Tamera Alexander's Blog, page 2

Where's your focus today?

Wise counsel for today, and everyday... Let's keep our eyes on Jesus. "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:1,2) 
Photo credit to Delmar Schroeder who really knew how to view the world through the lens of a camera, and who now enjoys a heavenly perspective in our forever home.
Today I'm praying along with my fellow Americans for this country we love. International friends, we covet your prayers for our nation, too. I voted weeks ago, but consider this my gentle reminder to Americans to get out and vote today. And let's remember, no matter the outcome of the election, the next president—just like our current president and every one before him—is under God's sovereignty and nothing can thwart God's plan for this country, and this world. 
Father God, let your will be done. Lord Jesus, give your church strength to glorify your Name. And Holy Spirit, dwell in the body of Christ mightily so that when unbelievers look at us they will see the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #30

Welcome!


THIS HUNT DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL THURSDAY AT NOON MST. PLEASE RETURN THEN! WE ARE CURRENTLY ALL LINKING UP… 

If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1 , and collect the clues through all 31 stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 3 grand prizes!
The hunt BEGINS with Stop #1 at Lisa Bergren’s site.Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 11/6)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books.Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the clue on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at Stop #31. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way, so BE ON THE LOOKOUT!
Now to the real fun! 


It's my pleasure to introduce Lisa Tawn Bergren! 


Lisa is the best-selling author of more than 40 books, with over 3 million copies sold. Quite impressive! 

A veteran wordsmith, Lisa splits her time between managing home base, writing, and working on ducks with her husband, Tim. Tim’s a worship leader and duck-sculptor. They have three kids–Olivia (21), Emma (18) and Jack (13).


Here's a brief summary of her new YA time travel novel Four Winds:
Zara Ruiz has never been so happy to have failed at something in her life—trying to return to her own time. In Javier de la Ventura's arms, she knows that 1840 is where she belongs...where she's found true love and family. But then the ranch is viciously attacked, and she and Javier's little brother are kidnapped and she finds herself at the mercy of the FOUR WINDS, no longer certain where her journey might end.




10 Things I Learned About Old California While Researching from Lisa T. Bergren
#1 They used to call the upper portion (above Baja) “Alta California”
#2 Mexico won independence from Spain in 1823 and Alta California was a Mexican Territory until 1848. The Mexican-American War occurred in 1848 and California became a U.S. Territory and then a state in 1850
#3 California was mostly on the U.S.’s “radar” because of its trade in tallow and cow hides—which they called “California bank notes” or “California dollars.” Tallow was used to make candles and hides made all sorts of leather goods—saddles, bridles, boots, etc.


#4 Gold was first discovered in 1842 (a small amount) and then the big-hit was by Sutter in 1848.
#5 Vast tracks of land were granted to Mexican settlers, who made them into ranches/”ranchos.” For example, Pismo was close to 9000 acres.



#6 Most ranchos were “mapped” using landmarks such as a riverbed, or a certain kind of tree, or a pile of boulders—which left them vulnerable when new American settlers (post-1850) were granted portions of their property (or all of it). Few original Mexican settlers were successful in keeping their property intact.
#7 The 21 Franciscan missions of Alta California were religious outposts established between 1769-1833 to colonize territory discovered two hundred years earlier. Those missions created pueblos (towns), which eventually became some of California’s biggest cities—Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Jose and San Francisco among them. In 1833, the Franciscans abandoned those missions.


#8 It was challenging for Mexicans to get to California because they had to sail against currents and winds. Political unrest in Mexico also kept them focused at home...so Mexican nationals in Alta California felt largely ignored (except when it came to taxes).
#9 Mexico got serious about establishing the territory as Russians closed in—because they were interested in pelts—and they wanted to protect it. Remains of a Russian fort still exist in Northern California.
#10 There were few harbors/piers in 1840. Many ranchos traded with merchant ships via rowboats that went from ship to shore.

Thanks so much for hosting me, Tamera! Happy hunting, all!
Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over 40 books in many different genres, that have sold more than 3 million copies combined. She lives in Colorado with her family, but spends most of her time planning her next trip abroad. For more info, visit Lisa's website.


Here’s the Stop #30 Skinny:


You can pre-order Lisa's book, Four Winds, on Amazon


Clue to Write Down: novel!"


Last Stop on the Loop: Lisa Bergren's own site! 



WAIT! Before you go . . . 
I'm giving away a CD of the famed violinist Anne Akiko Meyers (who I listened to for countless hours as I wrote A Note Yet Unsung), along with a hot-off-the-press copy of A Note Yet Unsung (which won't be shipped to you until late January 2017). 

Sign up to win in the Rafflecopter box below


more about A Note Yet Unsung






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Last chance to win!

One last chance to win in the October month of #giveaways. Check to see if you've won!

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Best wishes—and thanks for reading!

Four more giveaways left in October!

Four more giveaways left in the October month of giveaways on my website. Have you signed up to win yet? 
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It's my way of saying "Thanks for reading and for staying connected!" You make all this writing worth it. Truly. Writing, while a blessing and a dream job in many ways, is also just flat hard. As a writer, I continually try to make each book better than the last. Plus I'm an extrovert so it gets a tad lonely at times too—although Murphy IS entertaining company. : ) 

Connecting with you through these stories, these characters, through the real history woven throughout… That's one of the best blessings of all.  #grateful
Coming February 2017
"As music moves us to tears yet makes our hearts soar, A Note Yet Unsung captures the splendor of classical music at a time when women's hard-won strides in cultural issues changed not only world history—but the hearts of men."

It's time to VOTE!

. . . for the Goodreads Most Anticipated Christian Fiction in 2017! 




If you're looking forward to reading A Note Yet Unsung (the third and final standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series), I'd sure appreciate your vote! 
February 2017More about A Note Yet Unsung
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Lunching at Belmont Mansion

I had the recent pleasure of meeting a bookclub at Belmont Mansion (the setting of my Belmont Mansion novels) for a delicious luncheon, wonderful sharing time, and then a tour of the mansion. I never tire of being in Adelicia Acklen's beautiful home.




Pay no attention to that woman in the background flashing us. Those Victorians and their naked statues… Sheesh!
A luncheon and tour package featuring Jerry Trescott (Belmont's curator and architectural historian extraordinaire) and moi was auctioned off in a fundraiser for Belmont Mansion, and the very generous Shirley Reynolds (seated third back on the right) won the bid! (Thank you, Shirley! What a pleasure to meet you and the other ladies yesterday.)




These gals were such fun! And I always enjoy providing color commentary to Jerry's marvelous "A Lasting Impression novel" tour he gives readers touring the antebellum mansion.



Here we are on the steps of the dual cantilevered spiral staircase.
I also got my first look at the beautifully reproduced detailed miniature of The Sleeping Children (by artist William Henry Rinehart), one of the statues Adelicia purchased on her grand tour of Europe in 1865—and a statue that's prominently featured in A Lasting Impression (Sutton and Claire's story).



The Sleeping Children in Belmont Mansion's front hall

Adelicia Acklen ordered this piece in Rome on February 27, 1866 and instructed that the names “Laura & Corinne” be carved on the front left, and “Twin Sisters” be carved on the back. This was a type of memorial to two of her ten children. Laura and Corinne Acklen died at the age of two of scarlet fever. Adelicia placed this piece in the Front Hall—in the same location where it is today.

And here's the detailed replica that's now available, and that I brought home with me yesterday!



Isn't it lovely?


Want your own? Contact Belmont Mansion at mansioneducation@belmont.edu and ask them about the replica of The Sleeping Children


I'm currently working with the mansion on a Christmas gift package which will contain this replica of The Sleeping Children, along with autographed copies of A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare, and a choice of a Belmont Mansion coaster.

I'm so grateful for the many ways the folks with Belmont Mansion (and Belle Meade Plantation) partner with me in writing these stories and keeping history alive.
What's the last historical site you've visited? And by chance, did you bring home a souvenir of some sort, too? 

Tammy


A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare available now
A Note Yet Unsung releases February 2017

More about the Belmont Mansion novels

First Chapters of A Note Yet Unsung

It's always a great feeling to get the final galleys for a new book back in the mail to the publisher. 

A Note Yet Unsung   was especially challenging to write, which makes me even more excited to share this story with you come February! 



I'll soon be sending the first chapters to my newsletter buddies, so be sure and sign up so we can stay connected! 

The Molitor Stradivarius comes to Belmont Mansion, Nashville

Music is an important part of our lives and comes in many forms. Most definitely, the term "one size fits all" does not apply when discussing the vast number of styles in this time-treasured art form.
    RELEASES FEBRUARY 2017As can be said pretty much across the board when comparing the mores of current society to those of times past, what was taboo then—be it for better, or worse—has now become the norm. In nearly every country in the world today, women are welcome to participate in orchestras and their talent is lauded.
But such was not always the case.
In the 19th Century, women were not allowed to play in orchestras or symphonies. They were considered too genteel and delicate-natured for the rigors of practice and dedication required to master an instrument. (Oh ye of little faith…)
In my research, I came across a popular opinion of the time that not only supported the preclusion of women playing in orchestras, but that also set forth that a woman playing a violin in public would be scandalous. Far too sensuous and suggestive. No proper woman would ever consider doing such a thing!
And from that…the idea for a A Note Yet Unsung, the third and final Belmont Mansion novel, was born.
So now that I had a woman violinist, I needed a violin. And what better violin could Rebekah Carrington—heroine in A Note Yet Unsung—play than a Stradivarius?
Being a fan of concert violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, I naturally chose the Molitor Stradivarius, which Ms. Meyers has owned in the past. The Molitor, an exquisite $3.6 million dollar violin, was made by Antonio Stradivari in 1697 yet looks as though it was made yesterday. It's still in perfect condition.
Here's a peek of Anne Akiko Meyers playing the coveted violin that's part of Tate and Rebekah's journey in  A Note Yet Unsung , which releases February 2017.



Are you a lover of the violin? Or of classical music? Did you ever play a musical instrument? If yes, what did you play and how long have you played it?
Tammy

October is the month of GIVEAWAYS

To celebrate my new website design, I'm giving away some of my favorite kitchen tools along with a number of fabulous books—all during the month of October!
To enter: Subscribe to my newsletter. It's that easy! 
* Click to view the prizes and get all the info *


Hurry! The next giveaway is in about an hour. Tick Tick!

Rested and Refreshed

Join me at Inspired by Life…and Fiction where I blogged about our recent getaway!