The Color of Sorrow Isn't Blue

by Sharon K. Souza

How do you lose a child? It's not so hard, really. You simply make one irredeemable choice. For Bristol Taylor, that choice will haunt her for the rest of her life. With the first anniversary of little McKinsey Taylor's disappearance just days away, Bristol plans to escape to her stepmother's beach house -- which is no beach house at all, but a 20-foot trailer on a cracked slab in Half Moon Bay. It is a shell's throw from the water, she'll give her that. All she wants is to be alone as she faces what she prays will be the one and only anniversary she has to endure. But Bristol's stepmother, sister and best friend have no intention of letting Bree spend the weekend by herself. This unlikely trio hijack her plans -- and her idea -- and hit the road for the coast, with Bristol an unwilling captive. Love covers a multitude of sins, they say, but can it truly redeem the irredeemable?

358 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2014

About the author

I love writing contemporary women's fiction. I incorporate vital subjects (infertility, catastrophic illness, infidelity, extreme loss, etc) with enough humor to keep the story from becoming too heavy, as I believe the first job of fiction is to entertain. But I also want to make the reading of the story worthwhile. My novels always incorporate strong friendships -- the kind we all desire -- and explore the wonderful but complex relations between mothers and daughters.

Reviews

[Susie Finkbeiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed onto me from the first page and didn't let go until the last. This is without a doubt Souza's best work thus far.

[Kathryn in FL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon K. Souza is an author worth watching. Her book was among some suggested on this website and I couldn't stop until I finished. The characters are authentic and sound like people you've known and their actions are logical though not predictable. Ms. Souza captures emotional trauma's aftermath with such clarity and vividness, she should be given her day in the spotlight.

The premise of the story is taken from today's headlines. It hits deep inside each person's psyche as something beyond a few moments of contemplation as the dilemma of such an awful situation to bear and yet the primary characters must live through the moments that follow one breath at a time. Will faith be enough to sustain them? How do you hear from God when you are angry at Him? How do you think when your guilt overwhelms you completely? How do you love when you feel so unlovable? These are the questions addressed by most world religions for many eras past and are well managed by a talented author, who guides you through these landmines.

Take the journey this book offers, it will challenge you and help you refocus on life's most important messages. All aboard!

[Valerie Gleeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book. Sad, funny, insigthful.

[Jessie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will give you all of the feelings, sadness, happiness, insightful, all of it. This is a wonderful author that was able to transform a word into a picture, and bring understanding to situations not many have felt.