To be honest, I didn’t feel like starting a Christmas book quite yet – it seemed too early. But after reading only the first few chapters of a story that will definitely become an annual tradition, I was enchanted. Tamera Alexander’s newest release from Thomas Nelson, “Christmas at Carnton”, is a novella, but a fairly long one. It is also the introductory story to a new three-novel series about the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee.

Set in the midst of the Civil War, “Christmas at Carnton” tells the sweet story of a recently widowed young mother, a wounded soldier, and the love and renewed hope they discover at Christmas. This may sound boring or cliche, but it wasn’t – it was sincere, and had me flipping pages to see what unexpected turn of events came next. Although not a full-length novel, it is still comprised of excellent writing, in-depth characters, and heartfelt themes; nonetheless, the end still seemed to arrive much too quickly! Although there were a few minor, personal details that I wish had been excluded, overall the story was tender and very well-done.

If you enjoy Tamera’s always-incredible writing style, if you are in search of a new Christmas story, or if you simply enjoy sweet Christian historical novels, don’t hesitate to add “Christmas at Carnton” to your December reading list!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.