Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
Helpful Score: 1
To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander has gone on to my top 5 list for this year. I think it would probably be hard to pick another book to put above this one in my opinion. This author is one of my favorites, but I think this time she outdid herself with a marriage of convenience plot. This novel is book two in the Belle Meade Plantation series and would be best read in order. You could probably get up to speed if you haven't read book one but Tamera's books all follow a theme or plot line that might make it hard to just jump right in.
For the characters in this story, life centers around one of the biggest plantations of the 19th century in Nashville, Tennessee. The owners at the time would be Mr Linden and his daughter, Maggie, but he is losing the farm and desperate to get the help he needs to save it. When an Irish buyer comes around, Mr Linden does what seems crude and thoughtless to his daughter, he proposes a swap of sorts. Mr Cullen McGrath may purchase the land, the only stipulation to be that he marries Maggie. And then starts the uphill battle of being able to win her favor and make it a real marriage, not just one of convenience.
My absolute favorite character out of any Tamera Alexander book would have to be the hero in this story, Cullen McGrath. Irish born, he is just my type of knight. No, he doesn't arrive in shining armor but he is protective, hard working and patient like I have never seen any man be before. Maggie is a stubborn petite young lady who is innocent and always sure she knows what is best. At times I felt a little reluctant to like her but I knew where her heart was. There are some scenes in here that portray a husband/wife relationship and I am sure some will disagree with it, but I think the author does a good job of saying things without actually saying them. These scenes add so much to the story and written well from a Christian perspective.
One of the things that really clicked for me in this book was the history. I never realized how much the Irish were looked down upon, almost to the point of being like dogs, but Tamera clearly shows how it was back then. Not only were they not given jobs but they were run out of town, not allowed to own land, etc. I guess it is something I hadn't seen before so my eyes were opened as I read. I loved the horse racing of former days and it plays a big part in this novel. Definitely a 5 star rating from this reader!!
For the characters in this story, life centers around one of the biggest plantations of the 19th century in Nashville, Tennessee. The owners at the time would be Mr Linden and his daughter, Maggie, but he is losing the farm and desperate to get the help he needs to save it. When an Irish buyer comes around, Mr Linden does what seems crude and thoughtless to his daughter, he proposes a swap of sorts. Mr Cullen McGrath may purchase the land, the only stipulation to be that he marries Maggie. And then starts the uphill battle of being able to win her favor and make it a real marriage, not just one of convenience.
My absolute favorite character out of any Tamera Alexander book would have to be the hero in this story, Cullen McGrath. Irish born, he is just my type of knight. No, he doesn't arrive in shining armor but he is protective, hard working and patient like I have never seen any man be before. Maggie is a stubborn petite young lady who is innocent and always sure she knows what is best. At times I felt a little reluctant to like her but I knew where her heart was. There are some scenes in here that portray a husband/wife relationship and I am sure some will disagree with it, but I think the author does a good job of saying things without actually saying them. These scenes add so much to the story and written well from a Christian perspective.
One of the things that really clicked for me in this book was the history. I never realized how much the Irish were looked down upon, almost to the point of being like dogs, but Tamera clearly shows how it was back then. Not only were they not given jobs but they were run out of town, not allowed to own land, etc. I guess it is something I hadn't seen before so my eyes were opened as I read. I loved the horse racing of former days and it plays a big part in this novel. Definitely a 5 star rating from this reader!!
