About the Book
Book: THE AFTERMATH: Ladies of Oberlin Book 3
Author: Tamera Lynn Kraft
Genre: Historical
Release Date: February 1, 2025
Betsy loves her husband, Nate, but losing his leg in the Civil War has changed him. He never touched alcohol before the war, but now he’s turning into a drunk. She doesn’t know how to help him, but to save their marriage, she’s going to do everything she can. If only she can figure out how.
Tormented by the loss of his leg, Nate feels worthless. His drinking only makes things worse, but he can’t stop. It’s only a matter of time before he drives Betsy away. Why did God allow this to happen? What does he owe God now, after this betrayal?
Nate’s anger and bitterness are building a wall that neither he nor Betsy can break down of climb over. Only God can help them, but Nate is no longer on speaking terms with the Lord. Is there any hope for them?
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About the Author
In her spare time, Tamera Lynn Kraft loves to watch classic movies, drink quality teas, and ride on roller coasters, but not while drinking tea. She does drink tea while writing and working as managing editor for Mt Zion Ridge Press, a traditional Christian publishing company. She has always loved adventures and loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. Forks in the Road, The Aftermath, Lost in the Storm, Red Sky Over America, Anna’s Christmas Promise, Alice’s Notions, and Resurrection of Hope are among her published works, some of which have won awards.
Tamera has been married for a very long time to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and the most adorable and smartest grandchildren in the world. She was a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is now the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire for Kids where she mentors and coaches children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. She has written children’s church curriculum including Building Foundations and is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.
More from Tamera
Oberlin College: Ahead of It’s Time
(Insert books picture) All three of my Ladies of Oberlin books feature women who graduated from Oberlin College shortly before the Civil War. Oberlin College, founded in 1833 in Northern Ohio, was a college ahead of its time in many ways. In 1835, it became the first college in the United States to regularly admit African Americans. It’s also the oldest co-educational college in the US. In 1837, it admitted four women, three of whom graduated and earned a college degree. Mary Jane Patterson, another Oberlin graduate, became the first African American woman in 1862 to earn a Bachelor of Arts college degree.
One of Oberlin’s founders once bragged that “Oberlin is peculiar in that which is good”. Oberlin was peculiar in many ways in advancing the causes of the time. Charles Finney, the second president of the college, helped it earn its controversial reputation. He was the founder of the Second Great Awakening, a Christian revivalist movement in the early and mid 1800s.
Oberlin College was the hotbed of abolitionist activity and a stop for the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. It was once called “the town that started the Civil War” because of its participation in the Oberlin Wellington Rescue in 1858. Slave catchers came to Oberlin to capture an escaped slave and return him to Kentucky. Most of the town came to the slave’s aid and rescued him. For their trouble, over twenty were arrested and put on trial for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. During the raid on Harper’s Ferry by John Brown, three men from Oberlin participated.
(Insert arch picture) Oberlin graduates have been involved in all of the movements of the late 1800s including abolition, women’s suffrage, the suffrage movement, and education as well as many charities and helped shape the nation for the twentieth century.
Oberlin was also very well known in the missionary movement of the late 1800s. Between 1860 and 1900, 90% of missionaries sent overseas by the American Missionary Society were graduates of Oberlin College. Between 1899 and 1901, thirteen missionaries from Oberlin were martyred during the Boxer Rebellion of China. An arch in Tappan Square at the center of Oberlin pays honor to their sacrifices.
Interview with the Author
- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
Most literary pilgrimages I’ve gone on were involved in research. I went to Oberlin College in Ohio to research the Ladies of Oberlin Series. When I wrote the first in the series, RED SKY OVER AMERICA, I visited Maysville, Kentucky. When researching the second book, LOST IN THE STORM, I visited Lookout Mountain where a major Civil War battle took place. THE AFTERMATH is set in Wellsville, Ohio, so I poked around there quite a bit. I did however visit the places where Laura Ingalls Wildler grew up in DeSmet, South Dakota and Mansfield, Missouri.
- How do you select the names of your characters?
The names of my characters are very important to me. First, I look at the top 100 names that were popular during the time period I’m writing in. Then, I checked the meaning of some of the names. The name, and its historical significance and meaning, has to fit the character. In THE AFTERMATH. Betsy means worshipper and daughter. That name fit her. Her husband’s name, Nathaniel, means gift from God. You’ll have to read the book to see how that fits. It certainly doesn’t fit him at the beginning of the story.
- What is your favorite childhood book?
I was in love with the Encyclopedia Brown Series of mysteries. I also loved the Little House of the Prairie Series even before it became a TV series. Honorable mentions would be Black Beauty and Little Women.
- Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
There are two. My favorite is Mary Connealy. I love how she writes historical romance set in the old west with lots of adventure and a healthy dose of suspense. Her books always entertain me. I also love the characters in Tamera Alexander’s books. She always stays true to the time period.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I’m very busy. First, I’m grandmother to six grandchildren. Four of them are six years and under, and the two year olds are identical twin girls. I also have a ministry called Revival Fire for Kids where I travel to churches and do children’s revivals. I also do podcasts and teacher training. I’m very involved in my church and teach a life group, and I’m involved with a Belong Women’s Group where I’m part of the leadership.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 20
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 21
Simple Harvest Reads, June 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 23
Holly’s Book Corner, June 24
Artistic Nobody, June 25 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, June 25
Guild Master, June 26 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 27
Fiction Book Lover, June 28 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, June 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 29
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 30 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, July 1
Bizwings Book Blog, July 2
Cover Lover Book Review, July 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Tamera is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.