THE SEASONING OF ELIZABELLA - Tamera Lynn Kraft - One Free Book

Bio: Award winning author and Mt Zion Ridge Publisher Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. Forks in the Road, Lost in the Storm, and Red Sky Over America, Alice’s Notions, and Resurrection of Hope are among her published works. She also designs book covers, and hosts Themed Facebook parties and book launches. In her spare time, she loves to watch classic movies, drink quality teas, and ride on roller coasters, but not while drinking tea.

Tamera been married for a very long time to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and four adorable and smart grandchildren. She was a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is now the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire for Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist and has written children’s church curriculum including Building Foundations. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

Welcome back, Tamera. Tell us about your salvation experience. I was 13 years old and was in a bad home situation. I heard this church had a lot of cute boys. There were, so I kept going back. The church also had a bus ministry and a thriving youth ministry. I gave my heart to God during one of the youth services. I was the first in my family to be saved.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? I have gleaned a lot for my writing from Steven James and James L. Rubart, so I would choose them. I would also enjoy writing with Susan May Warren because I know I would learn a lot. Michelle Levigne has been my business partner for four years now. She’s a lot of fun and very knowledgeable, so I’d definitely include her.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. My speaking ministry is Revival Fire for Kids. I teach children’s pastors how to have an effective children’s ministry and how to lead children into the presence of God. I also write Building Pentecostal Foundations Children’s Church Curriculum, do children’s revivals, and have an Ignite Kidmin Podcast.

At one period in my writing life, I wrote children’s curriculum for two years for several age levels and included all the take-home papers as well. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it? When I was 15 years old, I took dance lessons. I was doing a tap dance for the performance review and the strap on my costume broke. I kept going on with the dance while holding my costume up with one of my hands.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that? Spend a lot of time writing and learning the craft, but don’t expect to publish the first thing you write. Also, read a lot of books in the genre you write.

Tell us about the featured book. The Seasoning of Elizabella: A Jamestown Bride Story

Elizabella can’t imagine anything worse than being a Jamestown bride -- but her sister is determined to do just that. On the way to the ship to stop her sister, she witnesses a brutal murder and must flee for her life. She takes refuge on the ship, pretending to be her sister, intending to leave as soon as she is safe. Before she knows it, she is headed for the New World, trapped by desperation and deception.

Miles fled to Jamestown with his family to escape the shame from their father's actions. Tragedy has tested his faith, including the loss of his wife and newborn son. His grief makes him more determined than ever to keep his one remaining brother from following in their father's footsteps.

Will God heal their pain? How can their love grow when Elizabella desires nothing more than to return to London, and Miles desires nothing more than to remain in Jamestown?

Please give us the first page of the book.

London, England

November 1619

Elizabella Clark gave her sister the fiercest look she could conjure. “Why didn’t you inform me about this earlier?”

“Because I knew you would try to stop me.” Honesty didn’t even offer a glance as she escorted the burly cart driver to where her trunk sat in front of the large loom in the center of the room.

“You speak truly.” Elizabella shivered, but ’twas nothing to do with the cold. The main room used as their seamstress shop contained a fire blazing so exceedingly well, she sometimes longed to open a window, no matter how frigid the outside air.

She glanced at the nearest wall where unused bolts of satin, silk, and embroidered linen cloth she’d ordered from a costly weaver lined the shelves. When she first opened the shop, Honesty and she had spent more time weaving than sewing to make ends meet. Tightly woven cloth sheets and blankets went for a fine price, and she’d learned to make short work of them. Now, they had more sewing jobs than they could handle, and the loom often sat idle.

Her stomach knotted into a tight ball. Without Honesty by her side, how could she hope to fill all the orders in a timely fashion?

Two rocking chairs sat empty in front of the hearth, a sewing basket beside each chair. They’d been hired to sew at least a half dozen gowns for the royal ball, and only one was finished. They should have been laboring over the dresses instead of wasting time on this folly. If only her sister would listen to reason.

“I can’t stay.” Honesty’s voice cracked. “After my heartbreak with Sir Robert, it would be too painful. Come with me.”

“Nay, I could never leave our home.” Elizabella turned so her sister wouldn’t see her watery eyes. “Wounds heal. You’ll see. You’re so young, barely old enough to wed at fifteen. Once word is out that you no longer have a suitor, gentlemen and tradesmen will flock around here like pigeons at the marketplace. Time enough to acquire a husband more suited to your station.”

“My station. I tire of hearing I’m not worthy of the mighty Weathersby family.” A tear rolled down Honesty’s cheek, and she swiped at it.

The carter leaned under the weight of the trunk, seemingly unsure of what to do.

“Fiddlesticks. They’re not good enough for you.” Elizabella desired nothing more than to give the eldest son of Lord Weathersby a scolding he’d never forget.

Asking for Honesty’s hand in marriage, then retracting the offer when his father disapproved of the union, was reprehensible. If he hadn’t been a nobleman, she would have had him arrested for breach of contract.

“Every one of them lives in leisure while doing nothing to help those they consider their inferiors. You’re well rid of Sir Robert.”

“He isn’t that sort. He just… His parents are concerned about our upcoming nuptials. He desires to honor them.”

“He should have upheld your honor.” A lump rose in Elizabella’s throat. He wouldn’t defend her sister any more than her father protected her. “He lacks the courage to be a good husband.”

Honesty dried her eyes with her pink embroidered handkerchief made of scraps from one of the gowns she’d sewn. “All the more reason to start a new life in a new land.” She turned to the carter and handed him a coin. “I’ll need it delivered to the London Merchant at Saint Katherine’s Wharf.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://tameralynnkraft.net

http://tameralynnkraft.com

Thank you, Tamera, for sharing the release of your book on my blog. I love your story.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Seasoning-Elizabella-Jamestown-Bride-Story/dp/1955838488/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1669826489&sr=1-4

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