The Color of Destiny by Julianne MacLean

Narrated by Julia Motyka, Paul L. Coffey, and Jennifer O’Donnell

Julianne MacLean’s The Color of Heaven was the first review I wrote for AudioGals. For that reason, plus an unforgettable plot, I consider it special, a definite favorite listen of all time. Not very long ago, I learned that MacLean had published a sequel. I hurried to Audible, and snatched up The Color of Destiny. I expected it to be good, but wasn’t sure it could match its prequel. I mean, is it possible for an author to write two books so spellbinding? The answer is most definitely “yes”.

Although The Color of Destiny is Volume 2 in The Color of Heaven series, it’s not necessary to read them in order. Kate Worthington, our heroine, is a minor character in The Color of Heaven, just as Sophie, the heroine of the first novel, is a minor character in this book.

Kate is an EMT in a small New England town. She loves her work, but, aside from that, her life is pretty much a disappointment. She lost her unborn child, her older sister, and her aunt in an accident when she was only sixteen. She married her high school sweetheart, but he’s turned into nothing but an addict. Kate lives out her days, not really sure what it is that keeps her going.

In Canada, Dr. Ryan Hamilton has just lost his wife of fifteen years. Abigail died of breast cancer. Luckily, Ryan is close to his stepdaughter, Marisa, and her grandmother Gladys. The three continue to live together. When Gladys is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Marisa suggests they hire an in-home health worker. She’s heading back to the university soon, and Ryan has to work. Neither wants to see Gladys end up in a nursing home.

Enter Elizabeth Jackson, a free-spirited, creative woman in her late thirties. She’s been working at a nursing home, but jumps at the chance to work for Ryan and his family.

You’re probably wondering how these stories all tie together. That is the absolute beauty of this book. MacLean takes her readers on a journey they aren’t likely to forget any time soon, a journey that will leave each person wondering what role destiny has played in his or her own life.

Jennifer O’Donnell was the only one of this book’s three narrators with whom I was familiar. She narrated The Color of Heaven, so I wasn’t necessarily surprised to learn she would read the part of Kate. She has a somewhat odd speaking voice. It contains a kind of rasp which makes her sound like she might burst into tears at any given moment. This worked well for Kate’s character, especially in the beginning of the book. O’Donnell’s narration allows us to see just how bleak Kate’s life has become.

Paul L. Coffey was this book’s weakest link. He read the character of Ryan in a voice that bordered on flat. I like understated narration, but I also like the narrator to sound at least a little engaged. Coffey wasn’t able to do this. His voice never changed. It didn’t matter if he was reading dialogue or narrative. His pitch rose slightly when a female character spoke, but that was as much inflection as he gave us.

Julia Motyka was the star of this audiobook. She read the part of twenty-year-old Marisa. True, she sounded a little older than her character, but I didn’t find that to be a problem. Even though Marisa is only twenty, she is portrayed as incredibly strong and level-headed. Motyka’s depiction was spot-on. She voiced the other characters distinctly as well. I could hear her grandmother’s confusion as she slipped deeper into Alzheimer’s. I was able to sense Ryan’s love for his stepdaughter, and for the older woman who became the mother he never had. I definitely plan to put Julia Motyka on my radar.

Where is the romance? It’s there, but neatly hidden in the depths of this wonderfully captivating listen. I can’t tell you which characters end up together, as that would take all the fun out of discovering it for yourself. All I can say is that I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Shannon

Narration:  Jennifer O’Donnell  B+    Paul L. Coffey  C-    Julia Motyka  A

Book Content:  A

Steam Factor:  You can play it out loud

Violence:  None

Genre:  General Fiction with Contemporary Romance

Publisher:  Julianne MacLean