USA Today Bestselling author Tamera Alexander held a book signing event at Miss Mary Bobo’s recently, marking the official release of her newest novel, In These Hills. The novel is set in 1905 Lynchburg, and brings to life the town in that time. The distillery, Jack Daniel himself, and Miss Mary Bobo play prominently in the story.

Josephine Dunham, the story’s main character, is running from false accusations of murder after she was assaulted at a suffragist rally in Atlanta. She makes it as far as Tullahoma by train, after which she was transported by wagon and a reluctant Dodge Coburn to Lynchburg. Not knowing what else to do with her, he leaves her at Miss Maty Bobo’s boarding house.

Josephine must now make her way in a town where she knows no one. She must find work, but fails miserably as a cook for Miss Mary. After that, the only door open to her is to work at Jack Daniel’s distillery as Jack’s bookkeeper. As a suffragist, it goes against her strongest convictions, but she takes the position out of desperation. In her position, she continually crosses paths with Dodge Coburn, who also works for Jack Daniel. A grudging respect develops between the two, and more after that.

Tamera expertly weaves her fictional characters lives into the real lives of Jack Daniel, Miss Mary, and Lynchburg into a compelling, believable story. She credits historians Lynn Tolley and Mike Northcutt with providing her deep dives into the history of Jack Daniel’s, Miss Mary Bobo, and the town. Tamera is well known for her exhaustive research in the crafting of her historical fiction novels. Her Christian based novels, twenty in all, have won numerous awards over the years.

Tamera has Moore County connections. Her father lived here as a youngster; her grandfather and great grandfather did as well. They lived in the Lois area. Her great grandfather broke mules for Jack Daniel’s. Her father moved to Atlanta after he married, where she grew up, but she fondly remembers spending time here on summer vacations.

A good crowd of supporters showed up for the event, most asking for her autograph on their new books. Many asked eagerly about when her next book will be published. Currently Tamera is working on a novel about the Ryman Auditorium, which will be available later in 2027. Tamera may be contacted through her website, tameraalexander.com.