Lunching at Belmont Mansion

I had the recent pleasure of meeting a bookclub at Belmont Mansion (the setting of my Belmont Mansion novels) for a delicious luncheon, wonderful sharing time, and then a tour of the mansion. I never tire of being in Adelicia Acklen's beautiful home.

Pay no attention to that woman in the background flashing us. Those Victorians and their naked statues… Sheesh!

A luncheon and tour package featuring Jerry Trescott (Belmont's curator and architectural historian extraordinaire) and moi was auctioned off in a fundraiser for Belmont Mansion, and the very generous Shirley Reynolds (seated third back on the right) won the bid! (Thank you, Shirley! What a pleasure to meet you and the other ladies yesterday.)

These gals were such fun! And I always enjoy providing color commentary to Jerry's marvelous "A Lasting Impression novel" tour he gives readers touring the antebellum mansion.

Here we are on the steps of the dual cantilevered spiral staircase.

I also got my first look at the beautifully reproduced detailed miniature of The Sleeping Children (by artist William Henry Rinehart), one of the statues Adelicia purchased on her grand tour of Europe in 1865—and a statue that's prominently featured in A Lasting Impression (Sutton and Claire's story).

The Sleeping Children in Belmont Mansion's front hall

Adelicia Acklen ordered this piece in Rome on February 27, 1866 and instructed that the names “Laura & Corinne” be carved on the front left, and “Twin Sisters” be carved on the back. This was a type of memorial to two of her ten children. Laura and Corinne Acklen died at the age of two of scarlet fever. Adelicia placed this piece in the Front Hall—in the same location where it is today.

And here's the detailed replica that's now available, and that I brought home with me yesterday!

Isn't it lovely?

Want your own? Contact Belmont Mansion at mansioneducation@belmont.edu and ask them about the replica of The Sleeping Children

I'm currently working with the mansion on a Christmas gift package which will contain this replica of The Sleeping Children, along with autographed copies of A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare, and a choice of a Belmont Mansion coaster.

I'm so grateful for the many ways the folks with Belmont Mansion (and Belle Meade Plantation) partner with me in writing these stories and keeping history alive.

What's the last historical site you've visited? And by chance, did you bring home a souvenir of some sort, too? 

Tammy

A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare available now
A Note Yet Unsung releases February 2017

More about the Belmont Mansion novels

Christian Fiction Readers Retreat - NASHVILLE, AUG 24

Want to attend the 2016 Christian Fiction Readers Retreat with me...and 30+ of my closest author buddies?

Get all the info HERE!

Have you ever attended an event like this? SO looking forward to it, and hope you can join us!

Let me know if you're planning to be there!

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Dallas Area Book Signing SAT, May 16

Attention Dallas area readers! 

Fourteen of my writing buddies and I are comin' your way this weekend!

CLICK for more info on the book signing

A slew of Inspirational (Inspy) authors are headed to the Romantic Times Convention in Dallas this week. What is the RT Convention, you ask? The RT Convention is a massive conference dedicated to romance readers of all genres. 

It's largely a secular conference, meaning that the majority of authors in attendance write secular romance in all genres, including new adult and erotica. I'm already hearing the question forming in some of your minds… Why are Inspy authors attending a secular conference? Quite simply, because romance readers who read and enjoy secular writers (as I do) also read and love inspirational writers. And we love them, in return. Spending time with readers is always a blast!

This is the third year Inspy authors have attended and, honey, this year we're coming en masse! Over thirty authors will be involved in the convention this week, with fifteen of us staying for the Giant Book Fair on Saturday. And when I say Giant, I really mean GIANT! 

There will be about 500 authors involved in the signing. But never fear on whether you'll be able to find the Inspy authors you want to see. We'll all be seated together in Inspirational Fiction Way. Plus a very handsome young man in a tux will be working the crowd, passing out special bookmarks made just for the event along with kisses (the chocolate kind, calm down ladies!) and pointing the way to where you can find us. 

If you live in Dallas, I hope you'll consider grabbing some girlfriends and coming to see us at the Hyatt Regency Dallas on Reunion Blvd. (see link below for directions). We'll have lots of chocolate, bookplates we'll happily autograph for you, bookmarks, postcards, recipes, and of course...hugs and lots of fun and laughter. 

Questions? 

Hope to see you there!

~Tamera 

Click for info on the hotel

A Beauty So Rare releases in Germany today

A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series, releases today in Germany! 

The title there is Undiscovered Beauty, which is so befitting of the story. I can hardly wait to be there next week with buddies Lynn Austin and Elizabeth Musser for our June 11-18 book tour! My lovely daughter, Kelsey, is going too, fabulous marketing assistant that she is. 

Get ready, German reader friends, here we come! 

Check out our tour schedule

Have YOU been to Germany? If yes, what was most memorable about your trip?

Seeing you in all YOUR BEAUTY!

I am loving see you gals in all your beauty!  I hope you enjoy A Beauty So Rare and would love to hear from you when you're finished! 

If you haven't shared your picture with your print copy of the book (or your ebook, which is releasing any hour now!) on my Facebook Page, please do! I'd love to see you there! And thanks for reading.

Thanks, Valerie, for reading!

Lisa, sweet author buddy, hope you enjoy!

Susan, LOVED your analogy of chocolate! Hope you enjoy the story!

Reader pictures from Belle Meade Plantation and Belmont Mansion

How I love it when readers visit Belle Meade Plantation (setting of To Whisper Her Name) or Belmont Mansion (setting of A Lasting Impression), and when you share your pictures with me! Keep 'em coming! Thanks so much, Jeanne Alfveby Crea!!

Note from Jeanne:
LOVED your book TO WHISPER HER NAME and I told the folks at Belle Meade that your book was the reason for our visit. Would not have known about it had it not been the setting for your book! My daughter and I enjoyed our tour along the way on our road trip from MN to FL. Thank you for your beautiful stories!

Thank you, Jeanne, for reading and for visiting Belle Meade.

Anyone else have a picture? I'd love for you to post it on my Facebook Page.

A Reader Note...

Received this note today from dear reader friend, Laura McKnight (waving to you, Laura!), and it made me smile big time. I love hearing from y'all after you've read one of my books. Can't tell you what it means to me. And I especially loved Laura's honest comment about not wanting to move on from the Colorado books to the Southern books...

"Hi Tamera, I just wanted to tell you how very much I love your writing! I discovered you back in February of 2008, when I first read REKINDLED. I was hooked, and felt like I personally knew each of your characters, and was always left wanting more. I have read each series, & fallen in love with the Colorado mountains as a result. 

I have to admit, I was hesitant to read A LASTING IMPRESSION, and just left it sitting on my bedside for months. I didn't want to move onto a new series, I didn't want to leave the Colorado people. Imagine my surprise when a little paragraph included [name of character removed for those who haven't read ALI yet!], I about screamed with delight, lol. I love how you include characters from past books! Keep on writing for Him, and we'll keep enjoying the fruits of your creativity! God bless you, Tamera! Can't wait for November & TO WHISPER HER NAME!"

Thanks again, Laura, for your note today! And I want to share that it was actually *my husband's idea* to put a character from another novel (or series) in each one of my subsequent books, starting with the first one, REKINDLED.

So in every book, you see a glimpse (if you're looking closely and have read all my other books) of a character from another book. If you haven't read that specific book (where that character appears), then you'll read right over it (as you should) and not even notice. But if you HAVE read that specific book, then you'll catch a glimpse of a past character...and hopefully, a friend!

These connections with y'all make writing extra rewarding! I'm so grateful to you for reading and that we're sharing this journey.

Now back to reading and researching...

I snapped this picture last night of flowers in our neighborhood as Jack and I were on a walk. So pretty!

Book Clubbing with Morgantown Ladies

I had the pleasure of Skyping last night with the ladies of the Wisdom Seekers Book Club at Sabraton Baptist Church in Morgantown, WV who read my book The Inheritance (Women of Faith Fiction). We had a blast! Thank you, gals, for letting me join you! 

 

Kneeling: Jeannine Brand

1st row (L to R): Hazel Oldland, Judy Dalton, Dollie Barker, and Tye Kramer

2nd row (L to R): Jennifer Derrick, Melissa Forinash, Julie Snowdon, Phyllis Craig, Lil Bezjak, and Patty Frankenberry

Ryan Hanson (their wonderful media guy), and Judy Dalton

Judy shares that the saddle in the picture is her daughter's (Jennifer Derrick). The little chair was made by Judy's husband from horseshoes and West Virginia Black Walnut wood for their granddaughter. Both Judy's daughter and granddaughter are into barrel racing. "Jennifer has always enjoyed reading and horses," Judy says. "The Inheritance was the perfect fit for her."

And you gals were a perfect delight, Judy! Many thanks, again, for allowing me to join you!

If your book club is reading one of my books, I'd love to "join" you at your meeting too. Click for more information on Virtual Book Club Meetings!

Fostering International Relations

I had the pleasure of meeting Carine Bijl, a lovely Netherlands reader, last evening, and we had a wonderful time chatting about life, faith, and writing. Carine has been in Nashville for almost a year serving as a nanny for a couple with two children, and leaves next week to return home to the Netherlands.

We met at J. Alexanders in Cool Springs and enjoyed dinner followed by J. Alexanders' absolutely scrumptious Carrot Cake served warm with cream cheese icing. Oh so good!

 Carine had never tasted Carrot Cake before (and was slightly skeptical at carrots baked into a cake, do you blame her?), so I considered it my duty as a Southern American to introduce her to this yummy delight. I know, I know, the lengths I'll go for international diplomacy. : )

Here's the cover of Diep in Mijn Hart  (Within My Heart, Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 3) that recently released in the Netherlands. In Dutch, of course. I'm honored that they publish my books there, and even more...that readers are reading. Thank you, my dear Dutch friends! And thanks, Carine, for a fun evening. Blessings, girl!

And to leave you with a smile this morning, here's a cute video about Ormie, a pig, that a writing buddy shared with me earlier this week. I'll be interested to see what your reaction is to the end. I saw it and actually went "Aw..." But maybe that's because I love cookies so much! 

Click here to watch Ormie

Blessings friends, and now back to finishing this next first draft. 

Tammy

Booksigning at the Belmont Mansion and MORE...

Whew! It's finally Friday. Been a long week but a really good one. Hope you're ready for the weekend and that your weekend will hold exactly what you're needing, whether that be rest or play time. Mine holds lots of quiet writing time (that I'm going to guard with my life!), and I'm really looking forward to it after this whirlwind week.

The Southern Style Facebook Party on Tuesday night was a blast! Thanks to everyone for attending and for all the fun banter. Y'all are terrific! And congrats to all the winners.

Here's a transcript of the party and all the laughter (and there was plenty!), and here's a list of the giveaway winners. Take a look at all the pretty faces of the party attendees too. And yes, even a buck-toothed llama. : )

Last night I was at the Belmont Mansion for a booksigning for A Lasting Impression. I met so many new friends and saw some "old" ones too. I so appreciate the mansion's hospitality and am grateful to everyone who came. Pics are on my facebook page, with more coming as I get them.

And finally, Rachel McRae from LifeWay asked me to guest blog today. I appreciate Rachel and all that she does to promote Christian fiction. She's a woman in-the-know!

And one more thing...

If you're a writer and you're interested in knowing more about dissecting novels, check out my guest blog at Southern Writers Suite T and learn why "the first cut is the deepest." Suite T blog is a great resource for writers and is pure pleasure to read (and look at).

Blessings on your weekend,
Tammy

P.S. I almost forgot! I had a radio interview this week too with the oh-so-funny Tricia Goyer. We laughed and laughed. Find out what makes me want to pinch myself and slap myself at the same time! (It's the November 17, 2011 interview.)

Bethany House Book Banter TODAY

If you have a minute, join me over at Bethany House Publisher's FB Page for the first BOOK BANTER, and a chance to win a copy of A Lasting Impression and all of my BHP books. We've had some glitches but we're working them out. No thanks to Mark Zuckerberg who blocked me from commenting! Can you imagine? Someone blocking me from talking? The nerve...

Start Book Bantering!

Bake-off Challenge Part II - Caramel Cake Supreme

Author and buddy Angela Hunt recently started her Lovin' Oven Blog which chronicles all the fabulous creations she's been baking. I've been following her and marveling (and drooling) over her recipes. The breads especially. I love bread. It's at the top of my personal food pyramid, for sure––wait, make that the bottom half––as are the sweeter tastes in fare.

I made a Creamy Praline Pecan Pie (below, left)then challenged her to a bake-off, throwing down the baking mitten, which she promptly snatched up, accepted the offer and made this wondrous creation below, a Tuxedo Cake!

Wondering what I should bake next, I read a comment from a reader on my facebook page (waving to you sweet Stacey Daniels) about her mother's decadent Caramel Cake and––BING!––I knew what was next on my list to make. #1 because she said it was fabulous (and she wasn't lyin'!), and #2 because I'd never made a Caramel Cake before. However, I have made caramels and divinity so knew what I was in far. Sort of. LOL!

The homemade cake in this recipe is one of the best I've tasted. So delicate and moist, and not overly sweet. It's definitely a batter I'll use again even when not making the Caramel Cake.

So, for starters, I creamed the sugar and crisco...

Then added the milk and egg yolks, beating well. Then I beat the separate egg whites until stiff...

And folded them in...

Like I said above, these cakes turned out beautifully. So flaky and just a great "soft old-fashioned" cake.

Next came making the burnt caramel icing. Mmmm.... But! you know those disclaimers they put on commercials were a professional driver is road racing, like: "PROFESSIONAL DRIVER! CLOSED ROADWAY! DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME." That's what someone should've told me so I would've been more cautious. LOL! So a word to the wise, do not answer your cell phone during this stage. Do not pause to let your dog go outside because he sees a squirrel and is going berserk! Do not do anything but mind this icing. Just sayin'...

Put the butter, sugar and milk into a pot and melt. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, melt 1/2 cup sugar slowly in a small saucepan until it's gold and syrupy, then add it to the milk mixture. Boil the icing until soft ball stage (about 240 degrees F).

Then pour into a glass bowl, add your vanilla and whip with a mixer until spreading consistency.

I'd done a little reading on the internet about making a Caramel Cake and everyone said that this stage was the trickiest. And it is...as you'll see by my cake below. But hey, we're friends, right? We can be real with each other? : )

If the mixture gets too thick as you're working with it, you can add a touch of cream to thin it back out. But a warning, don't add too much. Like I did. You can add more but you can't take it back. Words to live (and cook) by...

And the final product...tada!

Certainly not Southern Living worthy but oh, does it taste delicious! And I put it on one of my sweet mother's favorite cake plates no less. She loved square cake plates and I love them too. I'll admit, I've got LOTS of cake plates. Love them. Collect them. And use them often just to spruce up normal everyday dishes. Kind of like I drink my sweet tea from a wine glass. They don't call it the Wine of the South for nothing. 

Oh yum, this cake is delicious, and the recipe follows below with permission of Pam Sanders, Stacey Daniel's mom.

And now, Ms. Hunt, the baking mitten is back in your court––or kitchen! What are you making next? Something sweet, I hope. I think next week, we should turn to homemade breads and rolls. Something yummy for Thanksgiving!

So...what do y'all think? 

CARAMEL CAKE

Pam Sanders (via Stacey Daniels)

1 cup Crisco
1 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup plain flour
1 1/2 cup self-rising flour
4 eggs (separated)

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time. Slowly add flour
and milk alternately. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold in mixture. Bake
in 3 greased and floured cake pans until done at 350 degrees.

Burnt Caramel Icing
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put 3 cups sugar, milk, and butter in large boiler. Bring to a boil and let
cook on medium heat. As soon as mixture starts to boil, heat small fry pan
and sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar slowly into pan as you stir and it melts to a
golden syrupy color. 

Add to milk mixture that is on medium heat and stir until boils again. Test mixture for soft ball stage. When reached, pour mixture into large glass bowl, add vanilla, and  mix with electric beaters until  consistency is ready for icing cake layers.  Enjoy!