• A Beauty So Rare

  • Belmont Mansion, Book 2
  • By: Tamera Alexander
  • Narrated by: Linda Stephens
  • Length: 21 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (468 ratings)

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A Beauty So Rare  By  cover art

A Beauty So Rare

By: Tamera Alexander
Narrated by: Linda Stephens
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Publisher's summary

Pink was 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.

Eleanor Braddock, a spinster at 30, has long since dismissed any hope of marriage. But when a dying soldier whispers his final words, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. But this compassionate deed takes a harsh turn, and Eleanor finds herself dependent upon the richest woman in America and the most despised woman in Nashville--her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, mistress of Belmont Mansion. A clandestine act of kindness leads Eleanor to an unlikely path for her life--building an orphanage, a place that will house widows and orphans from the Civil War. And while Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve.

Marcus von Quint, Archduke of the House of Habsburg and second in line to the Austrian throne, arrives in Nashville in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Collaborating with botanist Luther Burbank, Marcus seeks to combine his own passion for nature with his expertise in architecture. But his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the orphanage run contrary to the wishes of practical, frugal Eleanor, who sees his ideas as costly nonsense. Yet as the construction project continues, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground--and a love neither of them expected.

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

©2014 Tamera Alexander (P)2014 Recorded Books

What listeners say about A Beauty So Rare

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The South Lost . . . get over it!

I enjoyed several different things about this book and I realize that atrocities were committed by both the North and the South but come on! Attempting to make the South's pro-slavery message more palatable by making "owners" nice to their "slaves" and more charitable to their communities is asking too much! Alexander could have at least made the prior slave owner to have had an epiphany of some sort recognizing "owning" people is bad!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Heart Beating!

the storyline and the characters were just so amazing. The facts about the Civil War as well as widows and orphans was right on. I loved how the author included some foreign information. You will not regret listening to this book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Voices a bit weird

Although voice reflection done well. The men’s voices especially the main character was as if he was an elderly man. I did not like at all. A young dashing aristocrat with accent of 90 year old. Yikes

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A sweet story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it had a nice story line, and was a wonderful feel good tale.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

This author’s writing is a gift in so many ways. The narrator has been perfect for the series.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another winner!

If you could sum up A Beauty So Rare in three words, what would they be?

Humility, Patience and Romanticism !

Which character – as performed by Linda Stephens – was your favorite?

Elenore was a beautiful young lady that really impressed me with her passion for helping women and children.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good story

Very good story as usual. Tamera writes very consistent. Historic Romance with social ambitions and faith infused. Clean and entertaining read.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable

I enjoyed the story very much and it was well read. Unfortunately I listened to the first book in the series but missed the second before listening to this on the third book. Glad I had at least done the first so that I new some of the back story of some of the characters.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

Tamera Alexander is my new favorite author. She has stirred an interest in history for me that was never there before. Her stories are clean and uplifting while revealing the necessary details that bring the stories to life. Thanks Tamera!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The two main characters in this story are such a beautiful couple and they are both an inspiration.

This story was written so well and kept you interested and excited to see what was going to happen next.

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