 Dear Friends, I'm sitting here at my desk with the window open enjoying the smell of the rain after a refreshing (and somewhat fierce) thunderstorm blew through earlier. I find it hard to believe it's already June and that two years have passed since my family and I moved from Colorado to this lovely town of Franklin, Tennessee.
While I miss my Rocky Mountains, I love being back in my native South and closer to family. I'm also rediscovering the vibrant history of this part of the country and nearly everywhere I look I see potential stories, which will, rest assured, find a way into the pages of upcoming novels.
There's lots of news to tell, but first, I want to thank you for something you may have no idea that you did...
Providing "Living Water"
The Bible says there's no way to out give God, and I've found that to be true again and again in my life. As part of our walk with Him, my husband and I tithe on everything God has blessed us with, and while you might not be aware of it, when you've purchased one of my novels you've partnered with us in providing a reliable source of clean water to a village in Boma, Sudan where, until recent weeks, the villagers had no local source of drinking water.
And you're not only providing water to drink, you're providing living water through the brothers and sisters who are in Boma, Sudan ministering to those villagers and who are bringing the life-changing power of Jesus Christ to their community.
Thank you for making this possible and for partnering with us to make a dream of mine come true.
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One down, one to go!  Our daughter, Kelsey, graduated from college in May with a degree in marketing and has already secured a position with a local bank as a Concierge Banker--something for which we're most grateful. She's eager to begin her first "post college" job on Monday, and we couldn't be prouder.
That leaves us with one more to go. Our son, Kurt, is a junior in college and majoring in mathematics. Of course, this boggles my mind (I barely passed Quantitative Business Analysis), so he definitely took after his father in this area. Kurt's thoroughly enjoying his college years and we're so thankful to be his parents.
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Cruisin' with the family
Last summer, we booked a cruise to the Western Caribbean for my entire family (including my parents and my brother and his wife and their two sons), but with my mom's recent health challenges (more on that below) we weren't sure we'd be able to keep the reservation. Thankfully, though, we were and set sail on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas two weeks ago.
We had a marvelous time and really enjoyed being together. That's me and my sweet dad pictured above, then another of me getting ready for the life-jacket drill before leaving port (attractive, I know...) Then one of my son and me as we went zip-lining through the jungles of Jamaica. Oh! What a kick that was and something I've long wanted to do. We really enjoyed the time with the entire family along with sweet Alli Schisler, Kelsey's best friend from high school, who joined us as Kelsey's "graduation present."
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Asking for your prayers  In February my mom went in for routine gallbladder surgery to have her gallbladder removed. I went to Atlanta to be with her, and my dad and I took turns staying with her in the hospital as she recuperated. On the day she was to be released, the doctor came in and told us that her gallbladder had been cancerous, and that the cancer had already spread to her liver. You can imagine our shock.
One month later, she underwent a liver resection which is a surgery in which a portion of the liver is removed. The surgeon removed sixty percent of Mom's liver and she was in the hospital for nearly two weeks. After much counsel and seeking God's guidance on which road to take next, Mom began chemotherapy last week following our return from the cruise.
She'll undergo treatment for six months and while we're very hopeful and trusting God for her healing, the doctors have been straightforward in letting us know that, statistically, gallbladder cancer is rarely ever completely healed. That it's not a matter of if the cancer will return, but when. However, we serve a God who can heal with a thought and we're praying that His plans for my mother include that healing. We're trusting Him and walking this difficult road together in complete faith, knowing that He'll give us the strength to face whatever comes.
The picture above is of me and Mom on the first day of the cruise. We were soaking up the sun on their balcony, just like we're soaking up the time with her and dad now, and are treasuring each moment as well as your prayers for her healing.
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Recent and Upcoming Releases (CBA and ECPA Bestsellers)
The Inheritance (Women of Faith Fiction) released in March and you immediately made it a CBA and ECPA Bestseller! This is the first historical in the Women of Faith fiction line and I'm honored that Thomas Nelson approached me to write it.
Beyond This Moment (a Timber Ridge Reflections novel) released in April and, again, your faithful readership landed it on both the CBA and ECPA Bestseller lists!
Fountain Creek Chronicles "omnibus" (which is Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered all in one hardback book, all 786 pages of it) releases in October and promises to offer lots of reading for new readers. Either that or a way to bulk up those biceps!
Within My Heart (the third Timber Ridge Reflections novel) releases this fall and is the book I'm currently working on now. Several of you have written saying you've already pre-ordered it. Your excitement about this story and in learning more about Rachel Boyd and Dr. Rand Brookston is so encouraging!
Click to buy or pre-order my novels
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A way to say thanks...  Every month we have a giveaway on my website. There's no catch and nothing you have to sign up to receive. It's simply my way of saying thank you.
This month we're giving away autographed copies of Rekindled, Book 1 in the Fountain Creek Chronicles series. You're welcome to forward this note to friends and family who you think might be interested in receiving a free book.
The contest ends June 30th so sign up soon.
Click here to enter the giveaway!
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When you have a moment, check out the new interviews on my website. I had a blast chatting with Herman and Sharron on their TV show "The Herman and Sharron Show" (pictured above), and visiting The Harvest Show, Deeper Living and many others. Simply click the picture and it will take you to the Media Player on my website.
If you live in the Denver area, I'm headed your way! I'll be attending the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) on July 13-14 and will be signing copies of Beyond This Moment at the Baker Booth on Monday (13th) at 10:00 a.m. If you're in the area, I invite you to stop by. I'd love to see you!
While in Denver and prior to ICRS, I'll attend the Christy Awards reception. The Christy Award is the highest honor a book in the Christian market can receive, and I'm honored to share that From a Distance is a finalist for the 2009 Christy Award for Best Historical Romance. Winners will be announced on Saturday evening (11th) at a dessert reception. More information on admittance into ICRS can be found here.
Until next time, I wish you continued joy in your own extraordinary journey,
Tamera
www.tameraalexander.com
www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com |
