There are some authors that I love to read and am always anxious to get my hands on their latest book. Tamera Alexander is one of those authors for me. She writes historical, Christian fiction that is both relatable and also transports me back in time to the setting of the book. Tamera recently released the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series. The fact that it’s a standalone novel means that the setting is similar but each novel is a complete novel in itself so you can pick up the second book without having read the first and won’t be lost for a second!
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A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander
Eleanor Braddock has been searching for her place in the world for years. She has given up on marriage due to her plain form and advanced age of 30 and has set her sights on putting her love of cooking to good use. After serving as a nurse in the Civil War and losing her brother, she continues to care for her father even as he begins to have serious medical problems forcing her to sell their home and accept her aunt’s, Adelicia Acklen, generous offer to come and live at the Belmont Mansion in Nashville.
Eleanor finds many surprises awaiting her at Belmont. A promise made by her aunt to her father starts off a trying pursuit of marriage that Eleanor isn’t particularly happy about. She finds that her ideas of how to use her cooking skills to support herself and her father are not only not acceptable in society, but most especially are not acceptable to her aunt. And she begins a friendship with the mysterious man that she believes to be the under-gardener at Belmont.
A Beauty So Rare draws us in to Eleanor’s life, her struggles, her desires, and her dreams. Tamera Alexander writes another character that is so beautiful in character that we find it hard to believe the plain descriptions given about her appearance in the book. Eleanor’s selfless pursuits and love of helping others are obvious from the very first page and the reader can’t help but dream right along with her as she modifies her dreams to reflect what she feels is God’s calling. As Eleanor’s future is discussed and changed and prodded in one way or another, we can’t help but trust God like Eleanor does that He has a plan for her life and a place where she can fit in even if she’s spent her whole life feeling a little left out of the world.
This is another wonderful novel by Alexander that prompts the reader to question whether they have found the place in the world that God wants them to be. With beautiful writing, well developed characters, a historic setting and historic references, this novel is sure to please even the pickiest of readers. The understated tide of romance, the question of where Eleanor can fit in, and the always constant question of whether Adelicia Acklen will approve of her niece’s action keep you glued to the novel to the very last page!
Publication date: March 24, 2014
Genre: Christian – historical, love
Setting: Nashville, TN post-Civil War
Rating: A+
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I enjoyed the novel so much that I wanted to share some fun “extras” with you as well!
You can read a three chapter excerpt here.
Get the behind the scenes scoop on the photo shoot for the cover and “meet” the mind behind the dress!
Savory Custard and Pie Crust Recipe from A Beauty So Rare
Tamera’s Official Facebook Page
Tamera’s Official Twitter Page
Tamera’s Official Pinterest Page
While I am participating in a group to promote the release of this book, all opinions and reviews are my own. Please see my link/review disclosures for more information.
