Do you love reading real love stories?
Me too!
I’m currently heavy into rewrites on With This Pledge—the first full length Carnton novel that hits the shelves in December—and my editor’s comments and suggestions are really challenging me (in a great way) to take this story to a deeper level.
Captain Roland Ward Jones and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Clouston truly lived—and fell in love—at Carnton following the Battle of Franklin in December 1864.
In researching and writing their love story, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of connecting with Captain Jones’ great-great-great-great grandson, David!
<cue a history writer’s excited squeal here>
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 “insider insights” have made this writing journey an absolutely wonderful one. Albeit, admittedly, a bit challenging, too, at times.
A front view rendering of what Carnton looked like in the 1860s
This is the first time for me in writing a novel where both the primary characters and, with few exceptions, all the secondary characters are real. These people truly lived, and their lives were forever changed at Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee due to the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864.
So to say I feel a burden of responsibility to make this story the best it can be is an understatement. And to say I’m excited to share With This Pledge—Roland and Lizzie’s love story—with you on December 19 is, too!
READ MORE ABOUT WITH THIS PLEDGE
Current close up image of Carnton today (the red brick wing of the house was destroyed by a tornado in 1907)
What’s the last historic site you’ve visited? What’s the last “true love story” you’ve read?
Blessings in abundance,
Tammy
GET READY!
Starting tomorrow we have a new blogger in our midst!
Tomorrow, May 2, marks the first day that D’Ann Mateer (who writes as Anne Mateer) will be joining our lovely blogging community, and we’re so grateful she agreed to join us!
Here are just a few of D’Ann’s books . . .
We invite you to check out D’Ann’s books here, and be sure to check back tomorrow to give her a warm Inspired By Life & Fiction Community Welcome! (Love you, D’Ann, and thrilled you said yes!)
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Tamera Alexander
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I’ve read several of Anne’s books and really loved them! Can’t wait to have her join this awesome group!
So glad you’re already familiar with Anne, Alyssa! We’ll love having her here! ; )
Yay, Alyssa! Thank you for a warm welcome! 🙂
Dear Tamera,
I loved all your books so far 😊 I pray that God provides you with ALL you need and beyond for the challenging rewriting process. Have a blessed day!!
I’m really looking forward to this story.
Thank you for those encouraging words, Coco! And for reading!
Ooh! What a treasure for you to peruse those letters! I can’t wait to read this book!
Sending you a hug as you work diligently on this in the midst of your trips to check on your dad. <3
Thanks, sweet Linda! Appreciate you.
I love your books and am excited to read your upcoming release. December seems so far away!!!
December feels far away to me, too, Bev. But it’ll be here in a blink! ; )
We were fortunate to take a cross-country trip last summer from the east coast to the west coast and saw many historic sites – highlights were Mt. Rushmore, the town of Deadwood, S.D., St. George, Utah, and the Alamo in San Antonio.
True love stories I have read about that have stayed with me are:
The story of 13th century Llewelyn, Prince of Wales who married Joanna, illegitimate daughter of King John, and told in Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman.
In three biographical books, I was intrigued with the story of Joseph Mary Plunkett, Irish nationalist, poet, and journalist, who was executed at the age of 28 for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising. He married his fiancee, Grace Gifford, in the jail chapel hours before he was executed.
I read Christmas at Carnton and am excited for this book! Thanks for your hard work.
During spring break, my 20 year-old granddaughter and I visited Carnton Plantation and enjoyed it immensely. I wanted to get a visual on what the plantation looked like so when I read the books, I can imagine the characters inside the house and on the grounds. I have read all your historical novels and loved all of them. I looking forward to the Carnton Plantation novels.
How cool, Regina, that you and your granddaughter have already visited Carnton. I’m that way too. I love to see a place so I can get the lay of the land. Helps me to imagine it with a clearer perspective. Thanks so much for reading and taking these journeys with me.
Betty, thank you thank you for sharing all that. I’ve added that book to my TBR stack! Bless you, friend—and fellow lover of true love stories!
My last “true love story” I’ ve read was The Legend of Elizabeth Siddal.
I adore Pre-Raphaelite and Elizabeth´ s life was mysterious and exciting!
And today, I just finished Fitzgerald´ s The Great Gatsby and I love it as a book and as a film, too. Did you watch this film ?
Yes, Blanka, I watched that movie and read the book several years back. So glad you enjoyed it! A modern classic, as some say. Thanks for the recommendation above, too!
How exciting to read those old love letters. I can’t wait to read.
You can imagine how excited I was to read them, Lucy! And then to incorporate them into the book. Hope you enjoy!
I’m looking forward to December! I enjoyed Christmas at Carnton immensely. Welcome to Anne. I’ve read a couple of her books and have a couple more on my TBR list.
Jane Kirkpatrick is a master at writing “true love stories.” Her novels are all based on real people. The most recent book of hers I read was ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND. I’m looking forward to reading WITH THIS PLEDGE. The Christmas book was really good. I’ve read all of Anne’s books pictured so am glad she will be writing for this blog.
Thanks for the post, Tamera. I love hearing about the background of stories and how they came to be. It’s amazing that you were able to connect with a descendant of your characters and read the letters. I’m looking forward to reading your book.