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the Belmont Mansion novels

Bestselling Southern romance and intrigue set against the real history of Nashville’s historic Belmont Mansion in the 1860-70s

Book 1, Belmont Mansion novels

Book 1, Belmont Mansion novels

A Lasting Impression

Series: the Belmont Mansion novels,  Book 1
November 2011

Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. 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 truly are. 






Belmont Mansion Novels

A Lasting Impression
A Beauty So Rare
A Note Yet Unsung
Book 2, Belmont Mansion novels

Book 2, Belmont Mansion novels

A Beauty So Rare

Series: the Belmont Mansion novels, Book 2
April 2014

Pink is not what Eleanor Braddock ordered, but maybe it would soften the tempered steel of a woman who came through a war—and still had one to fight.








Book 3, Belmont Mansion novels

Book 3, Belmont Mansion novels

A Note Yet Unsung

Series: the Belmont Mansion novels,  Book 3
January 2017

As music moves us to tears yet makes our hearts soar, A Note Yet Unsung captures the splendor of classical music at a time when women's hard-won strides in cultural issues changed not only world history—but the hearts of men. 

Read more . . .  



Praise for the Belmont Mansion novels


"Thanks to Alexander's vivid writing, one can almost hear the music resonating off of the page."
~Publishers Weekly starred review (Feb 2017) about A Note Yet Unsung


"To put it simply: This book is a full-on HIT."
— USA Today about A Lasting Impression


 "Tamera Alexander has once again written a novel rich in storytelling and history, peopled with living, breathing characters who made me laugh, and cry. Better than sweet tea on a veranda, A Lasting Impression is a winner. I want to live at Belmont!"
 —Francine Rivers, New York Times best-selling author of Redeeming Love


 "Tamera Alexander paints vivid scenes, not with oils on canvas but with words on the page, as she sweeps us away to the cafes of New Orleans and the hills of Tennessee. In Claire Laurent we find a true artist, ever doubting her talents, ever questioning her calling. And in Sutton Monroe we meet a hero whose bright mind is eclipsed only by his tender heart. A lovely story, sure to please anyone who treasures a good romance."
 —Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times best-selling author of Mine Is the Night


 "A Lasting Impression is a wonderful start to a new series. With writing that is rich and textured, Ms. Alexander paints a portrait of Belmont and Nashville after the Civil War that will pull you in and almost make you believe that you are living there yourself."
 —Robin Lee Hatcher, best-selling author of Belonging


 "Beautifully written and brimming with "real life" history, A Lasting Impression captures a slice of American history, and an era the South will not soon forget. Nor should we. As Director of the Belmont Mansion, I highly endorse A Lasting Impression and invite you to visit the home of Mrs. Adelicia Acklen to see, in person, the beauty and elegance that defines both Adelicia's home, and this novel."
 —Mark Brown, Executive Director, Belmont Mansion, Nashville, Tennessee


 "Rich in period details and set in Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, this historical romance by RITA and Christy Award winner Alexander (The Inheritance) is a sure bet..."
 — Library Journal Review

Welcome to the Belmont Mansion novels page


The Belmont Mansion novels are "standalone novels" meaning that each book is a complete story and can be read independent of the other. But if you're going to read them all, you're encouraged to read them in order. As you read, keep close watch for characters from other series who just might make a special appearance.

The first time I visited the Belmont Mansion in Nashville, Tennessee—home of Adelicia Acklen, and the setting of all the Belmont Mansion novels—I knew I wanted to write about this magnificent home and the people who'd lived there.

While Belmont served as a "backdrop" for this story and I went to great lengths to remain faithful to history, I did take creative license with historical personalities, as well as with the basement level of the mansion, which is no longer inhabitable nor open to the public. But! If you were to go down there, you'd still see the underpinnings where the workers reinforced the floor beneath both the grand salon (for the Peri statue) and the foyer (for Ruth Gleaning). Both statues are pictured below.

As the story truthfully portrays, Adelicia possessed an enormous appreciation for art and was one of the wealthiest women in the United States in the 1860s. Below are some of the statues referenced in the book, as well as some glimpses of the Belmont Mansion, which is open to the public and ready for your visit!

  
Right click to download (makes a great bookmark or flyer for your book club)

Right click to download (makes a great bookmark or flyer for your book club)

Click to see Belmont then...and now

Belmont Mansion Transformations

Are you a fan of Fixer Upper? Home Town? If you are, then I have a home transformation I'd love to share with you! 

And here are a few images to whet your appetite! 

CLICK TO SEE 
the 
BELMONT MANSION TRANSFORMATION


Belmont Mansion current day

Belmont Mansion current day

Adelicia Acklen's immediate family (Adelicia seated on far left next to her mother)

Adelicia Acklen's immediate family (Adelicia seated on far left next to her mother)

Above is the earliest known photograph of Belmont Mansion. It was taken by a Union soldier from the top of the water tower during the Civil War. Close observation reveals a staged shot, complete with the horse and carriage, a child on a white horse, and several people in the foreground.


Belmont Mansion grand cantilevered staircase

Belmont Mansion grand cantilevered staircase

Adelicia, pictured with her horse Bucephalus, which she named after the horse belonging to Alexander the Great.

Adelicia, pictured with her horse Bucephalus, which she named after the horse belonging to Alexander the Great.

THE SLEEPING CHILDREN by William Rinehart

THE SLEEPING CHILDREN by William Rinehart

The Sleeping Children, possibly Adelicia's most beloved statue,  remains in Belmont's front hall (foyer) today exactly where Adelicia placed it. Would you like to have your own miniature replica of The Sleeping Children like Tamera does? Simply contact the Belmont Mansion Gift Shop here. Or call them at 615-460-5459. Be sure to tell them Tamera sent you!

RUTH GLEANING by Randolph Rogers

RUTH GLEANING by Randolph Rogers

One of five statues that Adelicia purchased while on her Grand Tour of Europe in 1865-1866 (among other portraits and valuables), Ruth Gleaning is the only statue belonging to Adelicia that has never left the Belmont Mansion. Because of Ruth Gleaning's partial nudity, Adelicia's placement of the statue in the middle of the front hall (foyer) was quite bold for Victorian American Society.
Adelicia purchased the small bronze statue of Bucephalus below, which can be seen in the small study at the Belmont Mansion.

Adelicia purchased the small bronze statue of Bucephalus below, which can be seen in the small study at the Belmont Mansion.

THE PERI by Joseph Mosier

THE PERI by Joseph Mosier

One of five statues Adelicia purchased in New York on her return trip from Europe in 1865. Adelicia placed The Peri in a prominent position in the grand salon at the Belmont Mansion. Per Adelicia's request prior to her death, The Peri was moved to the family mausoleum at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. And there it remains today.

THE PERI (picture circa 1860s)

THE PERI (picture circa 1860s)

The Peri is seen  above in a circa 1860s photograph where it resided in the center of the grand salon at Belmont Mansion. Notice the black and white wood floor that has been painted in "faux fashion" to resemble marble tiles. Belmont Mansion is painstakingly restoring that same floor in the grand salon to the black and white "tiled" floor of Adelicia's day.
Sans Souci by C. B. Ives
Sans Souci, French for "without care," was placed in the central parlor (where it remains today).
Rebecca at the Well by C.B. Ives
Adelicia placed Rebecca in the library, just where Rebecca still resides today.
Franklin Girls by Washington B. Cooper
is the portrait that hung in Adelicia's dressing room in A Lasting Impression.
A plate from one of the sets of Adelicia's hand-painted, gold-edged china. This is the china on which Claire Laurent, heroine in A Lasting Impression, is served her first dinner at Belmont.

In the novel, I reference a "real" book entitled Queens of American Society. I'm thrilled to say that I, too, have a first edition copy of Queens of American Society (published 1867). Gotta love Ebay!
The picture of Adelicia in Queens of American Society.

In A Lasting Impression, I reference a large portrait that was located in the entrance hall and that depicted Adelicia Acklen with a little girl (one of her daughters). That picture was true-to-life, but was, unfortunately, lost to time and lack of preservation. Here is a picture of that portrait (circa 1860s).
One of several gazebos at the Belmont Mansion that students from Belmont University still use today. I often wonder if the students realize how old these gazebos are and if they know the history behind them...

Join Belmont Mansion on Instagram


My sincere thanks to Mark Brown, Executive Director of Belmont Mansion (30+ years and counting), for his tireless work in answering my questions since our first meeting back in 2008, and for his dedication to restoring the mansion to what it was in Adelicia's day. Mark also read A Lasting Impression in first draft form, after which we met for an almost four hour lunch where he shared four pages of single-spaced notes and helped me to get all the details right.

Mark, I'm so incredibly grateful to you, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to showcase the wonderful history of the Belmont Mansion. More on Mark Brown and his legacy to Belmont Mansion here.


Huge thanks goes to Jerry Trescott, Belmont Mansion curator and architectural historian (pictured here with a group of readers who he and I luncheoned with at the mansion), who has also answered endless questions about the details of Adelicia's house and who is a kindred historical writer at heart. 

Thanks, Jerry. I deeply appreciate our friendship—and adore your sweet wife, Beth (who works at Carnton, the setting of my Carnton novels). Talk about keeping history in the family! 
I had the thrill of meeting a descendent of Adelicia Acklen's, Mrs. Beverly Kaiser. Beverly (who has read A Lasting Impression and "absolutely loved it!") met me at the mansion one afternoon for a visit and some pictures. It was such an honor to meet her.

I had the thrill of meeting a descendent of Adelicia Acklen's, Mrs. Beverly Kaiser. Beverly (who has read A Lasting Impression and "absolutely loved it!") met me at the mansion one afternoon for a visit and some pictures. It was such an honor to meet her.

Hugging Beverly was almost like hugging Adelicia!

Hugging Beverly was almost like hugging Adelicia!

The Acklen Family Mausoleum at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. The mausoleum is located on the top of the hill on Confederate Circle. 

Special Tours for Readers at Nashville Historic Mansions

Both the Belmont Mansion and Belle Meade Plantation offer special "reader tours" for readers of Tamera's novels. Belmont Mansion offers the A Lasting Impression tour, and Belle Meade Plantation offers the To Whisper Her Name  tour. 

At present, there's not a special "reader tour" at Carnton, but their regular tour is marvelous and gives wonderful insight into the history of this home and the real characters that people the Carnton novels.

Contact the mansions to book your tour (and to learn more about the minimum required attendees for the special reader tours). 

Nashville, TN
A Lasting Impression Tour
Contact: Jerry Trescott
Belmont Architectural Historian
615-460-5459









Nashville, TN
To Whisper Her Name Tour
Contact: Mark James
(Group Sales Mgr)
615-356-0501






Carnton Plantation
Franklin, TN
Regular Carnton Tour
(615) 794-0903