image: header
image: gownflare

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Spotlight on Tamera Alexander and Remembered

I still remember when this spotlight author received the news that she would be getting a book contract for the first time! And not only her first, but from Bethany House Publishers, the leading publisher of Christian fiction! Tammy and I first met in Kansas City in October 2002, when we manned the book table together during the author booksigning at the first ACFW National Conference (then ACRW). From that point on, we've lovingly referred to each other as "book table buddies."

Now, I have the pleasure of featuring her here on my blog for her THIRD novel, and the book that completes the trilogy begun in 2005 with Rekindled, a book that took her to near the top of the CBA Bestseller list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamera was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia but has spent the last sixteen years in Colorado. While she misses her native south, she has developed a love both for the Rocky Mountains and for its colorful history. Before turning to writing, Tamera's professional background was in business management and corporate conference coordination. She's led women's ministries for many years and is currently leading the Women’s Enrichment Ministry at the church where she and her family attend. She’s also active in the music ministry and enjoys facilitating small groups and Bible studies, as well as mentoring other women. She earned a business degree from Harding University and currently lives with her husband in Greeley, Colorado, where they enjoy life with their two college-age children and another important member of their family—a five-pound Silky named Jack. Plans are in motion for a cross-country move to Nashville this summer.

* Rekindled, CBA Bestseller, Library Journal’s Top 5 Picks for Christian Fiction 2006, 2007 RITA® Finalist
* Revealed, 2007 RITA® Finalist
* Remembered, Newest Release, May 2007

REMEMBERED
By Tamera Alexander
Bethany House
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. This is book 3 in your Fountain Creek Chronicles series, and it involves a character from Paris, France, who makes her way to Colorado in search of her father but finds love on the journey. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

My motivation behind Remembered was a trip to Paris that my husband and I took in May 2006. I "met" Veronique Girard (figuratively, of course) in a cemetery in northern Paris, and as Joe and I strolled the old cobbled walkway of Cemetery Montmartre, this young woman (the daughter of a French Fur Trapper from the 1840s) came alive for me. And....the first scene in Remembered is set in that very cemetery!

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Veronique and Jack? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

A writer's experiences can't help but influence her characters but we must remember…we're writing fiction. So there's that definite line in each book where experience leaves off and imagination takes flight. That said, I share a fair amount of VĂ©ronique's stubborn tenacity though none of her ability to speak fluent French. My two years of high school French left me rather lacking in that area so I called on a good friend to assist me in that. I DO share her love of patisseries!

As for Jack, I fell in love with his character! I admire his outlook on life, his patience (which I wish I possessed a smidgen more of), and his dependence upon and trust in God—areas which the Creator is growing within me daily, and not without pain. But pain is one of the tools God used to shape Jack, now isn't it? Hmmmm…there's a lesson in here somewhere. :)

3. What themes exist in Remembered that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Themes always grow throughout the book for me. I often don't know the exact theme(s) until I'm well into the story. Theme grows out of character motivation and subsequent experiences. In Remembered, a definite theme is that God works all things—both the 'good' and 'bad'—for the ultimate and eternal good of the believer.

A second theme is similar in that God’s ways and thoughts (his plans for my life) are higher than my own. Rarely do I understand them or grasp what he's doing at the time, much less down the road. I don't have his perspective, his wisdom. Part of maturing, part of growing in my faith is learning that His ways are always better than my own. Not sometimes better, not most of the time better, but always—regardless of whether I understand them or not.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

One of my favorite scenes to write in Remembered was the 'bathtub scene' and my most difficult was...the ending. I wrote and rewrote that ending so many times.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next book will be out in spring 2008 and it's the first book in a new three-part Colorado Territory historical series with Bethany House. New characters, new town and new plots! Titles are still being decided but we're getting close. You can check my website (www.tameraalexander.com) for titles and copies of the cover as soon as Bethany House has it ready!

* * * * *

Thank you, Tammy, for being in the spotlight, even admist your hectic life at the moment. :) Readers, don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to be entered in the drawing for a FREE, autographed book.

10 comments:

Deborah said...

great interview! i have the first two book in my TBR pile so please enter me!

Cherie J said...

Great spotlight! Would love to win this book!

tetewa said...

Sounds like another great read count me in. tWarner419@aol.com

sherlyn said...

i've heard good thing about this author from a romance writer. Hope I get a chance at this book. Sounds like a real treasure.

Shauna said...

Oh, this series looks soooo good! I keep running across it online. Thanks for the spotlight!

Anicz said...

i'm a new believer so I'm always looking for books that will help nurture my faith and help me grow as a Christian. "Remembered" sounds like the kind book I need these days.

Atomic Kitten said...

I like the cover of Tamera's books. They are really well done and given much thought. They actually have similarities with Liz Curtis Higgs, another fave author of mine. A chance to win this books would be great!

Dylan said...

i'm kinda new here. My cuzn invited me over and told me about your features, interviews and how you love giving away books. This book really caught my attention. I'm no fan of melodrama but I've heard our pastor talking about reading books like Tamera Alexander's. This one must be a really great book.

Ina said...

Tamera's book sound like something you could read in one sitting!

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Congratulations to Reva. You're the winner of Tamera's FREE book. Email me with your mailing information and how you would like the book personalized, and I'll have Tamera send it right out to you.

Thank you to everyone for your support.

Check out the other spotlights for more chances to win.