Captivatingly Rich ~ A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander ~ Review

Rich in historical setting and character depth, “A Lasting Impression” is one of those books you can’t help really savoring, while wanting to know what the ending is going to bring the characters.

            The pace of this novel is evenly tempered through the entire book, and takes place in as beautiful a setting as ever to create on the page. Once you’ve stepped inside the doors of Belmont and have seen it through Claire’s eyes, you really don’t want to go back to the real world.

            Rich is really the only word I can use to describe it. Not in material wealth, though there is an abundance, but in depth of writing, characters, romance (sweet heavens, what a romance!) and enough tension to keep you wondering when the next “shoe” will drop.

            I loved the gradual and subtle changes that come through Claire’s life, especially in her spiritual walk. It’s a wonderful example of how God’s love can change us, but it doesn’t happen overnight.

            The story flows deep and true. Deep in character’s lives, in how they change, true in the purpose to tell a really good story and invite the reader along and into a journey that feels like it could last forever.

            A fun side note: that gorgeous dress on the cover? It does play a role in the book, which absolutely thrilled me. *wink*

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse tours for my copy to review.

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More about the book...

A fake. A forger. More than anything, Claire Laurent longs for the chance to live an authentic life, to become the woman she wants to be. And she'll be given that choice. But will it come at too costly a price? 

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.

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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)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th.

Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration 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!