Growing up in Atlanta and visiting antebellum mansions, I developed an early appreciation for the post-bellum era of our nation’s history. Through the years, that appreciation matured into a deeper love and respect for the people and events of that time. While the stories in the Belle Meade Plantation series are largely fiction, certain threads of each story (the people, events, and settings) are straight from the pages of history.
When I stepped foot on Belle Meade and learned about the people, the history… I knew I wanted to write books with Belle Meade as a setting.
If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Oh gracious, only six?! You didn’t say whether living or deceased so I’m going to give the question “scope.” Isn’t that what writers are supposed to do anyway?
I’d love to have conversation time with Frank Peretti, Calvin Miller, Catherine Marshall, to name three. I’ve been so incredibly blessed by their words. Then I’d have to say three of my closest writing buddies…Robin Lee Hatcher, Sunni Jeffers and Deborah Raney, who are all currently (as I write this) sitting on my screened-in deck (they’re here for a mini writing retreat this week). Love these women (and their writing) dearly.
Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
Francine Rivers. Love her work. Really admire her faith. Lynn Austin. What a fabulous lady. Julie Klassen. I was actually just with her (and Lynn Austin) two weeks ago speaking at a Book Festival, such fun!!). Sandra Dallas (author of True Sisters, which I’m reading and really enjoying. Love Sandra’s writing and voice. Julie Quinn is another author whose work I really enjoy, plus she seems like a fun personality. And last but not least (I’d let her sit at the head of the table), would be Judith Miller. A wonderful writer and an absolute treasure of a woman.
Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Accepting and embracing the truth that every book gets exponentially harder. You’d think the opposite would be true but it’s not. You always want to give your best, and you want to make “your best” better than it was before. Writing well takes a team, and I feel incredibly blessed to have a fabulous writing team that encourages me, challenges me, keeps me accountable. And above all, prays me home on these writing journeys.
To Whisper Her Name is the first in the three-book Belle Meade Plantation series, and it released October 23. After writing numerous novels set in the Colorado Territory, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to write Southern historicals. I'm a daughter of the South, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, so the stories in the Belle Meade Plantation series––the people, history, events, and settings––are extra special to me. The three novels in the Belle Meade Plantation series will be stand-alones, meaning that while the stories are loosely woven together, each is a complete story in itself and the books can be read independent of each other.
And a hint for readers… You might just catch a glimpse of someone from the Belmont books in the Belle Meade books (or visa versa), as well as glimpse a character from a past novel of mine in To Whisper Her Name.
Please give us the first page of the book.
I’ll do better than that. I’ll give you the first three chapters!
http://media.zondervan.com/media/samples/pdf/9780310291060_samptxt.pdf
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I enjoy keeping in touch with my readers and connecting with them. We can do that through my website, Twitter, Facebook, and blog. I also host monthly giveaways on my website as my way of saying thanks!
Connect with Tamera here:
www.tameraalexander.com
www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/tameraalexander
www.facebook.com/tamera.alexander
http://pinterest.com/tameraauthor
Watch video vignettes filmed on location at Belle Meade:
http://www.tameraalexander.com/bellemeadeplantationnovels.html
Thank you, Tamera, for sharing this story with us. I just love your cover.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
To Whisper Her Name (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel)
- paperbackTo Whisper Her Name (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel)
- KindleLeave 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.)
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Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
