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.

I think Tamera Alexander is a fantastic writer. Her stories are always spiritual, meaningful, and heartfelt. The historical background and setting of this novel was done extremely well. That's something I always count on with Tamera Alexander. Her love for history always shines through in her writing.

I feel like I didn't connect with these characters *quite* as much as I really wanted to. I wanted to adore them. But at times I just couldn't quite connect with them and their motivations. I loved learning more about the Jubilee Singers. I already knew their basic history, but I don't think its a very widely known story and I'm glad to see it included here.

Overall I aways count on Tamera Alexander to bring us a story with an immersive historical background, some fun little known facts. a touching spiritual lesson or reminder, and a sweet, heartfelt, swoony romance. I think she delivers on all counts again with this latest book.

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander is the third novel in the “Belle Meade Plantation” series. I read the second book, To Win Her Favor, but not the first. Each work well as a stand-alone.
Alexandra Jamison is the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Nashville post Civil War, and she’s picked up an idea of how business works in the Reconstruction politics. Hence, when a rugged Colorado businessman comes into town trying to expand his railroad, she doesn’t think he’ll get very far. He rubs her the wrong way: in his lack of refinement, in his connection to railroads, and in his overall attitude. Alexandra, still struggling with some post-traumatic stress from a horrific railroad accident that killed her fiancé, wants nothing to do with railroads yet everything to do with her late fiancé’s dream of educating freedmen, but she has no idea just how connected those things are.
I did really enjoy this book. Like another reviewer said, it was hard to get into, but once I got into it (at about 100 pages) I thought it was worth. The story was inspiring, the characters heart-warming, and the message one worth cheering for. The struggle of everyday people of various races and societal classes was well portrayed and pulled at my heartstrings. I would highly recommend to lovers of historical novels.
Thank you to Zondervan publishers and the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Book Look Bloggers program for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

When Sylas Rutledge finds he doesn't have the social graces he needs to win a Railroad contract he desperately wants, he enlists Alexandra Jamison to teach him. These main characters lead us through some historical events that are woven into a wonderful story of hard work, faith, prejudices, Nashville society and a touch of romance. I really enjoyed the story and the history lesson was enlightening!

Book 3 in A Belle Meade Plantation Novel. Wonderful as a stand-a-lone or as a continuation of the series. It is not a continuation of the other 2 books but you will recognize past characters.

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander is a perfectly wonderful Christian historical romance. It is the third book in the Belle Meade Plantation series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Tamera Alexander brings history to life as fact and fiction collide within the novel. Set in 1871 just a few years after the ending of the American Civil War, the novel focuses on the plight of the freedmen being educated at Fisk University. Prejudice and persecution due to ignorance still festered within society. White men and women realising that education was the key to freedom, set about providing classes for the former slaves - from very young to very old there was a passion to learn. They met with resistance at times but persevered, knowing we are all created in God's image.
The emerging railroads feature highly within the novel.
There is a search for the truth. A truth that some would prefer stayed buried.
Trust and faith in God are strong themes within the novel. Our fears must never be bigger than our faith. We may not know what the future holds but we know who holds the future. "No matter where you're going, God is already there."
There is the theme of dreams. "Plans he had inspired her to dream in the first place." We all need to dream big and hold on to our dreams. Sometimes they change but we all need dreams.
In life we all face choices. We have the opportunity to choose to do the right or wrong thing. It is never too late to choose the right path.
The leading characters were both delightful, with a generosity of spirit. They were forward thinkers with huge hearts for others.
The novel had a particularly poignant and moving moment for me. It involved the former slave chains and to see what I mean, you need to read the novel.
Tamera Alexander's writings are warm, wonderful and they seek to inform as history comes alive. I have loved To Wager Her Heart and cannot wait for the next offering from Tamera Alexander.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

First a window, then a door. . .

Another in the series based on the real Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville and real-world events after the Civil War. As the story unfolds it is obvious that the two main characters, Alexandra and Sy are of separate worlds on separate paths. But Tamera gently weaves the story and we see an illustration of how God takes us through our lives – first opening a window, then a door, until time goes by and we can see the path clearly. It has character styles that I am drawn to – a strong, independent, intelligent woman and a rugged, compassionate, intelligent man.

Alexandra was on the train that crashed and her fiance was killed. Sylas' father was the engineer who was driving the train. Sy now owns the railroad and is trying to find out what happened and clear his name. His business depends on influencing General Harding of Belle Meade, but he is not accustomed to prosperity or the Southern way of doing things. Alexandra is accustomed to both and in a position to help Sy, but she is about to lose her connection with her family.

This is one of the best truly Christian stories where Jesus is mentioned often. Beautifully written full dimensional characters you are glad to get to know.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Fiction and the Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.

I love Tamera Alexander's books! I am obsessed with her books. It amazes me how she can take a place or an event in history and create such wonderful, detailed stories about how these things may have transpired.

In the book to Wager Her Heart she has taken a group of singers called the Jubilee Singers from the Fisk University in Nashville and created a wonderful story about their faith journey. She created loveable characters to tell this heart wrenching story.

Alexandra may not have been the trip preceptress for the group, but you'd never know it from the believeable story Tamera Alexander has created about her. Alexandra was definitely created for just such a time as this.

I hate when one of these books end. I, for a time am transported back to that time period and see things through the characters eyes. It is a splah of cold water in the face to have to leave them even though they always have a happy ending.

If historical fiction is your genre, then you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this book. The historic details are accurate and believable, the characters are very well developed and loveble.

Even though this book is part of a series, it is not necessary to have read the other two books first. Each book can stand alone, but after you read this one you will want to read the other two. This book will be available August 8, 2017.

I thought this book was a sweet little romance in a setting with some difficult topics. The historical setting and society were well displayed and I could feel what society was like at that time with black people being freed but were still not accepted by most of the whites. I liked the first half of the book better as there was more conflict and it was more nuanced. I felt like the climax of the story wasn’t well displayed and couldn't really tell you where it was. The climax wasn't as clear cut as I like them to be but I still enjoyed the story.

This was such a great book! Step back into time to the post Civil War era in Middle Tennessee and learn about the history of Fisk University, as you follow Alexandra and Sylas's journey. This book will deprive you of sleep and you will want to do nothing but read. Sweet, romantic, filled with truly lovable characters and a great plot.

I have read all of the Belle Meade Plantation books by Tamera Alexander. She is one of the best writers if you like to read stories about the South and the Civil War Era. Again, this one does not disappoint. It is the story of Alexandra Donelson, who is a teacher at Fisk University (one of the first schools for freedman in the south) and Sylus Rutledge, a railroad man. Sylus is trying to make it in the High Society of the post Civil War South. Alexandra tutors him, and they fall in love. There's lots of fun and adventure along the way. Highly recommend!

Alexandra Jamison is still grieving the loss of her fiance. Sylas Rutledge, a railroad owner, is also grieving his father. Others in Nashville are rebuilding their lives. Life rarely fulfills our expectations and plans. Often, God has greater plans in store. See what happens when Alexandra and Sy are thwarted with several closed doors as they discover where to turn in post-war Nashville.

What a delight that the Fisk Jubilee Singers are included in this novel! As a former Nashvillian, I heard about the legacy of the Jubilee Singers. However, I was not aware of the details of their beginning as well as that of Fisk University.

Tamera Alexander masterfully weaves historical and fictional characters into novels that cannot be put down mid-read. They are like lovely visits to Nashville's past through a written time machine.

This is a fascinating story about a woman who dares to take an unconventional path to fulfill her dreams of making a difference. Alexandra lost her fiancée in a terrible train wreck and doesn’t want to marry the man her parents have picked out for her. She is determined to make her own way even if it costs her everything.
Sylas comes to town determined to prove his father’s innocence in the case of the train wreck. Even when others try to use that against him, he stands firm in his belief in his father. It was very touching. To achieve his goals, he needs some help and realizes Alexandra is the one who can do it. Sparks fly but necessity wins out. I enjoyed their conflicted relationship and their interactions a lot.
There was just the right amount of history interwoven in this book. The setting is the Belle Meade Plantation which produced great racehorses like Secretariat and American Pharaoh. Set just shortly after the Civil War, racial tensions were high. I hadn’t known about Fisk University and the Jubilee Singers before. Some of the struggles they faced, even in the North, surprised me. The history made the book come alive without bogging it down, which I liked.
Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Welcome back to the Belle Meade Plantation series! Book three centers on characters in 1871 Nashville who are new acquaintances, both who have similar struggles to achieve their dreams at the cost of great personal sacrifice. It reads well as a stand alone, with some mention of people from other books.

This finely written story creatively weaves together real people and events with fictional characters, effectively dealing with issues like prejudice, overcoming fear, and walking by faith towards God given goals. I found the history of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, and the struggles of the freedmen to be educated, to be very inspiring. "Education is the key to unlocking not only a person's future...but to helping create a new world." Loved all the inspirational songs and hymns used in the story too, especially those of hymn writer Phillip Bliss, and the soulful spirituals the group sang: "In the morning when I rise...give me Jesus." The story is more character driven with a steady pace, including a tender romance.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction with some romance.

After the tragic death or her fiancé in a train derailment, Alexandra Donelson decides the best way to carry on David's legacy is to teach at Fiske University-- the first freedman's university in the country. When she accepts a position at Fiske and refuses to marry the man her parents have chosen for her, Alexandra finds herself penniless and cut off from her family. Spending a few days with her friend Mary Harding at Belle Meade Plantation, Alexandra meets and impresses railroad owner Sylas Rutledge.

Originally from Colorado, Sy has come to Nashville to bid on a rail project at Belle Meade, but soon realizes that he lacks understanding in Southern business practices. Finding a kindred spirit in Alexandra, Sy asks her to tutor him in order to improve his chances. Needing the extra money, Alexandra agrees to help, despite Sy's connection to the train accident that killed her fiancé. When the politics of the post-Civil War South threaten to steal Sy's investors and Alexandra's job, will they have the courage to accept the past, face their fears, and trust God's provision?

Tamera Alexander brings her Belle Meade Plantation series to a beautiful conclusion in To Wager her Heart. Though General Harding of Belle Meade does play a role, the novel primarily focuses on the formation of Fiske University and their Jubilee Singers choir. The heartbreaking challenges the freedmen experience, and the courage they show in the face of adversity is equal parts fascinating and inspiring. Alexandra's journey to overcome her fears and Sy's to accept his stepfather's death were well-written, believable, and engaging. Sy's Western charm and altruistic nature made him a one of my favorite of Alexander's romantic leads thus far... especially in his interactions with General Harding (who happens to be one of my least favorite characters). Overall, this latest installment was a fitting conclusion to a wonderful series.

I have been an avid reader of Tamera Alexander's books for years. To Wager Her Heart is simply excellent. Tamera Alexander always creates well-developed characters and plots that capture and hold my interest, and this novel is no exception. It takes place in Nashville, a city close to my heart, during the post-Civil War era. I have read several books about this time period, but I had never read one that focused on the building of the railroads in the United States. My dad has always been fascinated by trains, so the subject is intriguing to me, and I found that I learned a great deal. In fact, that is one of the reasons that I love Tamera Alexander's books so much: she crafts her story in such a way that I am both entertained and educated. For that, I am thankful. I will certainly not spoil the ending, but I will say that I appreciated the fact that not every situation is tied up with a pretty bow at the end. Some are, of course - but some are not, just as in life. The decision on the author's part to not resolve every issue made me respect her writing even more than I already do. I'm eager to read her next series, which will also be centered in Nashville!

Alexandra Jamison is a woman who knows loss and heartache. After losing her fiance' in a horrible train wreck, one which she survived, she cannot imagine loving another. Until Sylas Rutledge walks into her life.

Sylas "Sy" Rugledge is in Nashville to prove his step-father did not cause the crash that killed so many people. If he can. He loved his step-father as a father and is determined to clear his father's name and save his reputation. Problem is, his step-father, who was one of the train engineers involved in the two-train crash, also died in the accident and cannot clear his own name. So it is up to Sy to do it.

These two formidable people form a bond through the sorrow they both feel. Alexandra refuses to board another train, but Sy helps her through her fears. He shows her just how strong she can be in the arms of our Heavenly Father if she just has faith.

I learned a valuable lesson reading this book. I can do anything through Christ if I just have faith. I don't know why I didn't get that before, but I do now. If you love clean historical Christian romances, you will love this book. Enjoy!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and all the opinions are purely my own and I was not compensated in any way for my opinion.

To Wager Her Heart is the third and final installment to Tamera Alexander's Belle Meade Plantation series. I love how the actual real life, historical events surrounds the story. The author really did her research. I just love the characters, Alexandra and Sylas. The scenes with those two were my favorite. So much fun to "see" them together.

Any reader that is looking for a fun, great, clean, and full of historical details in a book, then To Wager Her Heart is one for them. I cannot wait to see what the author is releasing next.

Highly recommended.

5+ stars.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Go to bit.ly/2ut3Cl7 to see my review on positive grace.com.

4.5 stars
Once again Tamera Alexander has woven a beautiful story inside real history. Set in post-Civil War Nashville, and including parts of our nation's past, such as Fisk University (a freedmen's school), The Jubilee Singers, Philip Bliss, and of course the beautiful Belle Meade Plantation, I didn't want to put the book down. Tamera did a wonderful job showing us the hard truths of that time, the prejudice, and the shifting in society as freedmen and Southerns attempted to reconstruct their lives. I enjoyed all the characters- the main and minor. The building up of Sylas and Alexandra's relationship was believable and not overdone. It was great to see Uncle Bob and the Hardings again. I also enjoyed the theme of trusting God in everything and of continuing education. Both important during that time period, and today!