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