Once in a while a story comes along that is not only beautiful and engaging, but tailor-made for my heart. A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander is one of those special books, hand-picked by the One who understands me best to help me over a speed bump of life. I’ll share a little more about that later, but first let me tell you about the book and author.
A Lasting Impression captured my attention from page one, drawing me into the story line and giving me immediate sympathy for Claire, the heroine. Claire is a talented painter, but instead of being encouraged to paint out of her gift, she’s trapped in a life she detests, forced by her father to work as a copyist–a forger. When she’s forced to flee her home, the kindness of Sutton Monroe, an up and coming attorney, puts her on a new path. She’s hurt, however, when Sutton later doesn’t come to her aid.
As the story progresses my love for Claire grew as I watched her expand her wings, overcome obstacles, and grow into her true self. I also cheered on her relationship with Sutton, finding him to be a kind and principled man, who plays an important role in calling forth Claire into the gifts she learns to embrace and the life she is meant to live.
The pages turned quickly as I also connected to Sutton, cheering him on in his own journey, but realizing that Sutton’s chance to establish himself in his career means moving forward in a case that will eventually collide with Claire and her past.
A Lasting Impression is a page-turner which sacrifices nothing in the attempt to keep the reader engaged. Well-written, the story is entertaining, beautiful, and spiritually sensitive, leaving the reader feeling as though she has touched God’s heart. The word crafting itself is lovely and the word pictures create–well, a lasting impression.
I also enjoyed the historical setting, Nashville’s Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Adelicia Acklen. Tamera’s research made the story come alive with authenticity. I delighted in getting to know Adelicia, a historical woman of courage and character and in better understanding the struggles of a culture recreating itself after the Civil War. After you finish the novel, take time to read “Dear Reader” placed at the back of the book. I think you’ll discover, as I did, that the rich historic details she includes there brings new life and depth to an already powerful tale.
I first heart about the author, Tamera Alexander, from a friend who heard her speak at a conference. Tammy’s devotional talk made such an impression that my friend came home telling the story, about how Tamera in “her sweet little voice” talked about the willingness to write for God, even if He were her only audience.
Tammy lived in Colorado for a while and eventually our writing lives intersected. Remembering my friend’s accolades for Tamera’s character, I watched her, visited with her, and came to see a woman worthy of the respect she’d been given. Her genuine heart shines from her honest eyes and watching her learn the craft and develop her talent into a skill that blesses an increasingly large audience of loyal readers has been a true blessing.
Tammy’s devotional, given at a conference I didn’t attend almost ten years ago, walked with me on my writing journey even though I didn’t hear her speak. It had that much impact. Reading A Lasting Impression after I got my first book contract brought the story full circle. It arrived in my mailbox during a time I fought to overcome a myriad of emotions around that first contract.
My writing has long been surrendered to Him. My journey to publication has been long and nothing like I thought it would be. Over the years I learned to be at peace with His timing, plans, and unexpected paths. But faced with the new challenge of writing a book I knew would be published did something to my emotions that surprised me, and for a few weeks I was unable to start the story.
Then I received Tammy’s book to review. Using it as yet another excuse to delay the work before me, I curled up and disappeared into a different time and place–far from the pressures I felt. How my Lord must have chuckled at my efforts to avoid the work He’d given me. He knew the very escape I sought would bring the courage I needed to obey.
A Lasting Impression helped me to remember once again who my True Audience is. He wouldn’t give me a contract for a book He didn’t want to read. If I write to bring Him joy and to seek and share His heart, it is a work of beauty. I can’t be paralyzed by what others will think of my first foray into the world of traditional book publication. What matters is that I surrender my book to Him and pour myself out for the little story I create–writing for my Lord as an offering of love.
Thank you, Tamera Alexander, for doing the same in all of your stories. They lead us, your readers, closer to the heart of our God.
