A Lasting Impression...Review

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.

A talented artist, Claire Laurent is forced to work as a copyist who forges famous paintings, when she only desires to paint her own work.  When her father's illicit occupation forces her to flee her New Orleans home, she finds herself adrift in post-Civil War Nashville.  A chance encounter with Sutton Monroe leads her to a position in the home of the city's most prominent women.

Claire adapts to her new role and her new life and as she finds herself falling in love with Sutton, she worries that her past will come between them.  I loved the setting:  post-Civil War Nashville, the world of art and the Belmont Mansion.  Claire's story is both richly elegant and humbly redeeming and Sutton is a dashing, yet very mortal hero.  This is a charming, engaging novel and one I was sad to see end.

I've read Tamera Alexander before and didn't completely love what I read then.  But, A Lasting Impression sounded terrific and the cover was gorgeous.  I had to read it simply for that.  I'm so pleased that the book lived up to my expectations.  It appears to be the first in a series and I look forward to more Belmont Mansion stories.

Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Tamera Alexander here.  You can purchase your own copy here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here.

Read 11/11

* * * *
4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I completely agree with you, Holly about not loving Tamera's earlier works. I WAS excited about this novel though (and the cover art is lovely) - I just picked it up, so I am anxious to read it now. =)

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