To Whisper Her Name, by Tamera Alexander

From the Publisher:

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 Review:

I actually purchased this book. That's how much I liked the last one that I read by Tamera Alexander. This book did not disappoint.

The characters were great! Tamera creates some really stubborn female characters who are very resistant to being loved. Olivia was no exception. Ridley (love the name!) was charming. Uncle Bob was wonderful. Elizabeth was sweet, and surprising. General Harding was an interesting paradox. I really enjoyed the characters and, once again, Tamera did not fail to deliver well-developed characters. My only complaint was that some of the female's names were too similar! Lizzy, Livvy, Elizabeth... I had to really think to keep track of who she was talking about.

There are some surprising twists to the plot that make this book very worth reading. You'll think you know a character, but then they surprise you...

Tamera draws a brilliant analogy between Ridley gaining Seabird's trust and his courtship of Olivia. At first it's subtle and then there is one paragraph that just makes you say, "ooooh!!! Genius!"

I really enjoyed the plot of the book. The romance was good although it seems like it happened very suddenly... at one point, I wasn't sure whether I missed a couple of pages of something happening or not. I would have enjoyed more dialogue between Oliva and Ridley.

The historical facts are fantastic. I want to visit Belle Meade!


This was a great book. :) I recommend it!