




Relz Reviewz Extras
Character spotlight on Claire & Sutton
Reviews of Revealed, Remembered, The Inheritance, From A Distance, Beyond This Moment & Within My Heart
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong
Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of Revealed, Remembered, The Inheritance, From A Distance, Beyond This Moment & Within My Heart
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong
Bethany House continues to be one of the premier publishers of historical fiction as you can see from the many historical novels below.
Don't miss the contemporary stories from Alice Wisler, Patti Lacy and Tracie Peterson hiding among all those historicals!
Author Jody Hedlund was chatting recently on her blog about the early release of covers. Do you enjoy the anticipation of seeing a new cover and synopsis months in advance or would you prefer for it only to be revealed shortly prior to a book's release? I'd love to know your thoughts.
Enjoy these ones....months in advance....so I guess you know my answer :)
To Have and To Hold by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
Synopsis:~
Widow Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her ranch afloat and provide for her two young sons, though some days it feels as though her efforts are sabotaged at every turn. When her cattle come down with disease and her sons' lives are endangered, she must turn to Rand Brookston, Timber Ridge's physician and reluctant veterinarian. While Rachel appreciates his help, she squelches any feelings she might have for Rand--her own father was a doctor and his patients always took priority over his family. Rachel refuses to repeat the mistakes her mother made. But when she's courted by a wealthy client of the local resort, she faces a choice: self-sufficiency and security or the risk inherent in the deepest of loves.
My take:~
Tamera Alexander is one of the most talented writers of historical fiction today and that talent is clearly on display in her much anticipated novel, Within My Heart. With tenderness and emotion, Tamera reveals Rachel’s heartbreak and fear following the death of her husband and Rand’s desire to heal and protect. Beautiful prose and vivid characterisation hallmark this enthralling story that will engage anyone who loves historical romance. Tamera is one of the few historical writers with the ability to make this all too often cliched genre vivid and fresh which guarantees each one of her books remain on my keeper shelf. If you are yet to discover Tamera's novels, you are missing out on some fabulous writing and I recommend you rectify the situation immediately!
With thanks to Bethany for my review copy
Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of Revealed, Remembered, The Inheritance, From A Distance and Beyond This Moment
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong
Desperate for a fresh start, McKenna Ashford accepts her cousin's invitation and moves west with her rebellious younger brother to the not-so-quaint mountain town of Copper Creek, Colorado. She arrives only to find that life there is far from what she expects. Having practically raised Robert on her own, McKenna is burdened both with her failure as a parent and her deep conviction to not let her brother throw his life away. Trusting has never come easily for her--especially in issues of the heart--and that inability to trust is put to test when she meets U.S. Marshal Wyatt Caradon.
After years on the trail, Marshal Wyatt Caradon finds himself at a crossroads. He's brought countless men to justice, but he questions what lasting good his life has accomplished. When his path intersects that of young Robert Ashford, Wyatt glimpses himself, years ago, in the boy's pride and arrogance. He also sees a boy without a firm hand in his life. His well-meant attempt to help Robert brings him face-to-face with the one situation he never wanted to encounter--and the one woman who holds the key to helping him find his future.
My take:~
Choosing Tamera Alexander to write the first Women Of Faith historical novel was a sure bet! One of the premiere authors of this genre, Tamera once again proven her abilities to write an engrossing tale with characters that delight. Wyatt is a man of great integrity but doesn't realise what drives his unbending commitment while McKenna strives desperately to maintain her independence. While at times I became frustrated with McKenna's inability to accept help, her struggles were genuine, especially the handling of her defiant and recalcitrant younger brother. Tamera delivers up another story sure to encourage and engage her faithful readers and attract new ones to the fold!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of Revealed, Remembered, From A Distance and Beyond This Moment
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong
Dismissed from the university where she served as Professor of Romantic Languages, Dr. Molly Whitcomb travels west to start over in the secluded mountain town of Timber Ridge, Colorado, where she'll be teaching children. Her train stops in Denver, and on a whim, Molly purchases a wedding band; an attempt to cover a mistake, but also a chance at a fresh start.
Sheriff James McPherson was eager to hire a schoolteacher, but Dr. Molly Whitcomb isn't what he expected. His instincts about people, which rarely miss the mark, tell him she's hiding something. And when Molly's secret is revealed, her reinvented life begins to unravel. What's more, she risks losing her new found relationship with the sheriff and her renewed faith in God.
My take:~
Tamera Alexander's name is synonymous with outstanding historical fiction and she confirms her talents once again with Beyond This Moment. The second in her Timber Ridge Reflections series delves deeply into the issues of integrity and forgiveness as Molly attempts to leave her poor choices behind. With an uncanny ability to draw the reader completely into the story with stunning descriptions, charming dialogue and a magnetic attraction between her protagonists, Tamera's writing just keeps getting better. Tamera Alexander is, without question, a must read author for anyone who appreciates exceptional writing and loves to close a book with a heartfelt and satisfied sigh of delight!Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of Revealed, Remembered and From A Distance
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong
Kelli Standish at PulsePoint Design has created this book trailer for Tamera's latest book.
Check out Tamera's revamped website too!
Enjoy :)
I am very selective when it comes to reading historicals these days but Tamera Alexander's books always make the cut! Tamera has recently taken home a Christy Award for her novel, Remembered ~ congratulations, Tamera!
Tamera's latest novel, From A Distance has already garnered rave reviews. Hope you all enjoy this interview!
If you could have chosen your own name, what would it be?
I’ve always loved the name McKenna. And I’ve always wanted to have dark hair and olive skin. Alas, I do not… So I gave my most recent heroine (McKenna Atchison in The Inheritance) those attributes and lived vicariously through her.
Jack! And here’s a picture of him. He’s a silky terrier, and his full name is Jack Brennan Alexander (named after the hero in Remembered).
Your best friend’s name in primary (elementary) school?
Janet Meets. And Janet, if you’re out there, I’d love to reconnect with you! We attended Idlewood Elementary School in Tucker, Georgia together. Many years ago… And whenever I eat Cool Whip, I think of her. She introduced me to Cool Whip with chocolate ice cream. Yum!
If you were stranded on a deserted island what one object would you want with you? (Besides your Bible of course)
A GPS phone so I could call home and get rescued. After a few days of quiet and sun, of course.
What's your favourite ice cream flavour?
Coffee with caramel and roasted almonds. I want that on the deserted island too. ;)
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher. I used to line up my dolls and animals on the edge of my bed and lecture to them. I also indexed all my books according to the Dewey Decimal System. I had much more time on my hands then…
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d travel the castles of Europe. That’s a dream!
What's your favourite book?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It’s Francine at her best and God’s unconditional love in all its splendor.
I have many…but Dances with Wolves is at the top of that list. Then Sommersby. And Sense and Sensibility. And Sound of Music…
What's your most fervent prayer?
That, once I leave here, I will have made a difference in this world. An eternal difference in lives. That’s all that matters.
What's the bravest thing you've ever done?
Have children. It’s the hardest job in the world. The most heartbreaking, and the most rewarding.
What gift have you received that you will always treasure?
The gift of friendship. When someone offers you their friendship, they offer their heart, and that’s a precious, priceless gift.
What is your favourite Bible verse (or "one" of your favourites) and what does it mean to you?
Hebrews 12:1,2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I read this often and am reminded that I’m to run my own race. Not someone else’s. I’m to run the race God set before me, and I’m to run with perseverance because it’s going to be hard. I’m to keep my eyes on Jesus who’s already run this path so He knows the pitfalls and the blind curves. There’s not always joy in each step of the journey, and when there’s not, joy most certainly awaits!
What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?
Oh gracious, there were so many. One that comes to mind is in the 8th grade (in Atlanta—in those years anyway—our high schools went from 8th – 12th grade) when I was the last person chosen for basketball. Then…to make matters worse, I was so thrilled when I finally made a basket, only to realize that I’d made it for the opposing team. It was not pretty, and my meager contribution was not appreciated. LOL! And btw, I still can’t play basketball very well.
Ask your children one thing they think is special about you and share it with us, please!
My son isn’t home right now but I just asked my daughter (age 21) and she says… “I like how my mom has the ability to relate to everyone and make them feel better after having been with her.”
Tamera here again: Wow, that’s nice! I love that girl! Now to run pay her.
BTW, a fun tidbit on From a Distance! We used my daughter’s hair on the cover. Bethany House “photoshopped” it in. See any resemblance?
From A Distance
I love that you don’t follow the historical romance formula despite writing historical romance novels! Elizabeth is 32 and pursuing an interesting and unusual career for a woman of the 1870s. How did Elizabeth come to be?
Thanks for those kind words! The idea for From a Distance came from a question I’d been asking myself. “What happens when the dream you’ve asked God for isn’t what you imagined it would be?” I read a lot and had been reading a book on the history of photography. That one particular question intertwined with the interest in photography, and the idea for From a Distance was born.
You have brought a current hot topic (environmentalism for want of a better word) as Daniel seeks to protect the Colorado wilderness from developers. Tell us how that came about, please.
That grew completely from his character. I didn’t approach FAD with that subtle theme in mind. Daniel came west, hurting and disillusioned, and the land helped “heal” him, in a sense. So when he sees the territory being destroyed, he takes a personal interest in seeing that it’s preserved for future generations.
You have introduced readers to some strong minor characters, including Rachel Boyd, Sheriff James McPherson and Dr Rand Brookston. Will we read their stories in the next Timber Ridge Reflections stories?
Oh yes! I’m writing Beyond This Moment now and you’ll see all of these characters again in May 2009. And in the third book in the series that releases in fall 2009.
What are you working on at the moment? A sneak peek, please.
I’m currently taking a few days out from writing Beyond This Moment, Book 2 in Timber Ridge Reflections, to focus on substantive edits for The Inheritance. The Inheritance is for Women of Faith Fiction (Thomas Nelson) and is a stand alone novel set in Colorado 1877. It releases in March 2009! They’re working on cover art right now, and I’ll be sure and put it up on my website and blog as soon as it’s ready!
Thanks for hosting me!
Warmly,
TameraRelz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of From A Distance, Revealed and Remembered
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong