With This Pledge

The Carnton Series, Book 1

By: Tamera Alexander

Narrated by: Devon O'Day

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

History takes on vivid life in the stunning first full-length installment of USA TODAY bestselling Tamera Alexander’s new series, The Carnton Novels.

“The beautifully-drawn characters and rich history in With This Pledge work seamlessly to demonstrate that Christ’s love and romantic love can triumph even in our darkest moments.” (Lynn Austin, best-selling author of Legacy of Mercy)

What can a woman - a mere governess - do against the scourge of slavery?

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston’s quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause - but when 40,000 soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home, where she is governess, is converted into a Confederate field hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend.

As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie’s arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy’s first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.

Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers’ respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton’s walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn’t realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie’s heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers that his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and pledges made, she struggles to be true to her own heart while standing for what she knows is right - no matter the cost.

From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves the real-life love letters between Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of war.

Download the audiobook companion PDF to taste a piece of history with Civil War-era recipes.

“Tamera Alexander has once again given readers a beautifully written story full of strong characters and tender romance—all while staying true to the actual history of the people and events she describes. From the horrors of war to the hope of blossoming love, Lizzie and Roland’s story will live in my heart for a very long time.” —Anne Mateer, author of Playing by Heart

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2019 Tamera Alexander (P)2019 Thomas Nelson

Fascinating Real-Life Fiction!

The Battle of Franklin brought Life brought drastic and immediate changes for the residents of Carnton, as told in this fictional account of real-life events and real-life people. I appreciate the research the author did to bring Lizzie's story to the modern world. (In my mind it's Lizzie's story.) I admired the strength Lizzie shows during and after that day.
The author does an excellent job describing the horrors of the battlefield and its aftermath without being gratuitously graphic. The impact on the family is very well written too.
The way Lizzie and Roland's relationship deloped was fascinating.
I recommend this book to all those that love Civil War history with a bit of real-life romance on the side.

Devon O'Day does an EXCELLENT job with the narration!

Excellent story while historically accurate

I don't write very many reviews. However, I loved this book so much that I felt compelled to do so. The first pleasant surprise was the location. I live not far from the Carnton plantation, so it immediately piqued my interest. Then, as I listened to the story I began to wonder how accurate it was, so I did some research. The author was as accurate as the facts available allow. The dramatic elements that are not documented in history were well done. The Narrator's voice and cadence were pleasing.

Spellbinding !

I absolutely loved this book. Tamara Alexander is so very gifted in weaving history and revealing stories in any time period she tackles. This books gripped myattention immediately, and held it to the end! Don't miss reading this book!

Great historical story

Very much enjoyed this story. I wish only there had been more show of affection between the main characters, and I don't mean vulgar but just more romantic gesture

Another Masterpiece

The ever-reliable Tamera Alexander has delivered again. She always pulls on my heart strings and makes me feel like I've come home somehow. Thank you, Tamera, for a beautifully told story that was both historically enlightening and factual, without becoming too heavy for the reader. You know how to make your characters feel so real and down to earth. I always love the good humor and last but not least, the romance. Looking forward to the next one, as always.
Devon O'Day, you are brilliant and brought this story to life. I could listen to you all day.

I loved this book and narrator

I always enjoy reading books from this author but this one has got to be a favorite. the story is detailed and beautifully written. Devon O'Day does an amazing job narrating this book with so many voices and so much feeling. would highly recommend.

Very moving, beautifully written, civil war and a historical love story

I bought this book and for some reason waited a long time before diving into listening, couldn’t get past the first few minutes the first time I started it, but when I next tried, within half an hour I was snared into the story! Devon O’Day is a lovely narrator and Tamera Alexander’s style of writing is engaging. It was a heartbreaking and poignant glimpse into Civil War and also an upsetting glimpse into slavery in the south, very distressing but also felt very real, from the perspective of our heroine who (thankfully) has abolitionist sympathies and knows how evil and morally reprehensible slavery is! I loved the historical aspect, true to life elements of real people and letters written and the battle of Franklin near the end of the war etc. the love story was very romantic, (Spoiler) I’m always a sucker for the wounded hero being nursed by heroine storyline.
It had profound spiritual overtones and the end in particular moved me almost to tears, (in a good way)
Left me pondering all the sacrifices made to win freedom for all in the United States, and also left me grieved over the travesties of war and slavery, but overall left me uplifted and glad that it ended with HEA for hero and heroine of the story! Will look for more of Tamera Alexander’s books

Fantastic!

This was my favorite audible book written by Tamera Alexander, and I have all of them! I will certainly be listening to this book again and again over the years! I believe Tamera has perfected the art of giving the reader what they want but not in the way they expect! In the case of "With This Pledge", outcomes not being easy to predict might be due to the fact that the characters and events are based on real people and events! As we all know, truth can be stranger than fiction! The narrator was just right for this book!

Beautifully read!

This book was beautifully read and I will hear the voices of those characters, for days. Vivid character development makes it come to life.

Excellent Historical Fiction!

We visited Carnton a couple of years ago and to experience this story brought life all that we had seen. The stains are still on the floors!

what an amazing story

Ii is so remarkable as it is based on a true event. Very thought provoking .