Kindle Edition Amazon alexandrea weis Category:  Romance Publisher: booksurge ISBN-10:  1419661116 Type: Fiction Pages: 336 Copyright: July 7 2007 ISBN-13: 9781419661112 Sometimes people can come into your life and change your direction, like a ship at sea we can be righted by the winds from another’s sails. For Nicci Beauvoir, a disillusioned New Orleans debutante, life is about planning and practicalities until she meets an evasive artist named David Alexander. David finds his muse in Nicci and with his encouragement she begins to pursue her own stifled dreams of becoming a writer. But when the true purpose for David’s interests is discovered, the relationship is shattered-and so is Nicci’s heart. Turning to another man, Nicci fades to become but a shadow of the strong and resilient woman she used to be. Soon some eccentric family members intervene to try and rekindle Nicci’s lost spark by bringing back the one person who can save her. But Nicci’s happily ever after with David is halted when he mysteriously disappears. Uncertain about her future, Nicci embarks on a new path. She writes a story about an artist, his muse and how two lost people find inspiration in each other, forever changing the course of their lives. Nicci Beauvoir is a modern, practical woman raised amid the intense scrutiny of New Orleans high society. She has her entire life planned and her sights set on a career in nursing until one afternoon at a lawn party she meets an artist named David Alexander. He is enticed by her quick, dry wit and she is attracted to his creative intensity. Nicci is swept off her feet slowly, by a day of fishing, a visit to a coffee shop and a collapse on David’s couch where he proceeds to capture her on canvas while she sleeps. David is passionate in his art and in his life. And with his encouragement, Nicci begins to explore her own stifled desire to become a writer. Soon the two are entangled in a heated, hidden romance.          But one day at a cousin’s wedding, the real reason for David’s lustful attentions are revealed. An archrival of Nicci’s family business, Beauvoir Scrap Metal, has hired David as a spy to gather industrial secrets in hopes of destroying the competition. The truth revealed David quickly leaves town. Devastated by the betrayal, Nicci finds refuge in the arms of another man, the cold and manipulative Dr. Michael Fagles. Letting herself yield to his control, Nicci abandons all hope of happiness and decides to settle for an empty life with a man she does not love.      Distressed over Nicci’s impending marriage to Michael, her rather eccentric family reaches out to the only person that can save her. At her engagement party David re-appears along with some rather scandalous portraits he has painted of Nicci. Re-awakened, Nicci walks away from her practical future with the doctor and chooses to return to the man she loves. In a rustic cottage far from the city, Nicci finds David waiting for her.  But Nicci’s happily ever after is elusive. David disappears under mysterious circumstances leaving Nicci uncertain about her future and about the man she loves.      Out of the emotional upheaval in her life, Nicci finds a new direction, one she had never planned on. She begins to write her story about an artist, his muse and how two lost people find inspiration in each other. An inspiration she hopes that will one day bring a lost love back into her life.          Excerpt The magnolias and the debutantes blossomed onto the New Orleans' social season with great fanfare, even though the flowers were much more appealing than many of the young ladies. Luckily, I was not among this spring's unfortunate few and would not have to spend hours feasting on wilted cucumber sandwiches and flat champagne while wearing a long, white taffeta gown as elevator music numbed my brain. I had already suffered my own humiliation three seasons ago when I was primped, powdered, and paraded across the lawns of many of the city’s finest homes. The entire experience resembled a horse auction as observers tried to imagine what type of wives these young women would make for the lawyers, bankers, and doctors of tomorrow. Of course they had to have the proper physique to interest any potential suitors: small enough to remain feminine, but large enough to breed half a dozen healthy little future social climbers. Their teeth had to be white, buffed, and polished as a sign of good breeding and their parents’ ability to afford premium dental care. They had to be able to walk without slouching, speak without saying anything of importance, and act as if the only reason for living was to carry on the traditions of polite society. This was the essence of being a debutante in the minds of all of the best of New Orleans' oldest families. For this particular garden party, I was to act as cheerleader for my cousin, Colleen. She was the latest member of our family to suffer the piercing gazes and snake-like charm of "the old guard"-what we younger folks affectionately called the long-standing members of the ruling social sect in our city. They were a rather elderly group of bored women who held firm to the belief that one or two ancestors who had died for the cause in the Civil War put them on only a slightly higher pedestal than anyone else who just had a whole lot of money. My cousin Colleen, however, was parading among the elite of our city not because she was interested in pedigree but because she was very interested in finding a husband with money and connections. The main job of these functions, of course, was to arrange matchmaking services to the children of suitable families. The old guard would provide important introductions to a boy’s family that they felt best suited a lady’s individual class and breeding and also matched her father’s income. It was considered a detriment to her social standing to question the judgment of these esteemed and rather stuffy individuals. It was like a type of protective inbreeding program. Unfortunately, that resulted in a great deal of idiocy among their offspring. If my particular generation was any example of what faulty genetic material could produce, then Colleen could have been their poster child. Colleen had been given all of my Aunt Hattie's looks and none of her social graces. She was short and plump with a large mouth, small chin, dark hair, and sad brown eyes. Like my aunt, she had an annoying habit of sucking large gasps of air in through her teeth when she laughed. This habit prompted my father to always refer to the two women as the Hoover girls. I had spent the entire afternoon at Colleen's designated white linen table watching as my aunt downed mass quantities of tea sandwiches and champagne. The more champagne my aunt drank the louder her laugh became, drawing the occasional curious stare from neighboring tables. I kept waiting for the appropriate moment to make a speedy departure, but Hattie kept waving and calling to friends from her botany club or other various civic groups to come over and join us; and I would once again have to delay my retreat. Colleen, who was constantly fidgeting, looked completely miserable as the barrage of well wishers breezed past our table. "Do you think I look stupid in this thing?" Colleen asked, pulling at her white, off-the-shoulder dress. "You look great." I brushed her heavy black bangs away from her eyes. "You're the prettiest girl here." "Ha! You're the prettiest girl here, Nicci! Look at how the guys always watch you." Colleen looked around at the crowd mingling about us. "You've always been the pretty one, but thanks for the...well, thanks." She turned to me and patted my hand just as Hattie came waddling up to our table. “Colleen, come on, girl, sit up straight." Hattie fussed over Colleen’s hopelessly rumpled gown. "Mrs. Jacobs has someone she wants you to meet." Colleen looked at me, terror stricken at being summoned to a command performance with the captain of the old guard, Eileen Jacobs. I stood up and helped her straighten out her dress. "Don’t worry," I whispered in her ear. "You don’t have to marry him. Just smile and make some small talk and you’ll never have to see him again." "Yeah, right, you don’t know Mom," was all she could get out before Hattie dragged her away, still fussing. Colleen was right, of course. All Hattie had in mind for the poor girl was a good marriage to a sociably suitable husband, and about six children. But then, Colleen did not want much more than that for herself. She would have been happy with any man, whether or not he was sociably suitable. With only her mother’s absentminded intellect and plump figure going for her, Colleen was doomed from conception. I sat and watched across the lawn as Hattie primped Colleen’s dress and danced about nervously, waving her arms, when Colleen shook hands with her prospective suitor. I laughed to myself, remembering how different my aunt had been from my mother. Where Hattie was scatterbrained, my mother had been witty. Hattie had always been overly excitable and demanded attention like a puppy. My mother, on the other hand, had been calm; people gravitated to her like a beautiful work of art. She had been someone people had admired, someone people had always wanted to get to know. Mother had been tall with deep auburn hair, creamy white skin and warm gray eyes. She lacked all the classical features of her Italian heritage, but she had been the pride of the Bascelli family. Her musical laugh lit up a room, and men-well, men found her to be the most fascinating creature they had ever seen. My father had worshiped her until the day she died. "God, it was awful," Colleen said grabbing my shoulder and shaking me like a tree branch. "He was very snooty and had huge buck teeth." The inbreeding, no doubt, I thought. "Never again." She eased into the chair next to mine and grabbed for her glass of champagne, downing the contents with one gulp. "I'm sure it wasn’t that bad," I laughed. "Easy for you to say. Who got introduced to Parker Roy at her first lawn party?" She rolled her eyes. "Parker Roy, only the best looking and richest guy in the town." Colleen reached across the table for her mother’s half empty glass of champagne. "You always get the great guys, you just never go out with any of them." "Colleen, you know Parker and I are just friends. Anyway, I consider myself selective, that’s all. Looks and money are not important criteria for me." I stared off into the crowd trying to avoid a confrontation. "There you go again. You know, I think you have turned down half the male population of the city." She paused and looked around the table. "I would love to know, Nicci, can you ever just look at a man for the sake of looking?" "So are we talking now about the rating of buns or the general appeal of the guy’s body?" "You are hopeless." Colleen got up from her chair. "I’m going in search of more booze. Care to join me?" "No thanks." "You know, Nicci, you can't keep hiding up in your room with your books all your life. You have no friends and you never go out. Christ, you’re missing out on everything." Colleen stumbled closer to me. "Colleen, I don't think you need any more champagne." "You know what else? Well, never mind." And with that Colleen turned and walked away, trying to look poised as her high heels stuck in the grass under her feet. "At least I can wake up the next morning and remember the night before," I said aloud to myself. I knew once Colleen got started with the booze she would not quit until someone pried her hands off the bottle. Then again, this was New Orleans where one’s first encounter with alcohol usually occurred before puberty. I watched Colleen stumble her way to the bar at the far end of the lawn. I was pondering how I was going to get her back to my car, when I noticed the new face in the crowd. What immediately struck me about the man was that he did not seem to belong there. He was poised, tall, and slender with expensive looking, well tailored clothes. From a distance, I watched, dazzled by the stranger’s ability to glide about, smiling, laughing, and working his way through the party. He seemed at ease among the people, traveling like a graceful actor across a stage. The head of every woman followed him as he moved. He appeared indifferent to their gazes, but I could sense he was acutely aware of the attention he was attracting. It was as if every movement, every nuance of his performance was perfectly timed and executed. The way he recklessly carried his champagne glass but never spilled a drop. How he took the occasional sip, which lingered momentarily on his lips. The way he ran his hands through his thick brown hair then raised his eyes and stared off into the throng. But what probably attracted the most attention from the crowd was on whose arm he strolled. It was Samantha Fallon.

Weis paints an artistic, character driven novel
Heather Froeschl (Callaway, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: To My Senses (Paperback)
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It seems there is always a purpose if we seek it out. Alexandrea Weis' novel, "To My Senses" reminded me of that. It also reminded me that we need to follow our heart's desires. What more can you ask of a good read? Romance, lush New Orleans settings, intrigue, conspiracy, art...it's a very fulfilling book.

Nicci Beauvoir isn't really into the whole debutante life. She's done that, grown up in it, and now she wants to settle into being a nurse. She's completing her studies and will soon be ready to make a difference in the world. Her father would prefer she take over the family scrap metal business. But one evening, while attending a lawn party, she comes face to face with an inviting diversion. David Alexander is a struggling artist, obligatorily under the firm grasp of his benefactor, Sammy. There is something to be explored here.

Nicci is swept off her feet, slowly, through a day of fishing, a visit to a coffee shop, and a collapse on David's couch, where he proceeds to capture her image on the canvas while she sleeps. He is passionate in his art, in life. He is just what Nicci needs in hers. There is trouble though. Nicci's father's business is in need of diversification. A plan is under way for a take over. Warnings are given and a possible saving grace is discovered. Somehow, David knows all about it.

Nicci turns to Dr. Michael Fagles, a "safe," controlling man who only wants a wife to be exactly as he sees fit. He directs Nicci, and she allows him. Her passion is gone, for Michael has none to share. Will she be doomed to spend her life under the thumb of this loveless moron? Will she find herself again, and find the raw emotional life she needs to embrace her true goals?

Alexandrea Weis paints an artistic, character driven novel, set in pre-Katrina luscious New Orleans, and offers life lessons to readers along the way. The pages are filled with self examination, romance, intimacy, hints of connections to the crime worlds, and lavish parties. My favorite scenes involve delightful cottages that leave me aching to explore New Orleans. A fantastic book to curl up with and get lost in, Weis introduces readers to characters that will linger in the mind like a sultry summer night. I trust there will be more from this author in the future, and I look forward to that prospect.

Intriguing plot with an unexpected ending
This review is from: To My Senses (Paperback)
Rating: 4.5 stars

This book is about Nicci Beauvoir (love the last name!), who is from a wealthy family and part of New Orleans high society. Though she holds a place of prestige within the community, Nicci's down-to-earth personality prevents her from desiring a lavish lifestyle. Nicci has many admirers but is not interested in any of the men she encounters until she meets David, the one man who is off limits. Despite the difficult circumstances, Nicci and David fall in love and he awakens a passion for life that she didn't even know existed within her. Things are going smoothly until Nicci overhears secrets that tear her and David apart, causing her to seek solace in the arms of another man, Dr. Michael Fagles. Though her relationship with Michael lacks the intensity of her past affair with David, Nicci stays with him. As Michael becomes more invested in her, Nicci must decide if she is willing to spend the rest of her life in a loveless relationship.

From the first page, I became immersed into the storyline and I found myself admiring Nicci's strength and independent character. I loved reading about the passion she had with David, and began to experience the same ups and downs as Nicci, after the relationship ended. Though there are some serious subject matters, there is always comic relief in the hilarious characters, such as Nicci's aunt and cousin. This book provided just the right blend of tearful emotion and amusement to satisfy my reading palette.

Another great element of the storyline is how timeless it is. Though it's set in modern times, I could easily envision it taking place decades ago, especially with all of the traditional New Orleans festivities and banter.

Just when the plot starts following a somewhat predictable course, it takes an unexpected turn and the ending comes as a shock! One of the most important elements of a book to me is how the author ends the novel because ideally that is what leaves a lasting impression. Alexandrea Weis has definitely succeeded in writing an unforgettable novel, especially in the beautiful way she has crafted the ending!


Fabulous debut novel
This is a rich tale about love in the higher societal circles of New Orleans. Nicci Beauvoir is a young society woman struggling to find her place in this world. She has the charming trait of being able to see New Orleans high society for what it is and possesses that rarest of gifts: the ability to laugh at it.

Nicci's world, however, is turned upside down when she meets David Alexander, a mysterious artist and, as it turns out, a local gigolo. Despite her better judgment, Nicci falls in love with David and as you can imagine, this presents a whole plethora of problems.

The story is driven by it's characters and their development, which Weis does with a deft pen. Nicci and David are written with honesty and depth and the secondary characters, if not always likable, are eccentric and essential to the story.

The plot rises to a crescendo slowly and is reminiscent of a sweltering New Orlean's summer. Really, it becomes hard to put the book down. And the ending? I don't deal in spoilers, but I will say kudos to Ms. Weis for throwing us a curve-ball that I never saw coming!