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

Book Review - A Lasting Impression

A Lasting Impression     

By Tamera Alexander

Bethany House

Attorney Sutton Monroe is adjusting to post Civil War life in his native city of Nashville, TN. Not only did his father and his best friend perish during the war, Sutton is working to regain his family's land, which has been seized by the government. He hopes that his appeal will find favor with officials in Washington.

Claire Laurent nearly stumbles into Nashville, after being forced to leave her home in New Orleans. Her father has forced her to paint forgeries for his art gallery, something she wasn't comfortable with but couldn't get out of. Her father insisted they needed the money for Claire's mother's medical expenses.

Wealthy Adelicia Acklen, the mistress of the Belmont Estate just outside of Nashville, is in need of a personal liaison. Claire, though seemingly unqualified, applies for the job. As the interview winds down, Claire is resolved to finding another position in town. Imagine her surprise when Mrs. Acklen hires her!

Sutton's and Claire's paths intersect at Belmont. He is Mrs. Acklen's legal consultant and is commissioned to do a background check on Claire. She struggles to please Adelicia while fighting her conscience and troublesome past. They quickly form a friendship, but Sutton senses Claire is hiding something. He must, of course, protect Adelicia's interests.

What happens next? I'll not tell, but I will say that neither Claire nor Sutton are prepared for the rocky road ahead. Be prepared for a bit of action, mystery, and yes, even blackmail.

I loved this book; I was completely swept into this delightful story. Rich details, an interesting plot, and appealing characters combine for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ms. Alexander paints a marvelous story of redemption, love, and courage. I hope that she writes another installment in this Belmont Mansion series very soon.


What is the best book you've ever read?

Still telling myself I am taking a break this week...See you next Monday!

Happy reading,

Karen

I received this review copy from Bethany House, no compensation was received.

Within My Heart Book Review

Within My Heart 
Timber Ridge Reflections Book 3

By Tamera Alexander            
Bethany House Publishers


As a widow, Rachel Boyd must be both mother and father to her young sons. Her dream is to raise the boys on the ranch she and her late husband worked hard to build. Life in post-Civil War Colorado isn't easy, and dreams and reality often take different paths. Debt and dying cattle hinder Rachel's goals. Can she turn things around? Only time will tell.

Civil War veteran Dr. Rand Brookston has goals of his own. Setting up his practice in Timber Ridge, he hopes to bring modern medical services to the area. Some of the townsfolk are thrilled to have a resident doctor, others are skeptical. He dreams of building a state of the art clinic in town to better serve the public.

Rachel is determined to make it on her own, but her pride threatens to trip her up. She's not about to entertain the thought of remarriage, even though friends and family have gently suggested it for the sake of the boys. Rand wouldn't mind settling down, but the only woman who catches his eye happens to be the stubborn Mrs. Boyd.

Rachel and Rand's paths cross in unusual ways, and they settle on a truce of sorts. Rand requires Rachel's assistance with medical procedures; she has experience from working with her late father who was a doctor. Rachel needs Rand's help with the birth of a calf. They both struggle with fears that continually lurk in the shadows. And so it goes until...?

No spoilers here! It's a lovely tale of winning the trust of others, facing fears, and trusting God. I enjoyed Within My Heart as much as the first two books in the Timber Ridge series. Even though they are part of a series, each book can stand alone. I prefer this, as you don't spend half the book trying to catch up on who's who and who did what in the last book. If you need a good book to curl up with on a chilly day, this might just be the one.

Giveaway!

Stop back Thursday for the long promised 150 followers giveaway. As you can see, that mark has come and gone, so now there are more followers to celebrate! Stay tuned! :)

What books have you read that encourage you to grow beyond challenges you face?

Blessings,
Karen
 
This book was provided by Bethany House for review purposes. No compensation was received.

A Blogoversary

 

March 2010 - One Year of Blogging

Guess what? My blog turns one year old this month! To celebrate this wonderful occasion, I have a few special features to share throughout the month.

And...here's the best part...I will be having several giveaways. What am I giving away? You'll just have to wait and see.

Chocolate!

The first week's giveaway - well, we must start with chocolate. I cannot have an occasion such as this pass by without a little chocolate indulgence and inspiration.





So, the first winner will be awarded a Cadbury chocolate bar and a copy of Tamera Alexander's Beyond This Moment. Click on the title to see my review.



To enter this delectable giveaway, follow these simple steps:

1) Leave a comment. Include your email address. Entries without email address will not be eligible.

2) Receive an extra entry by becoming a follower, or by reminding me that you already follow.

3) Receive a bonus entry by posting about this giveaway on your Facebook page. Please leave an additional comment telling me so.

4) Receive a bonus entry by posting this giveaway on your blog. Please leave an additional comment with the link.

*Entry deadline is Thursday, March 4 at midnight. Winner will be notified on Friday. Thanks for sharing in the fun!

Happy writing, blogging, and reading:)

*Open to residents of the United States, only.

Christy Award Winners 2009

Congratulations to the 2009 Christy Award Winners!

I was rooting for a few of my special favorites who won: Lynn Austin for Until We Reach Home, Tamera Alexander for From a Distance, and Cathy Gohlke for I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires. Check out my review of Cathy's Christy Award winner if you want more info on this great book.
http://karenelange.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-have-seen-him-in-watchfires.html

If you'd like to see a complete list of the 2009 winners, visit:
http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com/2009/07/christy-award-winners-2009.html

Hats off to these wonderful, inspiring writers.

Blessings to you, and of course, happy writing!