Coming in July, Colors of Truth

It’s always a pretty good feeling (#majorunderstatement) when you finally get a book finished, edited, and submitted to your publisher. And when you get the final cover, too!

That’s where we are with my next release, Colors of Truth, the second full-length novel in The Carnton Novels Collection, releasing July 2020.

Based on the real history of Carnton, an antebellum home that served as a Confederate hospital, Colors of Truth follows the journey of an Irish immigrant arriving in a country where her kind isn’t wanted, and of a former Federal soldier returning to the scene of a battle that almost destroyed him.

More about Colors of Truth, Carnton 2
Releasing July 2020

Oy, this newest book took a long time to write, and it incorporates so much of my spiritual and emotional journey last year. Which admittedly, was a tougher one with walking Dad home after years of dementia. But oh what blessings 2019 held, too, on that very same road. I still treasure them, even as I still feel a weariness inside me.

There were moments when I doubted I would ever fully get this story onto the page. But with the help of my wonderful writing critique partner, Deb Raney (love you, friend), and my editors (Jean and Jocelyn), we did. And I’m excited to share Wade & Catriona’s story (and that of fiesty little Nora pictured on the cover!) with you in July. I’ve never written about sisters before, and I loved it! Especially with them hailing from Ireland.

Me with Deb in May 2019 when she and Ken visited us in Nashville



I found this pic as I was searching for one of me and Deb! LOL! It’s of me and Deb with Brandilyn Collins in 2007 at an ACFW Conference. Talk about a blast from the past!

This week I’ll start the third and final story in the Carnton novels series, which was brainstormed last summer during my annual July retreat with the Coeur d’Alene ladies in, you guessed it, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

I can’t wait to go back and listen to my recorded session again. To drink in all the laughter and ideas flowing around the table. What a gift those ladies have been in my life!

The Coeur d’Alene Ladies who have “carried me” for years, bless them!
From L to R on back row (in the above pic): Brandilyn Collins, Francine Rivers, Sandy Shephard, Tricia Goyer, Karen Ball, Sunni Jeffers, Janet Ulbright Front cluster of “four”: Robin Lee Hatcher, moi, Sharon Dunn, and Gayle DeSalles in pink





We have such fun together. #fivedaysofheaven
(Robin and I are roomies, so you can imagine how much we talk and laugh into the night.)

I couldn’t write the novels I write without the loving encouragement and support of these women, and I’m grateful for each one.

A bit of novel trivia behind Colors of Truth:
The McGavocks who lived at Carnton in the 19th century hailed from County Antrim, Ireland, as do Catriona and Nora in the book—and as did my family too! When I unearthed that bit of history a few years back, I found it rather ironic that I’m writing the continued history of a family that my ancestors might have once known back in Ireland. And that somehow we’re connected yet again geographically in Franklin, Tennessee.  #smallworld #stalkinghistory #stopfollowingme 

Do you know your ancestry? Where did your people hail from?

Blessings on your week,

Tammy

In case you haven’t visited Carnton in Franklin, Tennessee, the setting of all the Carnton novels, I’d love to give you a quick tour!

Visit Carnton, Franklin, TN, the setting of all the Carnton novels

The Carnton Novels Collection
Christmas at Carnton, the novella that launched the series
Carol Award Winner
With This Pledge, the first full-length Carnton novel
Christy Award Winner