Tuesday 29 November 2011

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

Trapped by her father's demands that she copy masterpieces to sell as originals in his art gallery, Claire Laurent desires to escape and paint in her own name.  Desperate circumstances finally force Claire to flee New Orleans and leave her deceitful life behind.  Arriving in Nashville, with barely a penny to her name, Claire's French heritage captures the interest of Adelicia Acklen, a woman of great wealth and independence, wishing to assert her place in society.

As Claire moves into Adelicia's magnificent Belmont Mansion, Adelicia's lawyer, Sutton Monroe, does not hide his suspicions regarding Claire's motivation in seeking employment at Belmont.  Under the guise of showing her around Belmont and Nashville, Sutton spends time with the lovely Claire, causing him to reconsider his initial views.

When Claire's past returns to haunt her, Adelicia and Sutton must decide where the truth lies.
Tamera Alexander's highly anticipated beginning to her Belmont Mansion series is replete with intriguing historical and cultural details that add life and texture a tale of betrayal, mystery, romance and forgiveness.  Claire and Sutton are engagingly drawn and their tentative relationship unfolds naturally under Tamera's deft hand.  Nashville society, the antebellum mansion and the economic highs and lows that followed the civil war come to life, providing an entertaining lesson in American history and revealing the pressures and social upheaval that arise following national division.  An actual historical figure, Adelicia Acklen’s character and lifestyle unfold as she, and her home, become pivotal parts of this story.  As with her previous novels, Tamera excels with her attention to historical detail, well developed and genuine characters, tender romance and mellifluous prose.  Prepare to be swept away to another place and time in A Lasting Impression.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

With thanks to Bethany House & Litfuse for my review copy
Relz Reviewz Extras 
Character spotlight on Claire & Sutton
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

2 comments:

Lydia said...

This one just showed up on my doorstep yesterday and I can't wait. Love the author, love the cover so hopes are high.

Netherland said...

A Lasting Impression is elegant, softly presented, and quietly persistent in showing us a gorgeous manor and a lovely cast of characters. Tamera Alexander excels at creating three-dimensional characters and continues to do so with every character in this novel - from Claire, to Sutton, to Mrs. Acklen, to all of the servants and secondary characters. They feel alive, like if only you could travel back to 1866 you could meet them all. They each have flaws, pain, joy and a human need for redemption and forgiveness - of both themselves and for others. Each time I read a book by Alexander I'm floored by how utterly invested I become in these people she pens, how I want to laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry - it makes for a heartrending experience, but also a joyful one! Amazing!!!

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