True Colors [Hardcover]

Doris Mortman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 1997

Bestselling author Doris Mortman now takes us into the hearts of two sisters whose destinies will send them into separate worlds of darkness and light, love and hate. . . .
"[TRUE COLORS] HAS IT ALL."
--Cosmopolitan
Isabelle de Luna is an ethereal figure as alluring and haunting as her paintings. Her talent will make her legendary. But neither fame nor love can protect her from a killer waiting for her to remember the long-ago night she watched him murder her mother . . . .
"FASCINATING."
--San Jose Mercury News
Nina Duran is Isabelle's adopted sister and friend . . . until a shattering secret ignites a fury of hatred against her family. Now one of the nation's most ruthless journalists, she's crafting a sizzling story that will destroy her sister and shoot her own fame into the stratosphere . . . .
"A SWEEPING SAGA."
--The Dayton Daily News
A spellbinding novel that sweeps us from the sultry heat of Barcelona to the vibrant sunsets of Santa Fe to the posh galleries of Manhattan, TRUE COLORS is a rich tapestry of character and story, a vivid portrait of two women whose search for passion, revenge, and truth binds them forever.
"Solid writing. . . Who can resist wealth, lechery, scandals, hate crimes, passionate sex scenes and family secrets all rolled into one 500-page novel?"
--The Denver Post

"TRUE COLORS takes the reader from Santa Fe to Barcelona and deep into the world of art. . . . The featured cities are brought to life through detailed description and the art world--both its creative and mercantile sides--are delved into in fascinating detail."
--The Dayton Daily News


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite a slow start, inventory-like descriptions and some unbelievable plot pivots in its first half, Mortman's fourth novel (after The Wild Rose) winds up spinning an intricate, compelling and romantic story of undone loyalties and unearthed secrets. Isabelle de Luna and Nina Duran are raised as sisters by a kind, struggling couple, who own a hotel and an art gallery in Santa Fe. The Durans took in Nina as a foundling and, a decade later, in 1963, opened their arms to Isabelle, seven, who had just witnessed the rape-murder of her mother, a wealthy Spanish artist, and the arrest of her father for the crime. Years later, Nina discovers the true circumstances of her adoption by the Durans and, in a credulity-stretching development, leaves Santa Fe for New York, creating a new identity and severing all past ties. Meanwhile, Isabelle has assuaged her grief over her parents' deaths through her art, evolving into the "most sensual, accessible artist since Georgia O'Keeffe." Nina and Isabelle cross paths repeatedly, if not amiably, with Nina's ascendance as a society reporter allowing her to perform hatchet jobs on her sister, whose artistic success she envies. The entanglements of both women with assorted men propel the story to its dizzying, satisfying conclusion, in which Nina comes to terms with her origins and Isabelle recovers the memory of her mother's true killer, so that each can be free to love. Major ad/promo; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selection; available in large-print edition from Random House ($23, ISBN 0-679-76034-2); author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The internationally renowned artist Isabelle de Luna, born into the aristocracy of Barcelona, Spain, lost a life of privilege when her mother was brutally raped and murdered. For Isabelle's protection she is sent to New Mexico to live with the Durans, friends of the family who raise her together with their adopted daughter, Nina. As adults, the two young women become successful but lose their bonds of sisterhood. Nina is the more interesting of the two, if only because she is a refreshing contrast to the overly virtuous Isabelle. The only time this novel shows any energy is when bitter, vindictive Nina is hatching another nefarious plot. Much of the story takes place against a background of high-society opulence, but the writing is dull and the plot predictable. Still, a big publicity campaign and book club sales may spark interest. [Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild selections; previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/94.]-Patricia Altner, Dept. of Defense Lib., Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
--Patricia Altner, Dept. of Defense Lib., Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (January 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517173573
• ISBN-13: 978-0517173572
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,254,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly written, compelling story, engaging protagonist., June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: True Colors (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first Mortman book I've read -- my loss. This is a really excellent novel with a fascinating storyline, engaging and believeable characters and factual accuracy. Wether it's a middle class family in the American Southwest or the wealthy Catalan aristocracy whose way of life is under attack by Francisco Franco in Spain, the historical detail and the feel for locale are wonderful. About the last in a dynasty of artists, in True Colors Mortman displays a vivid understanding of what the artist sees and feels and about what drives them to create. A great find on any level.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book, loved the story it told., September 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: True Colors (Mass Market Paperback)

Could not put this book down. It was as delicious as the Wild Rose. All of Doris' books are gripping and involving. Love her work!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, November 12, 2001

By 

Catalina Quintero (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Colors (Hardcover)

TRUE COLORS was an amazing book. I was not able to put the book down when I was reading. I enjoyed the story very much. It's very realistic about what goes on in the lives of women in today's day in age. It also shows women can achieve a prestiegous profession and reputaion.
I highly recommend this book.