Early 19th century. In this unusual story, Katherine (Kit) FitzGilbert has turned her back on London society and is living a secret life far from the city. On a business trip to London, however, she makes the acquaintance of Graham, Lord Wharton. He’s immediately fascinated by her and follows her before losing track of her in the city.
Sometime later, their lives become interconnected and an attraction is born. Obstacles must be overcome and each must learn dependence upon God. The author does a superb job, I felt, with the main characters’ wrestlings and subsequent character development.

A tale well told! This is the first in the H@ven Manor series, and I look forward to more!

I received this title from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I highly recommend it.

I really, really, really enjoy Kristi's writing style. Her books are engaging, and her characters are realistic and emotive.

This new series starts out with a bored earl-to-be who, after meeting an out-of-place woman at a ball, is challenged to make a difference in the lives of forgotten children. These forgotten children are illegitimate, which may or may not make you uncomfortable. Kristi is very tasteful in her descriptions, but the whole book does deal with the difficult, historic subject - of children born out of wedlock and the beginnings of informal adoptions.

I loved seeing Jess in this story (the spy turned maid from the Hawthorne House series)! I hope Kristi is going to tell her story next!! I am so curious as to how she ended up at Haven House!

If you've read Kristi's past books, you won't want to miss A Defense of Honor!

This book was not what I expected...and I was pleasantly surprised. It is not your typical Regency-style novel, but explored a topic that is often hinted at but never really addressed. What happens when a romantic tryst leads to an unwanted pregnancy? What happens to the children and the adults involved? Kit has given up London society, her family, and her reputation to protect women and children...but the way she does this is controversial. You could even say immoral.

The moral dilemmas in this novel was so well written. Often it seems pretty cut and dry which character is going on the wrong path, but I could honestly see both Kit and Graham's perspective. It takes faith and wisdom from God for them to work towards a resolution. Kit wrestles with a deep need to receive forgiveness and move past the guilt and shame that drives her. She also has to learn what a relationship with an honorable man could be like.

Personal takeaway...Guilt and shame are a burden that God gladly bears. Receiving His forgiveness can help us live a life filled with peace and freedom.

This is an intriguing novel that covers a wide range of plot elements. I would definitely recommend it!

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my opinion, which I did.**

Kristi Ann Hunter generally writes high quality fiction, but I found this book hard to follow. There were so many characters I almost needed a playbill to keep up with them all. The prime focus of regency romances is the English aristocracy and their social engagements, when the men are just as much gold-diggers as the women are. It's all about making a good match to keep the family coffers full.

Kit FitzGerald is looking for money, but she's trying to get deadbeat dads to pay for the support of their illegitimate children that she is taking care of. But to figure out who belongs to whom and who is chasing who was just beyond my abilities to keep up with.

Two Stars. My thanks to Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book to read and for allowing me to review it.

Is it ever right to do wrong in order to do right? This is the dilemma that’s faced by three brave women in this intriguing story.

I loved the fact that this regency tale did not follow the usual regency storyline. Kristi Ann Hunter tells the story of three women who, despite the heartbreak in their own pasts, decide to spend their lives rescuing both the mothers and their illegitimate children from a society that turns them into outcasts. As in all her books, Ms. Hunter gives her characters both flaws and strengths, and this keeps the storyline interesting with sometimes unexpected twists and turns. The dialogue between characters is sparkling with a thread of humor that occurs in just the right places to lighten the story. I’m looking forward to continuing the story of these characters in the next book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

It’s unfortunate when a favorite author pens a novel you don’t love but it is also a reality of life that such an event typically occurs at least once in a writer’s career. Hopefully, A Defense of Honor will be the aberration in Ms. Hunter’s lexicon since her previous novels have brought me such joy.

Graham, Viscount Wharton, is bored by the monotony of life as a member of the ton, and is at yet another dull event when he finds himself intrigued by a colorfully clad young woman he notices trying to hide behind the potted palms. Graham and the mystery woman exchange a few witticisms before he is waylaid by a friend and the woman makes good her escape – but he is not to be easily put off, and eventually locates her in the midst of an altercation with an older man.

Bumping into the father she hasn’t seen for thirteen years is the last thing Katherine – Kit – FitzGilbert had expected when she ducked into a familiar ballroom in order to avoid pursuit by two thugs on the London streets. If it hadn’t been for Lord Wharton, she’d have been in and out quickly – and even more infuriatingly, the man overhears her confrontation with her father. When she does finally manage to make her way to the door, her pursuers are waiting for her – and this time, Wharton’s presence is a help, as it enables Kit to get away – but not before Graham demands to know her name, which she divulges before heading off into the night.

Graham spends a restless night wondering how to trace his lady in green; fortunately, fate intervenes the next day. Joining his friend Oliver on a quest for the man’s missing sister leads them to an unusual shop in the town of Marlborough, a garrulous young boy who speaks of hidden treasure and a path through the woods which leads Graham straight to Kit.

The majority of historical romances today star characters who throw convention to the wind and behave completely outside the norms of Regency society. That certainly happens here where we see Graham travel about England without a valet, and Kit galivant across the country without any sort of escort, male or female. I could probably have accepted that but much of the plot hinges on a case of mistaken identity which results in a pregnancy. It’s a stretch to believe that one person – other than a twin- would sound, look and behave sufficiently like another to be able to pass intimate scrutiny, and I found it unbelievable that a gently bred young lady would be comfortable enough with a strange man to allow him the intimacies necessary to impregnate her. I would have believed a seduction, I might have accepted one of the many ridiculous scenarios that abound in our current historical market for a woman wanting to lose her virginity, but the circumstances described here make no sense. I was also confused as to why, given the couple was observed through a window, no societal pressure was applied to the man to behave honorably and propose marriage. Typically, at least some censure would be attached to his name for not doing so, but the author makes it sound as though only the woman was punished in this case. Adding to the nonsensical nature of the tale is the blackmail scheme Kit is involved in. Her ability to obtain the necessary material is never explained, and such a situation called for an explanation.

Another problem I had was the uniquely American tone of the story. I’ve read variants of this book (and seen it in movies) numerous times. Typically, it is set somewhere like Kansas or Missouri during the late 19th/early 20th century. The children in the story are orphans and the offspring of unwed mothers that Kit and her sisters/friends allow to live with them on their farm. Graham (a rich cowboy) would be looking for his friend’s sister, just like in this story, and exactly as happens in this book, he would come upon the beautiful Kit on a rainy day, stable his horse in her barn, get a pallet in the kitchen because he is trapped there by the bridge back to town being flooded, insist on stripping out of his coat, jacket, and cravat so he can dry them out in the warmth of the kitchen fire and receive a hot bowl of stew for dinner. Like I’ve said, this is a very familiar tale in American romances. That scene in the kitchen is so stock I could picture it with complete clarity: the pot-bellied stove, the kitchen fireplace, large wood table and the handsome man who virtually oozes masculinity from every pore removing his riding accoutrements and placing them across various chairs and hooks near the fire. The flustered blonde dishing up the grub would skedaddle out of there, confused by her own sexual interest in the inappropriately garbed stranger. He would give her retreating back the same smirk Graham gives Kit.

Telling old stories in new settings can breathe fresh life into them and make the reader see them in whole new ways. In this case, however, not enough has been changed to make that possible. Instead, we are treated to the unlikely event of members of the British aristocracy behaving with shocking similarity to the stereotypical characters of an American Western. The setting itself – the large country house, small town with what sounded very like a general mercantile, and the women caring for the children without a maid or other servants – is very typical of the genre. While it is true that under the surface human societies bear strong resemblances to each other, those surface items can make a big difference. In this case, the egalitarian society and small-town atmosphere sounded too little like English country life for my comfort.

There are good aspects to the tale. Kit and her friends are delightful people with simple, homespun faith. They learn valuable spiritual lessons as our story progresses, and while their faith is far more American in nature than European, it suited the characters as they were presented. Graham and Kit spend some quality time together, setting a solid foundation for their HEA. I liked that Graham’s background included some rough and tumble traveling which allowed him to feel more at ease with the unusual; it helped to make sense of his easy acceptance of Kit’s situation. He isn’t an evangelical Christian when he meets the ladies but exposure to their ways helps him determine that faith belongs in every day, not just Sunday. It would all have been very charming had they been the denizens of robber baron ballrooms and farms in the rolling hills of the American countryside.

They weren’t though, and aside from tossing about the occasional title and mention of an estate, nothing about them suggested they were British, much less English Aristocracy. That leaves this very American story of a Crisis Pregnancy Center being set in an era and location in which it doesn’t belong. While A Defense of Honor is peopled with charming characters and contains delightful prose, the anachronisms in setting and plot make it a story I would recommend only to evangelicals who love books that confirm their ideal of right to life.

A riskier darker side to the Regency era we all know and love. A deeply emotive story that will open up an alternate view point, to the challenging world of illegitimacy in the 1800s . With a unique plot, and genuine heartfelt storyline, Kristi tells a story you probably haven't heard before. With an eye for even the tiniest of details (and I notice, as a British reader) I can tell she has thoroughly researched her subject. This story follows through now 12/13 years on from her novella - with a humorous but catchy opener between Graham & Kit. She's back in London, it's a mystery to the reader & to Graham who is certain he has never seen her grace the London scene before. Known as Lord Wharton to his peers, he and his 2 loyal friends - Oliver & Aaron, will find themselves finding a lot more than they bargained for as their search for Oliver's sister takes Graham & Oliver to market town of Marlborough.

I loved so much about this story. Yes, it might not be your typical regency tale - and difficult subjects are addressed. This is what made this book so engaging. The fears, the plight, the uncertainty, the secrets, even the means in which Kit, Daphne & Jess are keeping their little band holed up hidden at Haven Manor. They are survivors, and doing what they think is best with the means they have. It isn't until Graham is able to bring a little light, and eventually objectivity that change is made possible - and with that a lesson for all of us. It's ok when we get through our lives the way we see fit, but how much more light can we invite in when we let go of the control we desperately cling to, and trust in a God who can show us a better way. Growth happens. Peace can be felt. I love the authors writing style. Everything is so descriptive without being wordy, she had me right there in the scene, with such clarity, each emotion was felt, the images vivid in my mind. There's an 'almost fly on the wall' experience. That's what I want to find in a book. I got lost in this tale!

I'm so excited to see what more is in store in this series!

Thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book. This is my honest review.
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This swoon-worthy new release from Kristi Ann Hunter takes place in Regency England—where society keeps social mores and personal reputation more closely guarded than the crown jewels. Or not. Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert has turned her back on London and its whited-sepulcher social scene. She learned the hard way that all the glitter and glitz hide an abundance of evil and hypocrisy. Since her debut and rapid fall from grace ten years ago, she has only returned to London incognito. And only to help the women and children she has sworn to protect.

Graham, the Viscount Wharton, has tired of society and its insipid debutants who prattle away about nothing for hours on end. He doesn’t think he wants to settle down and set up his nursery yet, but after traveling around the world, he’d like a little adventure at home. A mysterious woman dressed in a dated green gown hiding behind the shrubbery at a ball piques his interest. He breaks all conventions by introducing himself, although the reluctant beauty fails to reciprocate his gesture. Before he can insist, she vanishes.

They meet one more time that night—this time as apparent footpads threaten the fair lady outside the mansion. After coming to her rescue, Graham discovers her name—Kit—before she disappears again. Weeks later he rescues a young boy and discovers where Kit lives.

Hunter’s writing shines with characters who don’t fit the norm—which makes them so relatable to today’s readers. The subplots and secondary characters provide a realistic foil for the hero and heroine—I can’t wait to see who ends up as the heroine and hero of the second book in this new series!

Graham, Lord Wharton ist mit seinen 31 Jahren von seinem Leben nur noch gelangweilt. Immer die gleichen Veranstaltungen, Gespräche, Personen. Aber er kann sich auch nicht zu einer lukrativen Heirat durchringen, all die jungen Damen der Gesellschaft erscheinen ihm uniform und uninteressant. Er sehnt sich nach Abwechslung, nach einem Abenteuer.

Auf einem Ball erhascht er zufällig einen Blick auf eine Dame in auffällig grünem Kleid, die sich hinter den Deko Pflanzen versteckt. Das kann immerhin sein Interesse wecken. Als er sie aufgespürt hat, entdeckt er, dass sie veraltet gekleidet ist und das Kleid schon mehrfach geändert wurde und sie auch keinen Schmuck trägt. Nach dem ersten Wortwechsel bemerkt er jedoch schon, dass er fündig geworden ist. Sie zeigt Geist und Frische. Auch wenn sie geradeheraus wirkt, entdeckt er sie sogleich beim Schummeln. Als sein guter Freund Oliver auftaucht, ist sie plötzlich verschwunden.

Kit Katherine Fitz Gilbert war nur kurz nach London gekommen, um erneut einen Mann zu erpressen, für zwölf Jahre seinen Zahlungen für einen illegitimen Sprössling nachzukommen. Einst hat sie selber zur besseren Gesellschaft gehört, bis sie vor 13 Jahren wie ihre Freundin ruiniert und verstoßen wurde. Seitdem kümmert sie sich um eine ganze Schar der ungewollten Kinder der noblen Herrschaften. Sie ist von Grahams Freundlichkeit und seiner Selbstironie überrascht. Auf der Flucht vor zwei üblen Gesellen hat sich in den fremden Ballsaal gerettet. Nach einem Zusammenstoß mit ihrem Vater will sie sich nur noch schleunigst auf den Heimweg machen, aber man hat ihr aufgelauert und Graham muss sie retten. Weiterhin will sie ihm aber nicht mehr von sich verraten, als ihren Vornamen Kit. Dann verschwindet sie wieder spurlos. Doch dann entdeckt Oliver, dass seine Schwester Priscilla verschwunden ist und die Suche nach ihr führt sie zu Kit...

Kit und Graham sind zwei sehr sympathische und nachvollziehbare Protagonisten, die im Laufe der Geschichte emotional und charakterlich wachsen. Diese interessante Entwicklung kann der Leser sehr gut mitfühlen. Es gibt auch eine Reihe überzeugender Nebenfiguren, die das Buch bereichern und vielfältig das Leben der Protagonist ergänzen. Kit fällt es sehr schwer sich auf Graham einzulassen, wieder Vertrauen in das Leben zu finden. Graham versucht Ihr auf jede Weise ganz empfindsam näher zu kommen. Das Erlebte stellt auf einleuchtende Weise seine ganze Welt auf den Kopf.

Zum letzten Viertel nimmt das Buch eine dramatische Wendung, die schlussendlich für Kit und Graham zu einem schönen und überzeugenden Happy End führt. Im Epilog gibt es einen erfreulichen, hoffnungsvollen Blick in die Zukunft des Paares.

Man kommt gut in die Geschichte rein, die für einen Liebesroman sehr fesselnd ist. Man fiebert mit den beiden Hauptfiguren dem glücklichen Ende entgegen. Hofft und bangt und fragt sich als Leser,wie diese Erzählung wohl gut ausgehen mag. Zentrales Thema ist Vertrauen, auch Vertrauen in Gott. Dem Buch liegt die einfallsreiche Idee um die illegitimen Sprösslinge, Haven Manor und die Rolle der „The Governess“ genannten Unbekannten zu Grunde, die es besonders machen.

Ich bin gespannt, wie und mit welchem Paar die Autorin die neue Serie fortführen wird.

4,5 von 5 Punkten

I really enjoyed Kristi Ann Hunter's Hawthorne House series. I knew I wanted to read A Defense of Honor as soon as I found out about it. One of the things I loved about the Hawthorne House series is that Kristi Ann Hunter takes what I'm used to expecting from this time period and genre and throws in aspects that aren't typical. And she does exactly that with A Defense of Honor. To be truthful, I'm not sure how much I can say about this book without spoilers.

Graham is bored. He's set to be Earl after his father dies, but his dad is in quite good health. He's tired of the same old, same old found in the typical London ballroom and drawing room. A chance meeting introduces him to Kit. She isn't anything he's used to, but he doesn't have time to get to know her there. As fortune would have it, Graham goes on a mission with his friend Oliver in a hunt to find his missing sister. Graham stumbles upon Kit and what else he finds changes his life and his perspective forever.

Kit is quite jaded and angry. She was mistreated and wrongly accused of something. However her actions caused a friend to be put in a tricky situation. This resulted in her being outcast from society. However, she and her friends have turned their privacy into a mission to help others. Graham is a complication that could expose the group and secrecy is of the upmost importance for the girls to keep helping others.

I really liked Graham and Kit. Both had things to work through before they were ready to begin a relationship. Trust has to be built and rebuilt. Pasts have to be overcome. A future has to have possibilities.

Favorite quotes:
-"You are trusting me more than you trust God.”

-“The most precious gems are forged from pressure. God brings beauty from adversity, when you let Him.”

A Defense of Honor was everything I've come to expect of Kristi Ann Hunter. A relationship I can root for. A twist on what I expect from this time period. And a great moral and message without feeling preached at. A Defense of Honor gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Defense of Honor? What did you think? Let me know.

A Defense of Honor is a standalone book and can be read as such. However, the prequel A Search for Refuge really helps set the stage and it is free on Amazon.

This book had a unique and interesting plot, especially for the time period. I have read a lot of stories set during this era and have never read anything like this.

It had a mix of very serious topics along with some funny moments. I loved the ongoing joke of how Kit FitzGilbert and Lord Graham Wharton met and their love of dancing with plants.

While this book is largely about the aristocracy it stills has a raw realness to it with feelings and situations that are seen today.

One of the themes of this book was learning to follow God’s will. Also, needing to realize how blessed you are and that to be a good person you must help those who are less fortunate.

“A good man sees what he’s been given and does the best he can to earn it.”

I really enjoyed that this book was not predictable, had an interesting storyline, and there were a number of characters I want to know even more about in future books.

Deserted children, secrets that need to stay hidden, a heroine who has a mission, and a hero who needs a purpose all come together in A Defense of Honor, the newest book by Kristi Ann Hunter. I most enjoyed the skillful words, the children, of course, and the secondary characters. The skillfully worded story, while dealing with tough subjects, managed to not leave me feeling down at the end while still taking me on an emotional roller coaster. I laughed at the humorous meeting of Graham and Kit behind the trees at the ballroom. I cried after finding out the situation the children were in, orphans with living parents. I cheered on Kit, Daphne, and Jess as they took care of the children and loved them. And, I sighed a happy sigh at the sweet romance between Graham and Kit. The children were another aspect of the book that I loved! The author did a fantastic job of giving each one a different personality. I felt like I really knew each one of the children by the end. I was so thankful that they had such loving women looking after them and giving them the love that every child should have. The secondary characters were such fun! I enjoyed getting to know Daphne who seems like such a sweet friend, feisty Jess who I would want on my side if she were real, Oliver and Aaron with hints at their story. The little information given about each of these characters made me wish for a book with their full stories. With words used skillfully to make one feel emotion, charming children, and interesting secondary characters, this book was enjoyable to read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance, children, and English countryside.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the wonderful opportunity to review this book!

This was another fantastic read from Kristi Ann Hunter. This book has a very unique storyline and I was enchanted from the very beginning and was dying to learn the secrets and see how it ended. I was thrilled to see a familiar face from the Hawthorne House series and can't wait to see that character get their own story! The humor that I have come to expect from Kristi's books was there as usual and was as always one of my favorite parts of the book. This is another can't miss book!

I loved this book! Now I need to know - does the rest of the series follow Jess and Daphne, or Aaron and Oliver? All of the above? Other characters we haven’t met yet? How does Graham and Kit’s venture turn out? What drove Jess to that London alley where she met Kit? Why did she leave Ryland and Miranda? Will we see any of the Hawthornes again?

A Defense of Honor was the first book I've read by Kristi Ann Hunter, but it won't be my last. I very much enjoyed the first book of the Haven Manor series.

Kit FitzGilbert is in trouble. But there's nothing new there. She runs into Graham, Lord Wharton, at a London ball and he assists her in escaping the predicament she's found herself in. Graham is intrigued by Kit, but he can tell she's trouble. Kit can't help but be drawn to Graham, but she has people counting on her, and she can't allow her own desires to hurt the people she cares for...again. Between Graham's friend's missing sister and the enigmatic Kit, he doesn't think he'll be struggling with boredom anymore.

Kit has been hurt by past mistakes, both hers and those of others. Even worse, her best friend was caught in the cross-hairs. They now live outside of society and try to help others who have been hurt by the same social injustices that hurt them. She see's it as penance for her past mistakes. Kit has grown up a lot over the past decade, but she still has a lot to learn, especially about God's grace.

Graham has spent most of the past decade in one adventure after another. Knowing it's time to settle down, he returns home. But his restless spirit keeps him from being able to enjoy the London society around him. He is drawn into adventure once again when he meets Kit. He starts to care for her, but when certain truths come to light, he has a hard time showing grace. He also begins to see that even with his current discontent, not everyone has had the many advantages he's been afforded.

It was good to see both characters grow and mature through A Defense of Honor. The chemistry was there between them, but they had some of their own issues that needed to be dealt with before they could be together.

Honestly, some of the secondary characters were my favorite parts of this book. Hunter did a good job of giving you just the right amount of details that you couldn't help but be excited for the other books of the series. I could have used a few more details on the pasts of the main characters, but overall, Hunter did a great job.

This is a sweet story, but it doesn't shy away from some of the harder details of life in the Regency era. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to read the stories of the characters I met in A Defense of Honor.

I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of the freshest voices in Regency fiction. I love everything she writes. I wasn't sure that she could make me love new characters as much as I did those in the Hawthorn House series but The folks of Haven Manor are quickly becoming some of my favorites. You can get a brief introduction with a free novella from Amazon. A Search For Refuge https://www.amazon.com/Search-Refuge-...
A Defense Of Honor is a thoroughly enjoyable read. So grab a cup of English Breakfast tea and some biscuits. Settle in for a terrific story.

I was given a copy of this book for review purposes with no expectations for a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

This is another book I enjoyed reading in the recent times. The story is set up in England in older times. It started off with Graham who was looking for a unique girl for himself to fall in love and ends up meeting Kit. Before anyone might start assuming that this is just another love story, let me tell you, this is a very unique love story. Kit is a very strong woman. I am really impressed with the way the story revolves around her, her guilt and her work of helping other women who are in need. Kit's friends Daphne and Jesse are special in their own ways. I must say, it blew my mind reading about the Haven Manor, the kids that are growing up there and the dedication the three women have towards taking care of those kids. Graham who was aimless at the beginning of the novel finds a purpose after meeting Kit and visiting Haven Manor. Though he initially doesn't approve of Kit's methods for raising funds for the welfare of the kids, he understands eventually and forgives her. The story is also about how Kit was carrying the guilt and how she could never forgive herself. The point where Graham beautifully explains Kit about trusting God instead of taking things into 'own hands is very nice. It hit a very delicate chord in my heart, as well. I totally enjoyed the book. Cheers to the author who established a very beautiful and strong female lead character. The story runs very smoothly and in perfect pace.
You may check my review at http://www.theclippednightingale.com/a-defense-of-honor-by-kristi-ann-hunter/.

#netgalley #adefenseofhonor #kristiannhunter

I LOVED this book. The plot was so unique and different than anything I’ve read before. It showed an oft neglected side of Regency era London society by drawing attention to the women who were “ruined” in aristocratic dalliances and their resulting illegitimate children. It was refreshing to read about people who cared enough to give of themselves sacrificially for these hurting people.
Graham is an amazing character. He is desperate to meet someone who doesn’t bore him and is instantly intrigued when he sees a woman hiding behind a plant at the ball. As he gets to know Kit, he appreciates her spirit and freshness. Once his eyes are opened and he sees real beauty, he knows he can no longer be satisfied with the counterfeit. I loved his wit and his ability to challenge his own beliefs and admit when he was wrong. There’s a fabulous scene with his friend Aaron that had me shaking with laughter. I really hope Aaron is in future books.
As with other Hunter books, the writing is wonderful, witty, and humorous. When Kit’s feet didn’t cooperate to get her out of a sticky situation, Hunter writes, “Apparently she was going to be attempting the statue method of concealment” (location 281). I love this kind of writing.
This is a poignant, special series. I look forward to reading more about Daphne and Jess. I highly recommend this book and the Haven Manor novella. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Haven Manor Series:
Prequel Novella: A Search for Refuge – Currently free e-copy
Book 1: A Defense of Honor

While someday Graham., Lord Wharton, will inherit his father's earldom, for now, he doesn't really have a purpose and he's bored with what society has to offer. So when he spots a woman hiding behind a potted plant at a ball, he decides to go meet her. But Kit can't give him anything more than her nickname; too many people are depending on her. She has spent years trying to help women who have been ruined--hiding them away until they can give birth and return to society--and their illegitimate offspring, providing them a home at Haven Manor and preparing them for the future. If she has to resort to blackmailing the men who fathered the children to get them to provide funds for the children, so be it. She doesn't expect to ever see Graham again, but when he sets out to help a friend, he winds up finding Haven Manor--and Kit.

This book started out a little slowly for me, but it picked up and I loved it. There are so many endearing characters, from Graham to Kit to the children. The plot is so interesting and fresh--it's set in the Regency Era but instead of the glittering of balls and high society, readers get to see the struggles and the triumphs of those who don't have the advantages of the gentry. I really want to see how things play out in the rest of the series for other characters in the book.
I enjoyed the themes of God's grace and mercy, forgiveness, trusting in God to help with trials, etc.

I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Review will be live on my blog next Tuesday, May 15th.

I'm a fan of Kristi Ann Hunter's writing so when I saw there was a new series coming out I grabbed up the free prequel: A Search for Refuge. And, I was a tiny bit under-impressed. It was good, but it wasn't the stand-out read that I was expecting. (Novellas have such a hard job, trying to tell a whole well rounded story in few words).

So I wasn't sure what I'd discover as I opened the pages of A Defense of Honor. Yet, I found myself happily and deeply engaged in the story and with every single page the novel grew on me. Graham was a brilliant character full of kindness and curiosity. It was fun to witness him discover himself as he sought his sister and encountered the mystery of Haven Manor.

This turned out to be a very satisfying read! I hope there will be more books to come in this series.

(And I would recommend that you read A Search for Refuge first because it truly does set the stage for this novel. Besides, maybe you'll love it.)

I received a free digital pre-release copy of In Defense of Honor in exchange for my honest opinion in this review, but the full release version is already on pre-order.