To Wager Her Heart - Book Review

Can a railroad man and a Southern Belle turned teacher 

find a way to work together to achieve their dreams 

in the new reality of the post-Civil War South?

Sylas Rutledge, former gambler and new owner of the East Line Railway, 

invests everything he has into this venture, partly to see if he can do it—

but mostly to avenge his father. 

One man holds the key to the railway’s success—

General William Giles Harding of Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation. 

Sy needs someone to help him maneuver in high society, 

and when he meets Alexandra Donelson, he quickly decides he’s found his tutor.

Spurning her family’s wishes that she marry, 

Alexandra Donelson is pursuing her passion for teaching at Fisk University, 

the first freedmen’s university in the United States. 

But her family does not approve, and ultimately, 

her father expels her from the family home and cuts her off completely.

Through her friendship with Mary Harding, 

Alexandra is thrown together with both General Harding and Sylas Rutledge. 

And she soon finds herself falling in love with a man 

whose roguish qualities and adventuresome spirit 

smack more of recklessness than responsibility.

Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win the hand of the woman he loves. 

What he doesn’t count on is having to wager her heart to do it.

Set at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, 

To Wager Her Heart is a sweeping Southern love story about a nation mending after war, 

the struggle to move a country forward, and the courage of a man and woman 

to see themselves for who they truly are—and can be—with each other.

My Thoughts

To Wager Her Heart is a beautifully written tale of hope and love.

My dear friends, if you are a lover of historical romance

than this book is just for you.

The history is so rich and pure

that Tamera's writing makes you feel as if you're living in that long ago moment,

walking the same path of those from so many years ago.

To Wager Her Heart will give you a vivid glimpse 

into the turmoil and conflict after the Civil War.

The characters will inspire you with their love and determination

for fellow countrymen and women.

And then there is the romance between Alexandra and Sylas.

It is truly beautiful and oh-so-pure and sweet.

Their connection is simply precious and flows with perfection.

You will also see their faith grow through the story.

The Lord will use certain circumstances 

to help them grow closer to Him

while growing closer to one another.

To Wager Her Heart is incredibly inspiring in so many ways.

To Wager Her Heart is the third installment in the Belle Meade Plantation,

but don't worry, friends, you can read it as a stand alone novel.

I have not read the first two books and I had no trouble following along.

After reading the third book I will eagerly be looking for book one and two to read.

Tamera Alexander is a phenomenal writer and she has me wanting more.

Autumn is just around the corner,

why not begin the delightful season with an excellent book!

 ** I was given a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers

for an honest review. 

All thoughts are my own and no other compensation was received. **

About the Author

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.