A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander ~ Historical Romance Review

A Lasting Impression

Belmont Mansion, Book 1

Tamera Alexander

Historical Romance

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 whom they really are. My thoughts:

A Lasting Impression has all of the wonderful elements that make an historical fiction book great. The setting is a place that you can actually visit today. One of the main characters, Adelicia Acklen, is a real person and the storyline has stayed true to her life story. The heroine, Claire Laurent, is not only beautiful and witty, but she has secrets that she does not want to be discovered. The hero, Sutton Monroe, is a masculine species of the finest sorts. He also has things in his past that haunt him.

The tension between the cast of characters is absolutely delicious. Adelicia Acklen is wealthy beyond imagination for that time frame and as such exudes tremendous power. Through a series of events Claire comes to be in her employ. You can just feel the stress that Claire feels in measuring up to Adelicia’s expectations. Can she meet the standard?

Ms. Alexander has done a marvelous job with the forbidden yet budding romance between Claire and Sutton. They really should not be drawn to the other, after all Sutton has an arrangement of sorts with another woman. Claire cannot get too close to Sutton because he may discover the past that haunts her. Ahhhh…just what a good tension filled love story should be like!

Beyond the love story is a great tale of the post-Civil War era Nashville. As a reader you are drawn to the day-to-day struggles in the lives of ordinary people trying to reclaim the life they once had. This is a long read 430 pages to be exact, but it is worth every minute. Be prepared to let everything else go for a bit because you will be drawn in immediately.

Connect with the author:

www.TameraAlexander.com