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Tag Archives: Tamera Alexander

New From Tamera Alexander!

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Reviewed Books

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Best of 2019, Books I LOVE, Civil War Historical fiction, History, Tamera Alexander

with this pledge

 

This novel is exquisite storytelling and a must read for all historical fiction fans! Inspired by the real love letters between Captain Roland Jones Ward and Miss Elizabeth Clouston, Tamera Alexander tells a beautiful story of love and loss.  With This Pledge is taken from the pages of our country’s most turbulent time, the Civil War.

Miss Clouston, “Lizzie”,  is a governess for the Carnton family near Franklin, Tennessee.  Everything about Lizzie’s life is in turmoil.  Her heart hopes slavery will meet its end in this terrible war, while her fiance fights for the Confederacy.  The war arrives at her front door when the Carnton home is unexpectedly turned into a field hospital.  Among the wounded is Captain Roland Jones, a handsome Confederate soldier with whom Lizzie finds an unexpected attachment. As the story unfolds, Lizzie is forced to come to terms with who she loves and what her life will become once the war ends.

There is so much wonderful in this book.  Tamera Alexander tells a riveting love story against the back drop of a dark and grim time in our history.  Not only does she help us know the circumstances of the characters, but she also guides us through the two sides of the conflict.  It must have been a difficult task to write about such tumultuous period in history. She did such an amazing job of stepping into Lizzie’s and Roland’s shoes to allow us to see their life through their own eyes.

I never miss a new release from Tamera Alexander and you shouldn’t either!  With This Pledge is a must read for this year!  I know with great certainty that it will be on my Best of 2019 list! I requested a copy of this novel from NetGalley to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. NetGalley gives readers an opportunity to read books in advance of their release. Check them out at NetGalley.com!

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander

24 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Favorites, Recently Read

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Best of 2017, Christian Historical Fiction, New Historical Fiction, Tamera Alexander, To Wager Her Hear

to wager her heart

 

Tamera Alexander is by far one of the best story tellers in historical fiction. Her attention to detail, realistic characters, and ability to convey genuine emotion make every novel she pens one that I will read over and over again. To Wager Her Heart is no exception. Like the two books that precede it, To Whisper Her Name and To Win Her Favor, I was captivated from the first chapter. I quickly became invested in the story of Alexandra Jamison and Sylas Rutledge.

Alexandra Jamison is a young woman who has known tragedy and loss. Looking for purpose, Alexandra takes on a teaching position at Fisk University and loses what is left of her family. She meets an undignified Sylas Rutledge who becomes an important friend despite her first impressions. I love the way this story unfolds! I so appreciate the way the relationship between Alexandra and Sylas develops.  I also enjoyed the history Tamera Alexander included regarding Fisk University and the Jubilee Singers. There is a moment in the beginning of the novel where Alexandra mistakes a generous colleague for a maid.  It was in that part of the story, that I began to appreciate how well Tamera Alexander creates flawed characters that we can fall in love with! I was literally embarrassed for the main character…I felt what she felt. This is the mark of a great novel.

If you love historical fiction, To Wager Her Heart is a must read!  I am admittedly a huge Tamera Alexander fan and I am always aware of when she has a new release coming out. I have read every single novel she has written and they are all fantastic. However, I must say, the Belle Meade Plantation Novels have been my favorite. You do not have to read them in sequential order as they easily stand alone. But you should definitely read the entire series! I was given an Advanced Reader’s Copy by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. ( I would have purchased this book anyway…it was on my MUST READ list.)

A New Favorite from Tamera Alexander

25 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Favorites, Reviewed Books

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A Note Yet Unsung, Christian Fiction, Favorite Fiction, historical fiction, Reviewed, Tamera Alexander

a-note-yet-unsung

 

I have had the privilege of reading all three books in Tamera Alexander’s Belmont Mansion series.  This last book, A Note Yet Unsung is without a question my favorite of the three! It was a fantastic ending to a fabulous series!! While this book is third in the series, you could absolutely read it as a stand alone. Tamera Alexander does include characters from the previous books, but in a fun flashback sort of way.

A Note Yet Unsung, is a charming story about a tenacious woman before her time. Rebekah Carrington has arrived home to Nashville from Vienna without money or a safe place to live. She is an extremely talented musician living in a time when women are not invited to participate in symphonies. She soon finds that the city has acquired its own philharmonic with a promising conductor, Nathaniel T. Whitcomb. The war is over and times are changing… perhaps Mr. Whitcomb will offer her an opportunity to live her dream. Her hope for her future rests in hands.

I love the way Tamera Alexander develops this story. There is no love at first sight or unbelievable relationship created. Page by page, Rebekah and Nathaniel get to know one another. I love the amount of page time dedicated to the development of their story. This story is perfection, an easy five stars. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Netgalley. I was not required to give it a positive review. To be perfectly honest, I was patiently waiting for this book’s release so I could request it. I would have purchased a copy for myself because Tamera Alexander is in my top three must read authors!!

The BEST of 2015

07 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Favorites, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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Book Review, Christian Historical Fiction, Favorite Fiction, Favorite Reads of 2015, Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, Tamera Alexander, The Mistress of Tall Acre, The Painter's Daugher, To Win Her Favor

I spend so much time reading!  I love getting lost in a book. This year I have lost count of exactly how many I have read. However, I recall three books that I will never forget. These books are guaranteed good reads if you love historical fiction. I whole-heartedly recommend these novels. I will read them over and over again.

The Mistress of Tall Acre

 by: Laura Franz

The Mistress of Tall Acre

To Win Her Favor

By: Tamera Alexander

To Win Her Favor

The Painter’s Daughter

by: Julie Klassen

The Painters Daugher

My Favorite Fiction Read for 2015!

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Reviewed Books

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Best Fiction of 2015, Book Review, Christian Historical Fiction, NetGalley, Tamera Alexander, To Win Her Favor

To Win Her Favor

This sigh worthy book has been my favorite read so far in the genre of historical fiction for this year. I could not put it down and I became obsessed with reading it!! I read as I dried my hair in the mornings, in the pick up line at school, and by lamp at night long after my family had turned in for the evening. I have read all of Tamera Alexander’s books and this one might just be my new favorite.

To Win Her Favor is 5 stars for its beautiful telling of a marriage of convenience. Chemistry between characters Maggie and Cullen is tangible! It is Far and Away (with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) meets Gone With the Wind, except Cullen (the hero) is a more mature and much taller man.  Tamera Alexander gives plenty of page time to Margaret and Cullen which leads to a believable and wonderful ending.

I will read To Win Her Favor again as it has won a place on my shelf of cherished books. Like a new favorite movie, it will be enjoyed by me over and over. Really, I could go on and on. I loved it!

I sought out my copy of To Win Her Favor on NetGalley. (Because I read everything Tamera Alexander writes!) I have not been compensated for my review and all opinions are my own.

My Other Favorites by Tamera Alexander

To Whisper Her Name

A Lasting Impression

Free EBook by Tamera Alexander!

08 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Favorites

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free ebook, Rekindled, Tamera Alexander

Download Rekindled by Tamera Alexander free on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and CBD.com! Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite authors! I have read Rekindled and can say with great confidence that it is a stellar choice for summer reading!

20140607-212534-77134055.jpg

A Savory Custard!

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Food, Recently Read

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A Beauty So Rare, Savory Custard, Tamera Alexander

custardI love when two of my favorite things collide! Fabulous food, and an amazing book! This is a recipe taken from A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander.  Enjoy!!

Ingredients
1 old-fashioned unbaked pie crust (recipe below)
1 large onion, diced (or sliced if you like larger pieces of onion in your savory)
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound cooked ham diced into cubes (if using bacon, use 8 slices, fried chewy, not too crisp)
8 large eggs
1-1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste (I always go heavier on the pepper, personal preference)
1 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions
Sauté onion in the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces (or fry your bacon until chewy, then chop). Set aside to cool. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pie crust and press into a deep dish pie plate. A medium-sized iron skillet works wonderfully for making a savory custard (and is what Eleanor used). The crust comes out divine. I just happened to use a pie plate this time.

Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, ham (or bacon), and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Cover the pie plate (or skillet) lightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. QUICK BAKING TIPS: The quiche may still seem a little loose when you first remove it from the oven, but it will firm up nicely once removed from the heat. Also, watch that lovely crust so the edges don’t get overly brown. I use a silicone pie crust shield if that starts to happen. Those are a fabulous invention (but foil crimped around the edges works just as well).

My Favorites

03 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE

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1000 Gifts, Adriana Trigiani, Ann Voscamp, Big Stone Gap, book recommendations, Dumas, Francine Rivers, L.M. Montgomery, Laura Frantz, Liz Curtis Higgs, Love's Reckoning, Mine is the Night, one thousand gifts, Redeeming Love, suggested reading list, Tamera Alexander, The Blue Castle, The Count of Monte Cristo, To Whisper her Name, what to read

There are few things I love more than a good book. Overtime I have developed a veracious appetite for all things historical fiction. It’s not the only thing I read, but definitely my preference. Here are my most cherished books. I have read some of them more than twice.

Redeeming LoveI read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers every year. It is an amazing work of fiction and is in my top five without a doubt. Redeeming Love is a fictionalized retelling of the Book of Hosea from the Bible. Bible reader or not, this book is incredible and difficult to put down.

Mine is the NightAhhhh!  Just seeing the cover makes me want to read it again!!  Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs is the fictionalized retelling of the Book of Ruth from the Bible. Again, you don’t have to be Bible savvy to read and enjoy. In fact, I had no idea it was based on the book of Ruth until I began reading it.  Needless to say, I love it.

Love's ReckoningMagnificent cover! Laura Frantz is in fact my favorite author. I stumbled upon her first book in my local library, The Frontiersman’s Daughter. I spent two nights barely sleeping because I had to know how it would end. Of her books, if I were to pick my very favorite, it would be Love’s Reckoning. When I am out of books to read, I read this one again.

TheBlueCastleRemember Anne of Green Gables? Well, It was written by L.M. Montgomery. She also wrote this lovely book, The Blue Castle. I adore it. I bought it on my Nook because it is obviously an older book, but I so want a hard copy. Put this one at the top of your to read list.

1000 giftsI fully intend to devote an entire blog post to this life changing book. Until then, I encourage you to hurry to your local bookstore and buy this book!!!  The lens with which I view the world is forever changed.  After reading this book, I find myself discovering gifts from God everywhere I look. Christmas everyday. I have even started my own list of 1000 gifts.

at home in MitfordThe Mitford books by Jan Karon are endearing and heart warming. They reignited my love for reading after college. There is nothing like four years of mandated reading to kill your joy of pleasure reading. I read every book in this series. I am so thankful my Mother-in-law recommended them to me. So now I am paying it forward.

The Counte of Monte CristoThis one is a little bit of a commitment, but well worth the effort. I first read this book in the seventh grade. Full of mystery, intrigue, love, and even revenge, I am certain it will become a favorite.

To Whisper Her NameI have read all but one of Tamera Alexander’s books. This is by far my favorite. I clearly remember the night I stayed up nearly till dawn to finish it. So good!!  Tamera Alexander’s books are always a guarantee great read.

Big Stone GapLast but not least, Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani.  This is a laugh out loud kind of book. I have read it many times and I am never sorry. It is the first book in a series, but in my opinion, it is the best in the grouping. Bonus, it is being made into a movie starring Ashley Judd!

Happy Reading!!

 

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE

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A Beauty So Rare, Tamera Alexander

A Beauty So RareSometimes, a dream slips away and we feel like we have lost all hope. And then in a grand and miraculous way, God comes through with a dream far above and beyond anything we could ever hope for or imagine. This is the story Tamera Alexander masterfully crafts in A Beauty So Rare. In this book, Eleanor Braddock has figured out how to care for her father and herself only to have all of her efforts come up void. Throughout the story, Eleanor finds not only her purpose in life, but so much more.

I loved this book for so many reasons.  I love the detail, history, and setting. This is truly one of those books you read and feel like you know the characters. From Eleanor’s Aunt Adelicia Acklen Cheatham who isn’t nearly as shallow as I first believed to Marcus who gently reaches for Eleanor’s heart. This is a book well worth reading and keeping on your shelf to read again.

Here is a clip of the author, Tamera Alexander, talking about her inspiration for writing this lovely novel!

 

 

 

 

 

A Peek at A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Recently Read

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A Beauty So Rare, Tamera Alexander

I read A Beauty So Rare this past week and absolutely loved it.  It is such a great read especially if you love a well crafted love story. Here is an excerpt from the book!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/204941446/A-Beauty-So-Rare

And, just for fun, here is the trailer for the book!

 

 

 

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