CFBA Presents Tamera Alexander and A Lasting Impression

I'm pleased to feature a good friend and mentor today on my blog, courtesy of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Tammy and I met back in 2002 working the bookstore tables for the national ACFW conference in Kansas City (then ACRW). We still call each other "book table buddies" and share many fond memories of those times. :) She has since gone on to win the Christy and the RITA awards for her outstanding novels. Me? I'm still trying to balance writing with 2 little ones at home and breaking into trade-length. We'll see how it all goes. Without further ado, here's the feature on Tammy.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Lasting Impression Bethany House (November 1, 2011) by Tamera Alexander

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart) continue her signature style of deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose which has earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.

These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the 2010 and 2007 RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2010 and 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2010 HOLT Medallion, the 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, the 2007 National Reader's Choice Award and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.

Tamera's newest novel A Lasting Impression is the first of a brand new three-book Southern historical series, and the first two chapters are available for review. She's at work on her ninth novel which will release in fall 2012.

After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, along with Tamera's father, Doug, and with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.

ABOUT THE BOOK

To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. When her fraud of a father deals her an unexpected hand, Claire is forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville, only a year after the War Between the States has ended. Claire's path collides with that of Sutton Monroe, and she considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But when they meet again and he refuses to come to her aid, she realizes she's sorely misjudged the man. Trading an unwanted destiny for an unknown future, Claire finds herself in the middle of Nashville's elite society and believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art may finally be within reach.

All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Set at Nashville's historical Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America in the 1860s, A Lasting Impression showcases the deep, poignant, unforgettable characters that set Tamera's stories apart and provides an inspiring love story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them eager for more.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Lasting Impression, go HERE.

MY REVIEW



From the first book she released, and even before she was published, I have loved Tamera Alexander. She made a "lasting impression" on me back in 2002 with her passion for history and her winsome personality. Even when she wasn't sure what would happen of this crazy pursuit, she possessed a charm about her that only shines in each book she writes.

This latest is no different. And in my opinion, it's her best book yet. The rich detail of Nashville's Belmont Mansion, the accurate portrayal of a war-torn South, and the engaging characters reflecting the emotional upheaval following such a destructive war -- all of it is smoothly blended into a compelling story of a daughter running from certain fate and her family, and a son determined to avenge his father's death. Their worlds collide, and with every experience or interaction, you feel you are right there with Claire and Sutton.

Painstaking research and close character study bring this novel to great heights and take you on an exhilarating journey you won't soon forget. The only down side is having to wait for book 2!

Thanks, Tammy!


GIVEAWAY

I'll also be sending a FREE copy of this book in a random drawing from the comments answering this question:

When have you felt wronged in some way, pursued restitution or resolution for it, then learned another lesson along the way? If the incident is too personal, share the lesson you learned.

The contest is open to anyone in the US/Canada.

CFBA Blog Tour - Tamera Alexander and From a Distance

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
From a Distance
(Bethany House Publishers - June 1, 2008)
by Tamera Alexander

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamera Alexander Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots and poignant prose resonate with readers. Tamera is a finalist for the 2008 Christy Award Remembered, and has been awarded the coveted RITA® from Romance Writers of America for Revealed, along with Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction of 2006 Rekindled. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in the quaint town of historic Franklin, Tennessee, where they enjoy life with their two college-age children and a precious—and precocious—silky terrier named Jack.

A Note from Tamera:

Stories are journeys, and each story I write is a journey for me.

Rekindled began with a dream—the image of a man returning home on horseback. He came upon a freshly dug grave and when he knelt to read the name carved into the roughhewn wooden cross, he discovered the name was...his own. The inspiration for Revealed grew from two characters in Rekindled whose stories needed to be told. But even more, whose stories I needed to tell. Writing Revealed was a very personal journey for me, and a healing one. For Remembered, I met that story's heroine (figuratively, of course) while strolling the ancient cobblestoned pathways of a three hundred-year-old cemetery in northern Paris, France. And From A Distance came from a question I was struggling with in my own life at the time, "What happens when the dream you asked God for isn't what you thought it would be?"

For me, the greatest thrill of these writing journeys is when Christ reveals Himself in some new way, and I take a step closer to Him. And my deepest desire is that readers of my books will do that as well—take steps closer to Him as they read. After all, it's all about Him.

In the Potter's Hand,
Tamera

FROM A DISTANCE
by Tamera Alexander
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

What happens when dreams aren't what you imagined,

And secrets you've spent a lifetime guarding are finally laid bare?

Determined to become one of the country's premier newspaper photographers, Elizabeth Westbrook travels to the Colorado Territory to capture the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the remote town of Timber Ridge. She hopes, too, that the cool, dry air of Colorado, and its renowned hot springs, will cure the mysterious illness that threatens her career, and her life.

Daniel Ranslett, a former Confederate sharpshooter, is a man shackled by his past, and he'll do anything to protect his land and his solitude. When an outspoken Yankee photographer captures an image that appears key to solving a murder, putting herself in danger, Daniel is called upon to repay a debt. He's a man of his word, but repaying that debt will bring secrets from his past to light. Forced on a perilous journey together, Daniel and Elizabeth's lives intertwine in ways neither could have imagined when first they met ... from a distance.

Buy your copy of From a Distance today!

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE.

"...a rich historical romance by possibly the best new writer in this subgenre."
--Library Journal

"...a most amazing story. The characters are more than words on the page; they become real people."
--Romantic Times

BOOK REVIEW

When I read Tammy's first book, Rekindled, I knew I had found a new favorite author to add to my list. Ironic to realize that 3 of my top favorites are published by Bethany House. :) Anyway, the Fountain Creek Chronicles brought historical Colorado to life for me. I wept and rejoiced and shared in every experience and feeling the characters from the books in that series had.

This series starts off strong, and like the books in Fountain Creek Chronicles improved with each book, I am confident the same will take place with this new series. I empathize with the difficulty that exists in beginning a new series. Everything must be done from scratch again, and it's like you're starting on your first book.

Elizabeth in this book was difficult to like. She reminded me of my heroine from my first book. Uppity, rude, self-assued and unwilling to admit that she might be in the wrong. And like Gustaf in my book, Daniel delivered fantastic rebuttals to her attitude and high-browed ways while also retreating when necessary to lick his own wounds from his past. I think I related more to Daniel than Elizabeth, but I can certainly see why Elizabeth acted that way.

And now that I live in beautiful Colorado, the setting appeals to me on an even greater level. The vivid imagery and description penned by Tammy's hand makes the scenery come to life as you read. You'll feel like you're walking among the mountains yourself.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is the first book in your new series. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

The idea came from a question I was struggling with in my own life at the time, "What happens when the dream you asked God for isn't what you thought it would be?" For me, that dream was/is writing.

Do I enjoy writing? Yes…and no. One thing I didn't expect was for writing to get harder and harder. Each book is a bigger challenge. Each book is more difficult to write. I don't know where I got it, but somewhere I picked up this idea that it would get easier as you went along. Not! Now that I know that (with only five books under my belt, I've still got much yet to learn), it's not as paralyzing anymore. It's still hard, don't get me wrong. But knowing what I'm up against helps some.

I now expect those moments "mid book" when I panic and begin wondering—despairing sometimes—if I can really do this again. If maybe I've heard wrong and I'm not supposed to be doing this after all. Then…I fix my eyes (back) on Jesus, focus on Him (instead of my inadequacies), and keep writing.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

In every book, to some extent, I think there are bits and pieces of the author. For Elizabeth Westbrook, her relentless pursuit of a dream is something I shared, so I drew from personal motivations—and mistakes—I've made along the way. Daniel Ranslett is a man who carries baggage from the past with him. Namely, guilt over things he's done, and didn't do. And questioning the why of things. I have some experience with that too.

But really, as the story unfolds and the characters begin to grow and their motivations take over, that intentional "tapping into my experiences" fades and the characters become like real people to me. I do my best to slip into their skin and see the world through their eyes. Sometimes it takes writing/rewriting a scene several times in order to get that close "point of view" where the reader can actually feel the character's emotions and experience the events along with them. I rely greatly on my editors (and my fabulous writing critique partner, Deborah Raney) to tell me whether I've done that or not. Oftentimes, a writer is just too close to their story to see it objectively.

3. What themes exist in From a Distance that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Themes are funny things… I may be halfway through writing a book before I actually see with full clarity what the theme of that story really is. Theme grows from the characters' actions and motivations, what they want more than anything else, and what lessons they learn along the way. The arcing theme here is about pursuing God's dream for your life. I'm already getting reader mail (which is one of the best things about writing—connecting with readers!), and am hearing this theme being echoed. As for the more subtle themes in this book, I think those are quite individual to the reader and are best left in their hands.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

This book was especially difficult to write. Whether it was due to the pressure I put on myself (I've been known to have unrealistic expectations, imagine…), or the fact that our family moved cross country while I was writing, or our son graduated from high school one week before we moved, or that we were transitioning to an empty nest while I was revising and editing…take your pick. All I know is that holding this "finally in print" book in my hands felt really good!

And my favorite part is, by far, having written.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next book is The Inheritance, the first historical for the WOMEN OF FAITH fiction line with Thomas Nelson Publishers. It releases in March 2009 and is a historical romance set in Copper Creek, Colorado 1877. In May 2009, Beyond This Moment, a second Timber Ridge Reflections novel is due out. And fall 2009 will see the third installment of Timber Ridge Reflections released. The third title is TBD, but you can bet it'll start with a preposition!

Thanks for hosting me, Tiff!

Bless you, friend,
Tamera

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Thank you, Tammy, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of From a Distance.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

Make sure you leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that there's a way to contact you. Otherwise, you won't be entered. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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