Book Review - A Beauty So Rare

A Beauty So Rare

by Tamera Alexander                      
 
Bethany House 

Due to difficult circumstances, Eleanor Braddock is forced to sell her family home and move to Belmont Mansion in Nashville where her Aunt Adelicia lives. Eleanor and her father must depend on her Aunt’s generosity until she can get established and make a living. This is no easy task, especially in post Civil War Tennessee. Making matters worse, her father suffers from dementia brought on in part by his son’s death during the war.

Marcus Gottfried has a secret; his noble roots extend overseas to Austria. He is working in Nashville briefly prior to returning home to assume his expected royal duties. He is enjoying his time in the states - for the first time in his life, he’s able to make his own way and work in his chosen field of architecture. His father and fiancée, however, are pressuring him to return to Austria sooner rather than later.

Nearing her 30^th birthday, Eleanor has long since given up hope of getting married. She’s accepted the fact that she’s plain and practical, not to mention tall, and looks ahead to what she believes God has called her to do.  Marcus and Eleanor meet at Belmont; their first meeting does not go well. Eleanor thinks Marcus is arrogant and too good looking for his own good. They form an unlikely friendship, though, finding they have more in common than they thought.

I liked Eleanor immediately. I cannot say the same for Marcus, but I hoped he would grow as the story progressed. (He did!)  Ms. Alexander has a flair for creating genuine characters, ones you cannot help but care about, especially as the plot thickens. Their struggles, insecurities, and triumphs nearly leap off the page. I like that. Another thing I enjoyed - I learned much about the post Civil War days in Nashville due to Alexander's attention to detail and accurate research.

Alexander masterfully weaves a journey that teaches Eleanor and Marcus about life, disappointment, and love. They learn much about themselves and others in the oft frustrating yet rewarding time they share together.  The combination of a rich plot, setting, and characters add up to another success story to Alexander’s credit. She is an author you can count on to deliver an engaging tale every time.


A Beauty So Rare is available at:


Bethany House

Amazon

Note: I received a free ecopy of this book from Bethany House for honest review purposes only.

What are you reading this weekend?

Happy weekend,

Karen