.
The Pursuit Of Tamsen Littlejohn
by Lori Benton
 Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: WaterBrook Press (April 15, 2014) ISBN-10: 0307731499 ISBN-13: 978-0307731494 | FRONTIER DANGERS CANNOT HOLD A CANDLE TO THE RISKS ONE WOMAN TAKES BY FALLING IN LOVE. In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn't come without a cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance. Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble head their way, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As her pursuers draw ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all – loving a man who has risked everything for her? |
Interview with Lori Benton about her brand new release
The Pursuit Of Tamsen Littlejohn
.
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Inspiration for The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn came straight out of the pages of history. While researching material for an earlier novel set in 18th century North Carolina, I came across the mention of the Lost State of Franklin—an attempt of the Overmountain citizens of western North Carolina to break away and form a separate state. Had they succeeded (and they nearly did) Franklin would have been the fourteenth state admitted into the Union, instead of Vermont.
This first post-Revolutionary War attempt at independent statehood spanned a relatively short period, 1784—1789. But what a tumultuous period it was, marked by courthouse raids, fisticuffs, siege, and battle. For a little over four years the people of the Tennessee Valley region lived under the jurisdiction of two governments vying for the same territory. How, I wondered, could such a situation result in anything but chaos—and a setting that begged for a story to be woven through it? I started a file to keep track of those tantalizing hints of conflict surrounding the failed statehood attempt. Over time the sparse contents of this file would nudge me, suggesting further possibilities. Gradually a cast of characters clustered around it, they began to speak to me, and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn took shape.
Inspiration for The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn came straight out of the pages of history. While researching material for an earlier novel set in 18th century North Carolina, I came across the mention of the Lost State of Franklin—an attempt of the Overmountain citizens of western North Carolina to break away and form a separate state. Had they succeeded (and they nearly did) Franklin would have been the fourteenth state admitted into the Union, instead of Vermont.
This first post-Revolutionary War attempt at independent statehood spanned a relatively short period, 1784—1789. But what a tumultuous period it was, marked by courthouse raids, fisticuffs, siege, and battle. For a little over four years the people of the Tennessee Valley region lived under the jurisdiction of two governments vying for the same territory. How, I wondered, could such a situation result in anything but chaos—and a setting that begged for a story to be woven through it? I started a file to keep track of those tantalizing hints of conflict surrounding the failed statehood attempt. Over time the sparse contents of this file would nudge me, suggesting further possibilities. Gradually a cast of characters clustered around it, they began to speak to me, and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn took shape.
#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
The first draft came together fairly quickly, for me. About nine months of writing during 2011. Of course months and months of editing followed once the book was contracted.
The first draft came together fairly quickly, for me. About nine months of writing during 2011. Of course months and months of editing followed once the book was contracted.
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Apart from the main characters, Tamsen and Jesse, my favorite secondary character is Cade, the enigmatic half-Delaware warrior/long-hunter who raised Jesse from the time he was ten years old. I’ve often reimagined this story told from his point of view, although there are no scenes from his point of view in the novel. I’m also quite fond of mountain man and confirmed bachelor Charlie Spencer.
Apart from the main characters, Tamsen and Jesse, my favorite secondary character is Cade, the enigmatic half-Delaware warrior/long-hunter who raised Jesse from the time he was ten years old. I’ve often reimagined this story told from his point of view, although there are no scenes from his point of view in the novel. I’m also quite fond of mountain man and confirmed bachelor Charlie Spencer.
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Several things. A new or deeper appreciation for the post-Revolutionary struggles the people of this 18th century frontier faced, Native and settler. I have my biases and opinions on this period of American history, but I try to present as many sides and ideologies of the times as I can in my stories. I want to present what happened, rather than tout one side as right or wrong—and to show how God might have worked in the lives of individuals who were given these times in which to live.
That leads me to the other thing I’d love for readers to take away from The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn: an awareness of God’s leading in our lives as we seek Him; for as we do seek Him, He puts His desires for us in our hearts, plants them there. We get to pursue those shared passions and purposes and discover the unique path He has planned for us.
Lastly, as always, I hope readers are transported to another time and place, and experience a connection to the characters that will make them feel like friends.
Several things. A new or deeper appreciation for the post-Revolutionary struggles the people of this 18th century frontier faced, Native and settler. I have my biases and opinions on this period of American history, but I try to present as many sides and ideologies of the times as I can in my stories. I want to present what happened, rather than tout one side as right or wrong—and to show how God might have worked in the lives of individuals who were given these times in which to live.
That leads me to the other thing I’d love for readers to take away from The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn: an awareness of God’s leading in our lives as we seek Him; for as we do seek Him, He puts His desires for us in our hearts, plants them there. We get to pursue those shared passions and purposes and discover the unique path He has planned for us.
Lastly, as always, I hope readers are transported to another time and place, and experience a connection to the characters that will make them feel like friends.
#5. What made you choose some of the specific locations for this book?
Tamsen and Jesse’s story is tightly woven with the historical record, so most of the locations were dictated by what I uncovered in my research. Given that, there was some leeway in choosing locations such as fictional Greenbird Cove and Thunder-Going-Away’s town. Some of the locations from the story that existed in the 1780s, or still do today, are Morganton, Jonesborough, and Sycamore Shoals.
Tamsen and Jesse’s story is tightly woven with the historical record, so most of the locations were dictated by what I uncovered in my research. Given that, there was some leeway in choosing locations such as fictional Greenbird Cove and Thunder-Going-Away’s town. Some of the locations from the story that existed in the 1780s, or still do today, are Morganton, Jonesborough, and Sycamore Shoals.
#6. How did you name your characters?
Sometimes characters show up with their names. I knew my hero’s name was Jesse early on. Bird came much later after a long and careful search for a fitting surname. I often read historical documents on line (and my family tree, which goes back in the states of North Carolina and Virginia to the 1600s), for names in common usage at the time. During my research I came upon a woman named Tamsen who lived during the late 18th century. I jotted down her name to use in a future novel. When I began to glimpse the heroine of this story, Tamsen fit her. I plucked Littlejohn out of the ether. It simply rolled off the tongue nicely, paired with Tamsen.
For naming Native characters, I spend time researching the nation in question, in this case Cherokees and Shawnees, getting a feel for the historical names and how naming occurred in each nation (i.e. who named the child, when, and how, and how were names changed over time). I try to construct names for my Native characters that ring true for their nation and the time period. It can be challenging. I’m sure I don’t get it p
Sometimes characters show up with their names. I knew my hero’s name was Jesse early on. Bird came much later after a long and careful search for a fitting surname. I often read historical documents on line (and my family tree, which goes back in the states of North Carolina and Virginia to the 1600s), for names in common usage at the time. During my research I came upon a woman named Tamsen who lived during the late 18th century. I jotted down her name to use in a future novel. When I began to glimpse the heroine of this story, Tamsen fit her. I plucked Littlejohn out of the ether. It simply rolled off the tongue nicely, paired with Tamsen.
For naming Native characters, I spend time researching the nation in question, in this case Cherokees and Shawnees, getting a feel for the historical names and how naming occurred in each nation (i.e. who named the child, when, and how, and how were names changed over time). I try to construct names for my Native characters that ring true for their nation and the time period. It can be challenging. I’m sure I don’t get it p
#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I can tell you something surprising. In the pages of my most helpful resource, The Lost State of Franklin, America’s First Secession by Kevin T. Barksdale, I found mention of a relative living the history that forms the backdrop of Tamsen and Jesse’s story. He was my distant cousin, and he became a tavern and trade store owner in the area that was disputed between North Carolina and Franklin. We’re both descended from a man who purchased land in the Colony of Virginia in the 1600s.
I can tell you something surprising. In the pages of my most helpful resource, The Lost State of Franklin, America’s First Secession by Kevin T. Barksdale, I found mention of a relative living the history that forms the backdrop of Tamsen and Jesse’s story. He was my distant cousin, and he became a tavern and trade store owner in the area that was disputed between North Carolina and Franklin. We’re both descended from a man who purchased land in the Colony of Virginia in the 1600s.
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Thank you for hosting me today on your blog, Jasmine. I’m thrilled to share a little of the background of writing The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn. I hope readers will enjoy her adventure, and sense in it echoes of that greatest pursuit, that of God for the hearts of His children (that’s us!).
Thank you for hosting me today on your blog, Jasmine. I’m thrilled to share a little of the background of writing The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn. I hope readers will enjoy her adventure, and sense in it echoes of that greatest pursuit, that of God for the hearts of His children (that’s us!).
| PRINT | KINDLE | PRINT |
.
Notice: I have an affiliate with Amazon and DeeperShopping so if you
purchase a book through the links provided I will receive a small kickback.
purchase a book through the links provided I will receive a small kickback.
 Lori Benton | Bio Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace. When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband – often scouring the brush for huckleberries, which overflow the freezer and find their way into her signature huckleberry lemon pound cake. |
Connect With Lori Online:
RSS Feed
