Amid war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas—and of sacrificial love.Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Christmas Admirer, by Laura Hilton, is:
donitacorman@...
Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.
And now let's chat with novelist Tamera Alexander, author of the historical romance, Christmas at Carnton (Thomas Nelson, October 2017).
Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance. Her works have been awarded and nominated for numerous industry-leading honors—among them the Christy Award, the RITA Award, the Carol Award, Library Journal's top honors—and have garnered the distinction of Publisher's Weekly Starred Reviews. Her deeply drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide. Tamera and her husband reside in Nashville, Tennessee, where they live a short distance from Nashville's Belmont Mansion and Belle Meade Plantation, the setting of Tamera’s #1 CBA bestselling Southern series. Her brand new series, the Carnton Novels, recently launched with Christmas at Carnton (released October 3, 2017), a (hefty!) Christmas novella, which is set in Franklin, Tennessee at the historic Carnton Plantation.
Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.
I eat bacon. Every day. I love bacon. Adore bacon. It’s just one of the blissful benefits of living a Keto (low carb gluten free) lifestyle!
I'm a big fan, as well! Everything's better with bacon.
Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Christmas at Carnton.
Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. With the bank threatening to evict, she discovers an advertisement for the Women's Relief Society auction and applies for a position—only to discover it's been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity—and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man?Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women's Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of "crinolines" isn't his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for.
Set against the backdrop and history of the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored at Christmas.
I love the sound of your characters. What is it about Aletta that will make your readers care about her?
She’s a real woman. Familiar with pain and loss. Yet even when faced with the most trying circumstances, she still holds to the possibilities of good in life—until all she knows to be true is shattered.
What’s a news story from the last year or so that you think would make a good basis for a novel?
There have been several news stories in recent years about "secret rooms" being discovered. From a historical standpoint, that always intrigues me.
You can't beat secrets for intrigue!
What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?
I recently reread Christy by Catherine Marshall (actually listened to the audio book—I LOVE audio books). Christy is a classic that I reread every few years. And I’d highly recommend it because of the wonderful variety of characters, the colorful Appalachian history (and breathtaking scenery) Marshall intertwines into the story, the depth of the faith message woven throughout—and, of course, the romance!
I love audio books. I always have one playing as I drive.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the first full-length Carnton novel in the The Carnton Novels trilogy (title TBD). It’s the real love story of Captain Roland Jones and Elizabeth Clouston (the nanny at Carnton Plantation) who met the night of the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 in Franklin, Tennessee (near Nashville). I’ve been in contact with the great-great-great-great grandson of Captain Jones (a Confederate soldier wounded in the battle that night), and he’s shared the couple’s love letters and so many details about their lives. I’m grateful for this opportunity to share Roland and Lizzie’s love story!
How wonderful to have those letters! That sounds like a great novel idea.
Where else can readers find you online?
Website: www.TameraAlexander.com
And Christmas at Carnton has a Spotify playlist that readers are enjoying: open.spotify.com/user/zeldasayre58/playlist/1gfVLtS6vIxmoZ2ZeG3xya
The book can be purchased online via the following button:
Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?
I’d love for them to answer a "lightning round" of their own "personal Christmas preferences:"
1. Real tree or fake?
2. Egg nog or wassail?
3. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
4. Turkey or Ham?
5. Figgy Pudding or Chocolate Chess Pie?
Thank you, Tamera, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Tamera has offered to give away a signed copy of her novella. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Tamera's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).
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Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE
