A Lasting Impression was of particular interest to me because of its Nashville setting. Although I have not actually toured the Belmont mansion, I have spent some time in the general neighborhood. As a lifelong Tennessean, I also enjoy reading novels set in Tennessee. After reading this novel, I will have to make the Belmont tour a must on my next trip to Nashville.
Claire Laurent hated that her father forced her to forge paintings yet constantly disparaged her own talent. When circumstances forced her to flee New Orleans, she learned of her father’s death upon her arrival in Nashville. With nowhere to turn, she sought overnight shelter in a church where her life was changed forever. Hired as a liaison to Adelicia Acklen, owner of the Belmont estate, Claire was finally able to turn away from her past and work toward a respectable future. But how long could Claire keep her secrets hidden from Adelicia and Sutton Monroe, the man Claire was rapidly falling for?
A Lasting Impression is a richly embroidered story that transports the reader to post civil war Nashville. The plot is perfectly paced and the characters almost step off the pages. Although much of the story takes place within the Belmont Mansion and describes life among the privileged set, Alexander also includes accounts of devastation and loss in the aftermath of the war. This is a story of second changes, renewed trust, and restoration. I cannot say enough positive things about A Lasting Impression. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is one book you need to add to your collection.
Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart) continue her signature style of deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose which has earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.
These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the 2010 and 2007 RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2010 and 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2010 HOLT Medallion, the 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, the 2007 National Reader’s Choice Award, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.
Tamera’s newest novel A Lasting Impression is the first of a brand new three-book Southern historical series, and the first two chapters are available for review. She’s at work on her ninth novel which will release in fall 2012.
After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, along with Tamera’s father, Doug, and with their two adult children who live near by. And don’t forget Jack, their precious–and precocious–silky terrier.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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 historical 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.
Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.
Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.
Her last release is Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press recently won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing western fiction. Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms.
In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally.
Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. You can check out her books and find out more about her on her blog.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she’s adopted. The spoiled daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed by her real parents and by the ones who raised her. But mystery surrounds her new discovery, and when Maggie uncovers another family secret, she loses all sense of identity. Leaving her home in Seattle, Washington, Maggie strikes out to find her destiny. Will Charles Stanton, who’s been in love with her for years, be able to help her discover who she really is?
As usual, Deeanne Gist has done her research and her story about Georgie Gail, a rural switchboard operator rings true. Because she is know for her meticulous research, I have to assume that Gist’s fact about using bird parts to trim hats and garments must also be the truth. Although not birds, I do remember sitting in church fascinated by the mink stole on the lady in front of me that was made of several entire animals. I shudder to think about it.
But I regress. Overall, Love on the Line was an enjoyable tale. Georgie’s obsession with birds may have been a bit over the top but extreme behavior is one thing that keeps Gist’s books interesting. I was not at all impressed with Lucious Landrum (Luke Palmer) at the beginning of the book. He seemed like such a pompous jerk. But he did grow on me before the end. The plot was well paced with interesting characters and circumstances. A good blend of drama, action, humor, and suspense kept the pages turning. A surprise revelation near the end was easy to figure out if the earlier hints were detected. The romance between Georgie and Luke/Lucious was a bit disappointing compared to earlier Gist novels. Although lacking a strong spiritual message, Love on the Line is still a good, clean story that is appropriate for Christian readers.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK: It’s a Battle of Wills … and Love Is on the Line!
Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man’s world . . . which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.
Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He’s a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deeanne Gist–known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee–has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary romances. Add to this three RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesFriends.
Deeanne is thrilled to introduce Georgie and Luke to the word in her latest novel, Love on the Line. To celebrate Deeanne’s publisher, Bethany House, is hosting the Love on the Line iPad2 giveaway and Author Chat on Facebook! Enter today and follow the link below to RSVP for Deeanne’s rip-roarin’ Facebook Party!
One fortunate winner will receive:
A Brand New iPad2
An Autographed Hardback Copy of Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at Deeanne’s Author Chat Facebook Party. Deeanne will be wrapping up the Love on the Line celebration by chatting with friends new and old! So grab your copy of Love on the Line (it’s okay if you don’t have one yet- you might could win one!) and join Deeanne on the evening of November 8th for a rip roaring book chat, a little trivia and lots of giveaways (books, and Amazon, iTunes & Starbucks gift certificates)!
Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends. Hope to see you on the 8th!
Overall, “The Wonder of Your Love” is a warm and enjoyable Amish romance. It features Katie Ann, a widow raising a newborn son (her first) at the age when most Amish are welcoming grandchildren into their lives. Still grieving the abandonment by and subsequent death of her husband Ivan, Katie Ann meets Eli, the relative of a friend and who has raised his six children alone after the loss of his wife. Although everyone around them seems to be matchmaking, both Katie Ann and Eli are determined that their life goals are too different to ever be more than good friends.
In addition to Katie Ann and Eli’s story, the reader is provided a continued story of Martha and her growth in faith. Lucy, the woman with whom Ivan betrayed Katie Ann, and Danielle, a battered teen are also featured. Lucy’s role in the story was finally evident near the end but I was never sure why Danielle was introduced. Perhaps that will be evident in a later installment of the series.
With a theme of how man’s plans are not always the same as the plans of God, “The Wonder of Your Love” also illustrates an undeserved act of forgiveness from Katie Ann to Lucy that many would find extreme.
“The Wonder of Your Love” is an interesting read that shows the Amish in a somewhat different light than is usually portrayed. Recommended read for fans of Amish fiction.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado.
Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn’t forgotten about her as well. Is it really God’s plan for her to be a single parent?
Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He’s enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.
When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.
But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God’s plans.
Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God’s love?
Read what other bloggers are saying about “The Wonder of Your Love HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol-award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.
Beth is celebrating the release of Book 2 in the Land of Canaan series with a Fabulous Facebook party on November 1st. She’ll be giving away one of her OWN paintings, several mini prize packs and a sneak peak at the next book in this heartwarming series.
CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party – then join us on November 1st for a book chat, Amish themed trivia contest, and more!
DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010. DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops. DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website at: www.diannmills.com or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills ABOUT THE BOOK:
Special Agent Meghan Connors’ dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president’s rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he’s also after the same promotion as Meghan. But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a single suspect—it’s part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it’s too late.
Learn more about Diann and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Attracted to Fire is another of DiAnn Mills riveting c0ntemporary novels that feature various branches of law enforcement. In this one, the primary characters Meghan Connor and Ash Zinders are special agents in the Secret Service. The pair meets when they are both assigned to protect the Vice President’s daughter as she once again goes through drug and alcohol rehab because of repeated threats to her life.
Because of past events, hard-nosed Ash has no use for female agents on his team and is unhappy with Meghan’s assignment. As dangerous incidents escalate, Meghan demonstrates her skill, insight, and dedication time and again. Not only does Ash begin to change his mind about her value to the team but begins to view her in an even more personal light.
With expertly developed plot and characters, Attracted to Fire kept me turning the pages. The story contained ample action, danger, suspense, and drama to hold my interest and the romantic elements were an added bonus. Twists and surprises abound. Although the person behind the threats is revealed to the reader fairly early in the narrative, it is still interesting to learn how the agents finally solve the identity of the culprit and accomplices.
I recommend Attracted to Fire as well as the other novels of DiAnn Mills.
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A Lasting Impression was of particular interest to me because of its Nashville setting. Although I have not actually toured the Belmont mansion, I have spent some time in the general neighborhood. As a lifelong Tennessean, I also enjoy reading novels set in Tennessee. After reading this novel, I will have to make the Belmont tour a must on my next trip to Nashville.
