“A Lasting Impression” Book Review

Nov 17, 2014 by Rachel

Welcome back to Rachel’s Back Talk! I’m so glad you could join me again. Today I am reviewing book 1 from Tamera Alexanders’s Belmont Mansion series, A Lasting Impression. This is the first of Tamera’s books I have read and it was truly magnificent! I loved how she brought real life people into a historical book.

 

As is my custom, if I could ask Tamera one question about A Lasting Impression, it would be — “What drew you to write a series based on Adelicia Acklen?” And if you want to know why I asked that question, I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

 

And without further ado, on to Rachel’s Back Talk!

 

                                                                

 

From the Back Cover:

After an unwanted past, Claire strives to create something that will last as an artist among Nashville’s elite society in the 1860s.

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.

 

 

Rachel’s Back Talk:

5 – award winning covers

A Lasting Impression was a phenomenal book! I loved how Tamera used the Belmont Mansion as the setting and even wove in the owner of the mansion as one of the main characters. The relationship between Claire and Sutton was wonderful to watch play out and it definitely kept me in suspense.

Clarie was a different heroine than one usually sees. She has a secret and a past that she is trying to run from, but its kind of hard to do that when she is falling in love with someone that could ruin her. I loved her wary personality and the way that she was trying to make her past right!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction! Even though the book may seem long, Tamera captures you in a way that makes you want to see the book continue on!

 

Other Books by Tamera that I will read next:

A Beauty So Rare (A Belmont Mansion Novel)

To Whisper Her Name (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel)

To Win Her Favor (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel)