it hard to connect with any of the characters. I really love this time period, but it's so hard to find any good, historically accurate books in this genre. Too bad.
June 12, 2015
Emotional
I wish I could give it more stars! The history was exciting as was the romance and intrigue. I found myself not able to stop crying over the pain and suffering cassie endured. The book made me think of what others truly had been through during this time. Beautifully written!!!
I wish I could give it more stars! The history was exciting as was the romance and intrigue. I found myself not able to stop crying over the pain and suffering cassie endured. The book made me think of what others truly had been through during this time. Beautifully written!!!
June 27, 2015
Awesome
Erin had my attention from the first page and held it. Loved the story line.... I love the history of the civil war, the Faith that was present and the high standard of morals. I couldn't put my kindle down... Loved it!
Erin had my attention from the first page and held it. Loved the story line.... I love the history of the civil war, the Faith that was present and the high standard of morals. I couldn't put my kindle down... Loved it!
July 16, 2015
Great
If you like the civil war history, war, romance, and mystery this is the book to read. Loved it to the end
If you like the civil war history, war, romance, and mystery this is the book to read. Loved it to the end
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews