Rich Historical Fiction -- To Whisper Her Name

About a year and a half ago, through an offer to participate in a blog tour, I was introduced to Tamera Alexander's writing, and I'm so, so glad I was! 

To Whisper Her Name is another awesome southern historical novel.  Once again, Tamera does a fantastic job of mixing historical events, locations, and characters with fiction and crafting a beautiful story that grips you from the very first page and holds you to the very end.  I could almost see, hear, and feel the people, the horses, and the grounds of Belle Meade Plantation as Olivia and Ridley dealt with their pasts and dared to dream of the future.  The characters, from Confederate General William Giles Harding, to Uncle Bob, Jedediah, and the other freed slaves at Belle Meade, came alive on the pages and ga
ve a very authentic feel to the story.  The research Tamera has done is evident and helps to transport you to the setting rich in actual history.

If you've had the pleasure of reading Tamera's first Belmont Mansion novel -- A Lasting Impression -- you will recognize the mention of Adelicia Acklen.  These two books are set in the same time period, just miles apart from each other near Nashville, Tennessee. 

If you enjoy great post-Civil-war era fiction, or if you're a fan of well-written Christian fiction in general, check out To Whisper Her Name.  It's a little longer than many novels on the market now, but it is worth every page.

About the Book

Set at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, the most influential thoroughbred stud farm in America’s history, To Whisper Her Name weaves the struggles of real people of the post-war South with the journeys of a man and a woman scarred by betrayal.
 
Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a man shot as a traitor to the South, is shunned by proper society and gratefully accepts an invitation from “Aunt” Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Harding’s head housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned when she learns the real reason Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Not finding the safe haven she expects, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a Southern man who seems anything but a Southern gentleman.

Branded a traitor by some, Ridley Cooper, a Southern son who chose to fight for the Union, is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him. Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade's head horse trainer and former slave, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley harbors secrets that threaten both their lives.
As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.

About the Author

Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous industry-leading honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, and the Carol Award. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Nashville, Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children, and a ten pound silky terrier named Jack.

Learn more about Tamera at her website.

Finding the Truth -- Slow Moon Rising

Two years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Cedar Key, Florida, for the first time -- vicariously, through the pages of Eva Marie Everson's Chasing Sunsets.  Through that journey, I fell in love with Cedar Key and with Everson's writing.  A return visit last year through Waiting for Sunrise was just as enjoyable.

Slow Moon Rising closes out this series in the same manner.  The story is intriguing, and the characters are people easy to care about and who I would like to meet in real life.

This story is somewhat unique in that it is told in first-person voice from the perspective of multiple characters.  While that technique might be difficult to do well, Eva pulls it off in a great style that allows the reader to feel close to each individual.  Although Chasing Sunsets was my favorite, I found the entire series fascinating, beginning with Kimberly's story, then traveling back and beyond to learn so much more.

This book was provided free from Revell for my honest review.

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Book

One family, one secret--and one chance to make it right.
The beautiful Claybourne home on Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release. Each member of the family has turned there in times of confusion, loss, and hurt, only to feel their spirits renewed and their hearts restored.

But Cedar Key might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within.

Join the five Claybourne women--Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami--as they search the past and confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and the precious renewal of love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is--family. 

About the Author

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken, This Fine Life, and Chasing Sunsets. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club books and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.

Learn more about Eva at her website.

A Quick Glimpse at a Love Story -- Jennifer

Fans of Dee Henderson's O'Malley Series will find Jennifer to be a treat.  This short novella -- which can easily be read in a couple hours or so -- is a sweet love story that gives a short, intimate glimpse at the youngest member of the O'Malley family.  I read the entire series years ago -- my first introduction to Dee Henderson -- and the story encouraged me to go back and re-read them all.

For those of you who haven't yet read the O'Malley series, Jennifer will be a good introduction and whet your appetite for more.  If you dive into Dee's other books, get ready to bump up several notches and hold on tight as she takes you on a suspenseful and thrilling journey into the lives of Jennifer and her siblings.

In spite of the sweet story, I was a little disappointed in this book.  I did not expect it to be as short and light as it was, totally different from the other books in the series.  

Thanks to Bethany House for providing this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.

The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire family.

About the Author

Dee Henderson is the author of eighteen novels, including Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, New York Times bestseller Full Disclosure, the acclaimed O'Malley series, and the Uncommon Heroes series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois.

Learn more at www.deehenderson.com.