Read A Lasting Impression A Belmont Mansion Novel Tamera Alexander 9780764206221 Books
Read A Lasting Impression A Belmont Mansion Novel Tamera Alexander 9780764206221 Books
Download As PDF : A Lasting Impression A Belmont Mansion Novel Tamera Alexander 9780764206221 Books
Read A Lasting Impression A Belmont Mansion Novel Tamera Alexander 9780764206221 Books
"A Lasting Impression is Tamera Alexander's newest historical fiction novel.
This story begins in 1866 in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is where we meet Claire Laurent. Claire is not yet twenty but already mourning her mother, whom she was close with. She's also desperately trying to match Francois-Narcisse Brissaud's style of painting - her father wants the forgery to be good enough to sell.
Claire hates it. She knows what her father insists she do is wrong - and she'd rather explore her own talents anyway. She wants to sign her own name on her own painting - to make an impression on the art world she loves with such a passion.
She wants to get out from under her father's thumb.
When tragedy hits suddenly, Claire finds herself being shipped off to Nashville, Tennessee where she is to wait for her father and his business partner Antoine DePaul, the two who actually fake the "authenticity" documents and sell her copies, to join her. To start again. To continue with their "business".
But she doesn't want to wait. She doesn't want to do this anymore.
So, she takes the first opportunity she has to get out of the lodging Mr. DePaul arranged and seeks shelter in a church - which is where she meets the handsome attorney Sutton Monroe, who kindly doesn't tell anyone she was sleeping on a pew. It's also where she hears about the job opening at Belmont Mansion for a personal liaison to the wealthy and demanding Adelicia Acklen.
Before she knows it, Claire is thrown into Nashville society - and for the first time in her life she feels free. Yet as her loyalty to Mrs. Acklen grows and her feelings for Sutton Monroe grow stronger, her secrets become harder and harder to bear...
After reading Rekindled and Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander, I'm a huge fan! I loved those two books so much that I literally didn't even care what the synopsis of A Lasting Impression was - I just knew I wanted to read it! I know all of you bibliophiles out there know exactly what I'm talking about.
And, my oh my, I was not disappointed!!!
The very first chapter immediately gives us a chance to be introduced to Claire and empathize with her - as well as be wowed at the turn of events! I was in the story's grips, right out of the gate! I'm leaving out big chunks of plot for you to experience it like I did - in the moment, in the story, like you're meant to.
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!!!
Richly detailed with period history, decor, customs, and ways of speech I felt completely transported to Belmont Mansion. So much so that I am ecstatic that there will be more novels involving Belmont Mansion - because I really want to return!!!
As I've mentioned before, there aren't too many historical fiction writers that can make the romance half of it authentic to me. Especially in inspirational fiction, where sometimes the chasteness (which I like) can become phony and almost devoid of attraction and chemistry completely. Tamera Alexander doesn't fall into that trap. Sutton Monroe is, in our modern language, hot. You feel an undeniable pull between him and Claire, an attraction that is both physical and soulful. It may be appropriate for all ages (and I think a lot of you YA fans would love this book), but it's steamy. Alexander's characters are human - they're real. They do feel attraction, hurt, love, failures, etc. That's what is so great about her novels!
I was extremely satisfied as this suspenseful, beautiful, encompassing, inspiring story came to a close, as well as ready for more from this fantastic author. And the way she subtly but powerfully shows the grace and love of God - well, lets just say I got goosebumps more than once. She's not heavy-handed in the way she portrays the Christian element of the story, but it's absolutely perfect.
If you haven't read Tamera Alexander yet, pick up A Lasting Impression to find out why you should. If you have, then what are you waiting for? :)
*I received a copy of A Lasting Impression from the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. Their generosity in no way influenced, nor sought to influence, my opinion of the novel.
*To read more reviews from the Bibliophile Support Group or comment on them, simply click on my Amazon profile and find a link there. I'd love you to check out my blog, where I post new reviews every Monday, Wednesday and Friday."
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Tags : A Lasting Impression (A Belmont Mansion Novel) [Tamera Alexander] on . <b> Book 1 in the blockbuster historical series from USA Today</i> bestselling author Tamera Alexander . . . </b><div> <br /><div></div><div><span>Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. </span> A forger</i><span>. When she's forced to flee her home,Tamera Alexander,A Lasting Impression (A Belmont Mansion Novel),Bethany House Publishers,0764206222,Christian - Historical,Christian - Romance,Christian fiction,Love stories,Southern States - History - 1865-1877,Southern States;History;1865-1877;Fiction.,Upper class - Tennessee,Upper class;Tennessee;Fiction.,Women artists,Women artists;Fiction.,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,AMERICAN LIGHT ROMANTIC FICTION,FICTION / Christian / Historical,FICTION / Christian / Romance,FICTION / Christian / Romance / General,Fiction,Fiction - Religious,Fiction-Christian,Fiction/Christian - Romance - General,GENERAL,General Adult,Love stories,Monograph Series, 1st,Post American Civil War; Facing the Past; Secret; Life Unraveling; Starting Over; artist; Nashville; Tennessee; vengeance; Fiction; Historical; New Orleans; Louisiana; Belmont Mansion; Post Civil War; 1800s; 1860s,Post American Civil War;Facing the Past;Secret;Life Unraveling;Starting Over;artist;Nashville;Tennessee;vengeance;Fiction;Historical;New Orleans;Louisiana;Belmont Mansion;Post Civil War;1800s;1860s,Religious spiritual fiction,Southern States - History - 1865-1877,Southern States;History;1865-1877;Fiction.,Tennessee,United States,Upper class,Upper class - Tennessee,Upper class;Tennessee;Fiction.,Women artists,Women artists;Fiction.,FIC042030,FIC042040,FICTION / Christian / Historical,FICTION / Christian / Romance,FICTION / Christian / Romance / General,Fiction/Christian - Romance - General,Fiction - Religious,American Historical Fiction,American Light Romantic Fiction,Tennessee,Upper class,Fiction,Religious spiritual fiction
A Lasting Impression A Belmont Mansion Novel Tamera Alexander 9780764206221 Books Reviews :
A Lasting Impression A Belmont Mansion Novel Tamera Alexander 9780764206221 Books Reviews
- Readers should be forewarned this book belongs in the Christian book category...a major detail that was left out of the book's description. While the author has poetic moments in her writing, the actual story is a flat line. The author held in her grasp multiple opportunities for dramatic turns and twists, potential excitement that was never drawn out on the pages. She explains the after affects of plots that had been built up to but not followed through...resulting in anticlimatic lulls. Tamera would introduce characters that her main character should have had more interaction with. Instead of building upon the relationships of the people in Claire's life (the main character), and adding dynamics to the story, these added characters were primarily used as props. No deep connection, no real meaning or added value to the story. The fact that the story went back to "God's Purpose" took me out of the book completely. And the ending tied everything up in one big bow, with (spoiler alert) the exception of finding out the identity of her father's murderer...Claire didn't seem to care, because she found her prince. A big yawn indeed!
- Tamera Alexander's newest novel, A Lasting Impression, is sure to capture readers and sweep them into the beauty and charm of the Belmont mansion.
Claire Laurent desires to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father forces her to work in his office as a copyist, robbing her of the chance to ever achieve that dream. When she's forced to flee New Orleans, she later finds herself in Nashville, Tennessee without a home or penny to her name. Left with few options, she applies for a position with Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the wealthiest woman in Nashville, and owner of Belmont Mansion. When Claire discovers her new employer possess one the most exclusive art collections in the area, she knows this could be the moment she has waited for. Yet, she could lose it all if anyone discovered her past.
Attorney Sutton Monroe feels instinctively suspicious about the beautiful woman who now works for his employer, Adelicia Acklen. As he works closely with Miss Laurent, his feelings for her change. . . and even deepen to something more than friendship. Yet, a legal battle with the Federal government, in an attempt to regain what they have taken from him, could cost him everything--including the woman he loves.
Tamera Alexander takes readers on a journey that transports them to the stunning Belmont mansion while offering a tender love story set against the backdrop of a nation healing from civil war.
Known for her breathtaking descriptions of the Colorado territory and vivid storytelling, Tamera Alexander now moves her stories to a southern culture. Readers who've come to admire her skill in describing the majestic Rockies and land of Colorado will find themselves just as breathless as they engage in the rich description of Belmont mansion. The splendor of this mansion is painted on the pages of this story in such exquisite detail that this stunning mansion takes on a persona of its own.
And once again, Tamera Alexander has penned another story that resonates within the imagination as she blends human nature with larger-than-life characters to create a tale that shines through the pages of this novel.
While the main characters are, without a doubt, intriguing and capture the heart right away, one can't help but find Mrs. Adelicia Acklen just as intriguing as the protagonists.
Make no mistake that this story is very different from any of Mrs. Alexander's previous works. One could only expect this difference. Yet she has pulled this transition off flawlessly!
I can't wait to see what story awaits us next as we explore more of this beautiful mansion, that until now, has remained unknown to those of us outside of Nashville.
A Lasting Impression is an excellent story. I highly recommend it--and in print form, because the cover is absolutely gorgeous! - A Lasting Impression is Tamera Alexander's newest historical fiction novel.
This story begins in 1866 in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is where we meet Claire Laurent. Claire is not yet twenty but already mourning her mother, whom she was close with. She's also desperately trying to match Francois-Narcisse Brissaud's style of painting - her father wants the forgery to be good enough to sell.
Claire hates it. She knows what her father insists she do is wrong - and she'd rather explore her own talents anyway. She wants to sign her own name on her own painting - to make an impression on the art world she loves with such a passion.
She wants to get out from under her father's thumb.
When tragedy hits suddenly, Claire finds herself being shipped off to Nashville, Tennessee where she is to wait for her father and his business partner Antoine DePaul, the two who actually fake the "authenticity" documents and sell her copies, to join her. To start again. To continue with their "business".
But she doesn't want to wait. She doesn't want to do this anymore.
So, she takes the first opportunity she has to get out of the lodging Mr. DePaul arranged and seeks shelter in a church - which is where she meets the handsome attorney Sutton Monroe, who kindly doesn't tell anyone she was sleeping on a pew. It's also where she hears about the job opening at Belmont Mansion for a personal liaison to the wealthy and demanding Adelicia Acklen.
Before she knows it, Claire is thrown into Nashville society - and for the first time in her life she feels free. Yet as her loyalty to Mrs. Acklen grows and her feelings for Sutton Monroe grow stronger, her secrets become harder and harder to bear...
After reading Rekindled and Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander, I'm a huge fan! I loved those two books so much that I literally didn't even care what the synopsis of A Lasting Impression was - I just knew I wanted to read it! I know all of you bibliophiles out there know exactly what I'm talking about.
And, my oh my, I was not disappointed!!!
The very first chapter immediately gives us a chance to be introduced to Claire and empathize with her - as well as be wowed at the turn of events! I was in the story's grips, right out of the gate! I'm leaving out big chunks of plot for you to experience it like I did - in the moment, in the story, like you're meant to.
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!!!
Richly detailed with period history, decor, customs, and ways of speech I felt completely transported to Belmont Mansion. So much so that I am ecstatic that there will be more novels involving Belmont Mansion - because I really want to return!!!
As I've mentioned before, there aren't too many historical fiction writers that can make the romance half of it authentic to me. Especially in inspirational fiction, where sometimes the chasteness (which I like) can become phony and almost devoid of attraction and chemistry completely. Tamera Alexander doesn't fall into that trap. Sutton Monroe is, in our modern language, hot. You feel an undeniable pull between him and Claire, an attraction that is both physical and soulful. It may be appropriate for all ages (and I think a lot of you YA fans would love this book), but it's steamy. Alexander's characters are human - they're real. They do feel attraction, hurt, love, failures, etc. That's what is so great about her novels!
I was extremely satisfied as this suspenseful, beautiful, encompassing, inspiring story came to a close, as well as ready for more from this fantastic author. And the way she subtly but powerfully shows the grace and love of God - well, lets just say I got goosebumps more than once. She's not heavy-handed in the way she portrays the Christian element of the story, but it's absolutely perfect.
If you haven't read Tamera Alexander yet, pick up A Lasting Impression to find out why you should. If you have, then what are you waiting for? )
*I received a copy of A Lasting Impression from the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. Their generosity in no way influenced, nor sought to influence, my opinion of the novel.
*To read more reviews from the Bibliophile Support Group or comment on them, simply click on my profile and find a link there. I'd love you to check out my blog, where I post new reviews every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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