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 historic 1850s 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.
My Review:
published in 2011
Richly layered and impeccably crafted, this is definitely a book that will make a lasting impression on its readers! Rich in history, Alexander manages to bring the post-civil war era to life. I could feel the conflicting spirits of hope and despair; the division of a people and the lingering taste of bitterness in a defeated state. My emotions ran amok as I read! In fact I was left half-dreading each page the deeper I got into the book because I knew that Claire’s secret couldn’t stay buried forever but Alexander spun the reveal out with the expertise of a skilled storyteller and I was on tenterhooks the entire time. Brilliantly done.
The historical detail is brilliant as well. It stirred me to do my own research on Belmont Mansion and Mrs. Acklen. I love when fiction and non-fiction meet in a delicious way like this! It makes my reading experience all the more fulfilling.
And the romance — oh-la-la! Sutton makes a fainting couch a must have for this read! LOL. Loved the way Alexander develops the attraction between Claire and Sutton and she put enough stumbling blocks in the way to keep this reader’s heart dipping and diving for the duration of the read.
A Lasting Impression has the classic feel of an epic novel. It’s the kind of book that carries you away to a different time and place — immerses you in the story and leaves you richer for the read.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy — open to any reader, anywhere in the world so — yay — International Giveaway!
If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Lasting Impression, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 26, 2023
Kav's Best Reads 
LOVE this author’s books! Shaking my head in disbelief that “A Lasting Impression” has been on my TBR list so long slipping through the cracks of cyberspace (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it LOL) and still not been read. Sure would love to correct the major error on my record. 🙂
Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of this fabulous book!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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It’s hard to keep up with all our want-to-reads, isn’t it? Good luck, Kay!
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I enjoy Civil War era stories and this sounds like a good one!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
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Tamera Alexander is a legend in Christian Fiction — always guaranteed a good read. Good luck, rubynreba!
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This is one of my all-time favorite Civil War stories, and she’s a favorite author!
readreviewrejoiceATgmailDOTcom
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Good luck, Abigail!
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I love being carried away to a different time and place!!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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One of the best part of reading for sure. Good luck, Kimmy
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Oh, I have the last book in this series “A Note Yet Unsung” so it would be great to add this one to it! Can you believe I have yet to read a book by Tamera, even though I have four of hers on my bookshelf?
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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Wow…and she’s written so many books! She was among the first Christian Fiction authors I’ve read but I’ll admit to only having read eight of her books and I know she’s written a ton more than that so I have some catching up to do. Good luck, Trixi!
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It looks like I’ve overlooked a Tamera Alexander series! That needs to be remedied, but I think I do have (unread, gasp!) another book in the series. I’d also like to visit the Belmont Mansion some day. I hear that it’s gorgeous!
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I had never heard of the Belmont Mansion until this book. The pictures are amazing. Good luck, Perrianne!
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I love those old homes! My favorite is Oak Alley in Vacherie, Louisiana. My aunt lives a couple of miles away, so I’ve been many times. The last hurricane that went through damaged the “alley” of oak trees from the front of the house. I have to wonder if they’ve recovered.
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So much history in these old houses. It’s amazing to think what they have survived and the changes they’ve seen.
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I love Tamera’s books! This sounds like a great read.
mauback55 at gmail dot com
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Good luck, Melanie!
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Sounds really good. I have read a few of her books and enjoyed them
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Good luck, Mark!
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I’ve read a few of Tamara’s books and also have this one on my pile already as well. Good luck to the winner for she’s an excellent author.
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I need to read more of her books! Happy Reading, Becky!
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I read the first book in this series and it was really good. Blessings leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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Good luck, Lucy!
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I enjoy Tamera’s books but this is one that I’ve missed. I would love to learn more about that fainting couch!
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
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I do love a good must-have-fainting-couch romance. 🙂 Good luck, Connie!
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