Would you paint if you knew you were only painting for me?

Claire Laurent never asked for the life she was forced to lead. Her father manipulated and intimidated her into a life of deceit and lies by exploiting her artistic talents and forcing her to forge priceless paintings for his gallery. When an unexpected set of circumstances afford Claire an opportunity to leave her life of deception, she takes it and tries to make a new life for herself. As she finds a personal relationship with God and also gets to know a wonderful man, she dares to hope for the future. Her self esteem grows as she realizes that she does have value in and of herself. Yet, all the while she also knows that to make a new start and please God she will have to reveal her past and risk all the peace and happiness that she has found. She longs to leave a lasting impression that is real and worthy of recognition but if she reveals all, will she lose the man she loves?

I have read all of Tameras previous releases and she is definitely a master at her craft. Her characters are created with a depth and richness to them that many writers are never able to achieve. Her writing always produces a beautifully laid out love story with a multi-faceted plot that keeps the reader completely immersed in the book from the very first page until the very last. Along with a satisfying read, each of Tameras books has a deep moral truth woven throughout its pagessomething that will stick with the reader long after the book is finished. This newest volume of hers is every bit as good as the previous ones and is sure to leave A Lasting Impression.

I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Share/Like this Review?

I have loved Tamera Alexander's books from the very first one I picked up...so I had high expectations for this new book.

I was NOT let down! This is a fabulous book set during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War. I was hooked from the first chapter and I hated having to put it down to do something as useless as housework! LOL! As usual, Tamera Alexander uses vivid descriptions to paint pictures of a glorious southern plantation and it's surroundings. As usual, the main character has great spunk and shows such growth in her Christian Faith journey.

My favorite line of the book was "Would you paint if you knew you were only painting for me"--how many times do we get caught in wanting recognition for something we've done in this material world--only to forget that it's all just fleeting and it's what our Heavenly Father thinks that matters the most.

A book with a great message and full of nice chuckles!

I can't wait to see more in the series set at Belmont Mansion!

Share/Like this Review?

This is the best book! A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander is a wonderful, well-written, and highly researched novel set in Nashville's Belmont Mansion. The main character, Claire, is a young artist with a deep secret The characters in this story are well developed and very interesting, including Mrs. Adelicia Acklen,her wealthy employer and the owner of Belmont. Also, the book is long, over 400 pages to savor! Highly recommended!

Share/Like this Review?

This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. Just enough mystery to keep you guessing with a bit of romance. The author has a way with words; you feel like you are actually looking at the mansion and the gardens as you read.

Share/Like this Review?

Claire's POV in A Lasting Impression, that of a forger, was unique. I wish the start of the book, focusing on Claire's work, had been longer. Claire's new job, that of liaison for Adelicia Acklen, basically a glorified maid, wasn't nearly as interesting. The descriptions of Nashville, and the people who lived there after the Civil War, were heartbreaking. The descriptions of Belmont Mansion were spectacular, and I had to google it after finishing the book, to see it for real. Sutton wasn't as strong a character as Claire, but he was still compelling. Reading this book taught me about the government's confiscation of Southern property and ruining of Confederate reputations after the Civil War. May this country never turn on itself ever again. If you enjoy historical Christian fiction based on the Civil War's aftermath, you'll want to add A Lasting Impression to your reading list.

With thanks to Bethany House Publishers for my review copy.

Share/Like this Review?

A Lasting Impression was a charming tale loaded with lots of great characters that were well drawn and had lots of depth to them. You hit the ground running in the beginning of the story but I must admit that toward the middle it seemed a little slow. The last half of the book however was WONDERFUL! I have to say that Sutton and Claire will remain some of my favorite characters. There was a chemistry between them that was tangible. Mrs. Acklen was a wise woman. One thing she said to Claire was so good. She said, "Oftentimes, through the years, Miss Laurent...I've pondered how much is provided for us by God's goodness. So many sources of enjoyment, and how thankful we should be. We should not expect to have all the blessings of life and none of it's trials. It would make this world too delightful a dwelling place, and I fear we would nerve care to leave it." That's good advice for each of us. The story had a nice blend of humorous moments, serious moments, touching moments and tense moments. I was pretty sure that I knew how it would end but the journey in getting there was very rewarding. Tamera Alexander is known for her wonderful rugged western stories but I must say I'm confident she'll make A Lasting Impression with her Belmont Mansion Novel. I'm looking forward to the next installment!!! A thank you goes to Bethany House and LibraryThing for providing this complimentary copy for my review!
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (November 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0764206222
ISBN-13: 978-0764206221

Share/Like this Review?