BKMT READING GUIDES



 

Lasting Impression, A (A Belmont Mansion Novel)
by Tamera Alexander

Published: 2011-11-01
Paperback : 432 pages
2 members reading this now
1 club reading this now
0 members have read this book
Book 1 in the blockbuster historical series from USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander . . .  
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 ...
No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

Book 1 in the blockbuster historical series from USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander . . . 

 
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. 
   
Book 2, A Beauty So Rare (CBA Bestseller)
Book 3, A Note Yet Unsung (#1 CBA Bestseller) 
   
The three Belmont Mansion novels are each complete stories within themselves. Hence, are "standalone" novels within the common setting of Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion.

Editorial Review

 No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

 Paintbrush in hand, Claire turned in her chair to check the clock on the mantel. If only she could make time stand still. The week had flown by far too quickly, and so much remained to be done. It was Friday evening. The party was tomorrow at one o’clock, precisely eighteen hours away, and she still had three joujou and four bombonnière left to paint, plus all the clues for the scavenger hunt to write and hide. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

 1. Has anyone ever said (or done) something that made you question your talent? Or yourself? In Ch 1, what was said to Claire that made her question her talent? Who said it? How would you have reacted to this kind of criticism? Discuss the ramifications that statement had in Claire’s life. Have things been said (or done) to you that have made that kind of negative impression?

2. Claire runs away––literally and figuratively––after the incident that night in New Orleans and winds up in Nashville. Is that a realistic response? Have you ever wished you could run away from something in your life? A person? A circumstance? If you could have given Claire advice when she’d first stepped foot off the train in Nashville, what would it have been?

3. Sutton is fighting his own demons––ones of guilt and remorse. What were Sutton’s issues from the war, and have you ever born that kind of guilt over something you’ve done? Or over something you wish you could have said, but the person to whom you need or want to say it…is gone?

4. In Ch 33, Claire has a recurring dream (that is actually one Tamera had as a younger girl). What was that recurring dream and what do you think it represented in Claire’s life? Have you ever had recurring dreams like that? Do you know what fears or apprehensions they represent?

5. Claire has moments when she doesn’t doubt in the least that God led her to Belmont, and yet God isn’t using her talent to paint in the way she thought He would. And she starts to question why He’s brought her there if it’s not to paint. Have you ever followed God’s lead only to wonder what on earth you were doing in a certain situation? How does Isaiah 55:9 help us to make sense of those times in our lives?

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

 Note from the author:

Since childhood, I’ve been enamored with antebellum mansions. But as I grew up in Atlanta and learned more about that era of our nation’s history, that infatuation matured into a deeper love––and discerning respect––for the people and events of that time. Along with that respect came a desire to never forget what we, as a nation, endured and learned.

Being a lifelong lover of story, I knew I wanted to someday write about that era of our nation’s history. Not another account of the war, but a story about how people’s lives and prejudices were challenged and forever changed.

Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is about authenticity––in one’s life and faith. It’s a 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.

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews
Overall rating:
 
There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
Forgot your login/password?
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search
FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...