Review: To Wager Her Heart

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've liked the Belle Meade Plantation books, but there is just something a bit off about how Alexander handles the prejudice in this one. It seems like she must have had a problem with prejudice in her younger years because that seems to be the theme in the Belle Meade series (all are stand alone, though).

Alexander paints nearly all the whites in the story as bigots and only Sylas and Alexandra as open-hearted, compassionate people who not only respect the negroes but work for their betterment as well. This was not the case. Too many people accept bigotry as a national pasttime of the South. Just as preachers falling into the wiles of fast women becomes national news because of its rarity, so does the sensationalism of bigoted Southerners. While the Northerners were the most prejudiced.

The author did a good job of depicting the prejudice of the North when the Jubilee Singers did their tour. In fact, she notes in the back matter that the real life Jubilee Singers met much worse prejudice and abuse than depicted in the novel.

Another hole in the plot was the absence of "carpetbaggers" who ran rampant over the South during this time until 1877, nor is mentioned any government help that was offered during this time through the Reconstruction era. However, when depending upon God, one doesn't look to the government does one?

I did love the characters. I read to the end because of the characters and Tamera Alexander did a very good job developing them into believable and lovable people except the antagonists. There is nothing two-dimensional about any of them including the supporting cast--including Alexandra's father and mother.

This is an enjoyable read, worthy of purchase. You'll get to know quite a bit of railroad and Nashville history that is as accurate and I can determine. Good job on that as well.

* This novel was provided through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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