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

If a reader were to ask you what author you are like, what would you answer?

There are a group of authors I love. When it comes to mysteries, no one beat Mary Conneally. For historicals, Tamera Alexander is my go to author. For suspense, I go to Steven James. For speculative, I love James Rubart and Frank Perretti. For romantic suspense, I like Lynette Eason or Terri Blackstock. I love cozy mysteries by JPC Allen. So, I can’t really pick just one.

What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?

I must have tea but not the teabags you get at the grocery store. Those aren’t real tea. They’re flavored filler. I buy quality tea leaves and use diffusers. Some of my favorites are Golden Monkey, Vietnam Lamm Estate, and Monkey Picked Oolong. I also enjoy listening to instrumental music and soundtracks that set the mood of what I’m writing.

What is your favorite hymn and why?

I have two. The first is I Surrender All. I get chills every time I hear that song. The second is Great is Thy Faithfulness because even when I didn’t deserve it and even in my lowest moments, God has always been faithful to me.

What inspired you to write this book?

For the first 16 years of my marriage, my husband, like Nate in THE AFTERMATH, was an alcoholic. I prayed for him during that time. Finally, he was radically saved and never drank again. Many of my experiences were used to write this novel. It was difficult sometimes because I remembered what happened in the past.

Share with me a few of your favorite things.

I love reading, writing, watching classic movies, and dance. I took ballet and tap lessons for twenty years when I was younger. I also love playing with my six grandchildren. The youngest are two-year-old identical twin girls. They are adorable. I also love my husband who I’ve been married to for 46 years and my adult children who are married and who I’m very proud of.