Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Book Review: A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander




A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander
Publisher: Bethany House
Publish Date: October 15, 2011
Paperback, 424 pages 
Fiction, Historical, Christian, Romance
 ISBN: 978-0764206221





My Review:
Wow talk about being sucked right into a book.  Ms. Alexander managed to transport me right into post-Civil War Nashville within a few pages of A Lasting Impression.  And the only reason it took a few pages is the book starts off in New Orleans.

Right from the start I was enraptured by Claire Laurent.  So much tragedy has struck her life, yet she manages to keep rolling with the punches.  And yes she has done wrong but only because she had to and now she is trying to make a better life for herself in Nashville.  I like that Claire has a conscious and that it keeps telling her that she must tell her secret.  But of course, the story would not be a book if she told her secret right off.

I also really liked Sutton.  He is trying to put his life back together after tragedy as well.  He has no land, not much money and not much to fall back on besides his job with Mrs. Acklen.  However he finds himself falling for Miss Laurent as time passes.  But he has obligations and then there is that niggling bit of doubt about her as well.  Sutton  is a good strong male and I liked that about him.  He's at a place that he doesn't have much besides his job helping Mrs. Acklen but he enjoys that and he enjoys his time with Claire.  He also likes that Claire seems to see him for who he really is and she is one of the few people who really does.

The romance element was the obvious part of the story, but there is so much more to it than that.  I felt like each chapter I was unwrapping a present finding a new one beneath full of new surprises.  I loved learning new things about the Belmont mansion and about it's mistress, Mrs. Acklen.  The intrigue of Claire's secret following her around is always there too, and the reader is always wondering when that will come into play.  There are lots of delightful scenes of romance, happiness and some of sadness and all contribute to the overall feeling of this book.  It has the feel of a sweeping saga wrapped up in a pretty cover.

A Lasting Impression held my interest through the whole book.  I would often read 100 pages in a sitting with my two boys yelling and carrying on in the same room with me, yet I still felt like I was in Tennessee with the Acklens, Sutton and Claire.  It sweeps you away and doesn't let you down until you finish the last page.  And then the characters and places still stay with you after you close the book.  And you know with me, that is the mark of a good book.  This is my first Tamera Alexander book and I love finding new historical authors to read and she will surely be added to my list.

With wonderful themes of honesty, forgiveness and love of others, a plot that moves the book along quickly and characters I could identify with, A Lasting Impression did just that - it made a lasting impression on me.  And it's not one I will soon forget.  Claire, Sutton, the Acklens, Cordina, Eli, Zeke and many others will be remembered for quite some time as this delightful book continues to replay itself in my head.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0


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.

About the Author: 

Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.

For more information please visit www.tameraalexander.com  






Link to buy the book:




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).

Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

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!


FTC Information: I received this book through Litfuse Publicity for an honest review.




Book Review: Finding Somewhere by Joseph Monninger




Finding Somewhere by Joseph Monninger
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publish Date: November 8, 2011
Hardcover, 240 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult
 ISBN: 978-0385739429



My Review:
Finding Somewhere was a very captivating book.  It's a look at two girls who rescue/steal a horse and leave town to take the horse across the country to set it free. But at the same time they are escaping the small town life that they are imprisoned in and trying out their legs for the first time as well.

I enjoyed Finding Somewhere.  I thought the plot moved along at a good pace.  I enjoyed reading about the different towns Hattie and Delores went through.  I was also fascinated with their interactions with each other and with people they meet along the way.  It's not an action book but the plot keeps you turning the pages.  I pretty much read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it.

Hattie and Delores were interesting characters.  A GED program and their love of horses brought them together.  They are alike in a lot of ways that are explored in the book and they are different too.  I really enjoyed getting to know them through their conversations and through Hattie's thoughts.  They make a good pair and an interesting pair of friends.  I cared about them and wanted to know what would happen to them.  That is really what kept me turning the pages was the needing to know what would happen to them.

I feel Finding Somewhere is an enjoyable coming-of-age novel that I enjoyed from the first page until the last.  I haven't read any of Mr. Monninger's other books, but he will definitely be on my radar from now on.


My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:
Two girls: Best friends Hattie and Delores feel that life in their small New Hampshire town is a dead end.
One horse: Old and about to be put down, Speed gets a reprieve when Hattie and Delores decide to save him.
A road trip: Determined to set Speed free, Hattie and Delores drive him west in search of rangeland. But the road takes some unexpected turns as the girls get their own taste of freedom—and as they confront the reasons they left home.


About the Author: 

Website

Facebook


FTC Information: I received this book through Teen Book Scene for an honest review. 






November Giveaway Hop

It's time for another wonderful giveaway hop, this one hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by Tristi Pinkston.  Be sure and check out the over 200 other blogs on the hop for other great giveaways as well.

For my giveaway - you will get your choice of 3 books from my Giveaway Page and I will be adding more books to it this week as well.  Open to the US/Canada only (sorry my funds have been limited lately and I have Christmas for two boys to save up for).  Enter below using Rafflecopter, only your name and email is required, the other two entries are optional.  Thanks!










Teaser Tuesday (8)

teasertuesdays31

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 
Claire opened her mouth to accept when three jarring images flashed through her mind--of breaking the delicate china of her possible future employer, of spilling spiced tea all over Mrs. Bunting's best ensemble, and of not getting the job. Her mouth went dry at the thought of declining, but she shook her head. "No thank you, ma'am.  But thank you for your generosity."
From A Lasting Impression by Tamara Alexander





About A Lasting Impression


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 her home, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe, who shows her kindness by not turning her in to authorities. But when he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged him. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville society, Claire believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach—but only if her past remains hidden.

The Federal Army destroyed Sutton's home, confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him 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 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.