A great book from start to finish! I loved the characters and the setting of the story. I cheered these characters on and cried for others. A must read! ( )

Book 1 of 3
Two people with painful histories. Telling anyone will lead to more hurt. Telling no one will lead to loneliness. ( )

Widowed Southern belle Olivia Aberdeen is scared sick of horses and never wishes to leave her beloved South, so when she falls in love with undercover Union ex-soldier Ridley Cooper, and he shares his dreams of starting a horse ranch in Colorado Territory, her choice is clear--overcome her fears to embrace his dream, or cling to the safe and familiar, losing the sweetest relationship she's ever known. What will she decide when the handsome horse-whisperer whispers her name?

This story was so well-crafted, after reading, I closed the book and stared out the window, soaking it in. Rich in historical detail, humor, and romance, To Whisper Her Name leaves the reader satisfied with a skillfully explored, executed, and tied up plot.

The only downers for me: Hefty chunks of backstory gave this fantastic story a slow start, and the inspirational thread was a bit vague. Also, for a story told from a Southern belle's point of view, very little was said about the non-slave-holding southern citizens' initial reasons for fighting in the Civil War--defending a smaller, state-oriented government and their homes from invasion.

All in all a very entertaining read. Readers of Tamera's book "The Inheritance," are in for a treat toward the end of this story. :) ( )

Oh I liked this introduction to Tamera Alexander and her works. She knows how to balance romance and drama in a way that doesn't fall into the preachy pitalls of other Christian fiction titles nor the oversexed world of historical romance. Everything is presented in such a way that we get a wonderful romance and fantastic story of healing and new beginnings.

I fell in love with Ridley's and Olivia's romance, pun intended. I felt they supported each and filled in each other where they were lacking. Olivia gave Ridley something to savor on his journey to horse knowledge and the Colorado Territory; I believe loving her showed him that life was meant to be savored and enjoyed along with striving for goals. And Ridley showed Olivia that not all men were brutes nor was life all about being proper. I think he gave her the push to start teaching and standing up for herself and what she wanted in life. They complimented each other nicely.

I also enjoyed how the author was able to really show this was a romance. There was very evident romantic/sexual tension between these two and some very nice kissing scenes. No hanky-panky was shown but it was clear that these two were passionate about each other and very much in love. I've read Christian fiction novels before that struggled with this, with the two main leads really only coming to a strong friendship and that's it. Not Ms. Alexander! She knows how to tug at her reader's heartstrings with her love stories and heroes/heroines. Nicely done.

There was a nice balance between North and South in this story of healing and moving on. The author was able to show that there was honor on both sides of the war, and that not all Southern men were brutes and horrible slave owners of the Simon Legree caliber. I really liked how the author stressed that time can bring healing, both from the scars of war as well as to the pain of past transgressions and brutal relationships.

I enjoyed this Christian historical romance to the hilt. It was a beautiful introduction to the author and a lovely romance. I really felt the emotions from our two leads and was kept enthralled by their tale of healing and love. Definitely recommended if you're in the market for a Christian romance. ( )

This is a wonderful novel! My favorite by Tamera Alexander. I love horses and also Southern history, so this book pulled me in and held my attention to the very last page! It is simply beautiful in every way!

The main characters, Olivia Aberdeen and Ridley Cooper, are both outcasts in Southern society in the aftermath of the Civil War. Olivia is the widow of a man who was murdered because he was a traitor to the Confederacy. She carries the shame of that marriage, which causes her to be determined never to love or trust a man again. Ridley is also a traitor to the South. He left his home in South Carolina, fought for the Union while his brothers remained loyal to the Confederate army. They arrive at Belle Meade Plantation on the same day. Olivia because she was invited to live at Belle Meade by her mother's best friend, and Ridley because he is seeking a job working with the thoroughbred horses which are raised on the estate.

Belle Meade is owned by former Confederate General William Giles Harding. He has no idea that Ridley fought for the North, and assumes he fought with the Confederate forces. Ridley forms a bond with former slave (and resident horse whisperer), Bob Green and rises to the position of foreman. General Harding is impressed with Ridley and trusts him to manage the stud farm.

At General Harding's request, Olivia is put in a position to work closely with Ridley. She is shocked to find that she is developing deep feelings for the man. Ridley is also falling in love with Olivia, even though he has no intention of remaining at Belle Meade for very long. All the while, General Harding is playing matchmaker and would like to see Olivia married to one of his associates. Olivia and Ridley deal with many personal issues which keep them from admitting their love for one another. The story is captivating and very well written.

The Harding family and their servants actually did reside at Belle Meade Plantation. Many of the characters really did exist. This adds to the interest of the book. You can visit Tamera Alexander's blog and find photos of the Hardings and their estate. Ms. Alexander took painstaking care in her historical research. As a reader, you feel like you are living in the post-Civil War South as you read this novel. It is deeply moving, historically enlightening, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this period of history. Such a tragic and sad time. In the end, faith gets everyone through and God's hand is leading each character through very difficult times. At 473 pages, this is a very hefty read, but worth every minute of your time! ( )