The Inheritance (50 page)
17. Security—both financial and emotional—is something McKenna is searching for during the course of her journey in
The Inheritance
. Yet in Chapter Thirty-Three, she has this thought, “But as it turned out, security was a fickle mistress. And was, at best, an illusion.” Do you agree with her? Have you ever pursued “security” above all else? What does Matthew 6:33 say about doing this?
18. In a final pivotal moment in McKenna’s journey, she reflects in a paragraph (in Chapter Forty-Five) that begins with, “She’d once thought God would never intentionally hurt her. But looking back over her life, she’d had cause to rethink that.” In reading the remainder of that paragraph, and in dwelling on Job 5:18, do you agree with McKenna’s conclusion about how God works in our lives? Do you see evidence of Job 5:18 in your own life? And if yes, how?
19. In the final pages of
The Inheritance
, we get a glimpse of the lives of the characters some months later. As McKenna watches Robert “coming home,” she stays exactly where she is. She doesn’t step toward him. But it’s so hard to keep her feet planted “when her mother’s heart wants to ease his journey home.” Have you ever experienced this type of angst for someone you’ve loved? You wanted them to “come home” so badly and yet you’ve (finally) realized that we can’t take those first steps for each other. We can only take them for ourselves. What are those times in your own life and what did you learn that you could share with someone else who’s in this situation?
Tamera is available for “Book Club Conference Calls” where she joins your book club for a 15–20 minute conversation via speakerphone. She also has a packet with some goodies for your group that she’ll send beforehand, time allowing. For more information, please contact [email protected] and request information on “Book Club Conference Calls.”
W
hen Thomas Nelson approached me about writing the first historical novel for their Women of Faith fiction line, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to pen this story—for a second time. This novel is actually a revised version of the first story I ever wrote. The original version was rejected by a publisher several years ago, so I set it aside and determined to better learn this craft of writing.
After two subsequent years of study and practice, I was ready to submit my next manuscript for review. That second story blossomed into a novel entitled
Rekindled
, and the Fountain Creek Chronicles were born. But there was part of me that continued hoping that my very first characters would someday find their way onto the written page.
The Inheritance
is a complete new write of that first manuscript, with some changes in location and secondary characters. However, Wyatt and McKenna, have “lived within me” for years, and I’m thrilled for the chance to finally tell their stories.
My thanks to my editors at Thomas Nelson—Ami McConnell, Natalie Hanemann, Becky Monds, and Jennifer Stair—and to freelance editor, Carol Craig, for helping me bring
The Inheritance
to fruition. My thanks also to Deborah Raney, my writing critique partner. I’m so glad God brought us together, Deb. Here’s to twelve books and counting, friend . . .
To my agent, Natasha Kern, who’s so much more than an agent. Thank you for providing sage counsel and a listening ear.
To my “favorite” father-in-law, Dr. Fred Alexander, for sharing your excellent proofreading skills with me, yet again.
To Joe, Kelsey, and Kurt—without you guys, none of this would be worth doing. Simply put—you are my life, and I love you.
To my Lord and Savior—continue to break me, Jesus, until I’m wholly Yours.
And to my readers, who knew that the connections we share would be the best part about writing? Your kind notes of encouragement are such gifts. I enjoy hearing from you at [email protected], and invite you to visit my website at www.tameraalexander.com for the latest news and book giveaways.
Dear Friend,
Stories are journeys, and each story I write is
a journey for me. The greatest thrill of these writing journeys is when Christ reveals Himself in some new way, and I take a step closer to Him. My deepest desire is that readers of my books will do that as well—take steps closer to Him as they read. After all, it’s all about Him.
As stories are journeys, so is life. And none of us were intended to travel this road alone. We need friends. Sisters. Confidants. We need women of faith alongside us.
I’ve attended numerous Women of Faith Conferences, and whether I attend with just one other woman or a group of a hundred women, I leave richer, fuller, and more fully focused on what God is doing in my life. I also leave with a greater appreciation of the “togetherness” of our walk here, and of just how very much alike we are—no matter our differences. Plus, the conferences are just flat out fun!
Get ready to do
a lot
of laughing, shed a tear . . . or ten, be uplifted by phenomenal worship music, and, best of all, take a step closer to Christ.
Thank you for sharing Wyatt and McKenna’s journey in
The Inheritance
, and here’s wishing you joy in your own.
Tamera
Kansas City, MO
March 13-14
Sprint Center
Shreveport
Bossier City, LA
March 27-28
CenturyTel Center
Columbus, OH
April 24-25
Nationwide Arena
Des Moines, IA
May 1-2
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Billings, MT
May 15-16
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at MetraPark
Spokane, WA
May 29-30
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June 5-6
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June 12-13
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Jacksonville, FL
June 19-20
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Memorial Arena
St. Louis, MO
June 26-27
Scottrade Center
San Jose, CA
July 10-11
HP Pavilion
Cleveland, OH
July 17-18
Quicken Loans Arena
Seattle, WA
July 24-25
Key Arena
Washington, DC
July 31- August 1
Verizon Center
Indianapolis, IN
August 7-8
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Tampa, FL
August 14-15
St. Pete Times Forum
Dallas, TX
August 21-22
American Airlines Center
Atlanta, GA
August 28-29
Philips Arena
Anaheim, CA
September 11-12
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Philadelphia, PA
September 18-19
Wachovia Center
Denver, CO
September 25-26
Pepsi Center
Phoenix, AZ
October 2-3
U. S. Airways Center
Portland, OR
October 9-10
Rose Garden Arena
St. Paul, MN
October 16-17
Xcel Energy Center
Sacramento, CA
October 23-24
Arco Arena
Oklahoma City, OK
October 30-31
Ford Center
Greensboro, NC
November 6-7
Greensboro Coliseum
Houston, TX
November 13-14
Toyota Center
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
November 20-21
BankAtlantic Center
Register NOW!
Visit us at
womenoffaith.com
or call
888-49-FAITH
Dates, locations and speakers are subject to change. Details at
womenoffaith.com
.
Produced by Thomas Nelson Live Events
T
AMERA
A
LEXANDER
is the best-selling author of several novels including
Rekindled, Revealed, Remembered,
and
From a
Distance
. Tamera’s deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose have earned her devoted readers and multiple industry awards. She and her family make their home in Nashville, Tennessee.