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 blogs every first and third Tuesday at Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction, a group blog she shares with a wonderful community of authors. If you'd like to join the conversation on this post, Tamera would love to see you there!