A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

Back Cover:

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 truly are.

Review:

A Lasting Impression was a lovely romantic story, and easy, though somewhat predictable read.

The setting was what I loved most about the story. Tamera Alexander creates the story in the dramatic Belmont estate.  The dramatic way Alexander described Belmont transported me right into her story. I loved how she uses the actual Belmont Mansion in Nashville to draw inspiration. While the story is fictitious, it is quite easy to imagine the plot unfolding before you.

The characters developed wonderfully in the book. Adelicia Acklen was definitely my favorite character. Drawing upon the real Adelicia Acklen, Alexander has made this character especially come alive for myself. Claire Laurent and Sutton Monroe were also great characters. I was very glad to see that their characters develop with as the story continued.

I found the story somewhat far-fetched and predictable. While the setting and characters were amazing, I found the actual story somewhat lacking. The plot moved slowly, with a lot of build-up to a very short climax. I was disappointed that the story wasn’t a little more down to earth and realistic.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The story had Christian elements, and good themes, such as telling the truth, healing from hurt and suffering, and finding your way.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and  Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

Back Cover:

It's the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team , intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.

When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?

Review:

It was interesting to read a book about women's suffrage and what they did for independence, for example, being on a woman's baseball team - something unheard of before the 1900's. I enjoy reading historical romance novels, so this was a nice read.

I also enjoyed the religious part of the book - how Emily keeps putting God aside for other activities in her life. I could relate to how things in our lives happen to get in our way of our relationship in God. It did make me take a second look at my own relationship with Christ and what things get in my way of growing closer to God.

I did find the characters a little bit over dramatic. Emily is portrayed as a clumsy, short fused woman who doesn't have a second thought for men. Emily's aunts are over protective, opinionated, and  believe any gossip they hear.

A lot of the conflict of the story between the two main characters could have been avoided easily if they had just talked. I also found the climax of the story somewhat over the top and unbelievable.

Overall, I believe the author was successful in her writing, and that this was a cute, light read. 'A Great Catch' is a second in a series, but can be read by itself, as a good stand-alone.

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Published Group.

Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

Back Cover:
Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. While her ex is living it up, she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her tow sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim plans a respite at the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key. As she revisits the long-forgotten past, she discovers that treasures in life are often buried, ad sometimes you do get a second chance at love.


Review:

I believe Eva Marie Everson has successfully written a book about divorce and it's aftermath, and about moving on and second chances.

Everson has done an amazing job on the setting of this book. I could picture the island of Cedar Key in my mind perfectly - the small town feel where everyone knows each other, quiet beaches, spectacular sunsets, and a slow pace of life. 


Everson touches on a touchy subject for some people - realtionships after divorce. Kimberly runs into her first love, Stephen, who met on the island when they were just teenagers, and somewhat blindly rushes headlong into a relationship with a man she hasn't seen in years. And though their only have been together for a very short time, their intention is marriage. Is it alright to remarry after divorce? Mark 10:11-12 says,  "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Isn't that pretty black and white?

The novel was very well written, and the author successfully accomplished her goal. I am not sure about the Biblical basis of the book though. I know there are Christians who allow remarriage after divorce, and those who don't. I personally believe it is wrong to remarry after divorce, but that is just my opinion. I know there are many different people with very different situations than my own.


As the first in the Cedar Key Series, I will be interested what Everson writes next for the characters in the story and how she deals with this subject.


This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden

From the back cover:  
When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the sparks that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.


Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.


Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts - and lives - hang in the balance?

Review: 
I enjoyed Elizabeth Camden's novel. I thought this book was well written and historically accurate. I liked the in-depth look at the average workman's live in the late 1800's. I believe Camden was successful in telling her story about pride, revenge, and ultimately forgiveness.


I did not like the fact that Clara was willing to stay in a relationship with Daniel, even though he blatantly refused to learn about her Christian beliefs. Is the author trying to say it is alright to be in a relationship with an unbeliever, because you love them? I believe God comes before men - you should not put yourself in a position to be led away from Christ. Even though Daniel came to believe by the end of the book, I believe Clara should have distanced herself, knowing she was attracted to him, as well as being influenced by him.

I really enjoyed the Jane Austin's Persuasion type of story. I have not read many books with similar plot lines, so it was nice to read a book that reminded me of a classic romance story.

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.