cover image To Win Her Favor

To Win Her Favor

Tamera Alexander. Zondervan, $15.99 trade paper (352p) ISBN 978-0-310-29107-7

Gifted horsewoman Maggie Linden precludes the financial ruin of her family’s estate in the difficult postbellum epoch by agreeing to her ailing father’s plea and marrying the stranger who can rescue their inheritance. Cullen McGrath may have cash and charm, but he has a past—plus, he’s Irish, something the Nashville elites find unacceptable. And Maggie’s determination to race her favorite thoroughbred mare clashes with Cullen’s desire to avoid racing at all costs. What is behind his reluctance, and can Maggie trust him with her heart? The unlikely couple must find a way to overcome their own prejudices and unite, heart and mind, as hateful outside forces threaten their home and happiness. Alexander (To Whisper Her Name) continues her ode to the magnificent Belle Meade Plantation, using it to illustrate questions of race, faith, and loyalty that continue to haunt today. Richly drawn secondary characters add depth, humor, and a sobering perspective on how Reconstruction affected racial relations, social status, and economic fortunes. Fans will appreciate, and applaud the smooth merging of social commentary and a sweet love story. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency. (May)