Skip to main content

Interview with Tamera Alexander

Captain's Log, Stardate 09.27.2007

Today I have an interview with Historical Romance author Tamera Alexander about her latest novel, Remembered!

In book 3 of the Fountain Creek Chronicles, Veronique Girard sets off to Colorado Territory from France after the death of her mother. She is searching for her father, who set off to make his fortune in American as a fur trader twenty-five years ago. Unfamiliar with the language, customs, and the land, Veronique sets out on a dangerous journey to find a man she doesn't remember and answers to her questions.

Jack Brennan has been working himself to death for the past fifteen years as a wagon guide to block out the pain of his wife and son's death. Now, he is ready to settle down in Willow Springs. When he is thrown together unexpectedly with Veronique, he becomes involved with her quest to find her father, but that is not the only way she has the potential to change his life.







And now, here’s me and Tammy!

What inspired the storyline of Remembered?

My motivation behind Remembered was a trip to Paris that my husband and I took in May 2006. I "met" the heroine of Remembered, 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.

The first scene in Remembered is set in that very cemetery. Remembered, book 3 in Fountain Creek Chronicles, released this summer!

I love how Veronique is French. What's her favorite French dessert and why?

Véronique never met a patisserie she didn’t love! And her favorite sweet pastry is a Chocolate Napoleon, of course!

Can you give us a sneak peek at your new series, Timber Ridge Reflections?

I’d love to! I recently completed the first draft of From a Distance, book one in the new Colorado Territory series with Bethany House but still have a ways to go with the story before I’m done. You know how that goes. But I LOVE rewrites and layering!

Here’s a sneak peek at From a Distance:

Elizabeth Westbrook, daughter of a decorated Union Commander, travels to Timber Ridge, Colorado Territory, in the heart of the Maroon Bells, determined to photograph their beauty and that of the territory's newly discovered cliff dwellings. Establishing her career as a premiere photographer and journalist is of utmost concern, as is finding a cure for her mysterious illness.

But when one of her photographs turns into key evidence in a murder charge, her life is in peril. And when her interests clash with those of former Confederate sharpshooter Daniel Ranslett, she begins to question her own motivations. What she learns about herself is surprising, but what she learns about Daniel is life-changing.

Bethany House is already working on the cover art and here’s something fun—they’re having a seamstress custom make an “Elizabeth dress” for the model to wear. I so appreciate the attention to detail Paul Higdon and his art team at Bethany give my covers. As soon as we have a mock up of From a Distance, I'll post it on my blog at www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com.

From a Distance releases in spring 2008.


I noticed that you like The Closer too! I adore that show--my mom got me totally hooked by having me watch the DVDs of the first season. I'm not as polite as Brenda Lee is, but I certainly would like to be as strong-willed. Do you see yourself as kind of like Brenda Lee?

I love Brenda’s character and how multi-dimensional she is. Did you watch the season finale this week! Oh be still my heart! Wonderful!

I can’t say that I see myself as a true Brenda Lee, but I am guilty of saying “Thank you so much” when I really mean something entirely different. ;)

I love love love ethnic food (I just did a restaurant meme on my blog and couldn't pick only five! I'm pathetic). What's your favorite ethnic cuisine and why?

I love Mexican food. Can’t get enough of chips and salsa. I love the spicy kick with the salty tang. Followed with sweet Sopaipillas, of course.

You're off the hot seat! Any parting words?

Something that God has been impressing on me recently is that he’s the restorer of our discarded dreams. He’s restored my long-buried dream of writing and I’d just like to encourage anyone out there who has a dream that they’ve laid aside through the years—for whatever reason—to bring it before the Lord, and then watch what he does!

Camy here: Thanks for being here, Tammy!

Popular Posts

Brainstorm - character occupation

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.23.2009 Hey guys, I could use some help. In my current manuscript, The Year of the Dog , which is a humorous contemporary romance, I have a minor character, Eddie. He’s my heroine’s ex-boyfriend, and they’re on good terms with each other. He’s a bit irresponsible, but not so much so that he’s a complete loser. He’s got a very easy going attitude, he forgets to pay his bills sometimes, he’s friendly and charming. He’s adventurous and fun to be around, but he’s a little forgetful sometimes, and he tends to spend a little outside his income. I need an occupation for him. What would a charming, easy going, slightly irresponsible guy do for a living? He’s not too irresponsible, because otherwise readers will wonder what in the world my heroine saw in him to date him in the first place. She was attracted to his charm, his easy going attitude (her family’s uptight, and he was a nice contrast), and his adventurousness. But his forgetfulness and irresponsibility ...

I sold to Steeple Hill!

Captain's Log, Supplemental Remember that romantic suspense proposal I blogged about earlier? Well, it just sold to Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line! I am so jazzed! I am beyond jazzed! The story’s working title is Sinister Spa The story's title is Deadly Intent and here’s a blurb (but it’s probably not what will appear on the back of the book): Massage therapist Naomi Grant could use a massage herself. With her father at home recovering from a stroke, Naomi is put in charge of the family’s elite day spa in Sonoma county. The new responsibilities sit awkwardly on her shoulders, and things only get worse when handsome Dr. Devon Knightley breezes into the spa, demanding to see one of the female clients. And the woman is found dead in Naomi’s massage room. Suddenly, Naomi is a suspect and her family’s spa is shut down. How could God let this awful thing happen? Devon only needed to see his ex-wife about a family necklace she still hadn’t returned, but when she dies and...

I got my cover!

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Blog book giveaway: To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there. Eyes of Elisha by Brandilyn Collins Tangerine by Marilynn Griffith I GOT MY COVER!!!! What do you guys think?

Chinese Take-Out and Sushi for One

Captain’s Log, Supplemental My agent sent me an article from Publisher’s Weekly that discussed this incident: Chinese Take-Out Spawns Christian Controversy And here’s also a blog post that talks about it in more detail: The Fighting 44s This is Soong-Chan Rah’s blog: The PCS blog In sum: Apparently Zondervan (yes, my publisher), who has partnered with Youth Specialties, had put out a youth leaders skit that had stereotypical Asian dialogue, which offended many Christian Asian Americans. In response to the outcry, Zondervan/Youth Specialities put out a sincere apology and is not only freezing the remaining stock of the book, but also reprinting it and replacing the copies people have already bought. I am very proud of my publisher for how they have handled this situation. The skit writers have also issued a public apology . (I feel sorry for them, because they were only trying to write a funny skit, not stir up this maelstrom of internet controversy. I’ve been in youth work long enou...

Excerpt - A HUNDRED YEARS OF HAPPINESS by Nicole Seitz

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.05.2009 Update: Sorry, this giveaway is closed. A Hundred Years of Happiness by Nicole Seitz A beautiful young woman. An American soldier. A war-torn country. Nearly forty years of silence. Now, two daughters search for the truth they hope will set them free and the elusive peace their parents have never found. In the South Carolina Lowcountry, a young mother named Katherine Ann is struggling to help her tempestuous father, by plunging into a world of secrets he never talks about. A fry cook named Lisa is trying desperately to reach her grieving Vietnamese mother, who has never fully adjusted to life in the States. And somewhere far away, a lost soul named Ernest is drifting, treading water, searching for what he lost on a long-ago mountain. They're all longing for connection. For the war that touched them to finally end. For their hundred years of happiness at long last to begin. From the beloved author of The Spirit of Sweetgrass...