To Win Her Favor

By: Tamera Alexander

Narrated by: Melba Sibrel

Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

“If you read one historical novel this year, make it To Win Her Favor. It will linger with you long after the last page.” (Colleen Coble, USA Today best-selling author of The House at Saltwater Point)

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 could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.

An Irishman 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 begin farming, 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 inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever 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: that Maggie must marry a man she's never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

Set against the post-Civil War history of Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, the most influential thoroughbred stud farm in America’s history, To Win Her Favor is a passionate, stirring, and highly acclaimed novel listeners won’t soon forget.

“To Win Her Favor is a beautiful love story, not to mention a story of faith that shines through in the darkest circumstances. From the very beginning, I lost my heart to Cullen and Maggie and yearned for the moment when they would lose their hearts to each other.” (Robin Lee Hatcher, best-selling author of Who I Am with You)

“Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite authors, so I expect a lot from her novels. To Win Her Favor is captivating beyond expectation! This novel has everything readers are looking for - rich characterization, page-turning intrigue, a heartwarming romance charged with tension, and more!” (Cindy Woodsmall, New York Times and CBA best-selling author)

“Tamera Alexander has done it again. Her imagination and skillful pen intertwined with history takes the reader on a beautiful journey. To Win Her Favor is sure to stir the heart and open the mind.” (Jenny Lamb, Director of Interpretation & Education, Belle Meade Mansion)

©2015 Tamera Alexander (P)2015 Zondervan

Critic reviews

• Audie Award, Inspirational and Faith Based Fiction, 2016

questionable for teens

very good book. very good storyline. I like Christian romance because it doesn't have the prolonged, full chapter "sex scenes". though I usually let my very sweet 17 year old neice read my books after I read and approve them I will let her read this one in another year or more cause though I love Tamera Alexander this book to my surprise went just a few lines closer to questionable for teens. without giving to much away lines like " leaving her gown open so he can appreciate what was beneath" " covering her body with his" and "putting his hand under her shirt waist " might be questionable so I typed it in to give other readers an idea so they can decide if they want to read this book. with that all said I will still read this authors books cause I do enjoy a good clean romance book!

Excellent PG13 Rated Romance

Excellent PG13 rated romance with real characters, experiencing real life in the South after the War Between the states. Alexander wrote with more passion in this book, but fades to black at perfect times. I hate books that pretend Christian married couples don't enjoy sex. This was my next to favorite book from this author. It mixes horse racing, Irish struggles of the time period and the struggles of women. With all that the book remains entertaining.

Audible Version Reader Dampens the Storytelling

I have always enjoyed Tamera Alexander's audible versions. For "To Win Her Favor", however, the accents are fine, but the reading of the story is bland. This made it difficult to enjoy the beauty of Alexander's story journey and I did not connect with the characters as I usually do.

Champions

A heartwarming story of people who overcome the odds in life as well as horse racing.

looking forward to the last book in this series

I didn't think I would like this book because of the reviews about the narrator, but I played with the speed a bit and I really enjoyed it. The ability to tell the difference in characters during conversations is always a plus, and I think that was done well! I love Tamera's work, her writing provides vivid imagery and leaves me either in awe or in tears given the nature of this series, but her historic research makes me want to dig in to find out more! I must say that this book was more risque than her other books, but it's nothing raunchy and still leaves much to the imagination!

Worst voice ever

The book follows the series and is an entertaining story. However, the narrator is the worst I have ever heard. Her voice drove me crazy and her manner was so distracting. It was beyond horrible.

enjoyed the story, did not care for the narrator

Any additional comments?

Ms Alexander is a wonderful story teller. With interesting descriptions and characters that stay with you long after the book has ended. However, I feel the narrator was not what this story needed. It's a shame the same narrator was wasn't used as in the first book of this series, "To Whisper Her Name". I found Ms Sibrel to read at a slow pace with a lack of enthusiasm for what she was reading. I plan to read the printed version.

Can't say how much I loved this book!

I rarely give 5 stars, but this book highly deserves it. I loved everything about it .... the story, the narrator, the romance, the intrigue and drama. The fact that Cullen is Irish is even more special, since my Mother's family is from Ireland. The narrator did an excellent job with the accent. The only problem with this book is that it had to end. If you love historical fiction and horses, this is your book. Thank you, Tamera Alexander!

Wow

What did you love best about To Win Her Favor?

I didn't want this book to end. Great story line and well written characters!

What was one of the most memorable moments of To Win Her Favor?

The love story between man and wife.

What about Melba Sibrel’s performance did you like?

She did a good job with the Irish accents and presenting the characters emotions.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, spent more time than I should have listening.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book!!

Love the history!

Tamera's love story with great history intertwined is delightful. I've been inspired to look up the mansions and estates and desire a visit to them. Thank you, Ms Alexander!!