Customer Reviews

Lasting Impression, A (A Belmont Mansion Novel)

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

I'm not a big historical novel fan, unless the novel has great characters who come alive in my mind, vivid settings and compelling stories.

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander has all of the above. Set just after the Civil War in Nashville, A Lasting Impression is the story of Claire Laurent, a young woman with a talent for painting. Too bad her father forced her to paint forgeries which he sold in his gallery.

Clair has to flee the gallery and her home and ends up employed at the grandest mansion in Nashville, and in hiding from her father's business associate. She grows particularly close to another member of the household, a young lawyer who happens to be investigating rumors of fraudulent painting sales.

From it's beautiful embossed cover to the vivid descriptions of the art to the lovely prose, A Lasting Impression is a delight to read and savor.

I highly recommend it.

(NOTE: I received a free copy of A Lasting Impression to read and review. This did not influence my feelings or thoughts about the book. It's so good, I'd pay for it! And I will, since I plan to buy copies for friends and family member whom I know will it enjoy as much as I did.)

"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

Getting to know the main characters was a great joy while reading this story and the internal struggles they had to work their way through. From the very onset of the book, I felt that a great build-up was progressing to the all-important "conflict" moment and then subsequent resolution that would take place. Initially, this was the kind of book where I thought, how can I keep reading this story knowing this emotionally draining event was coming and ALL of the dire consequences that it would bring, but thinking, these books always end well so I know it will be ultimately be OK. The "big moment" finally arrived under little fanfare and a somewhat easy solution. Slight disappointment, but rightly so, under my own desires for how I thought the story would end.

However, my most favorite part of the book, which has never happened before, is the "Dear Reader" part in the very back. Usually, I skim over this part thinking what else could the author have to say of value that hasn't already been said in the rest of the book?

I was wrong..... to the point of tears, even!

Here the author discusses another heroine of the story, one inspired by a real-life person and whom the story truly centers. Even though much of what the author writes of this character was based upon her own imaginations, she states "Never underestimate who's looking at your life and at how many people you influence." I'm sure, never did Mrs. Adelicia Acklen (from the 1800's) think that she would be included in a book written in the year 2011, but she was. And, looking back over this book, I am more captivated by her story, wisdom, and determination than anyone else. The author gets the power of story, and that all of us are characters in the greatest story ever woven together.... by our Creator.

LitFuse & Bethany House sent me the above book for review purposes. It will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from Litfuse or Bethany House.

I loved this book. Not only does Tamara Alexander weave a history lesson with a heart rending romance, she does it with such fluid grace that this story was an absolute gem among an outstanding body of work. There wasn't a moment when I wanted to put this novel down. You've done it again, Tamara - how on earth will you follow this. PS: If you love historical romance you have got to check out Ellenvale Gold by Amanda Deed. It's set in the Australian Gold Rush era and is an absolute pleasure - another terrific read you won't want to miss out on.

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.

Wow. Words seem so inadequate to express just how rich this book is--both in historical details and the romantic tension. I can't remember exactly, but it's been a while since a book touched me so emotionally; I was fighting tears at times. But therein is the beauty of Tamera Alexander's new release, A Lasting Impression--her writing touches to the heart.

And the writing! Tamera's style was beautiful and brought to life the Belmont mansion as seen through Claire's eyes. The depth and realistic qualities she gives each and every character in this book was amazing. Claire was such an amazing person and I grew so close to her over the course of the novel. I was sad when I read the last page and had to say good bye to her and dear, fun-loving Sutton. She'd had such a sad life before coming to Belmont, and had many things to overcome. But I enjoyed watching her meet, and overcome, every challenge.

The Christian elements in the book were wonderful. Tamera wove it seamlessly into the plot and did it so gradually; it felt more realistic and believable than many other books I've read. And not in a preachy way, either. Claire's gradual, but very sincere, search for salvation and redemption was so touching--and when the Lord finally opened her eyes...I felt like crying for joy. How beautiful!

There have been some very good historical fictions published this year, but few have really stood out from the others and made it to my `favorites' shelf for 2011. But A Lasting Impression has done just that--sitting proudly beside my copies of The Doctor's Lady and The Measure of Katie Calloway. Cracking open the cover to this book is like stepping back in time to the wonderful world of high-society and fine art that decorated the halls of Belmont mansion.

I reviewed this book for Bethany House via Litfuse. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

I have a special place in my heart for Nashville, I've even visited the Belmont Mansion, therefore I had high hopes for this book. Tamera Alexander did not disappoint! Not only did the Belmont Mansion come to life, but the characters that grace the pages of A Lasting Impression became real in my mind. I was taken back to 1860`s America. I rode the carriages through old Nashville, walked the grounds of Belmont with Sutton, and painted with Claire. While reading, I was reminded that God is truly in control, even when we may not feel worthy of His love in our lives.

As usual with Tamera Alexander's writing, A Lasting Impression is full of history and great storytelling. Since reading her Timber Ridge series last year, she has become one of my favorite authors. This book is the first in the new three-book Belmont Mansion Southern historical series, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next two when they're released.

If you love Christian, historical fiction, don't pass this book by.

This book is a classic love story, wound into the past, provided with exquisite description of Belmont and other places that hold a piece of U.S. history. I'll be honest, after the first couple of chapters, I considered putting the book down for good, simply because the love story hit quickly, and hit hard. I worried it was going to be predictable (yes), cheesy (not too much), and terribly boring (not at all). However, as the story continued, as more characters emerged, I found myself engaged in the book, pleased to read more. Sweetly told, classy, and appropriate, the author did a great job of weaving in just enough Christianity. This story surprised me and kept my attention.

A LASTING IMPRESSION by Tamera Alexander is an intersting inspirational historical fiction set in Nashville's Belmont Mansion,New Orleans,Louisiana in 1866. First book in a new series "A Belmont Mansion Novel".I believe this is the most interesting book I have read in a while. I enjoyed the character Claire,how she believed in telling the truth no matter how bad things came her way. I believe she was teaching us the importance of truth. This is a book you will not want to put down,you will want to keep reading. I would like to live at Belmont Mansion,myself.

A must read with strong characters and an interesting plot. I would highly recommend "A Lasting Impression". Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Bethany House and My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews.

RATING: 5

HEAT RATING: Sweet

REVIEWED BY: DorothyA,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews