I have been reading Tamera Alexander's books since day 1. We owned a Christian bookstore and sold her book. I picked up the first book in the Fountain Creek series because I was looking for an author similar to Francine Rivers. I was not disappointed. To this day her writing becomes more faith-filled and God-glorifying which each new novel. After reading "With This Pledge" I am left with a heart full of even more love for God and His sovereign control over what is happening in not only our lives but also, in the situations and circumstances of people throughout the world. Tamera takes the abominable institution of slavery and the bloody Civil War which finally ended that evil in America giving all sides (slave, slave-owner, non-slave owner, Northerner, Southerner, and families left behind) weaving a haunting story of faith, freedom, and choices. The true love story shows how differences can be shared and, with Christ's help and love, peace can be earned. There is so much to be learned in these pages. I found myself pausing to reflect on the truths put forth in this book. I fell in love with the characters. I was inspired by their faith. I was saddened by the losses. I cannot wait to read the second in the series. Well done, Tamera! ( )

Parts of this book really stuck with me long after I had read it. The main character is a governess named LIzzie working at Carnton, a plantation house near Nashville. Despite being in the south, Lizzie has opinions about slavery that are contrary to her employers. As the novel unfolds a nearby battle brings a large number of wounded soldiers to the mansion, and Lizzie assists with surgery as limb after limb is sawn off. But a certain Captain Jones is not one who has his leg removed, as he makes Lizzie and the doctor promise not to. This means he has a lengthy recovery at Carnton, and he and Lizzie have a lot of time to talk. Lizzie is betrothed to another soldier, however, so they must keep their distance - but that does not keep them from discussing their views on slavery. Those discussions were very interesting to listen to - especially as Captain Jones tried to justify his way of life. While slavery has been abolished, we still have passionate views on race relations today so I found that section though provoking. I also enjoyed the scenes with Lizzie reading Dickens to the soldiers, and the scenes with the children were quite delightful. My only criticism would be that the book seemed a bit too long and I felt some of the side stories could have been edited out or cut down. It is loosely based on the real Carnton estate and historical events, which was a plus as it got me interested in the real events related to the story. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, especially if they like a touch of romance and though provoking discussions. ( )

I don’t much like the cover of Tamera Alexander’s 2019 novel With This Pledge, but strangely enough, it was that cover that got me to read the book. I have been intrigued by the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin and its aftermath for decades, and have visited the house pictured in the background of the cover several times because of what happened there in late 1864. Visiting places like Carnton (the name of the house and plantation) always makes me realize that 1864 is really not all that long ago. My grandparents’ grandfathers fought on both sides of the Civil War, one a Louisiana infantryman, the other a calvary sergeant who was one of only a few hundred Texans to fight on the side of the Union. My grandparents had memories of both men.

The cover, though, has the feel more of a run-of-the-mill romance novel than it does of a more serious piece of historical fiction. Even the author-description on the backflap of the cover (which I only read five minutes ago) calls the author “one of today’s most popular writers of inspirational historical romance.” And to top it off, the book is rather quietly billed as “Christian fiction,” something I didn’t even realize until I was almost finished with the novel. I admit to being skeptical of both genres when I’m looking for something to read, so I’m still a bit surprised that I read With This Pledge at all.
All of that said, I’m glad that I did because, as it turns out, the romance at the core of With This Pledge actually happened, and with just a couple of exceptions, the letters used in the book are real. That, I believe, helped Alexander keep her fictional characters true to their real-life identities while she anchored her account of the aftermath of the Battle of Franklin around their personal experiences.

The Battle of Franklin, much of which took place in sight of Carnton Plantation, lasted for five hours and when it was over 10,000 men were either dead, wounded, or in the hands of the enemy. Carnton, so close to the fighting, was claimed as a field hospital by a segment of the Confederate Army, and long before the battle was over the house and its grounds were filled with dead or dying soldiers. Lizzie Clouston, the young governess and teacher to the McGavock children, much to her shock, soon finds herself assisting an army doctor as he amputates limb after limb from the wounded.

Captain Roland Ward Jones is one of those wounded men. Jones’s legs are so badly shattered that the doctor insists that he will die if the right one is not amputated. Jones, however, strongly states that he would rather die than to have that happen, and he makes Lizzie promise that she will not allow the doctor to amputate. Somehow, Lizzie does manage to keep the doctor from doing what he knows offers the captain his best chance of surviving the battle, and Captain Jones wakes up with two legs. The captain faces a long recovery at Carnton, allowing him and Lizzie the time they need to explore their budding romance, a romance complicated by the fact that Lizzie is already engaged to a young soldier she grew up with in Franklin.

Bottom Line: With This Pledge is a romance novel by any definition, but Alexander does an excellent job of describing a Civil War battlefield and the horrors that the weapons of the day were capable of inflicting on a human body. She vividly portrays what happens to the locals after the warring armies have moved on and left behind their severely wounded. Carnton was the final resting place for hundreds of soldiers, and almost three dozen others were left behind until they had recovered enough to be moved to a Federal prison camp. This is their story. (And apparently, Captain Jones and Miss Clouston had time for a classic romance in the meantime.) ( )

Read my full review here. This was so beautiful -- the story, the characters, the writing, the way Tamera Alexander wove these threads together. Quite a few moments in the book were some of the most touching I've ever read, and I was on the verge of tears more times than I could count. I know tons of research went into this novel, and it shows. Plus, to be able to craft a novel from love letters is truly spectacular. Alexander should be proud of her work; it's truly amazing. It's also the best piece of Christian fiction I've ever read. Not once did it feel preachy or forced; it felt totally natural and moving. This is my favorite book of the year so far. ( )

Since I live in Franklin, TN, I have visited the Carnton Plantation a few times. I’ve taken the tours, listened to the guides talk about the home being used as a military hospital after the Battle of Franklin, seen the blood stains soaked into the floorboards of the home with my own eyes, and walked around the grounds where soldiers fought during the Civil War.

In With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander, the time and place of that battle are brought to life, giving words and stories to the people who once lived at Carnton. Alexander takes readers on a journey of family, survival, and making a stand for your convictions, even when they aren’t the popular opinion.

Lizzie and Roland’s story—one told from the Confederate viewpoint, with constant company, and two people committed to someone else—is not at all conventional, but it’s one that swept me away and kept my interest from the first pages. One that I’m still thinking about days after I finished reading the book.

With many characters true historical figures, Alexander’s attention to facts and details make With This Pledge even more special and truly worth top ratings. I, for one, can’t wait to read what Alexander has in store for us next.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )