Review ~ A Defense of Honor (Haven Manor 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Paperback, 376 pages

Published June 5th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and to raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. But as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, the risk of revealing the truth may come at too high a price for those she loves.

About the Author

Kristi is the RITA® award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her books include the award winning Hawthorne House series as well as the newly published first stories of the Haven Manor series. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers' groups, schools, and young women's groups at churches. 

When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com. 

Read an excerpt and find purchase links here.

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Haven Manor is almost a world unto itself. It drew me into its halls, filling my heart with compassion and love for the women and children who reside there. The cast of characters is a treasure trove. I loved witnessing their lives change and enrich through each other. Hunter writes authentic Regency, the details and descriptions seem so real.

A Defense of Honor is the first book in a new trilogy by acclaimed author, Kristi Ann Hunter. It is a moving look at what life possibly warranted for women compromised and bearing illegitimate children of the aristocracy. I never gave much thought to the subject and was quite intrigued as I read along.

Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert finds her life changed from that of a dazzling debutante to a do-whatever-it-takes champion of these women. All she imagines for them is the work house, or even death, if she doesn’t step in and seek to provide a haven in order to protect them and their children from a lugubrious future. Needless to say, Kit is untrusting of men and reasons that none would step forward to do the right thing without strong-arm tactics.

Graham, Lord Wharton, is simply a refreshing character and exactly whom Kit needs to become acquainted with to show her the fallacy of her thinking. He is heir to an earldom, looking for purpose in life. He has no dark and dangerous history as is often found in Regencies, which upon first glance may seem dull but he is anything but! Hunter has written an exceptionally romantic character in Wharton. There is a viridity about him that I found refreshing.

Historical fiction fans will undoubtedly savor this narrative of mystery, cunning manipulation, mysterious chess pieces, delightfully charming children, heart-stirring romance, containing themes of forgiveness and redemption. I know I was enraptured and had a difficult time setting it aside to do other things. I eagerly await book two.

I was provided a print copy of the book from the publisher. No review was required. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Reading~