The thing I appreciate most about Alexander is how she stays true to history, which is exactly what she’s done in this story. This beautifully written story is sure to challenge readers as well as remind them that there’s always hope.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Colors of Truth by Tamera Alexander is another excellent read that I could not put down. It has taken me three years to get to this book, and I’ve felt guilty about that, but I have to admit that the wait was worth it. My favorite aspect of this story is the history. I learned so much. I had no idea about the counterfeiting issues in the South that occurred right after the Civil War and I didn’t know that creating the Secret Service was the last order Abraham Lincoln signed into effect before his murder. Very fascinating pieces of history! In addition to the historical aspects of this novel, I also really enjoyed the storyline as a whole. I was thoroughly engaged, so much so I spent a few nights up well past my bedtime devouring this book. As far as characters go, each is well crafted as is typical for an Alexander novel. Wade Cunningham is a fantastic hero. He is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and often a step or two ahead of, well, everyone. I love how he is a good complement to Catriona’s feistiness. And I really enjoyed watching him interact with little Nora. If anyone could handle Nora’s personality, it would definitely be a father-figure like Wade. I loved most everything about Catriona’s character. She is incredibly brave and courageous. She is self-sacrificing. And she is a seriously good big sister to Nora. But she has a tendency to jump to conclusions before all the evidence is in, and judges others based on suppositions and not truth. She does this to Wade and it drove me bonkers. What drove me the most bonkers, though, was Nora. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Nora is the worst child character I have ever read. She desperately needs some good, old fashioned discipline. I understand that life has recently been really rough for her, but that is never an excuse to behave like a monster. The only reason why I cannot give this story a five-star rating is because of Nora. Too many times I had to put the story down for a time because I could not handle Nora’s nasty faces towards her sister, her stunningly bad behavior, and her complete and total ungratefulness. Nora is an exhausting little girl and I did not like her character at all. Book three will supposedly be Nora’s story, and I have to admit that I am hesitant to read it when it releases. She has really left a bad impression. I hope that she grows up A LOT and becomes a much better human being.

Coming in at just over 500 pages, there is clearly so much more I could say about Colors of Truth. I know this review has not done this book justice. Despite my dislike of Nora’s character, I do highly recommend this story. Wade and Catriona’s journey to love is very much worth the read, and the attention to historical detail is impeccable. If you are a fan of Alexander and you love a well-written and timely Historical Romance then you will definitely want to get a copy of this story.

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on October 1, 2020, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Due to a personal difference in beliefs
(WITH THE PUBLISHER) I will not be reviewing this book outside of Netgalley for Thomas Nelson, however I very much look forward to reviewing it for the author.

I LOVED this book! I appreciated hearing historical fiction from Civil War times, and I loved the well-developed characters and plot. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this. This is the first book by Alexander I have read, and it won't be the last.

I've been dawdling on this one for a while, it was just a very slow read for me compared to other books by this author and even in the same series. I had a hard time getting into the story, and parts of it felt more modern and not realistic to the times, as well as the fact that I didn't care for Wade all that much. Also the little girl was annoyingly bratty. I think I just had trouble connecting with this one. I know other people who loved it, so it might just be me personally, and the storyline was pretty depressing. I will continue to read books by this author, as I'm thinking this is just a weird fluke since I have loved every single other book I have read by her.

Recently my family and I visited Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee.
Yes, I visited it because I was inspired to by this book.
After visiting the house then reading the book completely came to life. The characters and the plot I could completely visualize it in my mind.
Historical fiction books are my go to reads and they are all the more realistic when you visit the site of the books.
I absolutely love this author's books. They are so full of detail, you can easily visualize what is going on.
I have learned a lot from this author. Immaculate research.
Looking forward to what she puts out next.

Pub Date 06 Oct 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! First, I'd like to say "Thank you!" to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for extending me the privilege of reading this book. The first thing that caught my eye about this book was first the beautiful front cover. It's not often you see a child on AF book covers, so I was intrigued. Then, after finding out the setting was set pre-Civil War made it all the more interesting.

Let me just say this book went above and beyond my expectations! The characters, setting, and overall storyline were phenomenal. 10/10 would recommend this book.

My Thoughts:

Colors of Truth is a story with multiple sub-stories running through it. It is a busy book, but an enjoyable read.

I’ve read a few nonfiction Civil War history books that examine (at least to some extent) those men who were new arrivals to America and were immediately conscripted into the military for the Civil War. Many of these men came from Ireland and Germany. Some were from Hungary, Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal. Some fought for the North and some fought for the South. I wonder how many of them knew there was a war in America before they left their homeland? I wonder if they knew they would be pulled into the battle?

The main character is a lovely young woman named Catriona Emmaline O’Toole. She and her sister, Nora, have come to America from Ireland to look for their brother, Ryan. He had written letters to them of where in America he had last been. He too had been conscripted into the Confederate Army upon his arrival.
In Colors of Truth, I am not told his story except in brief memories from Catriona and through his activities that bring attention to the plot. Ryan is the unseen character. He is in the story but doesn’t have an active voice. He is always in the thoughts of Catriona and Nora. He is apart of the plot. But he is not actively shown.
I love this! To weave-in Ryan’s story, even though he is not present, makes the whole of the story richer. He literally represents those young men who fought in the Civil War. He represents those men who came to America because they hoped for a better life. He represents men who yearned for their families back in their homeland and even took steps to bring them to America. This is an American story for the past generations and for the present.

Catriona is an admirable character. She is already a remarkable person but she develops and grows as a person. And, she has her hands full with a young sister named Nora. Nora is just a hot mess (a southern saying). She needs an entire group of people to keep up with her antics. Nora adds fun to the story. She adds a break from serious things that are happening.

Wade Cunningham is an additional strong character. He has a duty to perform for the government. He had served in the military during the Civil War. He is careful to not share his past. He is strong in body, mind, and emotion. He brings a rational, stable, and resilient person to the story. I love his strengths and his tenderness.

Another sub-story in addition to Ryan, Catriona, Nora, and Wade’s individual stories is three siblings. These siblings represent (in a small way because it happened so often) how slaves were treated. They were treated subhuman. They were disregarded by whites as God’s special creation and in need of care, support, respect, and honor. This family was torn apart and they yearned to know what happened to one another. They hoped and prayed for a reunion in this life. If I could change anything about Colors of Truth, I want these three siblings to have a larger representation in the book.

Colors of Truth has a solid and satisfying end.

Colors of Truth has inner conflicts and outer conflicts.

Themes in the story: war, courage, sacrifice, family honor, shame, revenge, power of love, bravery, redemption, and honesty.

Source: I received a complimentary e-book copy from NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review.

I received an ARC from Thomas Nelson FICTION, via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

Wow, what a book. I am more than happy that I take my time while reading it. I recommend you do not rush, enjoy and have a great time.

Color of Truth is the second book of the Carton Serie of Tamera Alexander, in this particular story the war is over and we have the aftermath of all. The scars, the pain, and the sorrow especially of the battle of Franklin, which was close to Carton. I must say although I enjoy Tamera Alexander, the Civil War story is not my favorite one; however one of the things the surprise me was the human touch and how each character helps us to understand more of those complex times.

The main characters of the story Catriona, which we meet and found her whole story. Arrives at Franklin, Tennessee with her eight-year-old sister after her twin brother who joins the Confederate army send money so they can all be together as a family and we have Wade he has a secret, and he has an important job as Operative of the Secret Service catching notorious and important counterfeits. The importance of this story is how the author took her time, not only showing us but also taken out the layers about what is not seen.

The truth is the name and of the book as the main and central theme, give us and an interesting discussion topic. We can see the results of lies and we also see the freedom after the truth. I like that more than just romance, this book has a deepness that goes more of a Civil War story.

Faith, family, second chance, a good balance between dramatic and serious situations. With a truly beautiful end.. This story is a must-read!

4.5 stars
Another brilliant novel from Tamera Alexander! Her heart for Tennessee and its local history shines through once again. The story of Catriona O'Toole, her family, and Wade Cunningham are intertwined with the real-life stories of the Battle of Franklin and those who lived at Carnton plantation. I love the way that each character, whether fictional or not, fits together perfectly into the story. The attention to detail is another strength in Alexander's writing. As she described the sight of the fields of poorly buried soldiers who died in battle, it evoked in me the same feelings the characters had. I visited Carnton a few years ago and I can imagine that area along with several other scenes in the story as the author brought history to life. Even Catriona's sister, Nora, brought out feelings of frustration in me as I read about her antics as well as how Catriona responded to her. While that could be a turn-off for some, it truly is a testament to the writer's abilities to bring out those emotions in the reader. As a reader, I'm always looking for the build up of tension, especially romantic tension. I enjoy history, but I want the love story! This book has those encounters between the hero and heroine that I was hoping for without being graphic (clean romance). This book would also be categorized as Christian fiction, so there are also clear representations of the Christian faith throughout the story. I'm looking forward to Tamera Alexander's next novel!

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/48856146

First my disclaimers, I am a Tamera Alexander fan of long standing and I did receive a ARC from Netgalley (though I would have gladly paid for this book or any other from Ms. Alexander). All that aside, I speak honestly.

One of the things I admire about Ms. Alexander's novels is how the faith-based element is subtle, but heart-warming. None of the banging-over-the-head messages. These are people of faith who live accordingly and struggle to do the right things in their troubled lives. Another thing I admire is her strict adherence to actual history. She is very knowledgeable. Yet another thing I admire is that is she is a very fine writer, with clear, crisp sentences and natural dialogue. All of those things that I've admired in her other books are indeed alive and well in Colors of Truth.

As for plot, the story focuses on a young Irish immigrant, Catriona O’Toole, who arrives in the town of Franklin, Tennessee along with her precocious and unpredictable younger sister, Nora. They are searching for her lost brother, last known to have been in the horrific battle of Franklin. They seek out the wealthy owner of Carnton, an antebellum home that served as a Confederate hospital after the battle and which appears in prior novels. Catriona believes the owner stole land from her family in Ireland, and boldly confronts him with this accusation. She meets Wade Cunningham, one of ten operatives in the newly formed United States Secret Service Agency, who is undercover trying to find some counterfeiters. At first both are under misimpressions of the other. The mystery in the story is what happened to Catriona's brother and who are the counterfeiters, and the mystery is well done, but the slow growing romance is what dominates the story. Discrimination against the Irish immigrants is a dominate thread in the story too. The author might be too kind to CSA General Hood, but that is her judgment to make.

Well done, faith-base fiction.

After having had some bad experiences with some recently published Christian titles, it was such an amazing treat to read another beautiful, faith filled story by the lovely Tamera Alexander. Every single time I read one of her books, I end up learning more and more about parts of history I had no clue about, and I always end up feeling like my faith has received a much needed boost. I think readers everywhere are going to love this historical romance that speaks of the importance of faith, friendship, family and love despite any circumstances that might be thrown our way.

Catriona and Wade's story is one of many ups and downs; with her being a recent immigrant from Ireland with her little sister in tow, and him an undercover agent who's been sent to Franklin and Carnton to try and uncover the truth behind a tip of a counterfeiting ring. Catriona's main concern is locating her brother who immigrated to America ahead of her, and righting the wrong that was done to her family by the McGavock family of Carnton plantation. However, her circumstances soon leave her in a mess out of her control, and finds her a lead suspect in Wade's counterfeiting ring. Wade is sure she's innocent, but how can he possibly prove it when she refuses to trust him enough to let him in.

Told through both Catriona and Wade's point of views, Colors of Truth was everything I've come to love and expect every time I pick up a Tamera Alexander novel. Her stories always speak to the truth that no matter how far gone we may think we are, or how turbulent the circumstances may be that we find ourselves currently in; we are never past the point of being able to be redeemed through the unfailing mercy and grace that Jesus is always ready to extend towards us. I loved Catriona and Wade's romance, and how it starts out with them not being able to stand each other and eventually moving into a beautiful friendship. Catriona's little sister was an absolute hoot, and I loved getting another glimpse into the McGavock family and their many staff members I've come to know and love from the previous stories.

I also have to comment on the fact that I ended up being surprised how the mystery all wrapped up at the end, and actually hadn't managed to piece any of it together. I love when an author can keep me guessing right through until the end.

I personally ended up loving this one, and it was the perfect read to finish out 2020 with. I definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves faith filled historical fiction, and I will be looking forward to reading more from Tamera Alexander in the future.

Final Rating: 4/5.

I received a complimentary copy advance reader copy of this novel to read and review from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tamera Alexander sure knows how to write a great historical romance! Her books draw you in and you just want to sit and read straight through until the end.

Wade and Catriona’s love story has a slow build but it’s so sweet. All the extra characters are wonderful as well. It was so nice to be back at Carnton and see Tempy again. I also loved learning about the secret service and counterfeiting money after the civil war. I’m definitely looking forward to reading Nora’s story next summer!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I have been to the Carnton Plantation and I have walked among the graves of the Confederate soldiers in the cemetery just taking shape in Colors of Truth. Tamera Alexander brings that history (and more) to life.

Catriona is determined and headstrong, Wade is intelligent and capable but also undercover. From their first meeting, these two are drawn to the other but both have their missions before them. The romance between them is a slow burning build to the satisfying conclusion.

There’s a touch of mystery with the counterfeiting as well as what happened to Catriona’s brother. And of course, there’s so much history infused in this book, the reader is transported to Franklin, TN in 1866 (a year after the Battle of Franklin highlighted in the first book of the Carnton series). But deep down, at its core, Colors of Truth is a story of acceptance and healing.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Colors of Truth
By Tamera Alexander

This is a wonderful historical fiction read set in 1866 Franklin, Tennessee that follows the journey of Irish immigrants and based on the history of Carnton that once served as a Confederate hospital.

Catriona O'Toole is in search of her younger brother Ryan as she travels across the ocean with her seven year old sister Nora with the money sent over by their brother Ryan. Throughout the search, they find themselves at a loss in a new country, and even getting mixed up with some counterfeit operation, where Catriona finds Wade, an undercover government operative.

I thought that the writing was fabulous and did keep me absorbed into the time period. The detail in the writing was beautiful and I find that the relationship of the characters were done wonderfully with great background that really adds to the story line.

This was a great read I enjoyed and recommend.

Title: Colors of Truth
Author: Tamera Alexander

Ch: 43 plus epilogue

Pg: 504

Series: Carnton Book 2

Genre: Christian Historical fiction with a hint of romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Fountain Creek Press

Colors of Truth is the second book in the Carnton series by Tamera Alexander and my favorite of to the series. The novel is set in Franklin Tennessee at Carnton in 1866 at the end of the Civil War at a messy time in our history. But that the thing about history its messy, but we need to learn from it and in order to do that we have to look at the way that it was. However we don't have to view it in positive light. Tamera did a good job of finding the balance between the facts of history and showing that it was wrong and evil. In Colors of Truth she does this with her main characters Catriona O'Toole newly arrived from Ireland with her younger sister Nora. And Wade Cunningham who fought for the Union but is an undercover operative with the Secret Service Agent posing as a confederate soldier in order to find counterfeiters.



Catriona being Irish understands a little better than most what the freedmen and women are facing being hated for their skin and former status, while Catriona Nora are hated for where they are from that can be hidden to a point though Nora's red hair gives a hint and all doubt is removed as soon as Catriona opens her and speaks with an Irish accent. Though she knows that even though she and Nora have faced hardship and heartache it's nothing to what Tempy and other former slaves have faced.



Wade though raised in Southern Kentucky chose to fight for the union and is still fighting for that cause and it pains him to hide the truth from Tempy and Catriona, but he does it because he is still fighting for a better life for those like Tempy and Catriona.



My two favorite secondary characters are Tempy and Nora, I loved Tempy's wisdom and faith in the first book and she doesn't disappoint in this one. I also loved Nora the little redheaded spitfire reminded me of my own sister at that age.



Catriona is the character that I related to the most, her stubborn nature and her struggle to find the balance of being a sister to Nora and a mother figure. That’s what I related to the most with her character the most because I to was trying to find the balance between two with my own younger sister after losing our mom though at 19 my sister was slightly older than wee Nora. Wade has become my favorite hero of Tamera’s he truly is a good man.





I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

If you read the prologue, there’s a link to watch a video about Carnton in Tennessee. I did that and it was a great intro to the story so I highly recommend it. Overall, this book was an unexpected treasure. I was unfamiliar with this author, but the plot intrigued me when I read the description on Netgalley. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

The narration provides vivid imagery and a compassionate portrayal of human foibles. It’s impossible to miss the parallels to internal strife within the US today. The author tackles our country's shameful history of slavery, at times bringing tears to my eyes, yet also manages to show the humanity of those compelled to support it. She even manages to weave humor into the story, like when Wade thinks about a "the man (who) had vowed not to cut his beard again until he saw the South resurrected. As far as Wade was concerned, General Harding could die with that beard puddled around his ankles."

I loved the conversations between Wade and Catriona, especially his patience with her, and his persistence. He made me laugh while trying to convince her that they should call each other by their first names, saying:

"In fact, a law in this country states that once a man and woman have exchanged more than 100 words, they must move to a first-name basis."

"You're lyin'. There's no such law."

"Yes, I am. And no, there isn't. But if I could write that into the Constitution right now, I would."

"Tell you what," he continued, close enough behind her that she could feel the warmth from his breath on her cheek. "What if we attempt a first name basis for say…forty-eight hours. And if either of us notices any shift in the Earth's axis, or if the sun starts rising in the west and setting in the east, or if international relations between our countries suddenly begin to deteriorate, we'll immediately revert to our more formal address. Would that be acceptable to you, ma'am?"

I loved this imagery of a nighttime sky: "The stars sprinkled like tiny candles across an endless expanse, their smoldering wicks flickering through windows another world away."

And this observation on war should be heeded by more people: "Wars stole with both hands and from both sides.”

Tempy, the ‘cook’ at the McGavock plantation is a very strong, protective, loving character who will not suffer fools. She takes an immediate dislike to Wade because she catches him eavesdropping on a conversation between Catriona and Colonel McGavock. She takes an immediate liking to Catriona, and it takes a while for Catriona to realize that Tempy doesn't like Wade. "She'd been under the impression that Tempy was smitten with Wade Cunningham, but apparently she'd been mistaken. She wasn't wearing the look of a woman smitten. More like a woman wanting to smite!"

Catriona's mom told her that "raising children was similar to agreeing to have a portion of your heart walk around in someone else's body." Catriona was coming to understand that.

Nora was a precious character, Catriona's little sister and ward. At times, I felt she was a spoiled brat, but it soon became clear that she was hurting and didn't know how to express that in healthy ways. By the end of the story, perhaps because of the vulnerability she shows to Wade, I really liked her. She knew she was a firecracker and even admitted that Catriona told her,
"God gave me red hair cuz he knew I needed to come with a warnin'!"

I learned a few things reading this book. For example, I was unaware that male immigrants who landed on the shores of the US south during the Civil War were conscripted into the army, forced to fight for a side with which they might not agree. I also had no idea that counterfeiting was such a big problem after the war, nor that the US Secret Service was created for and tasked with eradicating it.

Deceit is a theme that runs through the story, focusing alternatively on both the lies we tell others and the lies we tell ourselves. Another recurring theme is the warning to avoid judgment of others—people are both good and bad and it’s the blending of those traits that is more important than specific instances of good or bad. The characters are complex and each on their own journey to becoming better people. It so happens, Catriona’s and Wade’s faith is tested, in different ways for each of them, and they rediscover their faith and recommit to following the path God has laid out for them.

Although there is a lot of scripture woven into this book, particularly after Tempy becomes a part of their lives, it seldom feels heavy-handed or preachy. Rather, it seems to fit perfectly with the characters and the time-period depicted. Catriona, feeling God has forsaken her, nonetheless, has memories of her mother encouraging her faith and it's clear she wants to believe in a loving God. Wade feels he has let God down in many ways and he struggles to forgive himself. Both wonder how they can find their way back to their faith, and by opening up and trusting one another, they find their way back together. Of course, it helps that they've surrounded themselves with people who have unwavering faith in God's goodness and provision.

I could go on about how much I loved these characters and how much this story touched me, but rather than provide a summary of the story, I'll say it is well worth reading. I highly recommend it.

Tamera Alexander's Colors of Truth caught my eye with its beautiful title, captivating setting and intriguing characters. Following the lives of Catriona O'Toole and her little sister Nora, immigrants from Ireland to Antebellum America in pursuit of her missing brother, and Wade Cunningham, undercover operative from the Secret Service in pursuit of dismantling a counterfeit ring, Colors of Truth thrills with it's beautifully developed characters, dialogue and ever-moving plot. Catriona and Wade's romance is a slow burn, masterfully unraveled by Alexander as she presents distrust, conversation, intrigue and love that eventually unfolds between the two as they seek to solve the mystery of Catriona's brother, and Wade's mission from the Secret Service.

I really loved the setting and historical significance to Colors of Truth, but found the book extremely slow and, at times, boring to read. I found myself often skimming the pages because I found it to be too introspective, particularly with Wade, with Catriona's accent transliterated also difficult to read. However, even for the slowness of the read and the drag of the plot, I really enjoyed what Colors of Truth had to offer: a look into the window of Antebellum America, a country recovering from a brutal war that tore apart not only it's own families, but the families of those like Catriona's, living in Ireland. Colors of Truth is a powerful reminder of the ties that bind, and that family - and love - can be lost or found when you least expect it.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I love anything that Alexander writes, also anything Historical and especially during the civil war era. She does her research well and always weaves christian faith into her characters. She is a master at what she writes. This book is no exception. This beautiful & riveting story takes place in Tennessee in 1866 post-civil-war era. Colors of Truth has historic elements, romance, suspense and you can see how God intervened in the lives of the characters. It has such an unusual plot that will hold your interest from the very first chapter. Then throw in some lilting Irish sayings from an Irish lass and you have a delightful book filled with lots of drama and romance. I loved it…..I received an ARC from the author, was not required to give a review but I am very glad to do so.

A rich historical tale that I could not put down. Alexander writes with such passion and conviction! The attention to detail is astounding and I love her ability to capture and explain the times in story form. Catriona is the type of heroine you can’t help but love: fiery, passionate and stands up what she believes. She loves her family with every fiber of her being and will do everything in her power to see them reunited. Wade is a Secret Service Agent who is driven by his convictions and will not back down, no matter the cost. Their paths are more intertwined that either realizes and they slowly come to see the need for the other. I loved the tension, chemistry and slow build between Catriona and Wade. The supporting characters add a richness and depth as well. I highly recommend this for all lovers of historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.