Character spotlight ~ Tamera Alexander's Claire Laurent & Sutton Monroe

The highly anticipated first instalment in Tamera Alexander's Belmont Mansion series is now available from Bethany House 

Synopsis

A fake. A forger. More than anything, Claire Laurent longs for the chance to live an authentic life, to become the woman she wants to be. And she'll be given that choice. But will it come at too costly a price?

Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she's forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.

The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined--as well as the woman he loves.Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves--and each other--for who they really are.

Enjoy meeting Claire & Sutton ~ thanks Tamera :)

Rel: Brief physical description

Tamera: I always love seeing the male and female leads “viewing each other” through their own eyes. So, to that end:

This is Claire Laurent’s thought when she first sees Sutton:

Handsome could’ve been used to describe him, but that would have been like calling Michelangelo’s David “adequate.”

And since Claire’s on the cover of A Lasting Impression, well…a picture paints a thousand words, as they say. But I can tell you this… The scene briefly captured on the cover proves to be a very memorable one in Sutton’s mind.

Actor/famous person

Claire is pictured on the cover so that’s an easy picture to find. And for Sutton…well, I prefer to let the reader “fill in the blanks” for him!

Strengths and weaknesses

A fake. A forger. That’s what Claire Laurent knows she is, which is why she can’t fathom working in the home of the richest woman in Nashville, let alone America. But when she meets Sutton Monroe––Mrs. Acklen’s far too handsome and equally as discerning personal attorney––Claire’s certain the first impression she made with him…will be her last.

Your inspiration for the characters and background to the story

When I first stepped foot across the threshold of the Belmont Mansion in Nashville, TN, and learned about Adelicia Acklen––the born-before-her-time woman who built Belmont––and her “tough as nails” personality and extraordinary life, I knew I wanted to write a story that included her, her magnificent home, and this crucial time in our nation’s history.

But when I “met” Sutton Monroe and Claire Laurent while visiting the mansion one afternoon, or more rightly, when they shoved their way into my imagination and met each other, I knew I had to write their story. And I knew exactly what the setting would be too. The historic Belmont Mansion. After over two years of research and writing, A Lasting Impression is the culmination of that “chance meeting.”

A Lasting Impression is about being authentic in one’s life and relationships, and in one’s faith. It’s a love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves––and each other––for who they really are.

Author Website: www.tameraalexander.com

Author Blog: www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com

Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tamera.alexander

Author Twitter: http://twitter.com/tameraalexander

Read a full two chapter excerpt here:

http://www.tameraalexander.com/cmsdocuments/Alexander_LastingImpression_Ch1&2.pdf

Thanks Tamera ~ always a true delight to have you visit :)

Relz Reviewz Extras 
Reviews of Revealed, Remembered, The Inheritance, From A Distance, Beyond This Moment & Within My Heart
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera's website and blog
Buy Tamera's books at Amazon or Koorong