Lasting Impression, A (A Belmont Mansion Novel) [Paperback]

Tamera Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2011 | Series: A Belmont Mansion Novel (Book 1)

Blockbuster New Historical Series From Acclaimed Author Tamera Alexander

To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. When her fraud of a father deals her an unexpected hand, Claire is forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville, only a year after the War Between the States has ended. Claire's path collides with that of Sutton Monroe, and she considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But when they meet again and he refuses to come to her aid, she realizes she's sorely misjudged the man. Trading an unwanted destiny for an unknown future, Claire finds herself in the middle of Nashville's elite society and believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art may finally be within reach.

All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Set at Nashville's historical Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America in the 1860s, A Lasting Impression showcases the deep, poignant, unforgettable characters that set Tamera's stories apart and provides an inspiring love story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them eager for more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Alexander...has crafted a cleverly designed story line featuring an artist, Claire Laurent, who is forced to paint forgeries...Alexander does a lovely job of representing the historical details of this time in American history without letting the facts distract from a tenderly told love story.  -Publishers Weekly

"Tamera Alexander has once again written a novel rich in storytelling and history, peopled with living, breathing characters who made me laugh, and cry. Better than sweet tea on a veranda, A Lasting Impression is a winner. I want to live at Belmont!" --Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author of Redeeming Love

"Tamera Alexander paints vivid scenes, not with oils on canvas but with words on the page ... A lovely story, sure to please anyone who treasures a good romance." --Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night

From the Back Cover

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 her home, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe, who shows her kindness by not turning her in to authorities. But when he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged him. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville society, Claire believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her past remains hidden.

The Federal Army destroyed Sutton's home, confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him 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 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.

"Tamera Alexander has once again written a novel rich in storytelling and history, peopled with living, breathing characters who made me laugh, and cry. Better than sweet tea on a veranda, A Lasting Impression is a winner. I want to live at Belmont!"--Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author of Redeeming Love

"Tamera Alexander paints vivid scenes, not with oils on canvas but with words on the page...A lovely story, sure to please anyone who treasures a good romance."--Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night

"To put it simply: This book is a full-on HIT. Belmont's history is fascinating and provides a rich setting for historical romance. The author has placed a diverse palette of colorful characters within her heady setting, but among them none is quite as vibrantly drawn as The Lady of Belmont herself, Mrs. Adelicia Acklen." - Serena Chase, USA Today

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780764206221
• ISBN-13: 978-0764206221
• ASIN: 0764206222
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander is an award-winning novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose have earned her devoted readers--and multiple industry awards. Among them, the Christy Award, the RITA Award, the Carol Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader's Choice Award, the Bookseller's Best Award, and the acclaimed Library Journal's Top Pick for Christian Fiction. Tamera also enjoys a devoted international following with her books being translated into German, Dutch, Turkish, and Polish.

Tamera's first seven novels are set against the rugged backdrop of the Colorado Territory (1860-70s), but she's recently turned her heart--and her pen--toward "home" and is writing about her own Southern heritage. A Lasting Impression, the first of three Belmont Mansion novels, showcases the larger-than-life history of Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America at the time, and the Belmont Mansion in the years following the Civil War. Tamera's ninth novel, To Whisper Her Name, the first of three Belle Meade Plantation novels, released in fall 2012, and tells the story behind the most influential thoroughbred stud farm in our nation's history.

These two Southern series will intertwine, detailing the "real life" history of two of Nashville's most famous homes and their intriguing families. A Lasting Impression was recently named a 2012 Christy Award finalist (an award honoring excellence in Christian Fiction) for Best Historical Romance. Tamera is currently writing the second book in the Belmont Mansion series (releasing spring 2014), followed by the second book in the Belle Meade Plantation series (releasing fall 2014).

After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Nashville, Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children who live nearby, as well as a ten-pound silky terrier named Jack. When she writes, Tamera takes steps closer to Christ, and it's her earnest desire that her readers will do the same, as they read.


Connect with Tamera here:
www.tameraalexander.com
www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/tameraalexander
www.facebook.com/tamera.alexander
http://pinterest.com/tameraauthor/


Tamera's Complete Book List--

FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES
Rekindled, Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 1, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 0-7642-0108-5)
Revealed, Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 2, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 0-7642-0109-3)
Remembered, Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 3, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 0-7642-0110-7)
Fountain Creek Chronicles Trilogy, Books 1- 3 in one volume, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 978-0-7642-0736-5)

TIMBER RIDGE REFLECTIONS
From a Distance, Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 1, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 978-0-7642-0389-3)
Beyond This Moment, Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 2, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 978-0-7642-0390-9)
Within My Heart, Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 3, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 0-7642-0391-6)

STANDALONE NOVEL
The Inheritance, Women of Faith Fiction, Thomas Nelson Publishers (ISBN 978-1-59554-632-6)

BELMONT MANSION NOVELS (1 of 3)
A Lasting Impression, a Belmont Mansion novel, Bethany House Publishers (ISBN 978-0764206221)

BELLE MEADE PLANTATION NOVELS (1 of 3)
To Whisper Her Name, a Belle Meade Plantation novel, Zondervan Publishers (ISBN 978-0310291060)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tamera Alexander's Best Yet!!! October 18, 2011

By Susan Snodgrass

Format:Paperback

Tamera Alexander has been a favorite author of mine since her first book. I proudly have each of her books in my personal library and I plan to continue. Her books are books I'll buy without ever reading the synopsis. I KNOW they will be good.

This book absolutely outstanding, from many perspectives: quality of writing, character depth, impeccable research and spiritual truths portrayed. She has completely outdone herself with this book and I eagerly look forward to the next in the series.

I will not go into any detail about the book so as not to ruin it for others who have not read the book. I will say that Alexander creates characters so real that the reader feels as if they know them, feels their pain and shares their joys. The events described in the book makes this reader feel as if she is there with Claire and Sutton when they experience such things as hiding clues for a treasure hunt, riding horses across the meadow, etc.

What set this book apart for me was the fact that it deeply ministered to me during a time of a devastating emotional blow to my family. Just hours after this event, I picked the book up to begin reading where I'd left off, and a paragraph hit me that spoke directly to my pain. Then, several passages later, the same thing happened. Again this happened near the end of the book. I definitely believe this was a God thing, in part because I'd picked up the book at a small mountain book store on a day trip to the mountains and they only had ONE copy, and this 2 weeks before the book's release!!! This was not a coincidence, in my opinion.

It is going on the shelf in my library along with those passages that ministered to me underlined, the first time I've ever underlined any passage in a novel. I believe that Tamera Alexander wrote this book by inspiration of the Holy Spirit because the grace, mercy and love of our dear Father in Heaven shines through this book from beginning to end.

Please do not hesistate to purchase this book. You will not be disappointed and you'll want to never let it get away from you!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!! October 20, 2011

By Robin Lee Hatcher

Format:Paperback

"A Lasting Impression is a wonderful start to a new series. With writing that is rich and textured, Ms. Alexander paints a portrait of Belmont and Nashville after the Civil War that will pull you in and almost make you believe that you are living there yourself." -- Robin Lee Hatcher, best-selling author

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This book didn't hold my interest February 23, 2012

By holly11

Format:Paperback

Claire Elise Laurent is an art forger, having been forced into a double life by her father and uncle. When her life is put in danger, her father sends her to live in Nashville from their home in New Orleans. When she goes to work for Adelicia Acklen, owner of Belmont Mansion, she crosses paths with Sutton Monroe, an attorney who is investigating art forgeries. What will happen between them when she is found out?

I wanted to like this book, but it moved too slowly for my liking. The characters were interesting to me, and I did find myself caring about what happened between Claire and Sutton, and also what would happen when her forgeries were found out. So I should have liked this more than I did. I tried several times to get into the book, but I never did feel enough emotional investment to keep caring what happened. I feel the story line was a bit too dragged out for my taste.

That being said, I would have to give this book a 3.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."