Synopsis:~
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.
My take:~
I’ve come to expect an exceptional reading experience when I pick up a Tamera Alexander novel but To Whisper Her Name still enthralled me more than I imagined. An exquisitely rendered tale of heartache, overwhelming loss, dangerous secrets and blossoming love that held me spellbound for each of the almost 500 pages. Tamera creates characters of deep complexity, beguiling in their authenticity, sets the historical tone of the book with accuracy and insight and transports the reader onto the plantation with vivid descriptions of the sights and smells of a working stud farm. Ridley, Olivia, Bob Green, Aunt Elizabeth and General Harding come to life under Tamera’s deft hand, vibrant characters whose journeys become the heartbeat of the story. Tamera Alexander is supremely talented, offering up everything a reader dreams of in a substantive historical romance, making To Whisper Her Name a pure delight to read. I can’t wait for more in this new series.
With thanks to PR by the Book for my review copy
Relz Reviewz Extras
Character spotlight on Claire & Sutton
Reviews of A Lasting Impression, Revealed, Remembered, The Inheritance, From A Distance, Beyond This Moment & Within My Heart
Interview with Tamera
Visit Tamera’s website and blog
Buy Tamera’s books at Amazon or Koorong
October 25, 2012 at 8:45 am
Oh, wow! I was just thinking about this book! Excellent review, Rel. Excellent choice of words and I am so glad that you enjoyed it, because I’m looking forward to read it!
All right!
🙂
October 25, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Ganise » I’m pretty comfortable tipping this one will make your favourites list of 2012!
October 25, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Rel, great touch adding the video to your post.
Ian
October 25, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Ian » Hey, thanks for dropping by 🙂 Now, I’m guessing this isn’t your kind of book but if anyone every asks you for an historical romance recommendation, Tammy’s the one!
October 25, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Wonderful review! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
~Amber
October 25, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Amber S. » Thanks, lovely girl! Tamera is hard to beat in this genre, isn’t she?
October 26, 2012 at 3:33 am
I have been disappointed by Alexander’s writing in the past but am looking forward to this series because it comes across as “different” than her prior series.
October 26, 2012 at 9:29 am
Rissi » Wow, that surprises me. I’ve loved all Tammy’s books although this one would be up there with her best, if not the best. What has been missing in her books for you, Rissi? I’m always fascinated with what readers like and dislike in a book.
October 26, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I can remember reading her first series and generally really liking it but then I read her second set (‘Timber Ridge’) and had to force myself to get through the final book. For me, I feel like too many of the situations are over-long. Each scenario flows over into multiple chapters and that either becomes boring or caused me to “forget” what I was supposed to be caring about or engrossed in. Despite that, I do like Tamera’s writing and am willing to give this series a fair chance. It sure gives a good impression! 🙂
If anything, reviewing has forced me to be more critical and while I don’t like to be, it’s been good for me because I am narrowing down which author’s and genres I prefer, and I desperately need that.
October 27, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Rissi » I agree that reviewing makes you read more critically (which sometimes takes away from the enjoyment!) and clarifies likes and dislikes. Have you read Tamera’s The Inheritance – that was one I really enjoyed though, as I said, I’ve loved them all. It would be a boring old world if we all just loved the same stories, wouldn’t it? Thanks for sharing more of your thoughts. So, that said, who is your fav CF historical romance writer? I have a few – Tamera, Laura Frantz, Siri Mitchell, Jody Hedlund & Susie May Warren has really surprised me with hers!
October 28, 2012 at 4:14 am
It can take away some of the enjoyment but for me, as long as I like/love a story, writing the review comes really easy though sometimes I feel I don’t do it justice. I need to hone which genres and author’s I like best because in all honesty, narrowing down my list would be of help. Unfortunately, I seem to be reading at the speed of a turtle these days. 🙂
I’ve really started to enjoy Susan May Warren’s historical novels also – that lady can write all the genres and she does each one beautifully! Loved Bergren’s “Tour” series (so far!) and am thinking Janice Thompson may also have a budding “career” in the genre after her lovely Titanic novel. Usually I like Tracie Peterson but have come to the conclusion that I prefer her in her co-author capacity (i.e. the ‘Ladies of Liberty’ novels or the ‘Broadmoor Legacy’). Hopefully I’ll be re-enchanted by Elizabeth Camden also because I LOVED her sweet debut novel. Also, I am enjoying Elizabeth Ludwig’s ‘No Safe Harbor’ so far. There are SO many books and so little time! 😀
October 30, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Rissi » Love anything Lisa Bergren writes!! Have you read her Gifted series? Just brilliant! My mum adores Tracie Peterson’s novels but I have found them hard to get into for some reason.
October 31, 2012 at 12:42 pm
No I have not read Lisa’s “Gifted” novels. In fact, I believe ‘Illusions’ was the first I’d ever read but it was FABULOUS! I have one of her other teen novels and am dying to get a hold of book two in the “Grand Tour” series. 🙂
Tracie Peterson has become less of a favorite author and I think I prefer her writing in the more “refined” eras as opposed to the western series – plus I really want to read the “Bridal Veil” series! It looks stunning! Her writing tends to be very simplistic and while I appreciate that, I understand that is not for everyone.
In reference to Tamera’s writing: No, I’ve not read ‘Inheritance’… yet! I think I have it that was given as a gift or I had picked it up somewhere. Now I’ll have to move it to the top of my TBR pile. ;D
You are so right – what a boring world this would be if we all liked the same thing. Thank goodness we don’t ’cause then we couldn’t enjoy great “book talk.” 🙂