A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

From the publisher: 

Eleanor Braddock--plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty--knows she will never marry. But with a dying soldier's last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. Impoverished and struggling to care for her ailing father, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America--and possibly the most demanding, as well. Adelicia insists on finding her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path--building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor.

Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus longs to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows' and children's home run contrary to Eleanor's wishes. As work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground--and a love neither of them expects. 

But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor, and even if he were, someone who knows his secrets is about to reveal them all.

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Tamera Alexander is wonderful writer.  Her books are thick, but there is not a page that I would want missing.  Each page is filled with the story, not filler or fluff.  The story is so well developed that you enjoy each page.  Some stories you want the author to get a move on, and just continue the story, but with Tamera the story is moving and developing in beautiful layers.  I love that her books are longer because it really allows you, as a reader, to get into the story i a way that a shorter novel doesn't allow you to.

Eleanor was a great character because for once the heroine was not a dainty, pretty person.  I feel that this allowed more women to relate to Eleanor, especially if they have ever felt unbeautiful.  But reading Eleanor's character really showed how she was beautiful in personality and appearance.  

I enjoyed Marcus' character and how he sought to be a part of the people and not make himself higher than others.  His character also grows on you as you read because at first you view him one way, but then as the story goes on, you can see a true depth of character.

Tamera did an excellent job of drawing you into the lives of the widows and orphans. She did a great job of dealing with the topic of dementia and losing a loved one in that way.  Because it is a loss.  

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Check out her inspiration for this book!