Colors of Truth officially releases today, and I’m both excited and relieved to see this day finally arrive.
Thank you, friends, for your love and encouragement in recent weeks as this novel made its way to publication—and this author had a crash course in indie publishing! <g> You made this journey a much sweeter one.
Colors of Truth is a Carnton novel, meaning it’s a story steeped in the real history of Carnton, an antebellum home in Franklin, Tennessee where the Battle of Franklin was fought in November 1864 towards the end of the Civil War.
Part of the story in Colors of Truth is the formation of the McGavock Cemetery (literally in Carnton’s back yard) where nearly fifteen hundred Confederate soldiers who perished in the battle finally found their resting place.
Walk the cemetery with me. . .
I love writing real history, sharing not only what happened in a certain location at a specific place in time. But also sharing how those events and decisions changed the worlds of the people who actually lived through them. And how those events and decisions—some just and worthy, some horrific and sinful—still shape our world today.
A favorite character in the Carnton novels is Tempy. Her character is based on the real cook who lived at Carnton and worked for the McGavock family most of her life. A slave before the Civil War, an emancipated woman after.
Writing real history can present some challenges, however. Especially when important details lost to history choose to reveal themselves after a book is already in print . . .
To learn even more about Carnton, visit the Battle of Franklin Trust.
To learn more about Colors of Truth, visit the Colors of Truth book page.
If you could blink yourself to a historic site anywhere in the world today, where would that be?
Me? It would be Gettysburg. I’ve long wanted to walk those hallowed fields where my nation’s future course was forever changed. I’ve read so many books about the battle and have watched countless videos, but it’s nothing like walking the path yourself.
Maybe someday we can walk the paths at Carnton together. I hope so!
Much love from Tennessee,
Tamera
Tamera Alexander
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Gettysburg is one of my favorite places. You can *feel* the history there. We live close enough to visit often, and I love it every time. I hope you get to experience it.
Thanks, Carolyn, for sharing. And me too!
I love when a book brings history to life, both teaching and entertaining the reader. Having read your Belle Meade series, I’ve often thought how fun it would be to get to read your books while visiting where they take place (Carnton included). Living near Philadelphia and Valley Forge, PA affords me the opportunity to visit historical sites often.
Oh, I’d love to visit your home turf, Joy. Such rich history. I hope you get to visit Belle Meade and Carnton one day. Both have that tangible history to them. Same for Belmont.
Happy Book Birthday! That’s what we say in the picture book realms. 🙂 If I could drop into any historical place, it would be Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, walking the paths that Jesus walked. That would be cool!
I totally agree with you, Angie. Jerusalem is awesome. I long to go back.
Amen, Eli.
Yes to Jerusalem, Angie. I’d return there in a heartbeat. Over any other trip, I’d return to the Holy Land. I’m praying now that God will open a door for you to go someday. It’s life changing.
As a Civil War buff, my husband wanted to visit every battlefield we could. We have been to Gettysburg many times, and my husband did presentations to our son’s class many years ago and then to my 5th grade class for several years. Living in Virginia we have visited Manassas/Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Courthouse, New Market, Battle of the Crater, and Appomattox Courthouse. We also have been fortunate to visit Fort Sumter, Memphis, Antietam, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Our children used to joke, “Vacation – must mean another battlefield.” You can see that we both love history. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and I read a number of historical fiction books to my classes over the years.
Congratulations on the release and on your perseverance!
Thanks so much, Betty. You’re such an encourager, and I appreciate it. Wow on all your travels! Good for y’all! Talk about wonderful memories too.
I’m so thrilled for you that this book is finally out, Tammy! It’s a beautiful story and a beautiful book, physically too. (Says this, I’d much rather read paper gal!)
Congratulations on another great book out in the world!
Thank you, dear friend. Your fingerprints are ALL over this book. Thank you for critting another big one, and for always telling me the truth. How else can I grow unless I know where I can do better, right? TorT : ) Appreciate you (and Ken too)!
I love all types of historical places and am so thankful I have been able to visit many of them. I found Gettysburg somewhat overwhelming, but very interesting. I felt like history was talking to me.
This summer my husband and I went to Shiloh and drove the battlefield there.
I can’t imagine being in a place like that and not feeling something deep inside for all that happened there – both good and bad. So life altering.
I love that, Melissa. “…like history was talking to me.” I’ve felt that sensation too. Shiloh is another place I want to visit. Thanks for sharing your experience. Deepens my own desire to get there someday.
Tamera, Thank you for writing authentic history. I have always been fascinated by Civil War history, as I was raised in Louisiana, moved to Georgian and not live in Florida. Each place I’ve lived has its own Civil War stories, and when I’ve visited battlefields like Kennesaw Mountain in GA, I’ve felt I was walking on hallowed ground and envisioned what the scene must have been during the war. During the construction of many neighborhoods near the Kennesaw Mtn. Battlefield Park, artifacts from the war such as bullets, belt buckles, buttons, etc. have been found. Occasionally, remains of soldiers have been found, and the local Daughters of the Confederacy give them a proper burial from that period in one of the Civil War cemeteries nearby. I have also visited Vicksburg, and noticed how quiet it was, how the tourists whispered as they traveled from one marker to another, as if being loud would disturb those who were killed there.
On another note, I have received my print copy of Color of Truth and look forward to reading it! Will you be making an audiobook version?
Thanks for sharing today, Marilyn. Loved reading through your thoughts. So rich with history and truth. Vicksburg is definitely on my list. And I concur with Kennesaw Mountain. Hallowed ground indeed.
Yes to audio! It’s in production as we speak. Already narrated and almost ready to go. It’s in the final check. Hopefully within a couple of weeks!
I’ve already read the kindle version of Colors of truth and loved it.
I am looking forward to read Noras story.
Thank you, Eli! What a nice note to close my day with. So appreciate your kind words and you reading Colors of Truth.
My copy of Colors Of Truth already arrived last friday (even though Germany) and I‘m almost half way through. I have to slow down a little bit so it will last longer 😉 but it’s so good. If I could blink myself to any historic side I would love to spend one day with Jesus while he was here on earth. No particular event but one day in his companionship.
Thank you, Coco, for reading, first of all, and also for your kind words about Colors of Truth. That book has been a journey for sure. It means so much that you’re enjoying it. And oh yes, I’d love to join you on that day with Jesus. And one day….we will!
I just finished reading the “Christmas at Carnton” novella this morning. I LOVED it!! I’m looking forward to reading the “With This Pledge” & “Colors of Truth” books that I recently ordered. 🙂
Question: Is “Christmas at Carnton” a part of the three-book series or just an introduction to the series?
Thank you, Lori! The novella Christmas at Carnton was a short novel that launched the series. I really enjoyed writing about Jake and Aletta, and Tempy too. Tempy is a character I’ve fallen in love with through the series. I’m writing the rest of her story now in book 3. She’s based on the real cook who lived and worked at Carnton most of her life. Thanks again for reading!
Great! I love Tempy, too, & will look forward to reading her story in book #3. I’m really enjoying the history in these books. History wasn’t my favorite subject in school, so I’m learning things that I missed out on then (or have forgotten). I guess as I’ve gotten older, history means more to me. 😉
Just reading – we lost broadband for many days, and I didn’t catch up with all missed emails. Thanks for this – and ( UK,), despite studying and teaching history, there was, I admit, a small element of regarding the U.S, as ‘ a faraway country, of which we know nothing ‘ ( maybe, writing historical fiction, you know this ignominious speech, by a UK politician..)
Now, thanks to a friend’s inspired gift – DNA test – I know the names, faces, smiles, of so many American cousins, not all distant, and including many African Americans.