Review: A Note Yet Unsung

A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander is the third and final book in the Belmont Mansion series. This book has not only become my favorite by this author but is also one of the best books I have read. The story moved me so much I cried, and I very, very rarely cry over a book. This story was masterfully written, and I felt the music portrayed even though I didn't hear it. Not only was I transported into another time and into the characters lives, but the music was written so powerfully I couldn't get enough of the story. I literally could not put the book down and stayed up late to finish reading it. Plus, the story stayed with me for awhile, and I spread news of it by word of mouth because it was all I could talk about for awhile. My mom and best friend can attest to that. haha ;-) I finally feel ready enough to write the review it deserves.

Rebekah Carrington has come back from Vienna since her grandmother has died. Too afraid to stay with her mother and stepfather, she starts looking for a job. When she sees that the Nashville Philharmonic is auditioning, she decides to try. Even though she excels at violin, she knows it would be too risky to play so she opts to audition on her oboe. The maestro enjoys her playing but has to refuse her since none of the board would approve of a lady playing in the orchestra. Disappointed, Rebekah gets a job as a violin tutor to Adelicia Acklen Cheatham's daughter. But when Maestro Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb needs help, Rebekah's employer insists she help him out.

I loved the characters in this book. They were well-rounded, had faults and foibles, and didn't give up on their dreams no matter the obstacles they had to overcome. The writing was superb, and it drew you in leaving you with no choice but to sacrifice everything so you could finish reading it.

I'm planning on rereading this book, but this time I'm going to the author's website where she has a playlist of the songs played in the story. Isn't that amazing?! I'll actually be able to hear the music as I read! *Excited squeal* I'm glad I didn't listen to the playlist the first time I read the book, though because I was able to appreciate how well the author wrote this book. She did such an amazing job! The characters were so real, their stories were well thought out and no detail was forgotten. The pain the maestro was feeling was so well written, and I think I felt it more powerfully because I understood his pain and frustration of his life spinning out of his control because of my own many health problems. I cried through the end of the story because it was so beautifully done all the way down to the smallest detail.

I highly recommend this book for anyone, but if you are a history lover, music lover, or have health problems I think this book will be even more powerful to you. Please, read this book. You will not regret it!

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: To Win Her Favor

To Win Her Favor is the second book in the Belle Meade Plantation series by Tamera Alexander. I loved the first book so I was super excited to read this story! As usual, the author writes beautifully and has such real characters. I loved all the complexities and stories in this book, and I could not stop reading it.

Maggie Linden loves horses and trained her mare, Bourbon Belle, from a foal. She is determined to race her one day and is convinced she will win, but with all the money problems since the war she isn't sure if her dream will ever materialize. Faced with losing the only home she has ever known and her aspirations to race her horse, Maggie tries not to let her father know how much it pains her.

Cullen McGrath came from England to buy his own land, but even in America prejudice runs strong against the Irish. Then he meets Mr. Linden, owner of Linden Downs, who strikes a hard bargain with him. Mr. Linden is persuasive and Cullen reluctantly agrees. Maggie and Cullen now have to somehow settle their differences and learn to live together. Will love ever happen?

This story was very well written, never boring, and was rich in detail. Maggie was fun to read about. She is so spirited and free! Just like her precious horse. :-) Cullen was an amazing character but seemed a bit unrealistic in parts. Even so, he was one of the best characters in the book.

There was one thing I did not like in the story. There is an arranged marriage so when they fall in love they told a little too much since they were already married I guess. It was highly uncomfortable, and I just skipped it. The story didn't need all that, and honestly I was surprised the author would put things like that in there. It's made me reevaluate whether or not I should read anymore of her books. I hope the author doesn't do it anymore because she writes wonderfully! But that's the only thing I didn't like, and the only reason it's 4 stars. The story itself is 5 stars, though.

I was given this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: A Beauty So Rare

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander is the second book in the Belmont Mansion series. Each book in the series is a stand alone novel so no worries if you haven't read the first story. Just like the first book, I was reeled in right from the beginning and had a really hard time putting it down. The characters were so well done, and I loved their hobbies and interests. The author always has such tension and uncertainty in these books without any "bad guy" which makes it even better to me. So much more realistic and enjoyable. Needless to say I can hardly wait for the nest book!

Almost thirty year old Eleanor Braddock is a strong woman who has seen her share of grief and sadness. Helping at the medical tent during the Civil War, hearing of her brother's death, and now facing the fact that her father, a revered judge, has dementia. When she has to sell their home and move her father into a mental institute, she is heartbroken.  Destitute, she accepts her aunt's offer to stay with her, but having Adelicia Acklen Cheatham as her aunt is more than she bargained for. Will her life ever be her own again?

Marcus Gregory has always had his life planned out for him, but after his older brother died his uncle, the emperor, lets him have a hiatus to America for a year. Now that he is next in line to the throne, he needs to live how he has always dreamed he would so he travels incognito to Tennessee with the hopes of designing and building something beautiful before the year is up. Not only is Marcus an architect, but he has a passion for horticulture which leads him to Mrs. Cheatham's estate.  conflicting emotions get even worse when he meets practical, plain Eleanor he is left  even more conflicted than before. What's an "undergardener" to do?

Eleanor was definitely my favorite character. She has this indomitable spirit that makes you cheer her on as you read. She definitely could go head to head with Adelicia! haha I also loved how the author portrayed Marcus' struggle of accepting God as interested in our lives. It was one of the most powerful parts of the story to me. Plus, I loved Eleanor's journey of trusting in God even when she didn't understand what God was doing. This phrase, "Focus only upon what is before you. What you can see, Eleanor. Not on what your imagination attempts to convince you is there," was a wonderful touch to the story. It's Eleanor's mantra throughout the book; a quote of her father's that she remembers when she needs it the most. There were so many layers and stories within this story, and they all intertwined so well.

I was given this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

If you would like more info on the author, check out these sites. :-)

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Here's the link if you want to buy the book. :-)

Beauty So Rare, A (A Belmont Mansion Novel Book #2)