Three weeks from today on October 6 Colors of Truth my 17th novel releases, and I’m especially grateful to finally be at this milestone with this book. Because writing this one has been a journey—in so many ways.
First—
I wrote the majority of Colors of Truth during Dad’s final year of life here on earth with dementia. So a lot of what God taught me during those exhausting but blessing-filled months—trusting the Lord no matter what, leaning into his strength instead of mine, and not measuring his faithfulness by my feelings or circumstances—made its way into the pages of this book.
Second—
Catriona O’Toole and her younger sister Nora (pictured on the cover) hail from Country Antrim, Ireland, which is where my own ancestors resided until the early 18th century when they came to America. It’s also where the McGavocks (who owned Carnton) emigrated from as well. #smallworld #stopfollowingme
Third—
It’s also the first time I’ve written about sisters, and I must say . . . I loved it! These two Irish sisters are each a handful in their own right. But when they clash as sisters often do—look out!
Fourth—
Wade Cunningham, the male protagonist/hero, is a former Federal soldier who now works for the newly formed United States Secret Service and is trying to uncover counterfeiting rings in the postwar South. In order to infiltrate their sophisticated enterprise, he must pose as a former Confederate in Franklin—a town where counterfeit greenbacks run rampant.
Following the American Civil War, this young country was on the brink of bankruptcy with anywhere from one-third to one-half of all currency in circulation being counterfeit. Hence, the Secret Service was formed within the Treasury Department.
Have I mentioned I love writing real history?
But what’s most unique about Colors of Truth is that it’s my first indie (independently published) book. It’s a v-e-r-y long story that I won’t go into great detail here, but here’s a video I shared in a personal note to my reader eUpdate friends last week explaining my publisher’s cancellation of Colors of Truth, along with the third (and final) Carnton novel I’m currently writing . . .
So, as they say, here we are.
Between this novel being printed and ready to ship to stores, then suddenly being delayed, then on again, then off again, it’s been one crazy roller coaster ride. But you know what? God’s been with me through every single twist and turn, and he’s drawn me closer to him than I’ve ever been before. So for that alone, I’m grateful for this experience.
You may have questions similar to those I received from readers last week:
Q: Will there still be a Carnton novel book 3 in the series?
A: Yes! I’m writing that story right now, and it will release next summer through Fountain Creek Press.
Q: Will Colors of Truth have the same cover?
A: Yes, it will (as pictured above). So you don’t have to look for another cover.
Q: Will the book be available in print, ebook, and audio like usual?
A: Absolutely. And have I mentioned how excited I am to share Wade and Catriona’s story with you? And little Nora’s too!
Q: Will the book be in my favorite local bookstore where I usually buy your books?
A: I’m working on that now and, of course, part of that answer depends on whether that favorite local bookstore is even open right now due to COVID. But rest assured, I’m working on those channels of distribution, and for ALL versions of the novel to be available for purchase online on October 6.
Any other questions? Please post them below and let me know.
I’ve learned a ton about indie publishing in recent weeks, with more yet to learn. But it’s exciting, and I’ve always loved a challenge, so . . . onward!
Besides, compared to the enormous obstacles so many others across the world have faced in 2020, this unexpected turn doesn’t feel quite so overwhelming. Especially considering Who’s at the helm!
As my son Kurt often says, “God’s got this!” And he does.
Now let’s check your knowledge of your heritage. . . Where did your ancestors emigrate from before coming to America?
Much love from my corner of Tennessee,
Tammy
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Tamera Alexander
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For all my life I’ve know that my mother’s parents came to the US from northern Germany and my dad’s father from Luxemburg. Nothing much was said about my paternal grandmother’s ancestors other than her father was Danish and she was born in Illinois. About 18 months ago, we learned that my grandmother’s family lived in England and came over on the Mayflower!! What a surprise! We have learned also that one of the ancestors fought in the Civil War. So interesting!
Seriously on the Mayflower, Kathy! How cool is that!Wouldn’t you love to see all the twists and turns our ancestral roads have taken to lead us to this point? God is always working, always weaving. Thank you, Lord! And thanks for sharing.
Tamera, I have so much respect for you, and always have. I pray God blesses your stand to not re-write history. Thank you for honoring both history and your readers by staying true.
So true. I love your books also – learn so much.
Hugs to you, Jocelyn. Your kind words mean so much to me!
Thank you for not compromising your beliefs! I am looking forward to this book and a further journey into history with your beautiful way of including faith. This is so much needed in a time when our history is being attacked. As soon as information about a print book comes out, I will order.
My son was tracing through ancestry about seven years ago and found a link to a cousin of Mary Queen of Scots. He had to stop at that time but thought it was going to lead to France, which makes sense. My daughter is now working on our heritage using “Ancestry at the library”. She has really found interesting pictures. One surprise was an ancestor who immigrated to Philadelphia from Germany in 1765. From there the family came down the Appalachians to North Carolina, where we knew some family had come from to Virginia. We knew we had Scot, Irish, and English heritage – my maiden name was Andrews, and other surnames from mom and dad are Murphey, Jones, and Giles. The surprise was the German link – that’s my husband’s family ( Strohecker is from Germany and means flinger of hay – hence farmer) along with Scot and Irish on his side also. Well, that’s enough from me!
Stay strong, Tamara! Kurt is right!
Betty…a cousin of Mary Queen of Scots! Amazing. I loved reading through your ancestry. We share a common heritage, friend, which leaves me no doubt that our ancestors were good neighbors somewhere back in the day! 😉
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement too! Grateful.
Beautiful painting! I just tried to enter. I already get your newsletter and clicked to follow on Bookbub. Don’t have Instagram. The rafflecopter said I had five entries, but there was no place to click a final “enter”. I always have trouble with rafflecopter. Wish there was another way for a contest. Thank you for the contest.
Sorry for this trouble, Betty. I’ll check and make sure your name is entered! : )
Tammy, it’s been a privilege to watch you walk through this with such prayerfulness and faithfulness. Colors of Truth is a beautiful, redemptive story and one that is so right “for such a time as this.”
My ancestry is English, German, and Pennsylvania Dutch (on Ken’s side also). I dream of someday getting to stand on Dove street in York, England in front of the home where my great-grandfather was born before the family left for America when he was still a baby.
And I’m so grateful to you for walking through this with me. You are such a true friend and sister in Christ. Okay, group hug!!! : }
I’m praying right now that God will give you the gift of that day on Dove Street in York, Deb. What a “come full circle” moment that will be. Please, Jesus, make it so.
♥️
This is a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing. My ancestors came from the slavic region. But we have been in the US for a very long time. my ancestors were farmers. They got land grants and a number of them were signed by the president of the USA. Many of the men were in all of the different wars. I have a lot of history on my side alone. My husbands family came over a lot later from the french/german area. Again a lot of history. Our children call themselves European mutts because of ALL the different nationalities they have.
LOL at the term European mutts, Lori. Hey, we’re all intertwined somewhere through the various blood lines, right? Loved learning about your heritage.
Now I know why you’ve been so constantly in the prayers lately! Will continue to pray for you on this journey. And so grateful you didn’t choose to rewrite history. We lose so much when we don’t face the truth of our past. You have always approached this era with grace and truth in your books and I expect this one will be no different. Love you, friend!
Oh–my ancestors have apparently come from Ireland, England, Scotland and Germany/Eastern Europe.
Bless you, Anne, and I so appreciate your prayers (the Holy Spirit was telling you even before I did…he’s so faithful to nudge us to pray, isn’t he? Thanks for listening to him!). Love knowing about your heritage too.
I loved this post! Thank you!
I look forward to reading about Carnton.
Loved hearing about your family’s heritage. Your hair and your children’s hair might have given a little clue to your heritage.😍
All of my ancestors came from the Netherlands as far as I know.
LOL, Jen. True on the hair (even if mine needs a bit of help these days!). I love the Netherlands. Such a lovely country with such beautiful people.
So glad you’re following God’s leading and not your publishers. I have no doubt He’ll honor you above and beyond for honoring Him. Thanks for standing firm!
Bless you, Amy, and thanks for sharing!
I look forward to reading this book! Thank you for standing true to history.
My ancestors waited a little longer to come to the U.S. My maternal grandfather was born in Ballymena, County Antrim and came to America in 1911.
I am a cross stitcher and there is a reproduction sampler of a sampler that hangs in the Carter House.
https://www.crossstitchantiques.com/carterhousesampler1817
Judi, I LOVE this sampler—and that our ancestries both hail from County Antrim. How cool is that! Thanks for your kind words.
I love researching family history and discovering so many surprises…
My family came to the United States from Ireland, Scotland, Sicily, the toe of Italy’s boot, and Germany. I, too, am a “mutt!”They came mostly in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, but my earliest arriving relative–a great-great-great grandfather–came in 1854 from Germany to Pittsburgh. I actually found a photograph and obituary from an old Pittsburgh newspaper of him and turns out he fought and was wounded in the Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War! We also have a branch of ancestors from late eighteenth century Germany named Grimm–still hoping to find a connection to the brothers…
Thank you and God Bless You Tamera for holding to your faith and convictions. The world desperately needs more people like you.
LOL Lisa on “hoping to find a connection to the brothers…” So funny. I hope you do too! ; ) Thanks for sharing your ancestry. Fascinating. I love studying origins. How special, too, to have that newspaper article and photo. Thanks for sharing!
Some of my ancestors on my mom’s side also came to America from Ireland! On my dad’s side, I’ve traced back my maiden name to the family group who first came over from Germany in the 1740s.
Love that, Becky. And I knew we were related. : }
Tamera, Good for you for staying true to the truth! We must not rewrite history to appease a few who might not like it. Besides, EVERYONE who lives in the United States came from another country unless you are 100 per cent Native American! You must have been very surprised and disappointed by the publisher’s actions. I pray all your future books will meet with wonderful success, and that you will be affirmed that your decision was the correct one. God bless your writing. I will most definitely buy Colors of Truth and we will read it as a book club selection as well.
Marilyn, your note felt like a hug. Thank you! If your book club would like to do a virtual visit with me, just let me know. I’d be honored!
Thanks for sharing this. Two years ago, knowing very little about my history, I discovered, via a DNA test gift, that the majority of my DNA links are in the States, mostly Irish or African American. ..
My own journey to indie publishing was directed by a brilliant – and I mean truly brilliant woman of almost 90, who had worked as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. Brilliant at languages, mathematics too. Publishing has changed, said this inspirational woman – Do it now, you;ve no time to lose. Later, she urged that indie publishing allows people to write their own truth, no longer constrained by anyone else. Next book, Cassandra’s Phoenix, out soon,
Esther, congrats on all your success, and I love your connection to Bletchley Park. Fascinating! Your mentor was so right, publishing has changed—and continues to. Best wishes on your own upcoming release!
Sorry I’m a day behind in commenting (not sure where Tuesday went?) but wanted to add a quick note to say I CANNOT wait to read this book (and the others in this series) and I am SO proud of you for continuing on to get this book in the hands of readers. I’m sure many will be blessed by your words, as I always am.
Hugs for you, sweet friend.
Hey Patti Jo! No worries and thanks for your (always) kind words. Love you much, my earring loving friend!
So glad you stood up for right and truth. Since they were already printed, do you have the right to have them?
With a name like Shreckhise, you would be correct in assuming my hubby is German but from Tyrolia. My maiden name is Ecker and my mother’s maiden name is Beck( Bach as in Johannes Sebastian and Beck beer) her mother’s maiden name was Parnell or Pownell, Scotch-Irish. When they each came to America, our families settled in the same areas. One kind of followed the other’s trail. We don’t know if they knew each other or not. But there are clergy on both sides. My husband did research years ago. One of his ancestors was at the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg before the battle there. My many great grandfather was a circuit preacher in Ohio.