Latest News
(scroll down for UPCOMING & RECENT Events):
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Read Note to Readers here.
November 2011
A Lasting Impression,
a Belmont Mansion novel releases
Buy A Lasting Impression
Read USA Today's Review
CBA and ECPA Bestseller
From Christy and RITA Award-winning author Tamera Alexander comes a novel about the difference between knowing who you are––and knowing who you want to become.
Claire Laurent’s greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she’s forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she’s sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach––but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.
The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton’s home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family’s honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined––as well as the woman he loves.
Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves––and each other––for who they truly are.
Praise for
A Lasting Impression
“Tamera Alexander has once again written a novel rich in storytelling and history, peopled with living, breathing characters who made me laugh, and cry. Better than sweet tea on a veranda, A Lasting Impression is a winner. I want to live at Belmont!"
—Francine Rivers, New York Times best-selling author of Redeeming Love
“Tamera Alexander paints vivid scenes, not with oils on canvas but with words on the page, as she sweeps us away to the cafes of New Orleans and the hills of Tennessee. In Claire Laurent we find a true artist, ever doubting her talents, ever questioning her calling. And in Sutton Monroe we meet a hero whose bright mind is eclipsed only by his tender heart. A lovely story, sure to please anyone who treasures a good romance.”
—Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times best-selling author of Mine Is the Night
"A Lasting Impression is a wonderful start to a new series. With writing that is rich and textured, Ms. Alexander paints a portrait of Belmont and Nashville after the Civil War that will pull you in and almost make you believe that you are living there yourself."
—Robin Lee Hatcher, best-selling author of Belonging
“Beautifully written and brimming with "real life" history, A Lasting Impression captures a slice of American history, and an era the South will not soon forget. Nor should we. As Director of the Belmont Mansion, I highly endorse A Lasting Impression and invite you to visit the home of Mrs. Adelicia Acklen to see, in person, the beauty and elegance that defines both Adelicia's home, and this novel."
—Mark Brown, Executive Director, Belmont Mansion, Nashville, Tennessee
UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 2012
Speaking at the Belmont Auxiliary Partners Luncheon
Belmont University Campus
Nashville, TN
Date TBA
July 2012
Writers Retreat
Couer d'Alene, Idaho
JULY 15-17, 2012
International Christian Retailing Show
Orlando, FL
Next Release...September 2012
More on this soon!
The cover art is nearly final!
RECENT EVENTS
NOVEMBER 17, 2011
A Lasting Impression Booksigning
at the Belmont Mansion
Nashville, TN
6-7PM
Light refreshments provided
More details here
NOVEMBER 15, 2011
A Lasting Impression Facebook Party
5PM Pacific, 6PM Mtn, 7PM Central, 8PM Eastern
Want to win a KINDLE FIRE? Or Loveless Cafe food baskets?
Or personally autographed copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate?
Then join us for a lavish Southern-style Facebook party
Hurry! Registration for the Kindle Fire closes Tuesday at 12noon
OCTOBER 22, 2011
National Fiction Day
LifeWay Booksigning
Cool Springs Store
Franklin, TN
Saturday 11AM - 1PM
I signed copies of A Lasting Impression and had a blast!
See pictures
SEPTEMBER 22-25, 2011
American Christian Fiction Writers Conference
St. Louis, MO
On faculty and co-teaching with my fabulous writing critique partner Deborah Raney
"How to Write an Award Winning Novel"
Click here for more information
JULY 21 - 25, 2011
Writers Retreat in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Ah…a touch of heaven with some wonderful sister writers
JULY 10 - 14, 2011
International Christian Retailing Show
Atlanta, GA
JUNE 28 - JULY 1, 2011
Romance Writers of America Conference
New York City
~ ACCLAIM FOR TAMERA'S BOOKS ~
(2011 and prior)
Within My Heart was named as a nominee for
the 2011 Christy Award for Best Historical Romance
and as a finalist for the 2011 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance
Read more about why this book finaling for these honors was especially rewarding for me.
~ The Inheritance awarded 2010 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance ~
The Inheritance, Woman of Faith Fiction, was awarded the 2010 RITA Award at the Romance Writers of America Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida on July 31. I wasn't able to attend but good friend and author Julie Klassen accepted the award on my behalf. Thanks, Julie!
I'm pleased to report that "she" (the RITA) arrived via UPS well packaged, safe and sound, and shiny!
Jack and I were the only ones home when UPS arrived and since he's not great with the camera, I had to get creative! My heartfelt thanks to RWA for this honor. The Inheritance was the first story I ever wrote (nearly ten years ago, and then completely rewrote again in 2008), so to have this book win this honor is very meaningful. Thanks, friends, for celebrating with me, and for all your emails and facebook posts. You're the best!
~ 2010 Double Christy Award Finalist ~
The Inheritance and Beyond This Moment were both finalists
for the 2010 Christy for Best Historical Romance.
Christy winners were announced on Saturday, June 26 in St. Louis
prior to the International Christian Retailers Show, and I'm tickled to share that
Julie Klassen's The Silent Governess took home the Christy! A well-deserved award for a fabulous book!
Fellow-finalist Dee Gist and I are flanking Julie right after the award ceremony. It's Julie's second Christy nomination andfirst Christy win! Congrats, Julie!
July 2009
FROM A DISTANCE
is awarded the
2009 Christy Award
for Best Historical Romance
Winners of the 2009 Christy Awards were announced on July 11
in Denver, Colorado prior to the International Christian Retailing Show.
Me with Donna Kehoe, the Director of the Christy Awards Program
JULY 2008
REMEMBERED
is awarded the 2008 Christy for Best Romance
at a banquet preceding the International Christian Retail Show, Orlando, FL.
(Me with fellow Romance Category finalists Deborah Raney [my fabulous writing critique partner] and DiAnn Mills)
To see more photos from the RITA awards program, visit the Photos page!
July 2007
REVEALED
is awarded the 2007 RITA for for Best Inspirational Romance
at the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Dallas, Texas.
Me with my fabulous editor, Karen Schurrer, from Bethany House Publishers
And me with my precious mom, June Gattis, who passed away in August 2009 following a brief battle with gallbladder cancer. We had such fun that weekend. The RITA Award program is full of glitz and glam. A real girl's night out, and Mom loved it! Just think "Oscar Night" with the lights and the music and all the hoopla, and you about have it! It was such a kick to share that weekend with her.
Following the award ceremony, when we got on the elevator to head back up to our room, she looked over at me, smiled that sweet smile and whispered, "Can I carry her to the room?" LOL (meaning the RITA award). Makes me teary-eyed again just thinking of it. I'm grateful I got to share part of my writing journey with her. She was my biggest fan, and I can hardly wait to see her again when I finally make it Home.
