To Win Her Favor

Author: Tamera Alexander
Publication date: May 12, 2015
Series: Belle Meade Plantation #2
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical, Romance, Christian
Synopsis: 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 can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good.

An Irish-born son 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 start a farm, 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 annual Drayton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack––the richest race 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.

Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts––and the escalating violence from a “secret society” responsible for lynchings and midnight raids––may prove too much for even two determined souls.

Love Factor (How much I loved it):
Would I recommend it:
Would I read it again:

My Opinion

I am now officially in love with all of Tamera Alexander’s southern historical novels. She is literally the master of story telling and weaving memorable characters and tales that will stay with you for a while. Any novel that she pens in this category is an instant buy for me!

I love everything about Maggie and Cullen, they were my second favorite couple from her Belle Meade & Belmont novels, with Ridley and Olivia being my absolute favorite. Their marriage wasn’t a love match, but one of convenience. At the beginning Maggie didn’t care too much for Cullen or think highly of him due to him being Irish. Mind you that this book takes place at a time where Irish immigrants where thought less off and not equal to others. With this being so, this is where the title “To Win Her Favor” comes into play, meaning that Cullen has to win her over, to win her heart, and favor, which he eventually does, but it isn’t easy for him.

Maggie struggles with wondering if Cullen is with her due to his promise to her father or if he truly wants to be with her as man and wife. He tries to prove relentlessly that he cares for her but I guess it is hard for her to see due to how they became married and that he is Irish.

Maggie badly wants to race her horse, Bourbon Belle but Cullen is highly against it due to personal reasons. He tries to tell her that horse racing isn’t all she thinks it is, that there is a dangerous side to it, but Maggie is a very head strong and stubborn person, and doesn’t relent up on the subject because this is something she has waited for a while. Eventually he gives in and lets her race Belle after they face hard times due to low on money and they crops being destroyed by storms.

I loved the part when they find out that she is expecting, how Cullen is worried, thinking that she is ill, that something is wrong with her – he lost his first wife and daughter due to illness so that is why he doesn’t want anything to happen to her throughout the story. He doesn’t think he can handle loosing someone else again. His gesture during this by kissing her stomach is sweet in my opinion and shows how much he wants this child and cares for her. The other favorite part of mine is near the end after their son is born, where Cullen silently watches their son sleep then brings him to bed with him and Maggie so she can nurse him – it goes to a small flash back of how her birth was and how Cullen never left her side. He is such a nice sweet man. I loved his character.

I hope this isn’t the end of the Belle Meade & Belmont novels as I want more, yes yes I am greedy but darn it, I can’t help it when they are penned this good. Well done Tamera, well done!

Would I recommend it:
Would I read it again: