Well, you all should know by now that I’m a total fangirl for a Tamera Alexander book- so it’s a real treat to have had so many books released this past year! My reading spree of the new books began with the final installment in the Belle Meade Plantation series, “To Wager Her Heart”.
As we again venture into Belle Meade’s part of the world in Reconstruction Era Nashville we are met with the story of a train. It’s the story of those who ride on trains like Alexandra Jamison; and those wishing to own and build them, like Sylas Rutledge. For Alexandra she never wishes to ride on a train again after the accident that killed her fiancé and left her battling her fears and trauma from that day. For Silas, his goal to build the new line for General Harding and cement his place in the Eastern railroad market is only surpassed by his desire to clear his father’s name from infamy after the terrible accident that killed him and others. Having searched for something useful to do now that marriage is no longer on the horizon for her, Alexandra seeks out a job teaching at the Fisk University, a freed blacks school, much to the dismay and disapproval of her father. Alexandra and Sy are a couple with pasts that put them at odds, but they are a couple that finds they need each other as Alexandra has the position and graces to tutor Sy in the ways of the Nashville elite, and Alexandra is in need of a hand up as she begins her teaching job at rock bottom. Together they may be able to find justice for the past that will put them on course for a future together.
While Alexandra and Sy’s story is front and center in this book it would be entirely remiss not to talk about the secondary theme that is shared with the reader. I loved learning about Fisk University and about their brave students who put together a highly risky and completely unguaranteed traveling group known as the Jubilee Singers. These singers were the true historical part of this novel and traveled all over the North, and later on across the world all to raise money for funding their school. A noble endeavor indeed. I love learning these tidbits of forgotten history every time I open one of Tamera’s books!
Two tiny nitpicks for this book are that when the book cover described Sy as having a “reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory” I kinda expected him to have a little more of a rough edge to him or to see him struggle a bit with those past impulses- but nope- this guy was a total gentleman through and through! What a complaint to make! Lol J I was also a bit disappointed that our duo didn’t get full resolution to the answers they sought about the accident. With the judge being so shady about things I was eager for people to get their due, but I guess in retrospect that those are really the things that we need to learn to live with in our lives too.
As usual, the setting, themes, and writing of this delightful novel are far above par. To sit and open one of Tamera’s books is to both find new friends and new truths to walk with you in your Christian living. It’s something we all could use a little more of every time we curl up with a book.
Final Rating: 5
I have been given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and opinion of the product.
Well, I guess I'll have to read this to find out more of your "reformed gambler" as my main references for gamblers comes in the guise of the Maverick brothers of my childhood B&W westerns.
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