Reviewer's Bookshelf: "To Win Her Favor" by Tamera Alexander

Book Summary (from Goodreads): 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.

My thoughts...

The first word that comes to mind when I think of this novel is "passion."  This word is displayed throughout the novel, and not just in reference to romantic passion.  But let me tell you...Tamera Alexander had the romance sizzling more than ever!

Maggie's passion at the beginning of the novel is for her horse, Bourbon Belle.  She and her father have sacrificed so much to be able to keep the well-bred horse, who Maggie is confident will win in the races.  But Bourbon Belle is more than just a race horse to Maggie.  She raised the horse from a foal and has a connection to the horse like no one else.  When she rides her horse, flying across the fields, Maggie's free, untamed spirit  shines through.  To give up Bourbon Belle would be like losing part of herself.  So Maggie is determined to do whatever she can to keep her and the farm that she and her father love.

Cullen McGrath is passion personified.  He's passionate about the land, making his way in the world, in his desire to be a good, honest man, and the woman he loves.  He's not afraid to back down from a fight or stand up to evil.  And he's Irish.  So he's basically every girl's dream guy ; ).  But he's not perfect.  There are a lot of ghosts in his past that he struggles with, and they prevent him from being completely open with Maggie.

And....the sparks were flying between Cullen and Maggie!  Both of them are such passionate characters individually, so when they interact the fireworks begin.  Sometimes that means the opposite of romance as they both know how to put up a good fight.  The fact that they basically had an arranged marriage meant they had to get to know one another under difficult circumstances.  At times my stomach would be in knots over the conflict they were dealing with...at other times I couldn't turn the pages fast enough as the romance heated up!

Passion is not the only theme in this novel.  Alexander does a fantastic job of addressing the prejudices faced by so many during this time period.  As a woman, Maggie wasn't able to manage Belle like she wanted to as a man had to officially own her horse for it to be entered into a race.  Everyone was astonished to find out that Maggie actually trained her horse and not a man.  When trying to find a jockey, it was assumed that a boy would be chosen, as girls were not seen at that time as being able to do it. 

 Cullen, as an Irish man, saw the ugly face of prejudice as he tried to buy land, do business at the bank, get a loan for building supplies, and basically find support in his new town.  Even Maggie, when she first found out Cullen was Irish, turned her nose up at him.  But when she saw beyond her misconceptions, she was able to see the kind of man Cullen really was.  It was just another reminder to me how prejudice can show itself in so many ways.  

 The heaviest display of prejudice was with the African American slaves/free men that played a big part in the story.  Cullen treated the men and women with dignity and respect, offering them a better place to live and a fair wage for their work.  He protected them as best he could, but he couldn't always prevent the havoc wreaked by evil men.  As Maggie saw how Cullen treated everyone equally, she realized her need to change.  There were some difficult moments to read in this novel, as it is always hard for me to see evil done to those who don't deserve it.  Even harder was knowing that this really took place in our history, and that many suffered the ridicule and pain that was unjustly inflicted upon them.  Just as I've felt when reading stories of the Holocaust or other evil periods in our world's history...may we never forget.

I have enjoyed every novel I've read by Tamera Alexander, but this novel stands out in particular.  I loved the chemistry between the main characters, I found the bond between Maggie's father and Cullen endearing, and the struggles each character went through, even down to a precious African American child, gave the novel a more than satisfying journey.  I would highly recommend it!

Happy reading!

**I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review, which I gave.**