Author Tamera Alexander - THE INHERITANCE - Free Book

I'm happy to welcome Tamera Alexander back to the blog. It's been a while since she was here. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I was recently on a “book club conference call” and one of the gals mentioned a theme in one of my books (the selection the group had just read) that had really spoken to her. She started to describe the pinnacle scene that captured that specific theme, and I quickly realized she was mistaken about which book that theme was in. It wasn’t in the book they’d just read but was in another one of my books. I thought, “Bless her heart, she has the themes in the books confused.” But um…no. It was me who was a tad confused. Well, not confused really, but mistaken about her being mistaken (grin). The theme she was referring to is about how we can’t truly love others—and ourselves—like God intended for us to love without first seeing ourselves as we are completely and totally without Him. Without the righteousness that God gives us because of Jesus’ sacrifice. I realized then as the women and I continued talking that that’s a theme that runs throughout my books. Some more prominently than others, but it’s always there.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

Beyond This Moment, the second book in the Timber Ridge Reflections series releases this month (March 2009). All I’ve been doing in recent months is writing, can you tell? Then this fall, the third book—Within My Heart—in the Timber Ridge Reflections series will release. I’m writing that book right now.In Summer 2010, the first book of a brand new six-book series (all historical fiction/romance) with Bethany House will release.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Hmmmm….right now, in this moment, I’d love to spend an evening with Wynonna Judd. I read her book (Coming Home to Myself) recently and was touched by her authenticity and grace. I remember first seeing her and her mom in concert back in the early 80s and I’ve loved her music ever since. Her recent album “Sing” is marvelous! My husband never knows what he’s going to get music-wise when he gets into my car. It could be Pavarotti or James Taylor or Little Big Town or Amy Grant or Wynonna, Styx, Boston, or Little River Band. My music tastes vary widely. But an evening with Wynonna, now that would be most enjoyable. I even know where I’d like to eat. Right here in Franklin at Dotson’s Café.

Can I come? How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?

Novel writing isn’t something I ever thought I’d undertake. I wasn’t one of those girls who held a book and dreamed of writing one. But I certainly was one of those girls who held a book and dreamed of being the heroine. Which really, is what a novelist is, I guess. We become our characters as we write, so my love of story and the yearning to be “swept away” to another time and place serves my current occupation quite well. I have no idea how long I’ll write novels. The natural response would be to say, “As long as a publisher will give me a contract.” But something Francine Rivers said to me years ago has stuck with me. She said (and I’m paraphrasing), “I want to be centered in the middle of God’s will for my life, whatever that is. So I may write these next (X-number of) books I’m contracted for and that may be it. But whatever I do, I want to be doing what God wants me to do.” Ditto!

What can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Keep those rejected manuscripts (more on that below). Keep honing your craft. Attend writer’s conferences and network. Read and reread those novels that touch you. Dissect them. Pick them to pieces. I teach a conference course on dissecting novels. That’s largely how I learned to write—dissecting my favorite novels.

The Inheritance is actually my first novel that was rejected…ahem…several times. After receiving numerous rejections, I put the novel away and spent the subsequent two years learning how to write. Then I started on a brand new story. But when Thomas Nelson approached me about writing the first historical for Women of Faith Fiction, I immediately thought of this novel, still tucked away in my drawer and within me.

The Inheritance is a complete rewrite of that original manuscript. I literally chunked the old manuscript (it had way too many issues) and told the story again through where I was at that current point in my life and in where I was at that point skill-wise. I added new subplots and new characters, but the hero and heroine remained much the same. It was wonderful to revisit these characters—Wyatt and McKenna—and to see their story finally come to life. And to the printed page.

So if you’ve gotten rejected manuscripts stuffed in desk drawers, don’t lose heart. And don’t toss them. It could be that that rejection isn’t God saying “Never.” But rather, “Just not right now.”

Excellent advice. I have a manuscript I plan to revisit at sometime. Tell us about the featured book.

Here’s a peek at the back cover blurb:

An unexpected inheritance. An unknown future. An unending love.

Determined to tame her younger brother’s rebellious streak, McKenna Ashford accepts her cousin’s invitation to move west, and to begin again. But she quickly discovers that life in Copper Creek, Colorado, is far from what she expected. Shouldering burdens beyond her years, McKenna tries to be the parent Robert needs, instead of the older sister he resents. But an “untimely inheritance” challenges her resolve at every turn, while also offering a second chance to restore her sense of trust—and perhaps even her heart.

U.S. Marshal Wyatt Caradon is dedicated to bringing fugitives to justice, yet years of living on the trail have taken their toll. When his path intersects with that of McKenna Ashford, he comes face-to-face with a past he never wanted to relive—and the one woman who can help him find the future he’s been longing for.

As McKenna struggles to let go of her independence and Wyatt considers opening his heart again, they discover an inheritance beyond imagination. But it will come at a price.

Women of Faith has shared the message of hope and grace with millions of women across the country through conferences and resources. When you see the words "Women of Faith Fiction" on a novel, you're guaranteed a reading experience that will capture your imagination and inspire your faith.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Here’s the first page:

The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander

Chapter 1

Copper Creek, Colorado, Rocky Mountains

Tuesday, June 5, 1877

McKenna Ashford climbed down from the wagon, holding firm to the belief that she’d made the right decision in coming West—as if her brother’s behavior back in Missouri had given her a choice. She surveyed the not-so-quaint-looking mountain town of Copper Creek and found it to be rougher than she’d envisioned from her cousin’s descriptions in her letters. The town was more rustic with its clapboard buildings, some slightly leaning and arthritic in appearance, their cracked windows staring out like dazed, bloodshot eyes on unsuspecting passersby. But the mountains . . .

Tilting back her head, McKenna traced a visual path across the craggy range that stood sentinel over Copper Creek. And lingering on their highest snowcapped peaks, feeling both awed and humbled, she knew Janie was right—a person couldn’t see these mountains and not be changed.

“So this is it? This is what we left home for?”

McKenna stared up at Robert, still seated on the wagon bench, and read familiar disdain in her brother’s smirk. Only fourteen—nine years her junior—Robert stood a head taller than her and sported muscles most men would be proud to claim.

“All I’m asking, Robert, is that you take the wagon and go on to Vince and Janie’s so they’ll know we’ve arrived.” Exhausted and hungry, she worked to keep the frustration from her tone, and failed. Again. “It’s only a half mile or so from town.”

She gestured to the envelope on the bench seat beside him, knowing the letter’s contents by heart. “The directions are in her letter. I’ll get a horse from the livery and meet you there shortly.”

Robert didn’t move. “I don’t see why I can’t go on with you to the livery.” He gave the letter a cursory glance. “I’ve never even met these people.”

“Yes, you have. I’ve told you before, they knew you when—” She caught herself, realizing it was no use, considering the stubborn set of his jaw.

Readers can read the entire first chapter here:http://www.tameraalexander.com/books.html

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.tameraalexander.com/
http://www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com/
http://www.writespassage.blogspot.com/

Contest site: http://www.tameraalexander.com/contest.html

We’re currently giving away copies of Beyond This Moment on the Contest Page of my website. Visit and enter your name in the drawing. Contest ends on March 31st.

Continued blessings and many thanks,

Tamera

Thank you, Tamera, for spending this time with us.

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