The third installment of Kristi Ann Hunter's Haven Manor books doesn't disappoint and works well as a standalone or part of a series. Jess has lived most of her life in the shadows and in disguise after her family is all but wiped from the vestiges of a now lost country in Europe. But the shocking discovery of a living relative throws her life into greater peril and emotional turmoil as she races to put together the clues to prove her ancestry.

Derek has lived a stead and satisfying life as an art expert and all around history scholar. He has a knack for annoying Jess, who is adept at tormenting him in return. When she asks for his help to restore the lost nation, his world and his heart are turned upside down.

This is a highly satisfying story of love, loyalty, faith and adventure.

"There is power beyond might and strength."

This book would take the whole of your mind and require your time to enjoy it. It is that captivating.
To enjoy this book you have to have patience and be ready to settle down.
The weight of a Nation rested on Jess and she did everything she could to save her people with the help of Derek. Her wit, determination, survival instinct were unrivalled.
The author's writing style was wonderful, I learnt a lot of new words from it.
I love the various mentions of art in the book.
The serious minded Derek, an expert on art and ancient writings. His articulation, focus was endearing to read about. I found it funny how they both got under each other's skin.

A wonderful story of triumphs, strength, family, pursuing what matters and determination. This was one unpredictable book. You can't just predict the ending.

I received a copy of this book from Netgallery. All opinions expressed here are mine.

Book 3 in the Haven Manor series, A Pursuit of Home tells Jess's story. The book could stand alone, but it makes FAR more sense as read in sequence with the series as it continues sharing details about Daphne and Kit's lives in addition to finally telling Jess's story. The book kept me on my toes with mystery, intrigue, friendship, and mishaps. The book was difficult to put down because I wanted to find out "what happens next" all throughout the book. The book is well-written, interesting, and fun to read. This is a fantastic series!

This has been one of my favorite series  of all time.  Each story was so unique and had amazing characters.  I've been wanting to learn more about Jess since the beginning so this book was a treat.  It went in a different direction than I was expecting.  She was so tough that I was expecting some kind of story of hardship or abuse. I was totally surprised to learn of her family's history.

Jess is fascinating.  She is a master of disguise.  I laughed at her antics and escape attempts.  It was interesting that Derek, who is so unlike her, is the one who can see through some of them.  Their interactions are great.  They made me laugh, especially in the beginning.  As they are thrown together trying to solve a mystery, they come to rely on each other and each other's strengths.  It's a beautiful thing.

This was a very enjoyable read.  It was fun that characters from the prior books were a part of this endeavor.  I'd highly recommend this book and the series.  Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a  free e-copy of this book.  All opinions are my own. 

Haven Manor series:

Prequel Novella:  A Search for Refuge

Book 1:  A Defense of Honor

Book 2:  A Return of Devotion

Book 3:  A Pursuit of Home

#Netgalley    #APursuitOfHome

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my favorite historical romance authors.

This is the third book in this series so it was nice to finally get to know Jess and her back story, which is very interesting.

It did take me awhile to get into this book but things definitely started to heat about about twenty-five percent through. This wasn’t my favorite book I read by Kristi but I didn’t enjoy it nevertheless.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The third book in the Haven Manor series, reading "A Pursuit of Home" was definitely bittersweet! I loved it - but also knew every page I read brought me closer to the likely ending of this great series. Note: your experience with this book will be greatly enriched by reading the other books in the series first. That being said, I can also make a case for it being a standalone if it were absolutely necessary.

We first met our heroine, Jess, in the other books. She has always been somewhat of a mystery. With a quick wit and sharp tongue, Jess still won our hearts with her fierce love for her friends and protective nature mixed with some wry humor. This book opens with a flashback of sorts that gives a bit of insight into why she has always been so closed off - mainly due to dangerous necessity (no spoilers here, though). :)

Art expert Derek Thornbury knows he is not Jess's favorite. He is therefore especially baffled when she asks for his assistance in first translating a diary and then using his exceptional knowledge of art and history to solve her mystery - and save a country.

Hilarity ensues. This entire series is a must read! The supporting cast (many main characters in the other books) are a delight. The author's fresh voice and approach to historical fiction (all of her books) are well worth your investment of time and money.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting, entertaining and well written historical romance.
I loved the strong MC and found the entire cast of characters well written and likeable.
The historical background is well described and the plot is engrossing.
I didn't read the other books in this series but I had no issues with the characters or the plot.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I have wanted this story since book #1... ages ago. Jess was certainly interesting and unconventional and embodies a lot of qualities I wish I had. So I was THRILLED when I discovered her tied up in the next series and I patiently waited until her time came. I was not disappointed.

But I have to admit that when I saw Derek being set up as her romantic interest, I was a little let down. I found him awkward, stuffy and boring in A Return of Devotion - everything Jess is not and he just didn't hold my interest. It seemed Jess agreed with me. But he won her over (and me too, in the process).

SPOILERS
One thing I didn't like was a small moment when Jess reunites with Ryland and household. She makes him promise that he will put his wife and child ahead of her and not get so personally involved. While the sentiment is nice, I felt offended on Miranda's behalf that it implied that Ryland would put Jess first, that he needed to be reminded, let alone swear an oath. Maybe it's my jealousy coming out, but I wouldn't have appreciated that implication if I were Miranda.

I did love just about every mention of all previous characters, Ryland and Miranda especially.

And the end of the book was one of the best I've read in a while. I won't give everything away, and I can't even give quotes, because I loved so many lines that I basically highlighted the last few chapters of the book. Let's just say, things aren't wrapped up like a fairy tale. They are hopeful, but more realistic. There is still struggle and hard work ahead. Loved that picture. The disappointment of a years (or decades) long fantasy falling short of expectation is real and hard and certainly introduces doubt at the very least. Very relatable, despite the extreme circumstances.

Loved this book!

Kristi Ann Hunter concludes her Haven Manor series with A Pursuit of Home. This final tale will fill in a lot of the details of Jess' life before she came to live with Kit and Daphne at Haven Manor. You will learn of the rebellion her family was struck by in her former homeland. When Jess learns that her brother is still alive, she is soon pulled into tracking down clues to assist him regain his place on the throne. Jess draws in Derek Thornbury to utilize his knowledge of the art world!

This is a fast-moving story as Jess and Derek travel across England looking for a set of famous artwork, that originated in her homeland. You will cross paths with several characters, Miranda and Ryland, the Duke of Marshington, from an earlier series. It is fun to revisit this former story, as well as, learn the final details of Jess' tale!

Jess' story is here!! And oh my word is it fantastic! Right from the opening, I was glued to it! As always, Kristi Ann's humor shines through and I am here for it! But readers, there are some amazing themes in this book... love, sacrifice, belonging, and family. The way that KAH weaves these into the story is so beautifully done! Jess' story is everything I had hoped it would be and so much more. I can't begin to comprehend the research that must have gone into this book with the Holy Roman Empire and artwork. Oh! The artwork! I'm not much for staring at a painting and trying to discover what the artist was feeling when they created it, but KAH drew me in with the art and made it real and fascinating. I loved Derek and Jess' interaction from the beginning when he was introduced in A Return of Devotion and watching the two of them navigate this mystery together was splendid! Fans of KAH will delight in the presence of so many previous characters from both series as well. Superbly done! I highly recommend it!

"A Pursuit of Home" is a Christian romance set in 1816 in England. This is the third book in a series. It can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous stories and/or "A Noble Masquerade" will help you to better understand the depth of the relationships. I've been eagerly awaiting Jess's story, and she has a surprising backstory. A brother that she thought had died along with the rest of her family has appeared to claim the throne of a small, nearby European country. To prove that he's the true heir, Jess must decipher an old diary in her possession with the help of an art history expert and together they must track down an ancient artifact. But Jess isn't the only one who wants the proof needed to become king.

The characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. Jess and Derek didn't seem like a good romantic match, yet they brought out the best in each other once they started to understand one another. There was suspense and humor in the disguises and in their attempts to avoid danger. Jess learned that you don't only go to God when you can't handle things by yourself. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.

Finally, Jess gets her own story!

And it was well worth the wait.

Jess and Derek’s interactions are humorous, especially with all of Jess’s disguises, but I loved the moments where they had surprisingly deep discussions with one another. One of the supporting characters (you’ll have to read the novel to find out which one) describes Derek as a perfect fit Jess, and I have to agree. Derek isn’t afraid to challenge Jess, which she at times hates. But he pushes her to be herself, or at least try to figure out who she is.

I think my favorite part, though, was seeing Ryland and Miranda again! A Noble Masquerade remains my favorite Kristi Ann Hunter book. Seeing Jess’s friends and former employers again was like an early Christmas present. In many ways, A Pursuit of Home reminds me of why I loved A Noble Masquerade. There’s intrigue, action, and incredible chemistry between the characters. I sighed; I laughed; I swooned.

And I groaned when it ended.

I think it’s safe to say I loved this book. Who am I kidding? I loved this series!

(blog post will go live on Nov. 1 at 5:00 pm)

Readers have met Jess in prior books, but it was nice for her to finally have her own story. With her sarcastic yet scholarly nature, she’s been one of my favorites. Derek is a great match for her. It was great to see familiar characters return, as well.

This book has a bit of something for everyone, from mystery to adventure to friendship and, finally, true love. Characters are well developed, and details bring the scenes to life in this enjoyable conclusion to the series.

Jess was an amazing character, she is inspiring while at the same time thought provoking. Although she has lived a hard life for many years, a life of working in the shadows, she has learned many amazing skills that help keep her alive. But she still has a few more things to learn. And it was interesting to watch her work through them while trying to solve an old family mystery. One that has the power to change the destiny of many people. I love a good mystery, and this one was great. Pair that with other wonderful characters and an interesting setting, and you have a book that kept me coming back for more!






I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

A PURSUIT OF HOME is the third novel in the Haven Manor series by KRISTI ANN HUNTER. Almost a fairy tale, with the fictitious country of Verbonne playing a big part in the story, it is nonetheless firmly set in history in the early 1800's. It is a truly fascinating read.
To meet Jess no one would think she was of royal heritage. Having escaped to England during the war, she is keen to forget the past and is living at Haven Manor, where Derek Thornbury, an art expert, has been employed to appraise the many masterpieces there.
Jess is fiercely patriotic towards her adopted country, England, and Verbonne where she was born. She acquired many skills when working as a spy for England during the war, and when she hears that her brother, whom she thought dead, is alive, she gets to work looking for the ancient bowl which will make him king of Verbonne. She gets Derek to help her in this exciting and highly dangerous project, starting with him translating an old diary from Italian for her.
Jess and Derek are not at all alike, each seeing the world differently - his on canvas and hers by studying people. Their dialogue is interesting and often amusing, with Jess getting exasperated by his long windedness.
Jess understands that love often leads to sacrifice, and is afraid to love as she does not feel that she is worth someone making sacrifices for. It is only when she understands that Christ felt she was worth dying for, that she begins to feel what love, and sacrifice, really mean.
The story is fast paced and exciting, with rich descriptions of life during this period of history.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Art, family secrets to uncover, danger, intrigue, love and more are found in this great story. From disguises to bravery, main character Jess made me want to know even more about her. A wonderful read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required.

I REALLY loved this book! A very exciting story of a young woman, Jess , born to a royal family that in a time of war was taken away from her family. Rescued, and taught how to be a survivor, she meets Derek. She really doesn't like him, but she needs his help since he is an expert in the art world. They travel together trying to find several specific pieces of art to study them and try to find another object so the crown can be rightfully restored to her brother. They become closer as time goes on, and after a few knives are thrown, and helping a prisoner escape, it has an excellent and happy ending! Great story!

Kristi Ann Hunter has reaffirmed her status as one of my all time favorite authors! A Pursuit Of Home is Jess's story. I have liked Jess since she first appeared in A Noble Masquerade and now I finally know her story. This is a fantastic adventure, with two people learning to trust, each other and more importantly God. I also enjoyed catching up with some old friends. I highly recommend this book. So grab you pot of tea and settle in for Kristi's newest read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

I get super excited when I see that Kristi Ann Hunter has a new book out, and this did not disappoint! This book was fascinating! I always knew Jess had some sort of a story of her past but never in a million years would I have guessed it was what it was! (Trying to not give away spoilers) I love a good strong female character and Jess is that in spades. The humor and wit and snappy dialog between characters is something Ms. Hunter Excels at and is one of the many reasons I love her books!

A Pursuit of Home is far and away my favorite book in the series. It may, in fact, be my favorite book by Kristi Ann Hunter.

The Haven Manor series begins with a short novella, A Search for Refuge, continues in book 1, A Defense of Honor, follows with book 2, A Return of Devotion, and finishes with this book, A Pursuit of Home, which releases November 5th. If you haven’t read the previous books you can start now and be up to date by release day. If you have, you can pre-order now and you are in for such a treat!

We first meet Jess briefly in the Hawthorne House series and she plays a secondary character role in the earlier Haven Manor books, but finally she gets a book all her own and it is a splendid tale full of adventure, intrigue, art, a challenge to overcome fear, the beauty of true friendship and the realization of what love really looks like.

Derek is also finally fully developed as a character and he is a fascinating man who manages to elevate the story to another level as he learns to read people the way he reads art.

All in all I can’t recommend it enough. I would recommend reading the whole series and if you are so inclined, meeting Jess and the Duke of Marshington in the Hawthorn House series gives a more fully developed context for the tale, though I’m sure the story would also stand alone.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.