I often wonder how Captain Roland Ward Jones and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Clouston—real people who lived in the 19th century—would feel knowing that their lives and love letters are the inspiration for a 21st century novel.
Captain Roland Jones and Lizzie Clouston are the real life hero and heroine in With This Pledge who met and fell in love at Carnton in Franklin, Tennessee during the Civil War, following the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864.
In researching and writing Roland and Lizzie’s love story, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of connecting with Captain Jones’ great-great-great grandson, David. (Quite a thrill for this history loving author!)
David has shared the love letters between Roland and Lizzie with me, along with the family history (as have the wonderful folks at Carnton), and this rich wealth of resources and intimate insights have made the writing journey for With This Pledge a wonderful one. But it hasn’t been without its challenges. Weaving real history with fiction can be tricky. Add to that a cast of characters which is largely based on real people…and the challenges multiply!
I first visited Carnton in the fall of 2007 after my husband and I moved to Nashville following 17 years in Colorado. I purchased my ticket for the tour in a small trailer on the grounds and walked up a worn path toward the house.
As the docent unfolded Carnton’s history and turned time back on itself, I fell a little in love with the home that day—and with the McGavocks, the real family who lived there. But it was the living, breathing memory of what happened within those walls and on the surrounding hallowed fields of a bloody Civil War battle that stayed with me through the years. That kept pulling me back to Carnton.
And now, 11 years—and 15 novels—later, it’s those same living, breathing memories that have inspired me to write about this home, this family, and the remarkable people who lived, worked, fought and died at Carnton.
RELEASES
JANUARY 8, 2019
(Thanks to our own dear Lynn for this kind endorsement!)
What’s the last Civil War site you’ve visited? Or perhaps you’ve visited a battlefield from another war? What drew you to make that visit?
Also, a very special thank you to everyone who submitted an application to be part of my launch team for With This Pledge. Nearly 300 of you applied for the 50 slots, which totally blew me away! I’m so grateful to each of you. HarperCollins and I are working on that list this week and will be responding to everyone soon.
Blessings on your Thanksgiving!
Tammy
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Tamera Alexander
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How wonderful to have such firsthand resources for researcing for your novel. Loved the pictures, especially of their love letters. How amazing! Can’t wait to read this one!
Last week, I finished reading the big novelistic cycle about The Napoleonic Wars ( 2000 pages ). I had three maps before me… and this epoch fascinates me! Now, I am listening : First French Empire (1804-1815) Music of the Coronation of Napoleon I. ( especially 54 minutes ) – It´ s beautiful… And I am looking forward to Austerlitz (Moravia). There is the battle re-enactment every year (The Battle of Austerlitz – 2nd December 1805 ). I only hope, that the weather will be fine 🙂
I am also looking forward to your new book. I love history and I am glad, that I can move closer to American history.
I just read your comments about your new book, “With This Pledge”, and I can’t wait to read it. Also, you have inspired a desire to visit this home that was the inspiration for this book. Thank you for the book, and for the comments. We drive through Nashville at least twice each year, and while I have considered visiting some of the places of interest you share, we have not done so. This time, I have really made plans to change that, because of your book.
Also, sharing sympathy for you as you travel Life’s path with your father. May God bless you both mightily.
Excited to read this book! I thoroughly enjoyed Christmas at Carnton.
My husband is a Civil War buff, and he is the one who lead me to love historical fiction. As a native Virginian, I grew up with Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War history all around me. Our grown children tease that for a long time every vacation was visiting a battlefield, and we always took advantage of battlefields wherever we traveled. One of our most memorable trips was to Chattanooga where we visited the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. So many wonderful sites around there.
I loved my visit to Carnton (and Bellewood and Belmont!) last spring and feel you have captured Carnton and her inhabitants and history so incredibly! This book is fabulous, my friend!
I drive by Civil War sites regularly here in WV. I love going to Droop Mountain Battlefield as the scenery from on top of the mountain is beautiful.
Always beautiful–that’s your covers and your stories. Downloaded the ones I needed and now I can wait for this one!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
This makes me even more excited to read your book! There is something about historical fiction based on real people and events that stirs my emotions and causes the stories to stick with me. Thanks for sharing this!