Audible Book Review: To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

This is a lovely, character driven Civil War romance and I will get more books by this author.
To Whisper Her Name
By: Tamera Alexander
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Series: A Belle Meade Plantation Novel, Book 1
Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 11-30-12
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Civil War, Historical Romance, Sweet Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
From best-selling author Tamera Alexander comes an exquisite historical novel set against the real history of Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, Tennessee, that explores the struggles of real people of the post-war South and 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 Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Hardings’ 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 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 fighting against the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.
…
This inspirational historical romance can be listened to as a stand-alone novel or enjoyed as the first audiobook in Tamera Alexander’s Belle Meade series.
Audiobook length: approximately 125K words. Includes discussion questions for book clubs and a note from the author.
©2012 Tamera Alexander (P)2012 Zondervan

Review:
Olivia is a proper Southern lady whose marriage was arranged for her by her father. She soon learned that her husband was not the Southern Gentleman that he pretended to be. But she had no idea of the actions he was taking that resulted in him being executed as a traitor to the South. She now bears the stigma that leads to her being shunned by proper society. Fortunately, she is taken in by an “aunt”, Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. She thought she would help the household as head housekeeper but instead, Confederate General William Giles Harding was willing to allow her to stay only in a different capacity. Olivia is willing to take on the alternate duties but knows that the position is likely to be temporary and that the General has other plans to direct her remarriage.

Ridley Adam Cooper is a man from South Carolina who choose to fight for the Union. He has dreams to develop land as a homesteader in Colorado. But before he goes further west, he is seeking to learn about horse training from Bob Green, a former slave and the head trainer at Belle Meade. Ridley and Bob ‘met’ during the war but must keep that a secret. General Harding would never allow a Union soldier to work with his horses and would most likely put Bob out for the secret he has harbored and for being willing to help Ridley.

Although Ridley doesn’t have the same touch and patience as Bob, he does have a knack for handling the ranch hands. He soon gains respect from all but the most disgruntled of the men and General Harding promotes him to foreman.

Ridley stumbled upon Olivia the first day they arrived at the Plantation. She had been trapped in an overturned carriage and he rescued her in spite of her protests. He was kind even as she was bristly. As the days go by, Ridley and Olivia realize that they have a common position as wounded outsiders. Slowly a friendship and warmer feelings develop although Olivia plans to remain in Tennessee and Ridley is set on going west.

Olivia’s character grew in strength and confidence as Ridley baited her and encouraged her. I liked both of these main characters and was rooting for them to work things out. Bob Green is another wonderful character, and the members of the Harding family are well developed and fitting characters of the era. There is excellent historical detail of the black community on the plantation, including struggles to open freedmen schools. They are welcoming to Ridley and Olivia but there is still clear prejudice, anger and disdain shown by the General and his friends.

I enjoyed the faith aspect to the story that is lightly developed and embraced. I will seek more books from this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy Civil War stories and sweet romance.

Audio Notes: Tavia Gilbert does a beautiful job with the narration. She conveys the personalities of the characters and provides the appropriate energy. I enjoyed the audio experience. CAVEAT – The prologue is an important element of the book but was left out of the audio. It can be read through the “Look Inside” Kindle format.

Source: February 2018 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.