Belle Meade Plantation, Book 2
Historial Fiction/ Historical Romance
A GIFTED RIDER IN A WORLD WHERE LADIES NEVER
RACE, MAGGIE LINDEN IS DETERMINED THAT HER HORSE
WILL BECOME A CHAMPION. BUT THE ONE MAN WHO
COULD HELP HER HAS VOWED TO STAY AWAY FROM
THOROUGHBRED RACING FOREVER.
An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He's come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he'd wagered, especially when Maggie Linden's father makes him an offer he shouldn't accept yet cannot possibly refuse.
Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance--and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder--Maggie's father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail--Maggie must marry a man she's never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.
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My Thoughts
Southern landowners fell on some pretty tough times following the Civil War. Many lost what their fathers and grandfathers had struggled to achieve. While others had to make hard choices in order to keep their land. One of those difficult choices is put before the Linden family.
A marriage of convenience seems to be an answer to prayer to Gilbert Linden and Cullen McGrath. But to Maggie Linden it represents the only way to save her family's land and keep her beloved horse Bourbon Belle. The prospect of being married to an Irishman does not sit well with her, but she finds herself without any other viable options.
It turns out that the whole situation is brought about by Divine Providence. Sometimes when we feel like we are in the midst of an impossible situation God uses it to refine us. And refining is just what Cullen and Maggie both need.
Tamera Alexander takes on some tough subjects in this novel and doesn't bother to sugar coat them. Not only were blacks still being persecuted, the Irish were also looked down upon. When we look back on this time from our current perspective it seems so brutal and barbaric. Unfortunately it was commonplace and we would do well to learn from it.
While the book has serious undertones there is still a very steamy and romantic storyline going on. While Cullen and Maggie's marriage was a business agreement to Maggie, Cullen was determined to win her favor. The ways in which he undertakes that are a delightful read that will remind you of the beauty a loving marriage can reflect.
As with most of her books, Tamera Alexander has included a set of discussion questions that would be beneficial to any book club. I look forward to sharing this book with my local group. It is sure to be a source of great discussion.
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The Giveaway
We loved To Win Her Favor so much that we wanted to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy. To do that we have partnered with Family Christian to give one of our readers a $25 certificate. You can use it online or in store to purchase the book (or anything else you would like).
I'd love to pick out a new book like Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen!
ReplyDeleteI would buy my mom a new book to read.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get some Christian music CDs.
ReplyDeleteMy little girl accidentally dropped her "good" Bible in this yucky ditch near our church. I would buy her a new one!
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