Monday, August 7, 2017

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander - Review

About the book:

With fates bound by a shared tragedy, a reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory and a Southern Belle bent on breaking free from society's expectations must work together to achieve their dreams—provided that the truth doesn't tear them apart first.
Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father's name. One man holds the key to Sy's success—General William Giles Harding of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks. Sy needs someone to help him maneuver his way through Nashville's society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he's found his tutor. Only, he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra Jamison's fiancee—and what has broken her heart.
Spurning an arranged marriage by her father, Alexandra instead pursues her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedmen's university in the United States. But family—and Nashville society—do not approve, and she soon finds herself cast out from both. Through connections with the Harding family, Alexandra and Sy become unlikely allies. And despite her first impressions, Alexandra gradually finds herself coming to respect, and even care for this man. But how can she, when her heart is still spoken for? And when Sy's roguish qualities and adventuresome spirit smack more of recklessness than responsibility and honor?
Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn't count on is having to wager her heart to do it.
Set against the real history of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation and the original Fisk University Jubilee Singers ensemble, To Wager Her Heart is a stirring love story about seeking justice and restoring honor at a time in history when both were tenuous and hard-won.


This my absolute favorite quote from the book, and will be my top book rating on my blog. That page is still under construction, so look for the updated page soon.


My Thoughts:

This is book 3, the final book in Ms. Alexander's Belle Meade Plantation series. I am sad to see this series come to a close, but this was a perfect ending to a great series. With great attention to historical detail, Ms. Alexander weaves a story rich in characterization, romance, and even a little mystery. I enjoyed the historical story, learning more about the Belle Meade Plantation, the Fisk University, and the Jubilee Singers. The romance between Sylas and Alexandra was not rushed, it progressed ideally with the time period. The supporting characters added drama, and fun to the story to even it out completely.

You can order a copy of  To Wager Her Heart, here.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own, I was not paid for it.



1 comment:

Cafinated-Reads Molly said...

I love your review! I loved this book so much! My review will be posted soon :-) So glad you enjoyed it too :-)

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