To Whisper Her Name (Belle Meade Plantation #1) by Tamera Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was so good that I was sad to see this story come to an end!! It's not often that I read and really savor a book because the storyline is one that I deeply enjoy. 

Ridley is looking for someplace to land after fighting in the war. He stumbles upon Belle Meade and recognizes a familiar face there. He spends some time with Uncle Bob and ultimately, ends up with a job. He doesn't plan to stay long, just long enough to make the money he needs to move out west. The lessons he learns from Uncle Bob are lifelong though and their friendship runs deep. 

Olivia is a newly widowed young lady who doesn't have anywhere to turn except to accept the offer from Aunt Elizabeth to come live with her at Belle Meade. If only the General was as accepting of her she might have been able to secure better employment prior to coming and prove her worth to the only people who will accept her after the shame her late husband brought upon her. 

This book is full of a very sweet romance, some not so nice romances, horses, a sprawling plantation, and lots of shenanigans. I fell in love with Olivia's character but my favorite character in this story is Rachel. I think behind the scenes she might have had a lot to do with how the characters interacted and the story played out. Uncle Bob is another big favorite of mine. I just never knew what he might do in his training with Ridley.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series!! 

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Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander

Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novella held my attention from word one!! Aletta and her son are really struggling with the news of the recent passing of their husband/father in the war. The entire community is reeling from the losses due to casualties of war. At risk of being evicted from her home, Aletta does all she can to save her home and make life as comfortable as she can for her son and the child she is expecting. When an opportunity at the Carnton estate comes about, Aletta doesn't hesitate to apply for the job.

Jake is a sharpshooter and finds himself injured to the point that the doctors are telling him he can't go back into the war. Jake finds himself being sent to Carnton to deal with all the local bittys and their charity Christmas auction. There are far too many frills and grins for poor Jake and he strongly desires to head back to his buddies in combat. Little does he know, that he still can serve a great purpose at Carnton.

This novella is the intro to a full series that will begin to release in 2018. I can't wait to read more about the owners of Carnton, along with their friends. I am hoping to be able to stop and view this land in Tennessee one day when I'm travelling through!


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To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I literally sat and read this book in one sitting!!

Maggie is an avid horse trainer. She and her dad are seeing things in a bleak light and she fears she may lose her land and everything with it. What would she do without her prized horses? That all changes when the Irishman Cullen appears in the cemetery where her dad is praying. When Mr. Linden offers Cullen the deal of a lifetime, there is a stipulation attached. Can Cullen handle that?

I appreciate the brief history lesson that author, Tamera Alexander offers at both the beginning and end of this book. It really put a few things in perspective for me!!

I asked my husband tonight at dinner if he had been in Cullen's situation, what would he have done? Of course, today is a much different place and time than back in Maggie's day. He would not have handled the situation the same way that Cullen did. The romantic in me was a little taken aback by his answer....but then, would I have accepted his actions?

I loved this story on many different levels. The way that Maggie grew to accept those different than her was very heartwarming. I hope we hear more about Kissa in future writings from Ms. Alexander!!

I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with the characters in this book. During the time I was reading, I have no idea what happened around me because I was fully vested into this story. Thank you for an enjoyable read, Tamera!

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Coming Soon: A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

I am so excited because I've been asked to be a promoter for Tamera Alexander's upcoming release, "A Beauty So Rare"!!! In the next few weeks, you will see posts about her upcoming release, including my review!

To read an excerpt from this fabulous book, click here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/204941446/A-Beauty-So-Rare

I want to thank Bethany House Publishers, Amy Green and Tamera Alexander for this fabulous opportunity!

CFBA: A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  A Lasting Impression  Bethany House (November 1, 2011)  by  Tamera Alexander  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart) continue her signature style of deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose which has earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.


These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the 2010 and 2007 RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2010 and  2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2010 HOLT Medallion, the 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, the 2007 National Reader's Choice Award, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.

Tamera's newest novel A Lasting Impression is the first of a brand new three-book Southern historical series, and the first two chapters are available for review. She's at work on her ninth novel which will release in fall 2012.

After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, along with Tamera's father, Doug, and with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.  

ABOUT THE BOOK

To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. When her fraud of a father deals her an unexpected hand, Claire is forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville, only a year after the War Between the States has ended. Claire's path collides with that of Sutton Monroe, and she considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But when they meet again and he refuses to come to her aid, she realizes she's sorely misjudged the man. Trading an unwanted destiny for an unknown future, Claire finds herself in the middle of Nashville's elite society and believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art may finally be within reach.


All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Set at Nashville's historical Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America in the 1860s, A Lasting Impression showcases the deep, poignant, unforgettable characters that set Tamera's stories apart and provides an inspiring love story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them eager for more.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Lasting Impression, go HERE.

CFBA: Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Within My Heart Bethany House; Original edition (September 1, 2010)

by Tamera Alexander





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart), penned in her style with deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose have earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.



These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award, the 2007 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2009 and 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.



After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville with Tamera's father, Doug. They enjoy life there with Joe and Tamera's two adult children, and Jack, a precious—and precocious—silky terrier.





ABOUT THE BOOK

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.



 If you would like to read the first chapter of Within My Heart, go HERE.

Mailbox Monday

Either the mail man has forgotten where I live or I'm just really not going to get much mail (except the standard bills and junk mail!). In my box this week was one book, Rekindled, by Tamera Alexander. This is the completer to the other two that I received last week. I didn't get them in order but now I can read them in order! :)

What's in your box this week?

Mailbox Monday!

While the mail doesn't run today, I was blessed to have the following fill up my mailbox this week...

1. Sunsets by Robin Jones Gunn
2. Whispers by Robin Jones Gunn
3. Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn
4. Waterfalls by Robin Jones Gunn
5. Echoes by Robin Jones Gunn
6. Remembered by Tamera Alexander
7. Revealed by Tamera Alexander

My to-be-read list just became 7 books longer but I have so much to look forward to reading. I have a small stack forming on my bedside table and my dear daughter just added two more to it last night. Looks like I'll have a great summer lost in various exotic places (hey, it's exotic if it's outside of my home!!!)

How about you? What's in your mailbox?