About the Book:
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 from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid,
Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.
The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong 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 Mrs. 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.
About the Author:
Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, and the Carol Award.
After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children.
Tamera invites you visit her web site at www.tameraalexander.com for more information.
My Opinion:
First off, isn't that cover GORGEOUS?! Secondly, the synopsis for this books sucks. It doesn't begin to do the story justice. It is so much more than that little snippet offers so don't let it deter you from reading this book.
Our heroine Claire is a talented artist living in post Civil War New Orleans with her father. He owns an art gallery and he is forcing Claire to forge paintings which he then sells to collectors. Claire is not happy about this but really has not options. One night the gallery is robbed, her father is stabbed and her "uncle" sends her Nashville. Her accommodations there prove less than safe so she finds shelter in a church. This leads to her ultimately getting a job with the richest woman in Nashville, Adelicia Acklen. As Claire becomes part of Mrs. Acklen's life she must keep her past hidden but Mrs. Acklen's attorney, Sutton Monroe is keeping a close eye on Claire. A VERY close eye.
This is a well developed story about a young woman who was forced to do something she knew was wrong for what seemed to be the right reasons - her mother was dying and they needed the money. When she wanted to stop her father kept threatening her. She finally gets out from under his thumb but her fear of her past continues to haunt her. Mrs. Acklen sees something in her and works to build her confidence as Sutton falls in love with her. The love story builds slowly and truly until Claire has to reveal her past.
The characters are very well developed and I find that I want to know more about them. This is the first in a series and I am very much looking forward to the successive tales. I enjoyed reading about Nashville and the Belmont Mansion and most especially about Mrs. Adelicia Acklen - she must have been a force of nature!
A Lasting Impression is available on Amazon.com
The rest of the Tour Schedule can be found HERE
Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander!
While Tamera and her book, A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually
(with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle
Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party (11/15) (dripping
with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food
Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a
minute of the fun. Swoon!
Read what the reviewers are saying here.
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
- A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)
with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless
Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and
copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's
okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on
the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How
much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired
giveaways (complete listing here).
Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!
Disclosure: I received a copy of A Lasting Impression gratis from Litfuse Publicity Group. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
3 comments:
I am with you - that's a stunner cover! Thank you for the review, this one is going on my to-read list.
I agree - it's a gorgeous cover. Enjoyed your review and have added to the TBR list.
That blue on the cover just pops!
Thanks for the link to the giveaway
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