I’m currently finishing my first contemporary novel (for Focus on the Family—tentative release date of Spring 2022, Lord willing) and I gotta say, I’m really enjoying a break from writing “real life” historical fiction. Not that I won’t return to that. I will.
In fact, I’ve already started the third and final full-length novel in the Carnton series (Christmas at Carnton is a novella). So as soon as I finish this contemporary, I’ll dive back into writing Nora’s story with plans to release that novel later this fall.
But you know me, I just can’t leave history alone. So even though this is a contemporary novel I’m writing right now, it might just have a historical thread woven through it too. Just sayin’. ; )
In a nutshell, the story is about a forty-ish, high-power, empty nest couple who’s going through a rough patch in their marriage. Stephen makes some fairly poor choices (#understatement) then, without warning, accepts a six-figure law partnership in Atlanta. Claire Powell finds herself ripped from her Colorado home, their daughter who’s just started college in Denver, and her own successful career in a leading Denver interior design firm. As a “peace offering” of sorts, Stephen buys Claire an old antebellum home sight unseen—and things quickly go from bad to worse.
My wonderful writing critique partner [with the initials of D(eb) R(aney)] is already reading the story for me, and oh, Deb’s comments and suggestions are stellar. She’s already helped me over one hurdle, and I’m sure there will be more as she continues reading. (Thanks, Deb!)
One fun thing happened the other day as she read. She suggested a fabulous cover idea after this reading passage:
She suggested that the last sentence would make a great cover for this story, and I agree. But we’ll see what happens when the book goes to committee. We’re early in the game and lots of conversations are yet to be had.
And now… Two quick questions for you that would help me in writing this novel. And no overthinking it! 🙂
QUERY #1
What do you think of when you hear the term antebellum home in current day? And remember, don’t overthink it. Just share what comes to mind when you think of an antebellum home.
QUERY #2
What comes to mind when you think of Atlanta? Again, the first thought(s) you have. Good, bad, or ugly. : }
There’s no wrong answer to either of these queries, and I’m eager to hear your thoughts. So please leave a quick comment below!
And now… THE GIVEAWAY!
LILACS IN BLOOM
an original painting by bestselling author
ANGELA ELWELL HUNT
Isn’t it lovely!
This is a 16 x 20 painting painted with palette knives, not brushes. Impressionistic style! And frankly, I’m kind of wishing I’d kept this one for myself. : }
ONE READER FRIEND will win this gorgeous original painting by Angie Hunt.
ENTER TO WIN by May 1, 2021
Blessings on your Tuesday, friends,
Tamera
Tamera Alexander
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Reader friends! If you love Tammy’s historical fiction, you will be blown away by her first contemporary novel! I am already enthralled with it and having so much fun discussing all the plot points with Tammy! What a privilege it is to get to read and critique this amazing author! (And believe me, there’s never much to “criticize”…my critiques mostly consist of “Wow!” and “I love this scene!” and “Write faster!!”
Hugging you from here, my friend! ; )
Question #1 brings to mind the problems getting Colors of Truth to print (great book by the way!) Although it was a big blot on this country, the Civil War is part of our history and we must learn from it. Question #2 Atlanta makes me think of unrest, removing the 2021 MLB All-star game because of the voting law changes for one. Hope this helps.
SO appreciate this, Linda. Great!
#1) When I think of antebellum, I picture Melrose in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I took my mother to visit there several years before she died. I took her to Jefferson, Texas to tour some of the antebellum homes there. She liked to read about these places and their history. We also visited homes in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
#2) Atlanta thoughts: First thought was about how big and busy it is and that I want to avoid going there. Mixed with that are thoughts of the movie, “Gone With the Wind.”
Excellent, Carol. I’ve long wanted to visit Melrose but have never been there. That, and Nottoway too. I’m so glad you were able to take your mom to Melrose, and Vicksburg, etc… Such precious memories, I’m sure.
Question #1 for Tamera’s April 20th blog: Antebellum home brings to mind a big old three-story home with many rooms and a comfy porch (probably wrap-around) with a swing and white wicker chairs, built in the 1800s. The home could be well cared for, but I doubt it, since the query says it’s big trouble. This home sounds worn down, with rotting boards, sewer problems, and all the other horrors associated with a really old house. Or, perhaps it has ghosts. It might be a home that was flipped — looks great with fresh paint and other external touches, but falling apart under the superficial effort to hide problems. Sounds like a great story.
Question #2: Atlanta brings to mind a city filled with Southern charm and grace — in some neighborhoods, but also problems and crime, because it has grown to be enormous metropolis. I’ve heard very positive comments from people who love Atlanta, but I’d be curious to know what it’s really like now that it’s grown so much over the past few decades.
SO good, Lois. Thank you! Love the way your mind and imagination work, woman! ; )
Q#1: antebellum – a historical”living” museum highlighting Southern plantation living ( similar to Colonial Williamsburg)
Q#2: Atlanta – Underground Atlanta (it’s shops, restaurants, etc.)
I enjoy your blogs!
Thank you, Carol. Great thoughts. So appreciate you sharing with me!
Being a born and bred Southerner, when I hear the term antebellum home, I think of beautiful plantations spread all around the South—a part of my heritage. I live very near Atlanta, and although there are many interesting places to visit, I try to avoid going there—traffic and crime. I do enjoy reading books set in the area, though.
Thank you, Carolyn. I’m keeping all these comments for quick reference and so appreciate you sharing! I agree on the interesting places. And also the traffic and crime. 🙁
1. A two story house with huge white columns in the front on lots of acreage. (Gone With the Wind – need I say more!)
2. Who would possibly want to live in Atlanta?! Too busy, too much traffic, too much construction and too many people.
And I live in Alpharetta, GA and it’s slowly becoming the same way.
Thankfully God has blessed Atlanta with beautiful weather of all four seasons.
Linda, you live in Alpharetta! That’s where my parents lived (before they moved to the best Home of all!). : ) Do you know where Clublands Drive is (off Old Alabama Rd, I believe)? That’s where they lived for several years. I was born and raised in Tucker/Stone Mtn.
SO appreciate your comments!
When I think of an antebellum home, I think of a multi-storied brick home with lots of windows, lots of rugs on the floor, paintings hanging on the walls. Since I’m not well versed in architecture or history, I don’t actually know what an antebellum home looks like, but those are the thoughts that immediately come to mind.
When I think of Atlanta, I think of the hilliness. When my husband and I lived there in the late 1970s, I marveled at how much pastureland was right around the city. I would see horses grazing as I drove along. I imagine there is less of that now. I also picture some of the highways and the king and queen office buildings. I think of the Georgia Tech buildings, Emory and Oglethorpe Universities, the big malls like Perimeter Mall, where we liked to shop. I think of the grocery store where we shopped (Star? or Big Star?) that was the first grocery store I knew of that took credit cards. There are some lovely museums and parks. I think of the churches and the spaghetti bowl of roads all twisting and winding. We enjoyed the four seasons there, and I even experienced one of the ice storms with power outages and husband out of town on business. Puppy and I huddled on the sofa in the den in front of the fireplace to keep warm. We loved Atlanta!
THANK YOU, Suzanne! What great insights. Especially with you having lived there. Love, love it. And yes to the spaghetti bowls of roads and lost pastures. I go back to areas in the Tucker/Stone Mtn area where I grew up (I’ll be 60 this summer) and I would not recognize it if I didn’t know where I was. Once I know, I can “see” it again as it once was. But only barely. I so wish I could turn back time—100 years, 200 years, 500 years—and see certain areas through time. Ah well… I can dream! ; )
Q1: when I think of an antebellum home, I think of a beautiful white two story house, with a wrap around porch on the second floor. Huge trees along the front and edges of the home, with a brick pathway to the door. Inside is filled with antiques, florals, and dark cherry wood furniture.
Q2: when I think of Atlanta, the first thing that comes to mind is Gone With The Wind – Mammy & Scarlett. This probably doesn’t help to correlate to a modern setting, but I have not ever explored Atlanta, just flown into it for a bit. I would say though, being so far South, I am sure it is very hot. I am from the NC – and that gets hot enough haha.
You are SO right on the heat, Brittany. It reaches scorching during the dog days of summer, which makes me sooooo grateful for A/C. : ) Appreciate your thoughts so much. Hugs from TN!
1 – First thought was Scarlett O’Hara’s home in Gone With the Wind.
2 – Again, first thought was having a nightmare of a time on the interstate while driving through the city!
Looking forward to all your next books! Also, I’m reading my first Angela Hunt book, and it’s wonderful!
So appreciate your thoughts, Linda. Thanks! And I’ll be sure and pass that along to Angie! 😉
1) antebellum makes me think of large, rich homes from pre-Civil War era.
2) Atlanta makes me think of traffic & crime.
So interested in this story & excited to read contemporary fiction from you!!
Thank you for those kind words, Joelene. I wasn’t sure how writing a contemporary would go, but I’m really enjoying it! Appreciate your comments!
#1 – I think of a huge two story home with big columns in front and with lots of land perfectly landscaped around it with lots of huge trees.
#2 – Personally, Atlanta makes me think of seedy people. We went to Atlanta few years going to the “underground” – a mall made in what was a part of the war years ago. We couldn’t get from the car to the mall without be accosted for drugs and money. We weren’t impressed once we got inside. The trip back to the car was worse. In fact, we were practically chased to the car where we got in and locked the doors to have them pounding on the windows. Some were selling and others wanting cash so they could buy.
Thank you for all of that, Kay! But I’m sorry for your experience (frightening, for sure). I do love my hometown of ATL but also realize it’s not perfect. And it’s a VERY different ATL than what I grew up in, of course. Appreciate you sharing today!
When I hear “antebellum home,” I think of large covered porches and graceful, stately mansions. When I think of Atlanta, I think of Gone With the Wind and Margaret Mitchell’s home because I had an opportunity to visit when I was in Atlanta for a business trip once.
Good for you on getting to visit Margaret Mitchell’s home, Christy. Appreciate your comments!
Antebellum home makes me think of beautiful mansions as portrayed in Gone With the Wind. Atlanta makes me think of being stuck in heavy traffic on the interstate, my only personal experience with Atlanta.
Congratulations on this new endeavor, Tammy! I know your writing style will shine in whatever genre you choose.
Bless you for that encouragement, Betty. And for your comments. Traffic in ATL is horrific. No way around it. : }
1. Antebellum home: Large, white house with two story tall columns forming a portico. House is at the end of an all`ee of mature trees. Tall windows to open for airflow.
2. Atlanta: traffic jam
Lovely description, Virginia! And yes to that airflow. Makes us grateful for A/C, right? Thanks for sharing today!
1. When I hear Antebellum I think of a beautiful, columns southern home, like in Gone With The Wind.
2. Atlanta I think of lots of people and peaches.
LOL, Megan. Love that. Lots of people…and peaches. : ) Appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me!
Where I live, there are still several antebellum homes. Many have been kept much as they were with some modernizations and some have been left uninhabited and have fallen into decay. My mother-in-law was born in an antebellum home about half a mile from where we live. It is a smaller house than the houses that might usually come to mind, but has the high ceilings, tall windows, and the remains of a porch that seem to be typical of the era. I know these features had much to do with keeping the house cool during the hot weather.
So happy to hear you’re working on another novel (both, actually)! Thankful you have such a sweet critique partner, too. Deb is a gem! Looking forward to reading these stories one day. 🙂
To answer your questions…off the top of my head…
1. First thing that came to mind – your novels (especially as I don’t think I have read many other books that describe a home as such).
2. Busy, big city – of which I have no interest is visiting. Give me small town, rural USA any day. 🙂
Oh, I’m excited for a contemporary novel, but also kind of sad since I LOVE your historical fiction! In fact, you’re one of my favorite historical authors. But about your questions. For the first query on antebellum, my first thought is the Civil War era. For the second query, my first thought is too much traffic!! Haha Hope that helps! 🙂
#1 brings to mind a large vintage white house with several stories, a large front porch, and large columns supporting the upper floors.
#2 is a large melting pot historic city which also represents modern industry and technology.
When I think of an antebellum home I picture a large white two-story house with columns and wide porches. When I think of Atlanta: big with lots of traffic. I also think of the Swan House because of Elizabeth Musser’s book. The only time I’ve been there was one time when my kids and I had to spend the night in the airport trying to get home.
I’m looking forward to your new books. I’ve really enjoyed the Carnton series.
Antebellum Home = large, perhaps mysterious with a secret room or passage way
Atlanta = Large Southern city with political corruption
Antebellum makes me think of large pre-Civil War era plantation homes with tons of acreage. Unique architecture, beautiful woodwork, wide main staircases, summer kitchens.
Atlanta makes me think of the Coca-a-Cola Museum.
Antebellum homes make me think of columns, a few steps that go up to the entry that stretch the entire porch, an entry with a staircase and small rooms on either side of the entry…a lot like the house in the Sweet Home Alabama movie.
Atlanta…
I live about an hour south west of Atlanta and avoid it as much as possible. Traffic is particularly bad. Waze is a popular app to get you through surface streets but those are congested, too. Peachtree named streets can be confusing because there a few of them. Some parts are pretty run down. The suburbs are filling up and crime rates are increasing in what use to be “nice” places like Buckhead and the Lennox area. Political division hovers over the whole mess. The police force was not getting any support in areas and motorists were being attacked at stop lights and nothing was being done about it. You have rural Georgia and Atlanta. It’s like two different states in every way. Again, I avoid it as much as possible.
I think of Nottoway Plantation when I think of the quintessential antebellum home…huge wrap around porches, maybe a few peacocks drifting between live oak, magnolias, and Spanish moss. I’ve never been to Atlanta but my hubby has, and loved it, so it always makes me think of the Coke headquarters.
To me “Antebellum ” means Tara, Scarlett O’Hara’s Atlanta home. Atlanta means traffic that you have to put up with while you are driving to hug your 5- and 2-year old grandchildren! Thank goodness for the Peach Pass!
Antebellum evokes an image of a “grand old lady” in need of some TLC! Atlanta equates to TRAFFIC! When driving South, we do whatever it takes to avoid Atlanta. I’ve heard the same expressed when flying, however it seems “you can’t go anywhere without going through Atlanta!”
When I think of Antebellum homes, I think of a proud past and a simpler life in some ways. I think of beautiful history and nostalgic ideas. My ancestors were from that area. Antebellum Atlanta, I think Scarlett.
When I think of Atlanta, I think of tragedy. It was burned by Sherman and faced many hard times and it faces many racial tensions today.
When I think of Atlanta, I remember visiting and thinking how well the city was laid out and no wonder they were able to host the Olympics.
Question #1: The term “antebellum” brings to mind a historical home with southern charm that I would probably love to visit!
Question #2: I have had little experience with Atlanta other than it’s airport, but will say it seems to be a sprawling city.
Hey Tammy! SO excited about your contemporary story! 🙂
Antebellum makes me think of the large, two-story houses with columns along the front–and a few steps leading up to the front porch.
Atlanta is the city of my birth (still live in the area!) and truthfully I can say I have a love-hate relationship with the city, LOL. Love the southern traditions and memories of many family gatherings at Atlanta venues, but truly hate the traffic. However, in order to visit my sweet grandbabies (in John’s Creek) getting through Atlanta traffic is necessary—with LOTS of prayer! 🙂
#1 – I think of a large home in the south with white pillars on the porch and lots of green, lush sprawling landscape.
#2 – I’m originally from Northwest Georgia, about 1.5 hours north of Atlanta, which means I’ve been to or through Atlanta many times. I think of lots of traffic, Gone With the Wind, and the Atlanta Braves.
I’m excited to read your contemporary novel!
1. Large and beautiful old plantation home.
2. Braves, Margret Mitchell museum, Olympics, horrible traffic, Coca-cola museum, “Peach” is in the name of the every street, Stone Mountain, Sherman burning it on his March to the sea.
Query #1: Pre-Civil War mansion
Query #2: Southern Charm
Antebellum brings to mind a large gracious home reached by way of a tree shaded drive. Sadly it also makes me think that the upkeep on this lovely and historic home would be constant.
Now Atlanta brings to mind a wonderful summer vacation for a national gymnastics meet with the family. We also visited a dear cousin who lived in a very comfortable small home in a charming neighborhood. This took place in the 1980’s so I probably have a skewed memory about the traffic.😃
I always look forward to your next book. Good news!
Oh, my, this story sounds fascinating, Tamera! The first things that come to mind for me, trying not to overthink :), are–1) Beautiful, columned Southern home, but also all the dark history behind those homes with slavery and 2) Sadly, the recent Atlanta shooting was the first thing that came to my mind. 🙁
Sorry both of mine are a bit sad, but I’m excited for this story! And I have Colors of Truth waiting atop my bookshelf to be read, as soon as I can squeeze it in between reading for teaching a class and parenting a super busy almost two-year-old. 🙂 Blessings!
I think of Southern homes and the movie Gone With The Wind ❤️
Yay! Sounds like a great new book!
Query 1: I’m fascinated by antebellum homes. I’m sad at the state of affairs in our country right now and how many want to destroy our history. Even though many parts are not good, like slavery, we can’t change our past by removing every evidence. I say we need to learn from our past in order to not repeat it. Anyway, probably not very well stated, but this is now, sadly, a hot topic.
Query 2: Atlanta. I’ve only been through the airport I think, never stopped for a visit. So I really don’t have much to say about Atlanta. Sorry! Other than the negative news…
“Antebellum” creates images of large, old southern homes from the civil war era with lilac and magnolias.
“Atlanta” brings to my memory trips there with my husband in the 70s. Also, the civil war history.
1. Have been restoring a home built in 1800’s. My experience (without overthinking), the grand fireplace, heats the whole house…., the incredible crown molding, the 3 big porches that always need sweeping, and the incredible garden filled with hydrangeas, rhododendron, daliahs, mint and ancient rose varieties. Springtime smells will knock your socks off.
2. Having lived in Ga forever, in the past 35 years – we ONLY go to see a show at the Fabulous Fox, or to the old Braves Stadium. Last time we went to a game in Atlanta we were accosted 3 times on the way to the car by drug addicts. So glad they moved it to Cobb County.
Thank you for growing up so well my old school chum.♥️
Antebellum-beautiful, with a history and definitely secrets. 😁
Atlanta-dirty, crowded, and TRAFFIC! Also, I think about the airport. And that as different as the city is today, it once had a vibrant and richly woven history as a Southern city.
When I think of antebellum home in modern day I picture the same home as it would be historically. The difference? Clothing.
When I think of Atlanta I picture peaches, a big airport, women keeping up appearances, and unfortunately a
Lot of chaos due to recent events in the news. And that’s a shame.