A Christmas story to launch a new three-book series . . . The Carnton Novels
TOP 10 ECPA Bestseller
Amid war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas – and of sacrificial love.
Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son.With the bank threatening to evict, … and her six-year old son.With the bank threatening to evict, she discovers an advertisement for the Women’s Relief Society auction and applies for a position – only to discover it’s been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity – and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man?
Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women’s Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects.Kowtowing to a bunch of “crinolines” isn’t his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies – one, in particular – is far more than he bargained for.
Set against the backdrop and history of the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored at Christmas.
Photo credit front cover: Eric A. Jacobson, CEO and Historian, The Battle of Franklin Trust
read right up until the end very good book
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. I was not required to give a favorable review. This is a beautiful story of how strong women in the south had to be during the Civil War, with taking care of themselves and any children they may have & keeping a roof over their heads. So many of them loss their homes because of death and having no place to go. This story is about a wonderful woman who was at a loss when first she lost her husband, then her job and then her home. But because of a chance to work as a cook she was able to find peace in the holiday season and give her son & baby she was pregnant with a little peace. As usual Tamera writes such a wonderful story you feel like you are there and seeing everything through their eyes.
I love historical fiction and a good love story. I also enjoy this author.
It was awesome!! It should give us pause as we look back in history and how the Lord continues to lead us. It was a very hard life during the Civil War, and there were no resources as we have today. May everyone receive a blessing as they read this book.
I (shamefully) haven’t read many of Tamera Alexander’s books so I’m so glad that I got to read this one. I love that the author picks settings that are real and researches meticulously to bring historical facts into the historical fiction that she weaves. I would love to visit Carnton one day….and this beautiful novella will unfold before my eyes as I take the tour 🙂 Anyway who loves historical romance set during the Civil War would enjoy this book.
The book is well-written and the writing is easy to follow. Despite it being a novella, it contains quite a few powerful themes and secondary characters whom I’m sure we will meet in the future through other books in the series. I found it fascinating to read about the “other” reasons for Civil War, spoken through the soldiers from the Confederate Army. Having grown up in the North, I don’t think I even thought about the multiple layers of politics and reasons that caused this war. The author did a great job of honing in on the devastation and tragic consequences of a war but also gently reminding the reader of resiliency of the human spirit and love in the hands of our God even in the midst of such sorrow.
Aletta is a wonderful woman – strong, compassionate, empathetic, hard-working, intelligent, humble, thankful, and perceptive. In the midst of trials, she keeps going but doesn’t forget to look back and be thankful. She shows kindness even when it hurts and gives even when she has so little. Jake is steadfast, loyal, kind-hearted, and oh-so-swoon worthy. Even in his manly protective mode, he can still admit that he’s wrong and ask for forgiveness. He has a tender and compassionate heart that seeks to help others, even in the midst of his suffering and uncertainty about his future.
And there is Tempy the cook, Mrs. McGavock who hires Aletta, Winder who is Mrs. McGavock’s son, Andrew who is Aletta’s son, and Miss Clouston who is Winder’s nanny and teacher that make up the delightful supporting cast that I hope to see in the next book.
I received a review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Aletta Prescott struggles after her husband was killed in the Civil War. She has a son to raise on her own. She losses her job and then losses her home. Not knowing where to go she sees a aid for Women’s Relief Society auction for a job as a baker. As her and her son go to apply she finds the job was filled. After she hears they were looking for someone to build a Nativity for the auction she applies. She explains she helped her father build things.They are hesitant due to her being pregnant. Jake Winston’s was a sharp shooter in the war and was injured and his eyesight was damaged. He is sent to Carnton to help out with the Women’s relief society. They meet and she asks for his help to lift for her so she could have the job. After the pastry baker was fired she also got that job. As Jake and her work together they fall in love. Can this relationship work? Can they find love together? A beautiful well written historical fiction book. Can not wait to read the other two books for this series. Read for a honest review for NetGalley.
A true Civil War Christmas novella, Christmas at Carnton takes place in 1863, before the battle of Franklin, which is featured later in Alexander’s excellent Carnton Series. The rich historical detail, wonderfully developed characters with their unique solutions to their dilemmas, and the mouthwatering recipes in the back of the book make this story a real treat—especially at Christmas.
I really liked this story. It was a page turner for me. The characters were lovable and real.
Part of the reason it snagged my interest was the setting—Franklin, Tennessee, in 1863. A portion of my Civil War romance, A Musket in My Hands, takes place a year later. The tragic Battle of Franklin happened on November 30, 1864, and is an important part of my story.
I finally found a novella I like! Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander is the best novella I’ve read this year, maybe ever. I admit that I usually don’t like the shortened form, so I don’t read many novellas. However, this one was excellent. The story held my attention and offered a tender romance. Although it still had that shortened novella feel at a few points, the author created intriguing characters that developed deeply. Aletta was especially complex and wonderful. She had several issues to deal with as she grew and changed throughout the story. I feel like it’s rare to see that much character development in a novella.
I recommend Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander to readers looking for an inspirational Christmas read. It has a permanent place on my bookshelf and made me want to read more of Tamera Alexander’s books. 5 stars!
5 things to look for in Christmas at Carnton by @tameraalexanderauthor 1) A Sharpshooter who has lost his long distance vision and a war widdow making the best of the support they can give to the war effort. 2)God’s provision when all seems bleak 3) A “crinoline” who is a wood carver 4)A generous benefactor who funds war efforts and provides a new home for those in need. 5)Recipes for Hot Cocoa, Butter cookies, pecan pie, and pumpkin bread What worked for me: Intriguing characters and conflict/ the civil war from the south’s perspective What didn’t work for me: I would have liked to see the relationship between the hero and heroine develop more. It felt a little rushed to the Happily Ever After. But perhaps it was because it is a shorter work? I prefer books on the longer side. . . . . . ##christmas2019 #amreading #Christianfiction ##Christmastraditions #civilwar #tennessee
Meet women from the Civil War era who are strong and empathic to others.
Nice story.
Looking forward to the new book in this series.
I love the history in this book
I enjoyed the historical, American Civil War, setting of this story. I found it interesting that it was from the Confederate point of view, being set in the South.
It was easy to appreciate and identify with the characters in some ways.
I was happy that it had a happy ending – I would NEVER read a light-reading, Christian fiction book that didn’t have a happy ending. Having said that, I gave it 4 stars only because the end was completely predictable from page one.
Very entertaining and uplifting.
I enjoyed the fact that I did not have the whole plot figured out from the first.it was in parts romantic but not R rated
It was ok.
This was a sweet, easy-to-read book, with genuine characters of faith and honor. I truly enjoyed the historical aspect, too, especially since I’m a born and bred Southerner. 🙂 Thank you, Tamera, for such a good book. (The recipes are wonderful!)
Margaret P.
Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander is a Christmas story that is a prequel for The Carnton Novels (the first book will be released in 2018). The story starts in November of 1863 in Franklin, Tennessee. Aletta Prescott is a widow with a six-year-old son and another child on the way. Aletta received word that her husband, Walter passed away a month prior from battle injuries. Aletta has just lost her position at Chilton Textile Mills and her home is close to being foreclosed upon. She happens upon an advertisement for a cook at Carnton for the upcoming auction being held by the Women’s Relief Society in support of the Confederate cause. Can this be the answer to her prayers? Captain Jake Winston was recently injured and is unable to return to battle until he recovers. Mrs. Colonel John McGavock from Carnton has requested a solider be present for the upcoming auction and it is Jake’s new assignment. Jake does not understand why the women do not just donate money instead of hosting the big gathering to raise money. Over time, though, Jake’s opinions change as he witnesses the hard work of the women and, in particular, Aletta Prescott.
Christmas at Carnton is a lovely, heartening Christian novel. It has great characters and a beautiful setting. Christmas at Carnton is well-written and engaging. Ms. Alexander knows how to draw her readers into her stories. It was obvious that the author did her research for this series (on the battles, the conditions, what widows suffered and experienced, and on Carnton—a real place). The novel contains prayer, hope, struggle, faith, grief, heartache, love, and so much more. We are shown the true meaning of Christmas and that we should be thankful for each blessing in our lives. Andrew, Aletta’s son, was a delightful addition to the story. My rating for Christmas at Carnton is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I appreciated that the author gave Aletta unique skills that were uncommon for a woman at that time (woodworking). I look forward to reading each book in The Carnton Novels when they come out.