Today I celebrate four years of partnership with my awesome Abby girl. She's been my rock this past year, adapting to every change that comes our way. Our bond continues to grow stronger. Abby's chin is going grey, but she still loves to work. I'm hopeful that we still have many years of partnership ahead of us. :-)
Meet the Woman Behind the Cover Dress
by Tamera Alexander
Dear friends,
Have you ever wanted to meet the woman who sewed the dress on a
novel cover? Then please allow me to introduce you to Beth Schoenherr, the ever-so-talented
seamstress who sewed Eleanor Braddock’s
dress for the cover of A Beauty So Rare.
I’m thrilled that Beth was willing to share about her experience
in making the dress, and I love the behind-the-scenes glimpses she shares. I
hope you will, too!
Tamera: Where did
inspiration for the dress for A Beauty So Rare come from (both the style
and color)?
Beth: The style, of course, was determined
by the post–Civil War timing of the story.
I
believe the cover designer and editors talked about a garden setting and felt
pink would look lovely against the backdrop of the green foliage and other
flowers, which it does! I then had the fun of finding the right shade of pink
to keep it a believable color for the time. Hot pink or neon pink, of course,
would never do!
Tamera: Um, no. LOL! Not even Adelicia Acklen could have
coerced Eleanor into neon pink! ; )
Tamera: Have you made dresses for photo shoots before?
Beth: I started doing period costumes for men, women, and children in amateur theater in 1999 and then had opportunities in the following years to progress to working in the costume shop of a professional theater. This is my first costume for a photo shoot, however.
Tamera: How cool, Beth. I’m so grateful for your work on this dress. Well done!
Tamera: Do you have an appreciation for period clothing? And
if yes, what’s your favorite style of women’s dresses from history?
Beth: I do enjoy period clothing. I don’t think I can pick one favorite style though. I just enjoy
the various and changing silhouettes and fabrics throughout the history of
fashion.
Tamera:
Understandable. I
have many "favorites," too!
Tamera: What’s the most challenging dress you’ve created for a
cover (and what was most challenging about it)? Also, what has been your most
challenging sewing project in general?
Beth:
As I mentioned,
this is the first dress I have made for a cover. It has been really fun and
exciting to create this dress from scratch and then see it on the cover of this
book. A new experience I had when making this dress was the cartridge pleats at
the back of the skirt. The pattern called for the front and side pieces of the
skirt to be pleated to fit into the waistband and left only a five-inch opening
in the back of the waistband. Then I had to fit the 50-inch-wide piece of
fabric for the back part of the skirt into that five-inch opening. I thought, “There is no way I’m
going to get that much fabric into that little space.” But the cartridge pleats worked fabulously at neatly
pleating 50”
down to 5”.
The
most challenging costume I worked on was a waistcoat designed and then cut out
by someone else and given to me to sew. Not a single piece matched up in size
to its coordinating piece. There was no extra fabric to work with so I had to
just rework the pieces I had while making sure the finished garment would still
fit the actor it was designed for. Definitely a “make
it work”
project!
Finally, probably the most thrilling dress I got to make was the first complete dress for a play at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Many of my costumes prior to that had to be remakes of existing dresses or costumes due to tight budgets. But I was graciously given the opportunity to sew, from start to finish, the schoolteacher dress in Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, which premiered at the Guthrie and then went on to tour nationally. It was so exciting to see the professionally-designed dress come together step-by-step and then to see it on stage.
Tamera: Wow, Beth, I bet that was a
rewarding experience with Little House on the Prairie: the Musical. Congratulations!
I’ve always admired people who know how
to sew, and sew well!
Thank
you
for sharing your talent and time with us––and
with the cover of my latest novel.
~Tamera
www.TameraAlexander.com
For
more "behind the scenes" glimpses from the photo shoot for A
Beauty So Rare,visit Tamera's blog.
A Beauty So Rare
by Tamera Alexander
Book Description:
Pink is not what Eleanor Braddock ordered, but maybe it would soften the tempered steel of a woman who came through a war--and still had one to fight.
Eleanor Braddock--plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty--knows she will never marry. But with a dying soldier's last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. Impoverished and struggling to care for her ailing father, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America--and possibly the most demanding, as well. Adelicia insists on finding her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path--building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor.
Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus longs to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows' and children's home run contrary to Eleanor's wishes. As work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground--and a love neither of them expects.
But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor, and even if he were, someone who knows his secrets is about to reveal them all.
From the USA Today bestselling author of To Whisper Her Name and A Lasting Impression comes a moving historical novel about a bold young woman drawn to a group of people forgotten by Nashville society--and to the one man with whom she has no business falling in love.
Eleanor Braddock--plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty--knows she will never marry. But with a dying soldier's last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. Impoverished and struggling to care for her ailing father, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America--and possibly the most demanding, as well. Adelicia insists on finding her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path--building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor.
Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus longs to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows' and children's home run contrary to Eleanor's wishes. As work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground--and a love neither of them expects.
But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor, and even if he were, someone who knows his secrets is about to reveal them all.
From the USA Today bestselling author of To Whisper Her Name and A Lasting Impression comes a moving historical novel about a bold young woman drawn to a group of people forgotten by Nashville society--and to the one man with whom she has no business falling in love.
My Review:
I wasn't sure that anything could top Tamera's first Belmont Mansion novel, A Lasting Impression, but I grew to love Eleanor and Marcus. A Beauty So Rare is now my favorite of Tamera's novels. Both books can be read independently of each other. I loved how Tamera was able to weave together Belmont's conservatory, Nashville's flood of Civil War widows and their children, Gregor Mendel's work on heredity, Luther Burbank's work improving potatoes, Dorothea Dix and her work advocating for the mentally ill, and Austrian royalty, yet it all made sense in A Beauty So Rare. The story moved quickly and kept me eagerly reading to find out what would happen to Eleanor and Marcus next, however there were times where I had trouble finding the meaning of the German phrases in the context of the book, and that slowed me down. Each time Eleanor was summoned to speak with her aunt Adelicia, my heart was in my throat, hoping she wouldn't be scolded too badly. Adelicia was an intimidating woman, to be sure! Eleanor's yummy cooking kept me hungry while I read, too. You can find recipes on Tamera's website. If you enjoy historical Christian fiction, I highly recommend that you snag this story quickly.
With thanks to Bethany House publishers for my free review copy.
You can buy A Beauty So Rare at Amazon or Christianbook.
What's not to love about quiche? I like trying new variations. The heavy cream in this version sounds so decadent, plus, if it has cream, you know it's going to be good! Here's Tamera's version that Eleanor makes in A Beauty So Rare. Enjoy!
Eleanor Braddock’s Savory Custard
(or Ham and Cheddar Quiche)
From the novel A Beauty So Rare
by Tamera Alexander
Most people think quiche originated in France. Not so. It’s originally a German dish and people referred to them as "savory custards" in the 19th century. Which is accurate since the egg-based mixture forms a luscious-like custard as it bakes.
In my novel, A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series, the heroine, Eleanor Braddock, is "a cook with a dream." But her dreams don’t quite turn out like she thinks they will. However, her savories always do!
I hope you enjoy this recipe (or "receipt" as recipes were called in the 1800s) from A Beauty So Rare. For more about A Beauty So Rare and for recipes from all my novels, visit www.TameraAlexander.com.
Ingredients
1 old-fashioned unbaked pie crust (recipe below)
1 large onion, diced (or sliced if you like larger pieces of onion in your savory)
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound cooked ham diced into cubes (if using bacon, use 8 slices, fried chewy, not too crisp)
8 large eggs
1-1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste (I always go heavier on the pepper, personal preference)
1 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
Sauté onion in the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces (or fry your bacon until chewy, then chop). Set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pie crust and press into a deep dish pie plate. A medium-sized iron skillet works wonderfully for making a savory custard (and is what Eleanor used). The crust comes out divine. I just happened to use a pie plate this time.
Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, ham (or bacon), and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Cover the pie plate (or skillet) lightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown.
QUICK BAKING TIPS: The quiche may still seem a little loose when you first remove it from the oven, but it will firm up nicely once removed from the heat. Also, watch that lovely crust so the edges don’t get overly brown. I use a silicone pie crust shield if that starts to happen. Those are a fabulous invention (but foil crimped around the edges works just as well).
Remove from the oven and allow the savory custard to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before diving in. It’s so good, and just like Eleanor Braddock would make. It’s also delicious left over and warmed up the next day.
Eleanor Braddock’s Old-Fashioned Pie Crust
(makes two large crusts)
From the novel A Beauty So Rare
by Tamera Alexander
This is a wonderful crust that I’ve been using for years. Eleanor would likely have used lard in place of Crisco (since lard was cheaper than butter in her day), and you may too, if you prefer. Yes, lard is still available on most grocery shelves, although I’m pretty sure I just felt you shudder!
This pie crust "freezes beautifully " as they say in Steel Magnolias (instructions on freezing below), so even though I may need only one pie crust at the moment, I always use this recipe and make a second, and freeze it for later. Makes that next pie (or savory custard) go twice as fast!
1 ½ cups Crisco (or lard)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
5 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
In a large bowl, using a pastry cutter (or two knives will do the job), gradually work the Crisco into the flour for 3 to 4 minutes until it resembles coarse meal. In a smaller bowl, whip the egg and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of ice-cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir gently until all ingredients are blended well.
Halve the dough. Form the 2 evenly-sized balls of dough and place each into large sealable plastic bags. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each to about 1/2 inch thickness to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you’re using the crusts immediately, it’s still a good idea to let them chill in the freezer for about 15- 20 minutes. They’ll be much easier to work with.)
When you’re ready to roll the dough for your crust, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes (if it’s frozen). On a well-floured surface, roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. Sprinkle flour over the top of the dough if it’s too moist. If the dough starts to stick to the countertop, use a metal spatula and gently scrape it up and flip it over and continue rolling until it’s about ½ inch larger in diameter than your pie plate (or iron skillet).
Using a spatula, carefully lift the dough from the surface of the counter into the pie pan. (I sometimes fold my well-floured dough in half and then "unfold" it onto iron skillet. Or you can lop it over your rolling pin. That works well, too.) Gently press the dough against the sides of the pan or skillet, getting it all tucked in. Then crimp the edges in whatever way you prefer. And now, you’re ready for that yummy savory custard filling above, or maybe for a fruit pie.
If you make this recipe (or if you’ve read A Beauty So Rare), I’d love to hear from you. You can write me through my website at http://www.tameraalexander.com/contact.html.
I loved watching this exclusive video about the inspiration behind Tamera Alexander's book A Beauty So Rare, and you, my blog readers, can enjoy it too. :-) Only an author as talented as Tamera could weave such varied topics together into one awesome book. I'm enjoying the novel very much, to the point that I'm thinking about the story even when I'm not reading it, needing to know what will happen next!
In the Shadow of Jezebel
by: Mesu Andrews
Book Description:
Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel's strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh's high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family--and the nation--she loves?
With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.My Review:
This fourth book of biblical fiction by Mesu Andrews is quite different than her earlier books. While none of the books are a series, and thus can be read in any order, this book deals with some of the Bible's most evil people, namely Queen Jezebel and her daughter Queen Athaliah and how God's people lived with them. Mesu has a way of writing about the Old Testament people in ways that bring their stories to life and make the reader care about them. It's like reading a history textbook vs. reading historical fiction. I've read the stories in 2 Kings in the Bible, and thought how merciless and cold-hearted the people were, with all the killing for position and power, but did not look deeper. Mesu's telling of the story helped me look under the surface and draw parallels that are applicable today. I recommend this book if you enjoy Biblical fiction.
With thanks to Revell for my review copy.
In the Shadow of Jezebel is available at Amazon or Christianbook.
Minding Molly
by: Leslie Gould
Book Description:
Molly Zook Has Everything Planned Just Right.
Or So She Thinks!Molly Zook's always liked being in control, so she's struggling with her mother's wish that, to save the family farm, she marry Mervin Mosier. Especially after Molly meets Leon Fisher. He's from Montana but is now training horses at a nearby ranch. He's tall and muscular and confident--Molly has never met anyone like him and she's sure he feels the same about her.
Determined to let nothing get between them, Molly tries to coax Mervin into falling back in love with Molly's best friend, Hannah. A weekend camping trip in the Poconos could be just the place...but things quickly go awry, and it seems Leon and Hannah might be falling for each other instead! Will Molly keep struggling to control everyone and everything around her? Or will she learn to let God handle the twists and turns of her life?
My Review:
Minding Molly is the third book in the Courtships of Lancaster County series. Each book is based on a different Shakespeare play, and this time it's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Molly needs to control everything around her, and her need for control grows as circumstances in her world become less stable. Molly discovers that stability is different from control. She may be Amish, but she's not so different from many of us who try to control our own little worlds. Molly's need for control appears to be passed down from her mother, who meddles where she shouldn't. A disastrous camping trip had me giggling at some of the antics among the group. It was neat to see more of Cate and Pete from the first book in this story, as well. We learn along with Molly as she tries to trust God more and control less. I wondered all the way to the end of the book how things would turn out for Molly. I'm looking forward to the next book!
With thanks to Bethany House publishers for my review copy.
Minding Molly is available from Amazon and Christianbook.
With thanks to Bethany House publishers for my review copy.
Minding Molly is available from Amazon and Christianbook.
Annie's Christmas Wish
by: Barbara Cameron
Book Description:
Ever since her step-mom brought her a snow globe of the New York City skyline, Annie has wanted to visit the beautiful, big city. Since it’s nearing the time of Annie’s rumschpringe—the time when Amish youth experience English life to make a decision whether to live in that world or become baptized into the Amish faith—the family decides a visit is a good idea. They watch the Macy’s Christmas parade, admire the decorated store windows, skate at the Rockefeller Center rink and— Annie’s favorite—get a glimpse of a writer’s life while visiting the New York Times building. But others aren’t as thrilled with Annie’s lure to the Big Apple. Aaron has long been attracted to Annie and is sure he’s in love. As he watches her engage in big city life, he grows concerned that she won’t want to return to their quieter life. Will Annie follow Aaron back home? Or stay and pursue her dreams? Competing for her attention, Aaron sets out to show Annie that Christmas isn’t about the glitz and glamour, but about family, love, and the birth of Jesus.
Ever since her step-mom brought her a snow globe of the New York City skyline, Annie has wanted to visit the beautiful, big city. Since it’s nearing the time of Annie’s rumschpringe—the time when Amish youth experience English life to make a decision whether to live in that world or become baptized into the Amish faith—the family decides a visit is a good idea. They watch the Macy’s Christmas parade, admire the decorated store windows, skate at the Rockefeller Center rink and— Annie’s favorite—get a glimpse of a writer’s life while visiting the New York Times building. But others aren’t as thrilled with Annie’s lure to the Big Apple. Aaron has long been attracted to Annie and is sure he’s in love. As he watches her engage in big city life, he grows concerned that she won’t want to return to their quieter life. Will Annie follow Aaron back home? Or stay and pursue her dreams? Competing for her attention, Aaron sets out to show Annie that Christmas isn’t about the glitz and glamour, but about family, love, and the birth of Jesus.
My Review:
I've loved the earlier books in the Quilts of Lancaster County series, so I enjoyed this fourth book, as well. It's like visiting with old friends, but in a new environment. Annie is all grown up, and she's ready to find her life's purpose. New York City at Christmas is magical for Annie and her family, but for Annie, it's a chance to learn more about her stepmother Jenny's life before she became Amish. Annie's father and boyfriend continually question Annie's commitment to their Amish life, and this is understandable, but they both sell Annie short. She appreciates new experiences, but she doesn't feel the need to leave her familiar Amish world. This story has an intriguing mix of Amish and modern Christmas traditions, and the juxtaposition of busy New York City and quiet Amish life adds a fun twist, as well. Annie's Christmas Wish has a lighthearted feel appropriate for the holidays, in contrast with the earlier books in the series, but is just as enjoyable to read.
With thanks to the author for my review copy.
You can buy Annie's Christmas Wish on Amazon or Christianbook.
You can buy Annie's Christmas Wish on Amazon or Christianbook.