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    To Wager Her Heart
    To Wager Her Heart
    To Wager Her Heart
    Audiobook11 hours

    To Wager Her Heart

    Written by Tamera Alexander

    Narrated by Melba Sibrel

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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 American history when both were tenuous and hard-won.

    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 the truth doesn’t tear them apart first.

    Sylas Rutledge, new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this new 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 through Nashville’s society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he’s found his tutor. But he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra’s fiancé and shattered her world.

    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 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?

    Sy is willing to risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn’t count on is having to wager her heart to do it.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZondervan
    Release dateAug 8, 2017
    ISBN9780310413196
    To Wager Her Heart
    Author

    Tamera Alexander

    Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous industry-leading honors, including the Christy Award (two-time winner, seven-time finalist), the RITA Award (two-time winner, four-time finalist), the Carol Award, the Maggie Award, the Booksellers Best Award, and Library Journal's top distinction, among others. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband now reside in Nashville, Tennessee, where they live a short distance from Belmont Mansion and Belle Meade Plantation, the setting of Tamera’s two USA Today bestselling Southern series.  

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    Reviews for To Wager Her Heart

    4.5/5

    46 ratings9 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I have been a fan of Tamera Alexander's ever since I read her book, Inheritance. She captivated me with that book and I would read anything of hers blindly! I was super excited to take part in being able to review this newest release, the  third book in her Belle Meade Plantation series. Let me tell you what! I had so much fun reading this book. I loved the detail she incorporated into the story and the characters she created owned me while I read this book! It did not take me long to read it, I was that engrossed in it.  I love historical novels set around during, beginning and end of the Civil War. Ms. Alexander created this particular story post- Civil War and really made me feel a part of the time period. I could picture the clothing perfectly as the characters wore them, and the scenery was vivid in my mind. I adored Alexandra and Sylas' characters! Both were seeking a path in life that was their own and no one elses. Watching Alexander break away from her controlling father and seek a love that her heart wanted, was incredibly wonderful! Having dealt with a somewhat controlling mom a time or two, I could really feel my heart being tugged by Alexandra. The interactions between Sylas and Alexandra really popped in the story and I loved watching them together. I could see the sparks of interest literally fly off the pages! This story of following your own heart, seeking the true path that God has laid out for oneself was really soul capturing for me. Each page turn brought something new to the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it all. This trip to the Belle Meade Plantation was definitely not my last! I can't wait to go back and grab a copy of the rest of the books in the series. If you are looking for a fun, soul grabbing story rich in history (I loved learning about Fisk University!) and detail, and characters that come to life, then this book is definitely for you. Be warned! This 5 star novel will keep you so engrossed you will forfeit the rest of your adulting duties! Hats off to Ms. Alexander on an incredible new book! I can't wait to read another amazing novel by you! *I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
    • 4/5
      Having read several books by Tamera Alexander, I was looking forward to reading To Wager Her Heart and was not disappointed. Although third in the Belle Meader Plantation, the book can easily be read as a stand-alone story. Set in post-Civil War Tennesee, Alexandra and Sy's story is captivating. The characters are realistic and relatable and the reader is quickly drawn into their circumstances and adventures. The author does a great job portraying the historic aspect of the story as she describes Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation and Fisk University, the first freedmen's university in the US and the growth of the railroad during this time. I love historical fiction and To Wager Her Heart was a great read. I look forward to reading more from this author. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and Melba Sibrel did a nice job of narration which made for an enjoyable listening experience. I also won a complimentary copy of the book in a contest and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
    • 4/5
      4.5 stars.

      Featuring real life people, events and places, To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander is an absolutely delightful Christian romance that is rich in historical details. Although this latest release is the third installment in the Belle Meade Plantation series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

      One year following the tragic death of her fiancé David Thompson, twenty-five year old Alexandra Jamison's father is attempting to force her into an arranged marriage to a much older man of his choosing. After declining the marriage proposal, she leaves the family home to pursue her vocation as a teacher of freemen and women at Fisk University.  Penniless,  Alexandra agrees to help Colorado railroad owner Sylas "Sy" Rutledge navigate the sometimes tricky rules of Southern business  negotiations.  Her relationship with Sy is somewhat complicated due to his unexpected ties to the train accident that took her fiancé's life. Needless to say, Alexandra is a little taken aback when her opinion and feelings for Sy begin to evolve as they become better acquainted. As she becomes more emotionally entangled with Sy, will Alexandra allow the past ruin her chance at happiness?

      Alexandra is a little ahead of her time as she finds herself in the midst of attempting to right the social injustices of the time period. Her sympathies lie with the freedmen and women who finally have the opportunity to receive the education they have been long been denied. On occasion, Alexandra comes face to face with her judgments and  perceptions of the people she is trying to help.  She is quick to admit to her failings with grace and humility when necessary.

      Sy is no stranger to hard work since he is a self-made man from extremely humble beginnings. He truly believes in equality for all and he is more than willing to fight for his principals no matter the personal cost to himself.  Sy is immediately smitten with Alexandra but he very wisely consents to the stipulations she puts forth when she agrees to help him with his business dealings.  Sy is also incredibly loyal to the people in his life and his quest to clear his father's name is quite admirable.

      The historical elements of the storyline are quite enlightening and these details greatly enrich the unfolding story. Race relations are still quite tense and workers greatly resent the influx of freedmen into the work force. Alexendra is stunned by the backlash she and her family endure in the aftermath of her noble decision to work at Fisk University. Her experiences traveling with the Jubilee Singers are quite enlightening as she witnesses firsthand the difficulties the freedmen and women must endure in both the North and the South.

      With a gentle undercurrent of faith, To Wager Her Heart is an endearing historical romance that old and new fans of the Belle Meade Plantation series are going to love.  Tamera Alexander's incorporation of true life events, people and locations greatly enhance an already substantial storyline.  The relationship between Sy and Alexandra gradually transitions from slightly adversarial to genuine friendship and eventually, love.  A truly engaging novel with lovable characters, a realistic plot and a sweet romance that readers of historical fiction do not want to miss.
    • 5/5
      Tamera has done it again with an historical novel that takes readers back in time and witnesses what it may have been like during that time period. I love how she incorporated historical facts into the story that gave it a more realistic feel. Some of the scenes in the story may be a bit graphic for some and some words that were used may be offensive to some. I will say in these scenes it was as close to reality as you can get. Unfortunately the word “negro”was used during that time period and I appreciate how the author depicted the word in a tasteful manner. Alexandra is a very prim and proper young lady. Her family is known for money and her father is very strict with her. The story takes place during the 1870s were people were trying to survive anyway they could. I loved Alexandra right away when she became a voice for those who deserved an education but were tossed aside . It must have been hard during that time to treat everyone with respect when prejudice was prevelant. Alexandra goes against her father’s wishes and takes a teaching job at Fisk University. Throughout the story the author describes how difficult it was to run the University and how the people come together to try to save it. Sy was my favorite character. He was kind, honest and willing to help others. I loved learning about the railroad and how it was hard to keep the trains going. It amazes me that even on a train there was prejudice amongst people. What makes this book so emotional is how the author continues to reinforce how God see us. He doesn’t look at the color of our skin, but at the purity of our heart. It was nice to see people helping each other and looking past what others couldn’t.The story is rich in history and follows not only the people of Fisk University but the railroad . Sy is looking for the truth in a train accident to clear his father’s name. Will he get the answers he wants? Can Alexandra find happiness teaching knowing her father disapproves? Don’t miss this wonderful story that captures a time period that truly emphasizes how important it is to follow God .I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.
    • 4/5
      If you like the "When Calls the Heart" TV series, I think you'll really enjoy "To Wager Her Heart". "To Wager Her Heart" by Tamera Alexander is the third book in the "Belle Meade Plantation" series. It can also be easily read as a stand-alone. I don't normally like to read a lot of books set in the U.S. during different war periods, but recently I've been picking more of these up and enjoying them more than I thought I would. "To Wager Her Heart" is just such a book. Tamera Alexander has a superb and engaging writing style and creates here a story that draws the reader in. Her characters are also very well written and come to life on the page. She is very good at writing swoon-worthy moments! "To Wager Her Heart" is set in the post-Civil War South. It is fascinating to read about the South and what life was like for everyday people after the war ravaged their land and their hearts. Ms. Alexander does such a great job portraying this "in-between" time where a lot of change is taking place, but there's also many people who still hold to the "old ideals", including the father of our main character (Alexandra). I love how Ms. Alexander incorporates real life into the fictional story, like the freedman's school that Alexandra teaches at (Fisk University) and the Jubilee Singers. I love that the university emphasizes knowledge, not only of the basic subjects, but of Christ. Despite these many good things, it was hard for me to read at points, due to the vivid descriptions and the heavy subject matter. Like I said, it's not my favorite time period to read about, precisely because of all of weightier issues that come along with it. But it is important to remember these periods in our nation's history as well and the courageous men and women who went before us. There are many important messages in this book. Throughout the story, Ms. Alexander conveys the lesson that we're all created in God's image and it doesn't matter what color skin you have, which is still a very pertinent message today with the recent racial tensions and the white supremacy movement. I was encouraged by Alexandra's struggle with fear after tragedy and how she is able to overcome that fear through her faith. Tragedy, loss, love, overcoming, and justice are all themes that are woven into this amazing story! Content: This is a clean read, but it is more on the edgy, gritty side of Christian fiction. One character was in a train accident and she often thinks about it or has flashbacks. The descriptions of the accident and aftermath are very detailed and vivid. The word "negro" is used in context. There is talk about a woman's "assets" and the author implies that a character is a prostitute. The prostitute propositions a man, and this man has been to a brothel before. The Lord's name is taken in vain once. A person accidentally gets drunk. A man tries not to look at a woman's décolletage. There is some sexual innuendo. There is talk of how slaves used to commit suicide. Genre: Christian historical fiction; RomanceRating: I give this book four stars. I want to thank Tamera Alexander, Zondervan, and the Fiction Guild for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
    • 3/5
      I struggled in the beginning to get into this book. It was very slow reading. In fact, I was not sure if I could last until the end or even a third of the way into the story. Actually, I did jump ahead some into the story. However, I did not feel like I missed anything by doing this and by doing this for me, I got to the part of the story where it seemed to pick up. From the beginning, I did like Alexandra. She did not want to just settle for being a housewife. She wanted to go out into the world and make something of herself. She showed this by standing up for herself and showing independence; even if it was a struggle at times. Than there is Sy. He had a kind heart. Just like Alexandra, he was just trying to find his way in the world as well and separate himself from his father and the terrible accident that took Alexandra's fiancé. I like that Sy did not push too fast with Alexandra. The romance was a slow build but it felt real this way. I did enjoy this book and the location that the author built for this story.
    • 4/5
      To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander is the latest A Belle Meade Plantation Novel. It is August of 1871 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alexandra Jamison is still grieving the loss of her fiancé, David Thompson who died one year prior in a train accident at Dutchman’s curve. Alexandra blames the train engineer, Harrison Kennedy for the incident. Barrett Jamison, Alexandra’s father, is pushing her to marry Horace Buford. Alexandra, though, wishes to do something meaningful with her life. After a disagreement with her father, Alexandra is out walking when she hears singing. It is the Fisk University Jubilee singers giving a concert and after the program there is an appeal for teachers. Alexandra has found what she wants to do, but is she ready for what it will cost her. Sylas Rutledge has arrived in Nashville to bid on the Belle Meade railroad project and to clear his stepfather, Harrison Kennedy’s name. Sylas is unprepared for Southern society after living in Colorado. He needs someone to help him navigate Nashville society. Sylas feels that Alexandra will be the perfect tutor, but Alexandra is less than willing to pair up with him. But after her father casts her out of his house when she refuses to marry Mr. Buford, Sylas’ offer to pay for her tutoring is answer to her prayers. Over time, Alexandrea grows to respect and start to care for Sylas. Their bond will be tested and Sylas could lose everything. To Wager Her Heart is nicely written and has a beautiful setting. The romance portion is light and subtle which I appreciated (it was predictable though). The main focus of the book is on Fisk University and the Jubilee singers (the hardship they endured on their journey). Ms. Alexander did a superb job with her research and incorporating it into her story. I like how she incorporated historical figures and events into her narrative. It was interesting to learn about the college as well as the struggles faced by the university, the faculty, and the students. It is a shame this historical tidbit was never included in school curriculum. The author did a remarkable job at capturing the time-period and locale. I did find the pace of the novel to be a little slower than I would have liked, but I have discovered that it is normal in novels rich in historical detail. The Christian element was just heavier than I would have liked (I prefer a lighter touch), but I liked the themes which included the power of prayer and trusting in God. My rating for To Wager Her Heart is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). While To Wager Her Heart is part of a series, it can be a stand-alone novel. It is nice, though, to catch up on the characters from the other books in the series especially Uncle Bob. I am glad that I read To Wager Her Heart. It encouraged me to find out more about the Jubilee singers and Belle Meade.
    • 5/5
      I have been a fan of Tamera Alexander's ever since I read her book, Inheritance. She captivated me with that book and I would read anything of hers blindly! I was super excited to take part in being able to review this newest release, the  third book in her Belle Meade Plantation series. Let me tell you what! I had so much fun reading this book. I loved the detail she incorporated into the story and the characters she created owned me while I read this book! It did not take me long to read it, I was that engrossed in it.  I love historical novels set around during, beginning and end of the Civil War. Ms. Alexander created this particular story post- Civil War and really made me feel a part of the time period. I could picture the clothing perfectly as the characters wore them, and the scenery was vivid in my mind. I adored Alexandra and Sylas' characters! Both were seeking a path in life that was their own and no one elses. Watching Alexander break away from her controlling father and seek a love that her heart wanted, was incredibly wonderful! Having dealt with a somewhat controlling mom a time or two, I could really feel my heart being tugged by Alexandra. The interactions between Sylas and Alexandra really popped in the story and I loved watching them together. I could see the sparks of interest literally fly off the pages! This story of following your own heart, seeking the true path that God has laid out for oneself was really soul capturing for me. Each page turn brought something new to the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it all. This trip to the Belle Meade Plantation was definitely not my last! I can't wait to go back and grab a copy of the rest of the books in the series. If you are looking for a fun, soul grabbing story rich in history (I loved learning about Fisk University!) and detail, and characters that come to life, then this book is definitely for you. Be warned! This 5 star novel will keep you so engrossed you will forfeit the rest of your adulting duties! Hats off to Ms. Alexander on an incredible new book! I can't wait to read another amazing novel by you! *I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
    • 5/5
      This is a book that I did not want to put down. I loved all the wonderful history about Belle Meade Plantation, Fisk University and the Jubilee singers. I love how the friendship and romance between Sy and Alexandra was woven through the history. There were lessons learned. I look forward to many more books by Tamera Alexander. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.