The spiritual themes in my book are
never planned. While I know the characters in a novel when I begin writing,
along with their basic journey, I rarely have the spiritual theme in view. That
comes in the writing, in seeing the story revealed as the characters grow and
change. One of the most prevalent spiritual themes in my writing (as a reader
recently pointed out to me) is the truth of seeing who we are without Christ.
Because seeing who we are (and would be) without the power of Christ living in
us, changing us, brings a far deeper gratitude for His presence.
What
other books of yours are coming out soon?
Coming in July is a Belle Meade
Plantation novella—To Mend a Dream. To
Mend a Dream continues the story of a secondary character we meet in To Win Her Favor, Savannah Darby. Savannah is Maggie’s closest friend and while we learn
about Savannah ’s
struggles in To Win Her Favor, the
culmination of her story is told in To
Mend a Dream, a novella in a Southern novella collection entitled, Among the Fair Magnolias. I’m excited to
share this novella collection with friends and fellow authors Shelley Shepard
Gray, Dorothy Love, and Elizabeth Musser. Their stories are marvelous! And each
story is accompanied by a luscious Southern recipe and discussion questions.
Perfect for reading groups.
Sounds
wonderful. I’d love to feature that collection on my blog. If you could spend
an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who
would it be and why?
I’d love to spend an evening with Carol
Burnett. I’ve long admired her comedic wit and personal warmth and, of course,
grew up watching her show. A book of poems she published years ago, when I was
just a girl—I still have my copy—really made an impact on me and helped me
through an especially difficult time. So, Carol, if you’re out there and
listening, “Dinner’s on me, babe!”
What
historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Moses. I’ve just finished studying the
Life of Moses (Exodus - Deuteronomy) in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF.com) for the past year, and I’ve come to admire
Moses—his faith, his trust in God, his very human side, and his love for the
Israelites—more than ever before. And how touching that God buried Moses.
Scripture is so rich, truly “living and active” as the Word says.
How
can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from
publishers?
I received several rejections on the
first novel I wrote, so I stuck that novel in my drawer and decided to start
fresh. I wrote my next novel and got my first three-book contract. Rekindled was my first published novel,
but it wasn’t the first book I ever wrote. Remember the story tucked away in my
desk drawer for almost seven years? After a complete rewrite, that manuscript
became The Inheritance, which has now
sold over 100,000 copies. So never give up. Never throw away a manuscript. Keep
pushing forward toward your goal. Because every “No” along the way is really
just part of God’s final “Yes!” when His perfect timing is reached.
Tell
us about the featured book.
I’m so excited about To Win
Her Favor’s release. For a year or more, I live with these characters
inside me, growing and discovering their journeys. So it’s beyond thrilling
when a book releases and readers begin to embrace and love these characters
like I do.
To Win Her Favor is the second standalone novel in the Belle Meade Plantation series and it follows the story of Maggie Linden and rugged Irishman Cullen McGrath. This marriage of convenience story explores questions of race, faith, and loyalty and offers perspective on how Reconstruction affected racial relations, social status and economic fortunes in the post-war South — and has a passionate love story at its very heart.
Maggie Linden lost nearly everything in the Civil War — including most of her family. She’s about to lose her stables and land at Linden Downs, and her racing hopes as well. A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie is determined that her mare, Bourbon Belle, will become a champion. And her only hope of saving Linden Downs is if the horse takes the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run inAmerica . To
give his daughter a chance, Maggie’s wily father makes a barter. But his
agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail: Maggie must marry a man she’s
never met — a man she never would have chosen for herself.
It’s okay if readers haven’t read the first book in the series, To Whisper Her Name (USA Today bestseller). The Belle Meade novels can be read and enjoyed individually.
To Win Her Favor is the second standalone novel in the Belle Meade Plantation series and it follows the story of Maggie Linden and rugged Irishman Cullen McGrath. This marriage of convenience story explores questions of race, faith, and loyalty and offers perspective on how Reconstruction affected racial relations, social status and economic fortunes in the post-war South — and has a passionate love story at its very heart.
Maggie Linden lost nearly everything in the Civil War — including most of her family. She’s about to lose her stables and land at Linden Downs, and her racing hopes as well. A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie is determined that her mare, Bourbon Belle, will become a champion. And her only hope of saving Linden Downs is if the horse takes the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in
It’s okay if readers haven’t read the first book in the series, To Whisper Her Name (USA Today bestseller). The Belle Meade novels can be read and enjoyed individually.
Please
give us the first page of the book.
Nashville , Tennessee
May
4, 1869
Steady, girl,” Maggie whispered,
peering down from the bluff, leather reins held taut. The thrum of spectators
on the field below rose on the cool morning breeze, and she leaned forward to
stroke the thoroughbred’s neck. “Wait,” she gently coaxed, anticipation
sparking the air. “It’s coming . . .” But even as she said it, her own pulse
edged up a notch.
Bourbon Belle pawed the dirt, and
Maggie sensed the mare’s restraint growing thinner by the—
The gunshot sounded. The horses on the
racetrack below bolted from their marks, as did Bourbon Belle, and exhilaration
fired through Maggie’s veins.
Belle surged to life and Maggie gave
the horse her head, allowing the mare to surrender to every instinct the animal’s
sleek-muscled body commanded. To run.
Belle’s hooves pounded the smooth dirt
path, and Maggie imagined that this was what Willie experienced when he raced
Belle around the track below. Except the boy was less than half Maggie’s weight,
so he and Belle all but flew, just as she expected the pair to do again at the
heat later this week.
One and a quarter miles, barely a
two-minute race. But the thud of Maggie’s heart marked the time as Belle
rounded the familiar curve in the path, the mare’s powerful stride devouring
the distance.
Crouching forward, as she’d trained Willie
to do, Maggie felt the wind whipping the pins from her hair, and she relished
the freedom that only this kind of riding could bring. And though she knew the peace
was temporary at best, she embraced it.
You can read the first three chapters
on my website! http://www.tameraalexander.com/cmsdocuments/Chs1-3ToWinHerFavor.pdf
How
can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: www.TameraAlexander.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tameraalexander
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tameraalexander
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/TameraAuthor
Celebrate the release of To Win Her Favor with a Kindle Fire and book giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HD 6
- A copy of To Win Her Favor
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}
To Win Her Favor - Christianbook.com
Thank you, Tamera, for allowing us to be part of the release of this new book. I know my readers will love it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
To Win Her Favor (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel) - Amazon
To Win Her Favor (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel Book 2) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
30 comments:
I didn't know this author had a new book out , how exciting. I love the rich historical detail and the obvious research she does for her books. I would love to give this a read in my Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania home.
DeanneCnnamongirl
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com
I enjoyed learning more about Tamera. I've not yet read any of her books. Thanks for the chance to do so.
Caryl in TEXAS
Would like to read this!
-Melissa M. in TN
Ooh, sounds like a fun read by Tamera! :)
Danielle from Florida
I am intrigued!
Melanie Backus, TX
Hey friends! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit today. Appreciate your interest in reading To Win Her Favor. And Lena, thanks for inviting me!
I would love to win this. This author's books inspire me. jrs362 at Hotmail dot com
Always enjoy a Tamara Alexander book!
Vera in North Carolina (that state that bumps right up against Tennessee where this book begins)
I am really looking forward to reading this one. Tamera writes such good stories. Thanks for the interview and giveaway
Loraine in TX
Dee in NE would love this book in her TBR stack :) thanks for the giveaway!
I absolutely loooove Tamera's books. I got hooked a few years back. Looking forward to the release of To Win Her Favor.
Tamara is one of the best in historical fiction!
Patty in SC
I love Tamera's books! I live in Kentucky!
Lisa H.
I love Tamera's books! Shelia Hall from MS
Sounds like a great read!
I haven't read any books by Tamera Alexander, but I would love to :)
I live in Canada! ^_^
Another winner from Tamera Alexander!! How Exciting!!
Angela A from Kentucky
I am so looking forward to this book!
I am so looking forward to this book!
I really enjoy Tammy's books, especially the Belle Meade and Belmont Mansion books. I'm currently reading A Beauty So Rare. I'm looking forward to reading To Win Her Favor so it would be wonderful to win it here! Thanks for the chance.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
Hi Tamera & Lena! I'm going to the Belle Meade Plantation this summer when I go visit family and I want to have To Win Her Favor read so I can get any questions I have about the Belle Meade books answered on the tour!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I have not read any of Tamera's books. This looks like a book I would enjoy.
Beth from IA
Tamera's books are always on my "NEXT!!!" stack. I enjoyed reading your interview and learning to know her through your words. Thank you, Lena
Pam in Ohio
Yeah another book from Tamera - love her stories. Elaine in Iowa
Sounds like a great book to read.
I live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
Love Tamara's books and would love to read "To Win Her Favor"!! Thanks for the wonderful interview and the giveaway opportunity, Tamara and Lena!!
Bonnie
Kentucky
Love Tamera's books! Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
I'm from N.J.I love her books.
To Win Her Favor sounds like a rich, interesting story. Please add me!
Merry in MN
I would enjoy having this book
Lyndie in Duncanville TX
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