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!!
Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed To Win Her Favor (Belle Meade Plantation, Bk 2) on + 157 more book reviews
With To Win Her Favor, Tamera Alexander has just elevated herself into my list of top historical romance writers. This story uses the "marriage of convenience" plot that I greatly enjoy, yet raises it to a whole other level than what I'm used to. It has that perfect blend of historical detail, well-drawn characters, captivating storyline, and a love story that touched me with its tenderness, passion, and honesty.
The rich historical detail of Nashville during the year of 1869 provides a fascinating backdrop for this story - from the lush thoroughbred horse farms to racial tensions, prejudice, and KKK violence, evidenced by "need not apply" signs prevalent throughout the area. Former plantation owners had been stripped of wealth, dignity, and all they held dear, while others found themselves judged by skin color and national heritage. Even Maggie, based on what she read in the newspapers, considered the Irish to be "a lazy and violent lot, given to heavy drink and wantonness."
There's a level of realism to Cullen and Maggie that captured my emotions and immediately drew me to them. Together they faced much conflict - financial difficulties, thwarted dreams, personal attacks, prejudice from without and within, guilt from the past. Cullen is a hero I will long remember - a man who, in spite of all the prejudice and personal loss he endured, is a man of compassion, integrity, and tenderness. And Maggie, a young woman with the ability to literally "soar" on her beloved Belle, touched me greatly. This novel has many strengths and their love story is one of them.
One of my favorite characters was Maggie's father, Gilbert Linden, for it is through his character that we see the impact of a Christian legacy. Fully aware of how important both Maggie and Cullen's dreams were to them, and how unlikely it was they could be obtained, he had the wisdom and insight to secure both of their futures in a way neither one would have imagined in their wildest dreams. I loved these words of Gilbert to Cullen as they were talking about prayer: "Let's just say that as I've gotten older, I've learned that there's always a conversation going on. It's just me who's sometimes stubborn of hearing. Either that, or I simply don't like the direction the conversation has taken."
The bond of strong relationships is another strength of this story, seen through Cullen's championing of the downtrodden, as well as Maggie's maturity and spiritual growth. And there are secondary characters who are every bit as endearing as Cullen and Maggie - Ennis, Kizzy, and Savannah Darby, who I believe will be featured in a novella soon. I also have to give praise for the cover, which pictures Maggie in a new riding habit made for her by Savannah, even down to the lace on her collar.
I can't leave with addressing something that I just don't understand; namely, that several reviewers have given this book a one-star rating due to the level of intimacy between Cullen and Maggie. In a time when so many books end at the engagement or wedding ceremony, I find it refreshing to read a story that focuses on the marriage itself. As a Christian wife who has been happily married for over 40 years, I appreciate the realism of both conflict and growing attraction that Tamera conveys so tastefully. And the conversations that take place in the bedroom setting add so much understanding, feeling and emotion that I can't imagine this story without them. There's a difference between intimate and explicit, and Tamera never goes beyond the boundaries into anything that I would find offensive.
I also don't believe all CBA books can be judged by the same standard, as To Win Her Favor is simply a book for adult readers; nowhere, to my knowledge, has it been marketed to the teen or YA audience. However, reading is subjective, and while I appreciate the realistic portrayal of romance in a Christian marriage, I respect that other readers will have a different viewpoint.
To Win Her Favor is an outstanding and memorable novel, happily added to my list of favorites, and one that I look forward to reading again in the future. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The rich historical detail of Nashville during the year of 1869 provides a fascinating backdrop for this story - from the lush thoroughbred horse farms to racial tensions, prejudice, and KKK violence, evidenced by "need not apply" signs prevalent throughout the area. Former plantation owners had been stripped of wealth, dignity, and all they held dear, while others found themselves judged by skin color and national heritage. Even Maggie, based on what she read in the newspapers, considered the Irish to be "a lazy and violent lot, given to heavy drink and wantonness."
There's a level of realism to Cullen and Maggie that captured my emotions and immediately drew me to them. Together they faced much conflict - financial difficulties, thwarted dreams, personal attacks, prejudice from without and within, guilt from the past. Cullen is a hero I will long remember - a man who, in spite of all the prejudice and personal loss he endured, is a man of compassion, integrity, and tenderness. And Maggie, a young woman with the ability to literally "soar" on her beloved Belle, touched me greatly. This novel has many strengths and their love story is one of them.
One of my favorite characters was Maggie's father, Gilbert Linden, for it is through his character that we see the impact of a Christian legacy. Fully aware of how important both Maggie and Cullen's dreams were to them, and how unlikely it was they could be obtained, he had the wisdom and insight to secure both of their futures in a way neither one would have imagined in their wildest dreams. I loved these words of Gilbert to Cullen as they were talking about prayer: "Let's just say that as I've gotten older, I've learned that there's always a conversation going on. It's just me who's sometimes stubborn of hearing. Either that, or I simply don't like the direction the conversation has taken."
The bond of strong relationships is another strength of this story, seen through Cullen's championing of the downtrodden, as well as Maggie's maturity and spiritual growth. And there are secondary characters who are every bit as endearing as Cullen and Maggie - Ennis, Kizzy, and Savannah Darby, who I believe will be featured in a novella soon. I also have to give praise for the cover, which pictures Maggie in a new riding habit made for her by Savannah, even down to the lace on her collar.
I can't leave with addressing something that I just don't understand; namely, that several reviewers have given this book a one-star rating due to the level of intimacy between Cullen and Maggie. In a time when so many books end at the engagement or wedding ceremony, I find it refreshing to read a story that focuses on the marriage itself. As a Christian wife who has been happily married for over 40 years, I appreciate the realism of both conflict and growing attraction that Tamera conveys so tastefully. And the conversations that take place in the bedroom setting add so much understanding, feeling and emotion that I can't imagine this story without them. There's a difference between intimate and explicit, and Tamera never goes beyond the boundaries into anything that I would find offensive.
I also don't believe all CBA books can be judged by the same standard, as To Win Her Favor is simply a book for adult readers; nowhere, to my knowledge, has it been marketed to the teen or YA audience. However, reading is subjective, and while I appreciate the realistic portrayal of romance in a Christian marriage, I respect that other readers will have a different viewpoint.
To Win Her Favor is an outstanding and memorable novel, happily added to my list of favorites, and one that I look forward to reading again in the future. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
