Southern Mansion Reader Weekend

Hey friends!

I’m in ATL with Dad right now so this will be brief—and mainly a sharing of pictures from this weekend’s Southern Mansion Reader Weekend! #SMRW2018

First, an update on Dad. He continues to decline. Sadly. But I’m soaking up every moment with him. We went out yesterday morning and got him a shave and a haircut (how many of you just silently said “two bits!”? <w>). He loved it! It was the old-timey shave with the hot towels and it really relaxed him. Then we got him a chocolate milkshake on the way back. Another of his favorite things. I love this man so much, and am so grateful he’s my dad.

As some of you may know, this past weekend was the Southern Mansion Reader Weekend (SMRW). Ninety-one readers came from 15 states and Canada, and we had an absolute blast! Not even the rainy weather could keep us down!

At Carnton in Franklin, TN, the setting of Christmas at Carnton (available now) and With This Pledge (January 8, 2019) [Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

More about the books

At Belmont Mansion in Nashville

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

What is SMRW?

It’s a weekend of touring historical mansions, eating delicious Southern food at the mansions, and talking history and writing and life and sharing with each other. It was fabulous! And I’m so grateful to the 91 readers who not only sacrificed financially to attend this event, but who also entrusted their time to me. Time is a valuable commodity and something I never take for granted.

Karen Schurrer, my former editor at Bethany House, attended and it was fun sharing some of our history together.

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

At Belmont Mansion on Friday evening. Notice the gal on the far left, standing. That’s Deena Rizkalla who played the violin for us that evening. I read a portion from A Note Yet Unsung and then she played. I felt like I was listening to Rebekah from the novel.

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

Welcoming folks to Belle Meade on Saturday morning (Dec 1)

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

A section of the group at breakfast at Belle Meade Plantation in the Carriage House

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

A group at the old Harding Cabin at Belle Meade Plantation

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

You’ve heard of “Dance with the one who brung ya?” Well, we took pics at Belle Meade (at the old Harding Cabin) of all the “groups” of reader friends who came together. I tell ya, being with these gals and guys was such fun!

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

At Carnton in the McGavock Cemetery reading from With This Pledge (releases January 8, 2019)

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

High-fiving Patti, a Belmont Mansion docent, who is flat wonderful!

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

And lastly, a glimpse of Belmont Mansion that night. A very memorable evening—and weekend!

[Photo credit: Scott Schrecker Photography]

Have you ever attended a reader event sponsored by an author? If yes, please share! 

Finally, I’m currently on my way back to Nashville—via Chattanooga to pick up this little cutie this afternoon…

Her name is Bailey, and she’s Murphy’s half sister. (Same mom, different dad.) So… here we go with puppyhood all over again. Let the fun begin! ; }

Would you like to be notified about the next Southern Mansion Reader Weekend? Click here and I’ll include you in my occasional eUpdates to reader friends—the group who will be the first to know!

Continued blessings,

Tamera

Which is part of . . . 

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Tamera Alexander

Novelist at Novelist

Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance and women’s contemporary fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops.

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