" Writing historical fiction is a monumental task. Sometimes, for those of us who love to read it, it can be even harder. We read these works constantly comparing what the author reveals to what we think we know of history. The character's dialogue further illuminates whether we can continue on this journey with the author or not. But the killing part is, much of what we, as Americans, have swallowed as our history is, in fact fiction.

I picked up 'Blood is Thicker Than Color', prepared to reveal each historical malfeasance in my mind, with the Imaginary, sadity red ink of a 1960's editor. But then I fell more into the story of the characters as well as a curiosity for the writer; it is hard to embrace one, without the other. And at some point I stopped comparing TJ Morris to Toni Morrison and started looking at the parallels and the ups and downs of her characters to those of my very own family and other families I know of who had to escape Mississippi long after slaves were freed.

TJ Morris' effort totally disarmed me of my premeditated criticism and gave me the gift of exploration and self-reflection. I am glad she wrote Blood is Thicker Than Color and that I took this journey with her. "