Reviews of Colour
It challenged me to think about what "home," "country," and "family" mean to me and what it would be like to have them taken away - by the law, of all things - just because I fell in love with the wrong person. (Reviewer. 5 stars)
*****
I knew times were bad, but this book takes you there as if you were in the midst of it. (Nancy Lee. 5 stars)
*****
I have read many, many books over the years but this one will always stick with me because it is different, and because of the extremely important message it carries about how life was during the Apartheid period, and also because I haven't ever quite met anyone like Ed and Gail before. (Littleowl89. 5 stars)
*****
So real and full of suspense! I can't wait for another! (Leslie Bradley. 5 stars)
*****
One thing that makes me impatient in romance novels is when there's nothing separating the couple that an honest conversation couldn't fix--but that is definitely NOT a problem in this novel. The issues threatening to tear the main characters away from each other are monumental and frightening. (Stephanie. Author's Review.)
*****
Ed Brent had no idea what Gail looked like, but he was sure that he liked her. How could he not? It had been a couple of months now since he first started calling her company in Durban from his office in ‘Maritzburg for business. He savored every moment he spent talking to Gail on the phone and longed to see her in person. When an opportunity to travel to Durban on business came knocking at his door, Ed grabbed it. He finally met Gail and was completely smitten by her beauty. However, it was in the 1970s and there was a law in South Africa that barred relationships between white and black people. Gail was Coloured. What would Ed do now that he had fallen head over heels for Gail? Get yourself a copy of Colour by Ken Reynolds to learn more.
*****
Lovers of romance novels entwined with suspense, drama, and thrills will enjoy Colour by Ken Reynolds. The author pins the storyline on a gripping tale of going against the odds, love, passion, sacrifices, and racism. The vivid depiction of the scenes transported me to Durban and ‘Maritzburg in the 70s. Ken Reynolds describes the different lives that white and black people lived in South Africa brilliantly. He captured the mood and setting of the era perfectly, taking the reader back in time effortlessly. His exquisite and clear way of depicting the emotions of the protagonists allowed me to experience their feelings and connect with them. The characters are well-crafted and exciting and Ed’s interaction with his witty workmates always created amusement. This is a magnificent piece of work and I loved it.
*****
This author once again blew me away with his writing! There was so much action and the love between the main characters was beautiful! They definitely went through so much, but all in all, their love for each other was true. I always enjoy a good historical story with romance, but this story had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to know what would happen next. It is difficult to read in front of a two-year-old toddler who wanted my attention as I was enthralled by this book, but I finished reading it and absolutely loved it! Another five stars from me!
Chantel Hendrix
*****
Ken Reynolds took me on a romantic, but suspenseful journey with Gail and Ed, two characters that captured my heart. Mr Reynolds introduced me to the actual gut wrenching details of apartheid in South Africa. His ability to lead the reader through this twisting, turning adventure was masterful. This book actually not only touched my heart, but enlightened me so much as to the cruelty of apartheid in 1970. The story unfolded skillfully and led me through romance, intrigue, suspense and introduced such delightful characters. Highly recommend this book.
Tammy Gray
Quotes from Colour
She nodded. “I did too. Hey, at least it was an adventure, and I got a glimpse of your world.” She let out a deep sigh. “That isn’t part of my world, unfortunately. Sorry, Ed, I never believed you’d get me into any White place, but I didn’t want to dampen your hopes.”
*****
She dropped beside Ed and gripped his shoulders. “Ed, speak to me. Are you all right?” Hot tears ran down her face. This was all her fault. What if he were dead?
“No, Erick!” At Nick’s shout, she jerked her head up. Another of the gang glared at her, drawing his fist back. She caught a glint of light reflected from his fingers. Knuckle dusters.
*****
Mrs. Nagel sniffed. “This is a White hospital. We do not have a waiting room for non-Whites.”
Gail turned, walked out, and parked Ed’s car in a proper parking spot. She returned and strode toward a row of chairs against the wall and sat down with arms folded, determined to wait for news of Ed. They would have to throw her out. She returned Mrs. Nagel’s stare with narrowed eyes.
*****
Chantal threw the needle and thread in a bin, took a cotton ball, and returned her attention to his forehead. “Seems the coloured boys didn’t like your taking out one of their girls,” she said, with a matter-of-fact air.
“Apparently.”
Her brows knit together. “Why were you taking out a coloured girl, anyway?”
He remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” she said, averting her eyes. “It isn’t any of my business.”
*****
She looked from him to the ring, which she studied for a while, then back to his face. She frowned. “Tell me, in marriage, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Now.”
He didn’t hesitate. “House. That is, home, sharing a home.”
She blinked rapidly and a tear spilled onto her cheek. “That sounds like the correct answer. But now…where will this house be?”
“Gail.” He breathed in a deep breath. “I realise this marriage won’t be normal right away. I don’t have a clue where we’d live. But I want you to understand that this proposal is my commitment. Somehow, somewhere, sometime, I am determined we’ll live together as a married couple, in our own home.”
*****
Ed scowled. “What has Gail done? She hasn’t been here. We haven’t touched each other. She’s innocent.”
“Innocent until proven guilty? For your information, Mr. Brent, we have the right to detain anyone without trial, just on suspicion, for as long as we like. We want to inspect her bedding, too. We will get evidence against you. You better believe it.” He sneered at Ed and called one of the uniformed men to take him to the Black Mariah.
*****
There was more banging. Both Candy and Ria were too petrified to open the door. An earsplitting crash accompanied a splintering of the lock, then it swung inward off its hinges.
“What was that?” Mark yelled through the earpiece.
“The police have come for me,” Gail squealed and dropped the phone.
*****
Gail swung at Van Greuning with all the force she could summon. He jumped at the loud clap of her hand on his cheek. The sergeant put his palm against his slapped face and stared at her, with eyes widening and jaw dropping.
“You’ll be sorry for that, kleurling,” he snarled, grabbed her by the hair with his right hand, and swung with his left.
*****
As she was running, something hit her back, thrusting her forward. She screamed and tumbled onto the ground, where she lay motionless. Intense pain invaded her entire body, and she realised she’d been shot. Panic gave way to the realization that this was the end. Ed would have no more worries. He’d easily attract a nice White girl and fall in love with her, more than he ever was with her. After a while, he wouldn’t miss her, indeed, why should he? A Coloured, just a source of trouble. He’d certainly marry and have children, exactly what she always hoped for. A little girl just like herself, and a boy with Ed’s black hair and blue eyes. Only they couldn’t be blue if he’d married her, could they? She imagined a picture of his little girl. Wait, she looks like Chantal.
*****
Gail, much absorbed in the scene, was blinking hard, too, and pressing her fingers against her lips. Those beautiful lips were brown, not red, and therefore forbidden. After today, Ed must either be torn from those lips or be torn from South Africa. What kind of choice was that? This was his country, his land of birth, his place of allegiance and patriotism, his source—until recently—of pride.
*****
A dress. No, that wasn’t the right word. A gown, a robe, regalia, shamefully draped on a headless, shapeless window dummy despite its own life and beauty. Rather than a specific colour, it shimmered in silver, bouncing the light outwards in a vast multi-coloured array. The pearl-coloured bodice, as if itself bedecked in pearls, seemed to sing to her. From the top, it tapered to a broad, blue belt at the waist, then spread gradually in a graceful curve to the hemline where the gentle waves flowed, yet never moved. The whole dress yearned to be on the dance floor. From its glass cage, lit with a delicate though invisible fluorescent light, the gown beckoned her, pleading yet dignified. She revered the gown. No, not a mere gown. Something that called out to her. One which had found its wearer. Its one shimmering long sleeve rose in a majestic gesture, beckoning. Come to me. In a daze, she crossed straight to the case, pressing her hands to the sides, staring.
*****
The captain remained next to him, staring after her. "That is one remarkably beautiful woman. You are so lucky."
Really lucky. Being shot at, imprisoned, constantly on the run. But in the end, yes, being Gail's husband made him the luckiest man alive. Yet they'd never lived together. Was it possible to be the luckiest man yet the unluckiest at the same time?
It challenged me to think about what "home," "country," and "family" mean to me and what it would be like to have them taken away - by the law, of all things - just because I fell in love with the wrong person. (Reviewer. 5 stars)
*****
I knew times were bad, but this book takes you there as if you were in the midst of it. (Nancy Lee. 5 stars)
*****
I have read many, many books over the years but this one will always stick with me because it is different, and because of the extremely important message it carries about how life was during the Apartheid period, and also because I haven't ever quite met anyone like Ed and Gail before. (Littleowl89. 5 stars)
*****
So real and full of suspense! I can't wait for another! (Leslie Bradley. 5 stars)
*****
One thing that makes me impatient in romance novels is when there's nothing separating the couple that an honest conversation couldn't fix--but that is definitely NOT a problem in this novel. The issues threatening to tear the main characters away from each other are monumental and frightening. (Stephanie. Author's Review.)
*****
Ed Brent had no idea what Gail looked like, but he was sure that he liked her. How could he not? It had been a couple of months now since he first started calling her company in Durban from his office in ‘Maritzburg for business. He savored every moment he spent talking to Gail on the phone and longed to see her in person. When an opportunity to travel to Durban on business came knocking at his door, Ed grabbed it. He finally met Gail and was completely smitten by her beauty. However, it was in the 1970s and there was a law in South Africa that barred relationships between white and black people. Gail was Coloured. What would Ed do now that he had fallen head over heels for Gail? Get yourself a copy of Colour by Ken Reynolds to learn more.
*****
Lovers of romance novels entwined with suspense, drama, and thrills will enjoy Colour by Ken Reynolds. The author pins the storyline on a gripping tale of going against the odds, love, passion, sacrifices, and racism. The vivid depiction of the scenes transported me to Durban and ‘Maritzburg in the 70s. Ken Reynolds describes the different lives that white and black people lived in South Africa brilliantly. He captured the mood and setting of the era perfectly, taking the reader back in time effortlessly. His exquisite and clear way of depicting the emotions of the protagonists allowed me to experience their feelings and connect with them. The characters are well-crafted and exciting and Ed’s interaction with his witty workmates always created amusement. This is a magnificent piece of work and I loved it.
*****
This author once again blew me away with his writing! There was so much action and the love between the main characters was beautiful! They definitely went through so much, but all in all, their love for each other was true. I always enjoy a good historical story with romance, but this story had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to know what would happen next. It is difficult to read in front of a two-year-old toddler who wanted my attention as I was enthralled by this book, but I finished reading it and absolutely loved it! Another five stars from me!
Chantel Hendrix
*****
Ken Reynolds took me on a romantic, but suspenseful journey with Gail and Ed, two characters that captured my heart. Mr Reynolds introduced me to the actual gut wrenching details of apartheid in South Africa. His ability to lead the reader through this twisting, turning adventure was masterful. This book actually not only touched my heart, but enlightened me so much as to the cruelty of apartheid in 1970. The story unfolded skillfully and led me through romance, intrigue, suspense and introduced such delightful characters. Highly recommend this book.
Tammy Gray
Quotes from Colour
She nodded. “I did too. Hey, at least it was an adventure, and I got a glimpse of your world.” She let out a deep sigh. “That isn’t part of my world, unfortunately. Sorry, Ed, I never believed you’d get me into any White place, but I didn’t want to dampen your hopes.”
*****
She dropped beside Ed and gripped his shoulders. “Ed, speak to me. Are you all right?” Hot tears ran down her face. This was all her fault. What if he were dead?
“No, Erick!” At Nick’s shout, she jerked her head up. Another of the gang glared at her, drawing his fist back. She caught a glint of light reflected from his fingers. Knuckle dusters.
*****
Mrs. Nagel sniffed. “This is a White hospital. We do not have a waiting room for non-Whites.”
Gail turned, walked out, and parked Ed’s car in a proper parking spot. She returned and strode toward a row of chairs against the wall and sat down with arms folded, determined to wait for news of Ed. They would have to throw her out. She returned Mrs. Nagel’s stare with narrowed eyes.
*****
Chantal threw the needle and thread in a bin, took a cotton ball, and returned her attention to his forehead. “Seems the coloured boys didn’t like your taking out one of their girls,” she said, with a matter-of-fact air.
“Apparently.”
Her brows knit together. “Why were you taking out a coloured girl, anyway?”
He remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” she said, averting her eyes. “It isn’t any of my business.”
*****
She looked from him to the ring, which she studied for a while, then back to his face. She frowned. “Tell me, in marriage, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Now.”
He didn’t hesitate. “House. That is, home, sharing a home.”
She blinked rapidly and a tear spilled onto her cheek. “That sounds like the correct answer. But now…where will this house be?”
“Gail.” He breathed in a deep breath. “I realise this marriage won’t be normal right away. I don’t have a clue where we’d live. But I want you to understand that this proposal is my commitment. Somehow, somewhere, sometime, I am determined we’ll live together as a married couple, in our own home.”
*****
Ed scowled. “What has Gail done? She hasn’t been here. We haven’t touched each other. She’s innocent.”
“Innocent until proven guilty? For your information, Mr. Brent, we have the right to detain anyone without trial, just on suspicion, for as long as we like. We want to inspect her bedding, too. We will get evidence against you. You better believe it.” He sneered at Ed and called one of the uniformed men to take him to the Black Mariah.
*****
There was more banging. Both Candy and Ria were too petrified to open the door. An earsplitting crash accompanied a splintering of the lock, then it swung inward off its hinges.
“What was that?” Mark yelled through the earpiece.
“The police have come for me,” Gail squealed and dropped the phone.
*****
Gail swung at Van Greuning with all the force she could summon. He jumped at the loud clap of her hand on his cheek. The sergeant put his palm against his slapped face and stared at her, with eyes widening and jaw dropping.
“You’ll be sorry for that, kleurling,” he snarled, grabbed her by the hair with his right hand, and swung with his left.
*****
As she was running, something hit her back, thrusting her forward. She screamed and tumbled onto the ground, where she lay motionless. Intense pain invaded her entire body, and she realised she’d been shot. Panic gave way to the realization that this was the end. Ed would have no more worries. He’d easily attract a nice White girl and fall in love with her, more than he ever was with her. After a while, he wouldn’t miss her, indeed, why should he? A Coloured, just a source of trouble. He’d certainly marry and have children, exactly what she always hoped for. A little girl just like herself, and a boy with Ed’s black hair and blue eyes. Only they couldn’t be blue if he’d married her, could they? She imagined a picture of his little girl. Wait, she looks like Chantal.
*****
Gail, much absorbed in the scene, was blinking hard, too, and pressing her fingers against her lips. Those beautiful lips were brown, not red, and therefore forbidden. After today, Ed must either be torn from those lips or be torn from South Africa. What kind of choice was that? This was his country, his land of birth, his place of allegiance and patriotism, his source—until recently—of pride.
*****
A dress. No, that wasn’t the right word. A gown, a robe, regalia, shamefully draped on a headless, shapeless window dummy despite its own life and beauty. Rather than a specific colour, it shimmered in silver, bouncing the light outwards in a vast multi-coloured array. The pearl-coloured bodice, as if itself bedecked in pearls, seemed to sing to her. From the top, it tapered to a broad, blue belt at the waist, then spread gradually in a graceful curve to the hemline where the gentle waves flowed, yet never moved. The whole dress yearned to be on the dance floor. From its glass cage, lit with a delicate though invisible fluorescent light, the gown beckoned her, pleading yet dignified. She revered the gown. No, not a mere gown. Something that called out to her. One which had found its wearer. Its one shimmering long sleeve rose in a majestic gesture, beckoning. Come to me. In a daze, she crossed straight to the case, pressing her hands to the sides, staring.
*****
The captain remained next to him, staring after her. "That is one remarkably beautiful woman. You are so lucky."
Really lucky. Being shot at, imprisoned, constantly on the run. But in the end, yes, being Gail's husband made him the luckiest man alive. Yet they'd never lived together. Was it possible to be the luckiest man yet the unluckiest at the same time?
JPEG%20final_w200_h/909458Reynolds-cover%20(5)JPEG%20final_02210858.jpg "Colour")
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