Spring Book Covers

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Spring has finally arrived! A little bit warmer, possibly even a lot warmer, depending on where you live. What better way than to share covers that have flowers all in bloom or green grass everywhere. Here are some covers that share the colors and joys of Spring. (All images comes from Goodreads.)

Beauty Among Ruins by J’nell Ciesieskli

Beauty so Rare by Tamera Alexander

Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn

Seasons Under Heaven by Beverly LaHaye and Terri Blackstock

Times and Seasons by Beverly LaHaye and Terri Blackstock

What about you? Do you enjoy scenery on a book cover? 

Tamera Alexander: With This Pledge

By Kelly Bridgewater

What can a woman - a mere governess - do against the scourge of slavery?

  

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Clouston's quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause--but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home, where she is governess, is converted into a Confederate hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend.

  

As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie's arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy's first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.

  

Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers' respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton's walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn't realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie's heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and pledges made, she struggles to be true to her own heart while standing for what she knows is right--no matter the cost. 

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Tamera Alexander WithThis Pledge rushes readers into the world of Civil War in Carnton outside of Nashville, Tennessee. With robust characters and a horrific setting told in a familiar yet unique way, Alexander creates a sense of urgency for the characters and the readers as they deal with the horrific situations surrounding their daily lives. The research to write this astounding story astounds even the truest reader, allowing them to forget they are reading a story based on true facts with a good amount of fiction thrown in to top off the story. The romance grew naturally even through all the blood pouring and injured soldiers everywhere. Even though the story was masterfully written, for me, there were moments that didn't capture my attention. Nothing was happening, so I lost interest and read faster to find another scene to spark my interest back in the story. Overall, Alexander's With This Pledge is a wonderful attention to historical romance and a delight for fans of the Civil War genre.

I received a complimentary copy of Tamera Alexander's With This Pledge, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

From Amazon

One of today's most popular writers of inspirational historical romance, Tamera Alexander writes novels that USA Today calls "a full on HIT!" (about A Lasting Impression) and Publisher's Weekly describes her writing as "so vivid, one can almost hear the music resonating off of the page" (about A Note Yet Unsung). Tamera is an author and inspirational speaker whose novels have garnered or been short-listed for numerous awards, including the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award, the Carol Award, Bookseller's Best Award, National Reader's Choice Award, Library Journal's Top Christian Fiction, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Golden Quill Award, and the HOLT Medallion, among others. Her books have been translated into Dutch, German, Polish, Romanian, Slovakian, and Portuguese.

Tamera enjoys living in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, not far from the Southern mansions that serve as the backdrop for many of her critically-acclaimed novels.

For more about Tamera's books, visit www.TameraAlexander.com (Taken from Amazon.)

Tamera Alexander: Christmas at Carnton

By Kelly Bridgewater

Amid war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas - and of sacrificial love.
 

Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. With the bank threatening to evict, she discovers an advertisement for the Women's Relief Society auction and applies for a position - only to discover it's been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity - and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man?
 

Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women's Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of "crinolines" isn't his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies - one, in particular - is far more than he bargained for.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

I'm not a big fan of Civil War stories. I have a hard time enjoying those type of stories, but . . . Tamera Alexander does such a great job at recreating this time period and bringing me into the story that I have a hard time not enjoying her writings. I have enjoyed her Belle Meade and her Belmont Mansion series, so I'm excited that she has decided to do another series in Tennessee around another popular plantation. With any historical novel, I want to be transported to that time period without feeling like I'm reading a history book and have characters that have something unique.

Alexander's writing is wonderful. Like I mentioned earlier, she does a wonderful job at bringing the home of Carnton come to life and the time period. She pays attention to the tiniest details like remembering what the women would be doing to raise money or knit items that could be used for the soldiers who are still in action during the Civil War. Alexander is sympathic toward the cause and shows the hurts and cares of the individual women who are left at home, trying to survive while worrying about their men who are off fighting.

The plot is unique because it shows the affect that the Civil War had on the women who were home still trying to hold it together. I enjoy how in each of the novels that I have read by Alexander she shows that the slaves were humans too with feelings and family. They were just as important as the whites and still were the backbone of our country alongside the whites. The story moves along at a rapid pace and kept my attention.

The romance was a little hasty in my taste. Aletta and Jake have only known each other for a month, and they fall in love so quickly. I know that this was a novella to wet the appetite of the reader. In her much longer novels, Alexander does take more time to develop her romances, so I let it slide for this novella.

Overall, I enjoyed the pre-novella for her Carnton series. I enjoyed the fast pace of the setting and the wonderful characters. I highly recommend this story, and eagerly await the series to begin next year.

I received a complimentary copy of Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Tamera Alexander: To Wager Her Heart

By Kelly Bridgewater

Seeking justice . . . 

   

Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father's name. One man holds the key to Sy's success--General William Giles Harding of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks. 

   

Sy needs someone to help him maneuver his way through Nashville's society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he's found his tutor. Only, he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra Jamison's fiancé--and has shattered her world. 

   

Struggling to restore honor . . . 

   

Spurning an arranged marriage by her father, Alexandra instead pursues her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedmen's university in the United States. But family--and Nashville society--do not approve, and she soon finds herself cast out from both.

   

Through connections with the Harding family, Alexandra and Sy become unlikely allies. And despite her first impressions, Alexandra gradually finds herself coming to respect, and even care for this man. But how can she, when her heart is still spoken for? And when Sy's roguish qualities and adventuresome spirit smack more of recklessness than responsibility and honor? 

   

Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn't count on is having to wager her heart to do it. 

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Tamera Alexander is a new-to-me author. I have read First Impressions and A Note Yet Unsung and enjoy them. I haven't read the first two books in the Belle Meade Plantation Novel, but this seemed like a good book to read. Being a historical novel, I expected the story to have something to do with history. I knew it would have bold characters and a romance to round out the plot. I wasn't disappointed.

The writing was clear and concise. Alexander does a wonderful job at bringing the historical south to life for me. I could see the community, the houses, the wide open spaces, and the train cars. In this novel, I could see the injustice and the justice done with Frisk University. I enjoyed hanging out in the south for a certain amount of time.

As for the plot, I viewed it as different. While the novel focuses on Alexandra and her quest to find meaning and move on from the tragic train wreck that derailed her life. The novel really had no conflict expect internal. Alexandra had to deal with her personal demons while allowing her past life with her parents to move to the wayside. The story moved at a nice pace, but I wanted a little more dilemma to affect the characters. The historical element was deeply admired. I enjoyed watching the Jubilee Singers as they tried to make something more for their lives.

The romance is there between Alexandra and Sy, but it is not the focus of the story. Alexander allows the story to slowly develop. The romance blossomed with longing for each other and gifts to make Alexandra's life better. It wasn't a hasty romance by any means.

The characters of Alexandra and Sy are brave people who want to make a better world around them. They want to see justice served with the Frisk University and with the train wreck that changed Sy and Alexandra's life. I enjoyed how both characters didn't care if they were seen with the underbelly of the city. They stood by their convictions and didn't allow public opinion to change their perspective. Neither character really change. The same characters I met in the beginning of the novel are the same characters at the end.

Overall, Tamera Alexander's To Wager Her Heart is an enjoyable read with barely any conflict. The romance moves along steadily, developing as the story goes along. The plot is different with characters who stand by their beliefs. A good novel to spend a couple of hours with.

I received a complimentary copy of To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander from Zondervan Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Tamera Alexander: A Note Yet Unsung

By Kelly Bridgewater

A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to wheedle her way into an audition with the maestro at the newly-formed Nashville Philharmonic. But women are "far too fragile and frail" for the rigors of an orchestra, and Rebekah's hopes are swiftly dashed because the conductor--determined to leave his mark on the world of classical music--bows to public opinion. To make matters worse, Adelicia Acklen Cheatham, mistress of Belmont Mansion and Rebekah's new employer, agrees with him.

Nationally acclaimed conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville's new orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse--and a strange buzzing and recurring pain in his head--he must finish composing his symphony before the grand opening of the city's new opera hall. But far more pressing, he must finish it for the one who first inspired his love of music--his father, who is dying. As Tate's ailment worsens, he believes Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how do you win back a woman's trust when you've robbed her of her dream?
 

From Amazon

My Review:

Wow! Do you have at least one day completely free that you can sit down and spend reading a book? Well, I did. Of course, it is Christmas time, and my boys are free from school, so I allowed them to play while I sat in the living room and devoured Tamera Alexander's A Note Yet Unsung. This is a really long book, but it is really well-written. With a historical novel, I enjoy learning certain things about the past that bring the characters and the setting to life. Alexander does a good job at this.

While I don't usually read books that take place in the nineteenth century because they don't have any appeal to me, but many friends have recommended Alexander's books, so I took a chance and checked out the first book in the Belmont Mansion series, A Lasting Impression and enjoyed it. I couldn't wait to read A Note Yet Unsung. The cover is beautiful, and I really wanted to read more of the story from the synopsis.

I'm glad that I did. The pace of the story moves at a nice clip and kept my attention.  Alexander does a great job at bringing the setting to life that I felt like I was sitting in Nashville, TN for the entire day. The Belmont Mansion sparkled in my imagination alongside the characters in the novel. The romance between Rebekah and Tate grew slowing, which was great in my humble opinion. I loved how when Rebekah confronted Tate on where he grew up, she started to fall in love with this kind hearted man. I loved that. Made me smile for them.

As for the characters of Rebekah and Tate, I really enjoyed spending time with them. I liked how Rebekah was motivated to perform in the orchestra and worked her way closer to Tate to get the recommendation she needed to succeed. I admire her musical talent and her desire to do the lower work to achieve her dreams. As for Tate, I enjoyed that he wanted to better himself with his musical talent and worked himself practically to death to achieve his dreams. Both characters were admirable and definitely wonderful characters.

The plot with the music is original and definitely a look into another part of America's past. There isn't much mention of God, but I could see the work of God in both Rebekah and Tate's lives as they grew closer together.  I recommend A Note Yet Unsung to fans of historical fiction of any age group. Even young girls could read this book and enjoy it.

I received a complimentary copy of Tamera Alexander's A Note Yet Unsung from Bethany House, and the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Have you ever read an author because of friends or reviews written? If so, who? If not, why not?