Belle Meade Plantation Series by Tamera Alexander

Set at Nashville's historic Belle Meade Plantation, the most influential thoroughbred stud farm in America's history, To Whisper Her Name weaves the struggles of real people of the post-war South with 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 "Aunt" Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation... moreSet at Nashville's historic Belle Meade Plantation, the most influential thoroughbred stud farm in America's history, To Whisper Her Name weaves the struggles of real people of the post-war South with 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 "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. less

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 can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good. An Irish-born son far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him... moreA 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 can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good. An Irish-born son 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 start a farm, 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 annual Drayton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack––the richest race 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––Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.  Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts––and the escalating violence from a "secret society" responsible for lynchings and midnight raids––may prove too much for even two determined souls. less

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart... moreSavannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart. To Mend a Dream is one of four Southern love stories included in the collection entitled AMONG THE FAIR MAGNOLIAS which features Tamera's novella (sold separately here), as well as novellas by Shelley Shepard Gray, Dorothy Love, and Elizabeth Musser (Harper Collins). This novella includes a scrumptious Southern recipe perfect for a book club meeting. Discussion questions included. less

With fates bound by a shared tragedy, a reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory and a Southern Belle bent on breaking free from society's expectations must work together to achieve their dreams—provided that the truth doesn't tear them apart first. Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father's name... moreWith fates bound by a shared tragedy, a reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory and a Southern Belle bent on breaking free from society's expectations must work together to achieve their dreams—provided that the truth doesn't tear them apart first. Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father's name. One man holds the key to Sy's success—General William Giles Harding of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks. Sy needs someone to help him maneuver his way through Nashville's society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he's found his tutor. But he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra's fiancé and shattered her world. Spurning an arranged marriage by her father, Alexandra instead pursues her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedmen's university in the United States. But family—and Nashville society—do not approve, and she soon finds herself cast out from both. Through connections with the Harding family, Alexandra and Sy become unlikely allies. And despite her first impressions, Alexandra gradually finds herself coming to respect, and even care for this man. But how can she, when her heart is still spoken for? Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn't count on is having to wager her heart to do it. less

Set during the Civil War at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, Tamera Alexander portrays stories about enslavement and freedom, arrogance and humility, and the power of love to heal even the deepest of wounds. To Whisper Her Name As Ridley Cooper seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia Aberdeen is determined to never be betrayed again... moreSet during the Civil War at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, Tamera Alexander portrays stories about enslavement and freedom, arrogance and humility, and the power of love to heal even the deepest of wounds. To Whisper Her Name As Ridley Cooper seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia Aberdeen is determined to never be betrayed again. To Whisper Her Name follows the journey of two wounded people and one fragile nation longing to find healing. To Win Her Favor 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—an Irishman far from home named Cullen McGrath—has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for the rest of his life. To Wager Her Heart In the new reality of the post-Civil War South a railroad man and a Southern Belle-turned teacher must find a way to work together to achieve their dreams. To Wager Her Heart is a sweeping Southern love story about a nation trying to heal and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves for who they truly are—and can be—together. To Mend a Dream Extending her beloved series in this sweet novella, Tamera Alexander offers readers the story of well-known character Savannah Darby, who would do almost anything to revisit her family home. When the new owner, Aidan Bedford, decides to redecorate his new house for his fiance, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. less