Color of Lies: A Novel of Cultural and Environmental Conflict

by Abbe Rolnick

A novel of environmental intrigue and healing.

In the Skagit River Valley—gateway to the Pacific Northwest wilderness—vegetation, birds, and people are inexplicably dying. Does the river carry pollutants from illegal waste sites?

One elderly bully’s spiteful lies have trapped her victims in a toxic web:

• JoAnne, a former World War II pilot, is wheelchair-bound from a youthful accident involving sinister secrets.
• Maria, JoAnne’s niece and professional pilot, masks the unresolved pain of childhood abandonment.
• Spencer, a young organic vintner, suspects the rich valley soil has been polluted by undocumented wastes.
• Russell, a spunky 95-year-old ham radio buff, intercepts curious messages that provide clues to the decades-long cover-up.

Threatened with exposure, the perpetrator resorts to more malicious behavior, and her victims must join with the community to save the valley. All must face difficult truths in order to halt the accumulation of more than one kind of toxic behavior.

278 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2013

About the author

Abbe Rolnick grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. Her first major cultural jolt occurred at age 15 when her family moved to Miami Beach, Florida. In order to find perspective, she climbed the only non-palm tree at her condo-complex, and wrote what she observed. Here history came alive with her exposure to the Cuban culture. This introduction to the Latino Culture proved fortuitous. At Boston University she met her first husband, a native of Puerto Rico. Her first novel, RIVER OF ANGELS, stems from her experiences during her stay in Puerto Rico.
Stateside, she capitalized on the knowledge she gained as an independent bookstore owner and worked for one of the finest bookstores, Village Books, in Bellingham, WA. More recently she opened a healthy foods cafe.
COLOR OF LIES, her second novel, brings the reader to the Pacific Northwest where she presently resides. Here she blends stories from island life with characters in Skagit Valley.
Her short stories and travel pieces have appeared in magazines. Swinging Doors won honorary mention by Writer’s Digest. Her next novel, FOUNDING STONES, will be the third in the series, continuing the stories of characters from the two previous novels, introducing new themes that connect Skagit Valley to the larger world.
Her recent experiences with her husband’s cancer inspired, COCOON OF CANCER: AN INVITATION TO LOVE DEEPLY. Presently she resides with her husband on twenty acres in Skagit Valley, Washington.

connect with me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abberolnick/?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbbeRolnick
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/117543798...

Reviews

[Rita Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent my childhood in this valley. Unfortunately, the book is very accurate. (Some of my classmates might disagree.) I couldn't wait to leave. I came back home in my forties and it hadn't changed enough to prevent me from leaving again.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that COLOR OF LIES by Abbe Rolnick has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.

[Alfhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prolific detailed portrayal of moral conflict.