Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander, the first full novel of the Carnton series, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: With This PledgeSeries: Carnton, Book 1
Author: Tamera Alexander
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 8, 2019
Genre: Historical Romance
History takes on vivid life in the stunning first full-length installment of USA TODAY bestselling Tamera Alexander’s new series, The Carnton Novels.
What can a woman—a mere governess—do against the scourge of slavery?
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston’s quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause—but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home where she is governess is converted into a Confederate field hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend.
As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie’s arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy’s first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.
Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers’ respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton’s walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn’t realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie’s heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers that his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and promises made, she struggles to be true to her heart while standing for what she knows is right—no matter the cost.
From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves the real-life love letters between Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of war.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
MY THOUGHTS
With This Pledge is a masterpiece – a literary work of art that, like an intricate painting, engages your senses as you discover more and more through its complexity, and it forever lingers in your thoughts. Through what must have been exhaustive research, Tamera Alexander has fleshed out real-life events and characters into a novel that entertains, resonates with the reader, and challenges your thinking. With This Pledge ranks among the most moving of Alexander’s novels and is the first to go on this year’s “best of the best” list.
Odd
how war had a way of leveling life. Of making
what once seemed so important –
not quite so significant.
And in turn, it made what truly mattered – people,
taking care of one another, life – of utmost urgency.
Set in Franklin, Tennessee, With This Pledge is a story of hope in the midst of tragedy, multilayered in both characters and plot. Viewing a devastating battle in the distance from the balcony of the plantation where she works as governess, Lizzie is drawn into the harsh aftermath of war as the home becomes a hospital. The atmosphere of tragedy, grief and loss is palpable – as is that of strength, courage and sacrifice. Through Alexander’s exquisite writing, the romance of Roland and Lizzie is a touching bright spot in the midst of turmoil.
In a war where North and South both believed God was on their side, where atrocities were committed on both sides, Alexander’s writing challenges conventional thinking about the morality of slavery and leaves readers with much to reflect upon. And so relevant for us today is the fact that believing in God doesn’t prevent asking the timeless question of Where is God in the midst of all this?
Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
EXCERPT
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous industry-leading honors, including the Christy Award (two-time winner, seven-time finalist), the RITA Award (two-time winner, four-time finalist), the Carol Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best Award, and Library Journal's top distinction, among others.
After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband now reside in Nashville, Tennessee, where they live a short distance from Belmont Mansion and Belle Meade Plantation, the setting of Tamera’s two USA Today bestselling Southern series.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win a release copy of With This Pledge + $10 Amazon Gift Card
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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Thank you for your review and for being part of the Blog Tour for "With This Pledge" by Tamera Alexander hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.
ReplyDeleteLove this author's book and can't wait for the opportunity to read this one which sounds amazing.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I can't imagine you not loving this book, Kay. Hope you get to read it soon!
DeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! I always like reading your reviews!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Heidi! Last year it was almost summer before I added a book to my "best of the best" list, so maybe this is an indicator of some more great reading to come. I think you'll love Tamera's book, Heidi.
DeleteThis book sounds like a very interesting read.
ReplyDeleteLove Tamera's books.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review!
ReplyDeleteFantastic review! I'm just left thinking, "Wow! I need to read this book."
ReplyDeleteI love Tamaras books. The cover is beautiful. This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteTighefan42atgmail dotcom
Thank you for your review. This sounds like an excellent read.
ReplyDeleteLove that the messages in the book, even though it takes place so long ago, are still relevant today.
ReplyDelete