True Colors

As is usually the case with Melissa Pearl's books, I couldn't put True Colors down. Not only does it contain a healthy measure of action and suspense, it is written in such a captivating way that the story pulled me in and wouldn't let go.

Caitlyn Davis's kindness to a homeless man earns her an unusual gift. A gift from which she can neither run away nor ignore as it is part of her. She can control it and use it, but, using it may prove to be rather dangerous; even life threatening.

I absolutely loved this main character. She is neither the popular cheerleader nor the utterly unwanted, bullied-by-everyone girl. Caitlyn lives the life of a perfectly normal teen, with her place in teen- and school politics, and a healthy family life. Of course, all these normal circumstances place her in the perfect position to use the gift of seeing behind the masks that people put on and be able to make a difference.

"Help those around you, one person at a time, and you will have a full and happy life."

She is a strong, capable female lead but, fortunately, she isn't invincible or stupidly fearless.

All the other characters in this book are realistic, well fleshed out and easy to relate to. The author treats even the antagonists in the story with compassion and understanding. After all, people are often just products of their circumstances and sometimes they are controlled by someone more evil than they are.

The romance in True Colors is tender, heartwarming, and not at all overdone.

True Colors is an absolute must read for anybody who likes a well balanced novel with a touch of the paranormal, lots of action, some nail-biting suspense and a string of characters that will have become friends by the end of the book. This is one of those books that I wish I could have given more than five stars to. (Ellen Fritz)