Christmas at Carnton was a great novella. I really felt for the heroine and all she had to go through. I wasn't sure about the romance at first, but in the end it won me over.

I really liked all of the main characters and the ending was delightful. So happy with how everything turned out.

All in all, an enjoyable read and I recommend it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Sweet story. I enjoyed the depth of the characters and the reality of the setting. A tender tale that ties family, the meaning of Christmas and love.

Tamera Alexander is the queen of inspirational historical fiction. Christmas at Carnton is no exception. I devoured this book. This was a prequel setting up to a new series, but follows the story of Aletta, a recently widowed mom, and Captain Jake Winston, a Confederate sharpshooter. This story of hope and love was heartfelt, emotional and helps remind one what Christmas is truly about.

A beautiful charming tale. Heartwarming and excellently written. A lovely story from start to finish. Brilliant characters and development and a lovely easy flow.

The emotions in this book make me want to seek out the rest of the series. Healing from war lost love is hard enough. Knowing you could lose your home is worse. The heartache, despair, warmth, compassion, loneliness, and chance at redemption made this a moving story.

I have been reading Tamera Alexander’s books since her very first one and have enjoyed them so much that she is one of the authors I must read. As a Tennessean I have so much appreciated her novels set in the Nashville and Franklin area which are just a three to four hour drive from my home. It is so interesting to learn more about my state’s history in the form of a well-researched novel that makes the people come to life for readers.

“Christmas at Carnton” is the perfect Christmas book for history lovers, especially those who find the Civil War of interest. Not only does it contain a heart-warming romance but it includes a detailed look at life in middle Tennessee during that era from the luxuries on the plantation to the deprivations of widows and children. It was fun to visit Carnton through the eyes of Aletta and Jake as they received such a warm and caring welcome from Colonel John McGavock‘s family.

A fine story filled with hope and faith, “Christmas at Carnton” should be an excellent gift for someone you know or even for yourself.

Tamara Alexander has a gift when writing historical romance and this is the beginning of another amazing series. I truly am waiting patiently for the next book. Her attention to Civil War detail is amazing. Her ability to make the characters real to life and tie them into a neat package with actual events is a blessing to read.

An excellent shorter Christmas story. Aletta is a young widow in 1863, partway through the Civil War—facing the birth of her second child, the loss of her job, and foreclosure of her home, all at the same time. For a novella this book is pretty chunky, which makes me quite happy! (Oh, if only it would be published in one of those darling mini hardcovers!...)

Jake has a new future to find after a head injury leaves him with impaired vision and an inability to shoot. It's devastating to the sharpshooter to realize he's no longer useful for the war effort. His general orders him to a house party as an ambassador of sorts, or as a sort of thank-you to the women's aid group so the general can show his gratitude by letting them meet one of the soldiers. He definitely didn't expect to run up against a fetching young widow and her energetic son and to feel his heart stirred by thoughts of home and family for the first time.

Aletta's son Andrew quite steals the show for me, also. He's such a vibrant and typical six-year-old.

There is so much I enjoyed about this book! Very good job, Mrs. Alexander. And I can hardly wait for that real-life love story we'll be getting next year, in the first book of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy.

Well, it seems to be that time of year again: Christmas-themed books are hitting the shelves, preparing readers for the impending holiday season. My first holiday read this year, Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander, proved to be a delight, a perfect start to the season.

This novella introduces the setting for Alexander’s new Carnton-based series. At the heart of a holiday fundraising and morale-boosting event, the grand plantation brings recently widowed and evicted Aletta Prescott and injured Confederate soldier Jake Winston together and fosters a seemingly impossible relationship amidst the Civil War’s devastation and loss. It’s a sweet story that unfolds as the two accept their realities and embrace their possibilities. It doesn’t feel rushed, though a lot of emotion and growth squeezes into a short amount of time, but I did miss seeing some of the relationship development that occurs between scenes.

For readers eager to begin their holiday reading, look no further than Christmas at Carnton. It’s full of the season’s hope and faith despite uncertain circumstances, and I recommend it.

"It's a blessed child who's carried close to a mother's heart through Christmastime. Soakin' up all that love and goodness."

I love the new start of a series. I look forward to meeting new characters, experiencing a new setting, and most of all, a new adventure. If you haven't picked up a story by Tamera Alexander, you really should, and what better time than with a new novella? Christmas at Carnton is also a prequel to a new series by the author, set to release in the Fall of this year.

Christmas at Carnton brings us to the Carnton plantation in Franklin, Tennessee during the Civil War period. A quick and lovely read from the start, the author managed to give us a story of hope and faith - in people and in God. During a time when women need to step into the shoes of men, newly widowed, Aletta has a lot on her plate, including finding a job. Whereas injured Confederate soldier, Jake would rather be in the battlefield with his comrades than being safely tucked in Nashville. Both characters have their hearts set on certain things, and only trusting themselves. I enjoyed the personal development of each, and even the eventual romance between the two. Then the other characters are also a delight, especially Tempy and Mrs. McGavock, the matron of Carnton.

All in all, a solid introduction to a glimpse of what we can expect of more stories set at the Carnton plantation.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

Christmas at Carnton is a novella that introduces the Carnton novels by Tamera Alexander. Aletta Prescott is a Civil War widow who's trying to raise her son and hold onto her house when she loses her job. She ends up getting a job in the kitchen of Carnton Plantation to help with the Women's relief society. It's there that she meets Captain Jake Winston a Confederate sharpshooter who just wants one thing. To return to his unit and battle. Neither of them of them is looking to fall in love. But after Christmas is the season of miracles. A lot can happen.

Christmas at Carnton was a sweet novella that gives readers an introduction to the setting and possible future character's in Tamera Alexander's new series. The Carnton Planation in Franklin Tennessee just south of Nashville. If this series is anything like her two previous series set in Tennessee the Belmont Mansion series and the Belle Meade Plantation series; it will be a series full of faith and love. But with twist and turns as well.

Christmas at Carton is a quick and sweet Christmas read. However at 256 it is on the longer side for a novella, closer to a short novel.


I received a complimentary copy of Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander from Netgalley . I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I love Tamera Alexander's novels....This was a wonderful introduction to this series...I look forward to reading more....Five stars.

When the army first decides to send Jake to Carnton in support of the Women’s Aid’s efforts, he is more than a bit skeptical, but left with no other choice as his injured shoulder and compromised sight have rendered him an ineffective sharpshooter and left him with little he can do on the battlefield. Aletta and Andrew have lost Warren to the war and now their only source of income as Aletta is let go, the home she built with her husband already on the brink of foreclosure. But as the battle away from home forges on, what will come of the war within and the war for their hearts?

My second reading of ‘Christmas at Carton’ affirmed what my first reading had already proven--it is a story that is at moments heart-wrenching, but even more heartwarming. It is definitely worth reading at least once.

Tamera Alexander writes wonderful and thoroughly researched novels. Her characters have a charm to them that I don't always see in other books that I've read. My observation and appreciation of her work certainly holds true in, Christmas at Carnton.

I loved Aletta and her little boy, Andrew. When Aletta loses her job, it broke my heart. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief when she gets a job a Carnton. Tempy became my favorite character and when I discovered that she was based on the real Carnton cook, I loved her even more. That is an example of the authors thorough research!

I think that the recipes from Christmas at Carnton are a lovely touch and are ones that I will make and not just at Christmas. A must read for fans of Historical fiction.
I received a copy from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I don't know how I missed this, but this book is a novella, which if I had realized that at the time of reading I think I would have felt much differently about this book. I mean, come on, look at that cover. It's beautiful and Christmasy. I love Christmas stories, and I have no problem reading them throughout the year. There is nothing better than a Christmas story in July (decorations are a different matter, but stories...those are year round). But because I didn't do my research, the whole time I just felt like the book was rushed and not super developed. Conflict almost happened, and then very quickly it was solved. The romance felt fast to me, especially with her being a widow of about a month. And then the book ended. And then I realized it was a novella, and maybe had I been expecting that I wouldn't have been bothered by the quickness of it all. I mean, novella's have to be quick, right? So honestly I'm not sure how to review it since my perception was skewed from the start. I don't see myself reading it again, but there wasn't anything overly wrong with it...

This was a beautiful novel! I enjoyed the atmosphere inside the Carnton Plantation and the way the women were portrayed. Tamera introduces us to the main character, Aletta, and the characters closest to her in a delightful way. This novel is the introduction to a future series by Tamera. Christmas at Carnton begins in November of 1863 in Franklin, Tennessee. Aletta has lost her husband to the war. She is struggling to provide a home for her young son. She visits the Carnton Plantation and meets some people there who she forms friendships with. This novel is about family, love, and loss. It is also about hope and faith. Additionally, it is a portrayal of what life was like during the wartime for those who served and the families waiting at home. I enjoyed all of the characters in this novel, especially Aletta and her son, and am looking forward to the next novels in this series!

Generally I am not one to read historical romance books. But I was hoping to find a nice Christmas read and this one proved to be very readable. Generally I liked the characters and the wealthy people were not Bah Humbugs. They actually treated people nicely.
Even though I grew up in Kentucky, I realized that I, in fact, didn’t know all that much about the Civil War except brother fought against brother in my state. I found myself looking up things such as the Battle of Vicksburg and the dates of the war.
Generally I was able to get past the romance part and there were a few twists to add to the interest in that area. I also liked the books ending a lot and really did not expect. It was quite creative. I received this book in exchange for a review which is my own.

The story opens with a strong hook, and I immediately related to the heroine and cheered for her. It’s been a while since I’ve read this author’s work (mostly because I read contemporaries, and she writes historicals) and I’d forgotten how strong her writing is. Readers will know they’re in good hands. The pacing was perfect, I was hooked throughout, and I looked forward to every chance to continue reading this novella during the busy November days.

There is an element of war in the background, but I didn’t find the book dark or violent. And I enjoyed watching the heroine’s life improve as the story progressed. Great writing! This is a feel-good story, so long as you keep with it.

This novella included romance and family dynamics and some twists. I highly recommend it! I’ll be watching for the next book in this series.

Faith, Fortitude, and Merriment!

Having been around the Christian Fiction genre (especially Amish) for a while, there are some wonderful authors out there that I’ve not had the opportunity to read. Tamera Alexander is one of those authors, and I really wondered if her writings were all that they were hyped up to be. Well, if her latest novella, Christmas at Carnton, is any indication, I need to get crack-a-lackin’ on the rest of her work! It is heart-warming and poignant.

Aletta Prescott is a young, newly widowed woman living in Franklin, TN. She has a precocious six-year-old, a child on the way, and a home in possible foreclosure. Aletta is thrilled and hopeful when she learns of a position available at the famous Carnton estate, to help assist the Women’s Relief Fund. Her hopes are dashed when she finds the position filled. Now what will she do?

Confederate sharp-shooter Jake Winston is known for his skills on the battlefield, but when a head wound prevents his return, he’s sent to Carnton – to help with the Women’s Relief Fund. He’s less than thrilled – he should be with his fellow men, not a bunch of women.

When Jake and Aletta meet, Jake finds himself drawn to this woman, and her child, but what about the battlefield? Besides, Aletta has suffered enough for two lifetimes. What will happen to them? How will each find peace and hope in the midst of such tragedy and sorrow? Read and find out!

I was given Christmas at Carnton in exchange for my honest review. It’s such a wonderful read. Alexander does an amazing job of drawing her readers in. Do not be fooled by the word “novella”; it’s a hefty 256 pages – and worth every sentence. The characters are charming, likeable, and believable. Needless to say, I’m now a Tamera Alexander fan, and I can’t wait for her new series, The Carnton Novels (this novella is a prequel to the series!) to begin! Definitely a wonderful, sweeping tale of faith, fortitude, and merriment.

Such a wonderful festive book. It warms the heart and soaks you right in. It really was the perfect read. Sad when it ended