Beauty So Rare, A (A Belmont Mansion Novel Book #2) (65 page)

D
ear Reader,

Writing historical fiction set against the backdrop of real history is a rewarding undertaking. I gain great pleasure in weaving real bits of history and people into my stories, and this novel is chock-full of both.

The Belmont Estate really did have a conservatory and a water tower as depicted in the novel. Adelicia’s conservatory was nicknamed the Crystal Palace and contained plants and trees from all over the world (including a
Selenicereus grandiflorus
). Unfortunately, the conservatory didn’t survive time. But the water tower did, and it still stands today as the Bell Tower on the campus of Belmont University which now surrounds the Belmont Mansion itself.

There really was an insane asylum in Nashville as well. And for a time, Dr. William Cheatham (Adelicia’s third husband) served as its director. The influx of widows into Nashville following the Civil War is also well documented in history, as is the establishment of a widows’ and children’s home. Women came from North and South looking for their men. Some of the women knew their husbands had died in battles, others came seeking answers. Still others were new to this country, their husbands having died either on the journey to America or shortly after their arrival. However they arrived, the widows often did not have the means to return home and, hence, were forced to carve out a new life with what little—if anything—they had.

The House of Habsburg (of which Marcus was fictionally archduke) was one of the most important royal houses of Europe whose history reads like a modern-day novel. I took artistic license with the details of this fascinating family and invite you to research more of their intriguing history online.

Luther Burbank (1849–1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist, and a pioneer in agricultural science who fictitiously crossed
Marcus’s path. However, not so fictitiously, Burbank worked for years grafting potato plants in an effort to create one without blight and rot. Ultimately, he did just that when he created the Russet potato . . . from a
seedball
he found
per
chance
one day in his garden. Gregor Mendel (1822–1884), Marcus’s mentor, was a German-speaking scientist who gained posthumous fame as the founder of the new science of genetics. Finally, Dorothea Dix (1802–1887) was an American activist who worked tirelessly throughout her life on behalf of the indigent insane. Quite simply, Miss Dix did whatever she could to better the lives of others. And her book,
Conversations on Common Things
(published 1824), is a wonderful read.

The book about the art of hair work mentioned in chapter 10 was originally published in 1867 and is available online through public domain. Entertaining reading, let me tell you! Also, the statue of
The Prodigal
Son
by Joseph Mozier in chapter 29 is real as well, and is a beautiful depiction of God’s unconditional love.

To learn more about the history behind this story and other Belmont Mansion novels, and to view pictures of the estate during Adelicia’s day, as well as Eleanor’s recipes from the book, visit my website (www.TameraAlexander.com). To schedule a visit to the Belmont Mansion, visit www.BelmontMansion.com or call them at 615-460-5459. Be sure and tell them Tamera sent you!

Thanks for reading, friend. The connections we make are precious to me, and I invite you to contact me through the venues listed on the following pages. Until next time, I hope that—as Marcus and Eleanor cross your mind—you’ll remember that you were created in the image of the Author of everlasting beauty. A beauty that doesn’t fade with time or age, that neither seeks nor needs the approval of this world, and that graces even the tiniest, often-thought-minute details of your life, and mine. God knows you. He sees you. He adores you, enough to graft you into His family tree—and yes, even
prune
you—all for the hope and blessing of an eternity with Him.

Through the true grapevine and His Father, the gardener . . .

Until next time,

Tamera

John 15:4–5

M
y family . . . quite simply, for loving me no matter what.

Karen Schurrer, Charlene Patterson, my editors at Bethany House Publishers, and to Helen Motter, for your endless support and expertise as I wrote, and wrote, this story.

Natasha Kern, my agent, for sharing your fierce love of the written word and of story with me. You really are my hero.

Deborah Raney, my writing critique partner, for all the oh-so-fun “back and forth” through the years.

Leonard Fitch, of Wilmore, Kentucky, who owns the IGA Foodliner grocery store and who makes the best doughnuts you’ve ever put in your mouth. But you have to get there early in the morning to get some. Right, Mama Ruth Seamands? Because once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Lauren Luckhart, for sharing the tale of how your uncle—when courting your aunt—gave her a bouquet of roses, just one shy of a half dozen. And for letting me borrow it!

Mark Brown, Executive Director of the Belmont Mansion, for making Adelicia Acklen’s family files and documents so readily available to me, and for making me feel so welcome in Adelicia’s home.

My readers, for embracing these characters and settings with a passion that rivals my own. I’m so grateful for you. More than you know.

And to the Lord Jesus, whose beauty and reign knows no end. It’s all about You.

Tamera Alexander
is a
USA
Today
bestselling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers worldwide. She and husband make their home in Nashville, not far from the Belmont Mansion.

Tamera invites you to visit her at:

Or if you prefer snail mail, please write her at:

Tamera Alexander
P.O. Box 871
Brentwood, TN 37024

Discussion questions for all of Tamera’s novels
are available at
www.tameraalexander.com
,
as are details about Tamera joining
your book club for a virtual visit.

A B
ELMONT
M
ANSION
N
OVEL

A Lasting Impression

A Beauty So Rare

F
OUNTAIN
C
REEK
C
HRONICLES

Rekindled

Revealed

Remembered

T
IMBER
R
IDGE
R
EFLECTIONS

From a Distance

Beyond This Moment

Within My Heart

W
OMEN
OF
F
AITH
F
ICTION

The Inheritance

A B
ELLE
M
EADE
P
LANTATION
N
OVEL

To Whisper Her Name

Resources:
bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

Website:
www.bethanyhouse.com

Facebook:
Bethany House