Kristi Ann Hunter chose an interesting setting for this story among the country manors in England. The main character, Bianca, was not a typical Regency young lady whose life revolved around parties and balls. She decides that since her parents are making it clear that she has to marry, she’ll pick a spouse who has an excellent stable of horses, and not necessarily pick a husband to climb further up the social scale in England. Hudson has recently moved from India to England to assume his new title of Lord Stilton. He quickly realizes that he needs someone to guide him through the social season, and Bianca is happy to do that as long as she can ride his horses. As the two work together to find each other an acceptable spouse, they find themselves drawn towards each other.

Somehow, though, I didn’t fall in love with the two main characters the way that I have in every other book by this author. I’m not sure why. Their part of the story seemed to move a bit slow. However, there’s another character in this book that did capture my interest, and I was disappointed that the book was not focused on him. Aaron’s family background and his friends were the most interesting part of this book for me. I’m sure this author has more in store for him, and I’ll be looking forward to reading more about him.

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

There is nothing better in this world than a good Regency story which of course includes Lords & Ladies, horses, balls & assemblies, family drama, match-making mamas, sparring language, some mystery, and of course a satisfying romance. Kristi Hunter’s new book Vying for the Viscount is all that a Regency story should be plus it is filled with Ms. Hunter’s wonderful wit and explores the faith journey of the main characters Bianca and Hudson.

I can not tell you the last time I enjoyed such a wonderful Regency story. I was transported to Regency England where I loved learning about horse racing, and fell in love with the main characters Bianca and Hudson. Both are love-able, interesting, and awkward enough to endear them to you forever. Bianca’s family will keep you guessing throughout the story on whether you should love or hate them. Truly a great read that Regency lovers do not want to miss. I highly recommend Vying for the Viscount.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and not required to write a review.

Vying for the Viscount has a little bit of everything I love in a book: witty dialogue and banter, a bit of intrigue, a touch of humor, memorable characters, and friendship before love in the romance.
Bianca and Hudson have an interesting first meeting but overcome it quickly enough. Through their agreement, Bianca wrestles with the decisions before her while Hudson navigates a new home, new acquaintances, and a new title.

Some of my favorite scenes in this book were the ones where Bianca, Hudson, and the stable manager are riding together because of the honest conversations they have during those times. And I am thrilled to see book two in this series features that stable manager because he added a lot to this story.

Fans of Kristi Ann Hunter will enjoy the cameos of some favorite characters, but this book is truly about finding your place and falling in love. I loved every second of it.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Vying for the Viscount is typical Kristi Ann Hunter: heartwarming and humorous. From the beginning, Hunter grabs your attention and holds it throughout the rest of the book with her well-developed characters.

Hudson’s desire to garner the respect of his peers is relatable, and his bumbling mistakes add to his charm. Hunter sure knows how to create great heroes.

But I think my favorite character in this whole book was Bianca. She genuinely tries to make the best of her situation, even if she does have a crush on a man who wants her help attracting another woman.

Really, though, her whole cast of characters is wonderful, as usual. With familiar and new faces alike, Hunter uses supporting characters to add charm and humor to her stories. (And to knock some sense into the main characters. But only when they need it.)

As for the romance, she hit it out of the park. Hunter knows how to craft a wonderful romance, full of the typical push/pull, will they/won’t they and those moments that have you swooning. She doesn’t just make you root for the characters, she makes you understand why they just have to be with each other and no one else. A warning though, you will become emotionally invested. It will happen. Just accept it and go with it. Maybe keep some chocolate handy.

And even if you’re not a fan of horses or know nothing of horse racing, you’ll enjoy those aspects of the novel as well. Hunter weaves those elements in seamlessly with the story, making you care about the business as much as the characters.

Overall, Vying for the Viscount is a great Regency romance perfect for horse lovers, history lovers, and romance readers alike.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Having heard mixed thoughts on Kirsti Ann Hunter's books I have been excited yet slightly nervous that there would be content I would dislike.

Thankfully, there was not anything I disagreed with for the most part. Although there were mentions of an illegitimate birth in the past.

The romance in the book was quite sweet and I enjoyed the fact that there was not overly touchy romance.

Hudson and Bianca are not the usual regency couple you expect to find in a regency romance, which was a sweet surprise! They were different from most in that they are more honest, they had different backgrounds, and they were not truly looking to marry for the normal reasons.

I am looking forward to reading more from Hunter and reading some of her previous books.

Vying for the Viscount
Hearts on the Heath #1
By Kristi Ann Hunter

Bianca Snowley loves horses, a most unbecoming past time for the daughter of a gentleman, especially one that is expected to marry well. But Bianca isn't like other young ladies in Newmarket and marriage is going to be on her terms. At least that was her plan until for stepmother set her sights on her. What's worse her stepmother seems determined to marry Bianca off to the worst possible man.

Hawksworth is Hudson's destiny. His whole life has been in preparation of assuming the title Viscount Stildon. Following the death of a grandfather he never met, Hudson finds himself as out of place in England as he was in India. The instructions he thought of as preparing him for life among the aristocracy are sorely lacking. But admitting his lack will just open him up to ridicule and scorn among those who are now his peers. With help scarce, he turns to the only person he can trust - his next-door neighbor - Miss Bianca Snowley.

Desperate to thwart her stepmother's plans Bianca agrees to Lord Stildon's plan in exchange for his help in helping her secure a future of her own choosing. Soon the most unlikely friendship forms -one that could be the undoing of all their plans. But sometimes the plans we make aren't the ones that are best for us. But can Bianca and Hudson discover what it is they truly want before they set themselves on a course of unhappiness?

Vying for the Viscount is the first book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Hearts on the Heath - a series that may have a character or two from the author's previous series (I'm not saying more as that would ruin the surprise). I like Bianca and Hudson but I really enjoyed getting to know Aaron Whitworth who is the stable manager for Hawksworth and is both frank and insightful as the situation requires. I look forward to additions to this series as this was an excellent offering from the author that is not to be missed.

Fans of Regency-era historical fiction will enjoy this clean-read offering. Those who have read Kristi Ann Hunter in the past will not be disappointed and those new to her work will be delighted. This would make an excellent book club selection.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Every time a favorite author starts a new series I get just a tiny bit nervous wondering if it can possibly hold up to the others. Thankfully though this one was wonderful! This book was one of those effortless reads that is just a happy escape. There wasn’t a lot of hullabaloo happening instead we just got to know the characters in a natural and realistic way.
I loved both Hudson and Bianca and the way they almost instantly formed a friendship. Hudson was out of his element, having lived in India all his life, but I liked how he rose to the challenge and wasn’t afraid to admit when there was a gap in his knowledge. He was such a genuine person, kind but not a pushover, confident but not proud, and more. I loved how he formed friendships with people based solely on who they were as a person not on their social standing.
Bianca wasn’t your normal society girl but she also didn’t push the boundaries to the extreme, which I appreciated since sometimes when characters are written to be “outside the box” they can come across as obnoxious but that wasn’t the case with Bianca. I liked how she could hold her own in the stables with the guys but also knew how to be a complete lady in the ballroom. I admired how she put up with her awful stepmother, choosing silence, agreement, or asking for a change. I honestly don’t know how she kept from decking the stepmother!
The relationship between Bianca and Hudson was really sweet and fun and I just loved them together.
It was also really great to see some of our favorite characters from the author's previous series!
Overall I entirely enjoyed every second of this book and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book!

Absolutely fantastic! Characters are engaging and genuine, and the plot is original enough to be refreshing. Twists I didn't see coming, and those I did were well written enough to still be thoroughly enjoyable. Read the entire book in half a day because I just didn't want to put it down. Will say that, while this is not a sequel, I highly recommend reading Kristi Ann Hunter's other books first-- several characters from another series played a major part, and I felt like I was missing part of the story because they were there but so under explained. Lo and behold, it's because she's already written books about them. Would've probably taken a star for that bit of confusion if I didn't enjoy said characters so much; instead I'm just going to go get those books. :) Highly recommend!

It has been way too long since my reading has taken me to Regency England. This novel begins with a perfect "meet cute," and from that moment on, I was fully invested in Bianca's and Hudson's romance. Hudson was a fish-out-of-water in just the right way. Not that I didn’t want to knock him up alongside the head when he turned his attentions in the wrong direction. But all’s well that ends well. The entire book was a delight.

Note: I listened to the audio version of the book, and the narrator helped transport me to Regency England. Very well done.

Kristi Ann Hunter is back and bringing historical romance readers a new series! Vying for the Viscount is the first book in the Hearts on the Heath series. We're introduced to the new Viscount Stildon, aka Hudson, who was born and raised in India with an expectation of stepping into the titled position back in England.

I loved that Hudson was out of sorts and had to bumble his way through the tons expectations. It also made for a clever way to enter an agreement with his neighbor Miss Bianca Snowley.

What I liked the most about this book was seeing old friends pop in and a peek at the hero of book 2 who I have been waiting FOREVER to get his story. Okay, maybe not forever but in book years, it feels that way.

Vying is written in Ms. Hunter's signature style and sure to delight her fans and gain her new ones.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

I enjoy Kristi Ann Hunter’s way of mixing thoughtfulness with engaging narrative and well rounded characters.

In this novel I especially appreciated the flexibility that the author brought to Hudson’s character due to his cross cultural background. I also appreciated that while there was an “over the top” villain that he didn’t dominate the tale.

Vying for the Viscount is a sweet tale of companionship and a delightful story of discovering that the path to true happiness isn’t always what we expect.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

All his life, Hudson, Viscount Stildon, has longed to belong. Growing up in India, his father prepared him for his eventual life in England. But his father never allowed him to visit. Letters from his grandfather have provided Hudson’s only connection to family he has never met and a place he has never visited.

When his grandfather passes away, Hudson makes the arduous voyage to England to take up his duties as viscount and owner of a famed racing stable. His first encounters with Englishmen leave him baffled and confused. The household servants who didn’t realize he would inherit. A madwoman in his stables who mistakes him for a horse thief.

When someone suggest that his only path to belonging involves producing a promising racehorse and marrying a certain lady, Hudson decides to do whatever it takes to finally feel at home.

Miss Bianca Snowley has lived a lonely existence as a gentleman’s daughter. She avoids her step-mother and step-sister, whose passion for gossip and fashion rivals Bianca’s passion for horses. Fortunately, the trainer at the neighboring stables allows her to exercise the everyday stock.

Her world upends when her step-mother starts a campaign to marry her off to the first man willing to wed her. And Bianca can’t stand her mother’s choice. After mistaking the new Viscount Stildon for a horse thief, Bianca forms a friendship with him. When Hudson hatches a plan to integrate in local society and win the hand of the woman everyone thinks he should marry, Bianca agrees to help him.

In exchange, she insists that Hudson find eligible prospects for her in order to thwart her step-mother’s machinations. As their friendship progresses, both Bianca and Hudson start to reevaluate what they thought they really wanted in life.

Why You’ll Love this Book

I love Kristi Ann Hunter’s books—detailed historical romps through Regency England with strong female protagonists and male protagonists who admire their strength. Characters from some of Hunter’s other books make cameo appearances in Vying for the Viscount, but readers won’t need to read those books (but why not?) to appreciate this one. Hunter writes books with themes both Christian and non-Christian readers can relate to. I’d share this book with any friend who loves the Regency genre.

The beginning of a new series seemed like a great time to immerse myself in Kristi Ann Hunter's Regency world. I have only read one of her stories, Legacy of Love from The Christmas Heirloom anthology. I enjoyed it so much I made note to read more by her. I now have Winning the Gentleman, the next story in the Hearts on the Heath series, on my blog calendar for next April when it releases!

I enjoyed the fish-out-of-water situation Hudson found himself in when he moved from India to England, the land of his ancestors. Having spent twenty-eight years in a world foreign to those of the aristocracy of England gave him plenty of societal customs to learn!

I really enjoyed the impromptu dance lesson he took from Bianca with an unlikely group of dancers to assist. Telling you more would spoil your fun in reading about it and I couldn't possibly do it justice!

Hudson was humble and yet had high aspirations. He was convinced he needed to acquire a contract for the best racehorse in Newgate to sire a foal and was willing to go to extremes to make it possible.

One of my favorite shows of Hudson's character was a scene when he was in his library (or was it his study?) and his stable manager, Mr. Whitworth came to see him. As they were speaking, Hudson suggested they dispense with formalities and address one another by their Christian names. When he realized the reason for Whitworth's hesitation, the grace and tact with which he handled the situation was extremely touching!

Bianca had a stepmother who wasn't particularly wicked and yet she clearly favored the son and daughter she bore herself to her stepdaughter. The things poor Bianca endured under her stepmother's "care" were so sad!! Yet Bianca had a kind and gentle spirit.

Both Hudson and Bianca struggled with seeing God's goodness in the midst of the sad events of their lives. The author very naturally led them through their struggles, allowing them to change their view of God and of all the things they ever held most dear.

Filled with wit, romance, and surprises, my first Kristi Ann Hunter novel was very enjoyable. There were hints that several of the characters were introduced in a previous series - enough to pique my interest and make me want to find out what happened to them - and hints that more stories will be told - confirmed by a quick look at upcoming releases - so I'm excited to read more from this author.

If you enjoy romance with faith and a touch of adventure that is not at all bland (Hudson would be so glad!), I recommend Vying for the Viscount.

Miss Bianca Snowley is twenty-four years old and single in Regency England, a society that likes to marry off their females as soon as they leave the schoolroom. She’s mad about riding, and disinterested in fashion or whatever else is supposed to appeal to genteel young ladies. But her step-mother’s hints have finally sunk in, and Bianca realises she’s going to have to find a husband herself or settle for the unappealing Mr Mead.

Twenty-eight year old Hudson, the new Viscount Stildon, is newly arrived in England from India, where he was born and raised. He’s inherited his grandfather’s title and stables, and is keen to build his reputation as a horseman. But he has no idea how to progress in English society—he can’t even waltz. Fortunately, Miss Snowley is available to help coach him, in return for a promised ride on his prize stallion.

The thing that caught my attention straight away were the character voices. They’re quirky and unusual, and very readable. Both characters are true characters, in the English sense of the word. They are both intelligent, witty, horse-mad, and completely unable to see what’s obvious to the reader and everyone else around them.

Vying for the Viscount is a fast, fun read, a Regency England version of Jen Turano. But it also has some spiritual depth, as both Hudson and Bianca realise they will need to modify the way they live their lives if they are to achieve true happiness.

Vying for the Viscount is the first novel in Kristi Ann Hunter’s new Hearts on the Heath series, set among the Newmarket horseracing set. Fans of her Hawthorne House series will enjoy cameos from some of the earlier characters, but it’s not necessary to read them first.

I recommend Vying for the Viscount for fans of Christian Regency Romance from authors such as Carolyn Miller.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This is the first novel of the Hearts in the Heath Series, and it’s a wonderful start that enticed me to read more of this series!
Hudson is the new Viscount Stildon, having inherited the title and a big Manor from his grandfather. He was born and raised in India because his uncle threatened to kill any possible heirs to the title. But he was raised knowing he would one day inherit and go to England to claim his inheritance. And now, the time has come, and he finds himself with a fragile but promising breeding and racing empire, and at odds while dicovering he has no idea how to behave nor he understands all the customs of the english society, which he finds full of prejudices and based on appearance and status.
When he visits his stables for the first time, he’s attacked by a strange Lady thinks him a horse thief, and he runs away. He later discovers this unexpected woman is Lady Bianca Snowley, from the neighboring estate, who has been volunteering for a time to exercise one of his horses, being this her most valued refuge from her life at home with her domineering stepmother.
Hudson and Bianca seem to keep meeting each other, and they seem to have something in common. They need to get married. Bianca’s father has declared that Bianca has to marry before her younger stepsister, and her stepmother is set on setting her up with someone she abhorrs!
So they agree to help each other, and Bianca sets to help him navigate with propriety among the ton, and that’s how they start developing a close and natural friendship that will later make them question if there might be something deeper than their witty and enjoyable camaraderie, and if they’re truly comfortable with the other finding someone else. Will they acknowledge their true feelings, or will they let society dictate their future?
This was a beautiful and enjoyable story of friends turning into so much more! I loved that it centered around horses breeding and racing. Kristi Ann Hunter seems to have done a very well research in this camp and she describes it all with the naturality of a professional. I truly love her writing style that absorbs me in the story.
I especially loved the main characters: Hudson was a man of honor, and he was determined to heir his grandfather would be proud of, he was naive and opposed to the tons duplicity and hypocresy, he was humble and kind. Bianca was a strong woman, having endured a difficult youth with her stepmother, who favored her natural children, but she had a kind heart and liked to help others. She’s the one to first realize he was feeling more for Hudson, and I ached for her while he was still indifferent and had his sights somewhere else. Yet it was beautiful when he acknowledges his love for Bianca. It was a slow romance in this sense, but so much worth it in the end!
The plot flows with a natural pace, it never drags and there’s enough intrigue and drama to captivate you. Still, the best part are their witty dialogues and banter that made me laugh out loud!
I loved to revisit some characters from her previous series too...
All in all, a delightful Regency Romance that you will enjoy and I definitely recommend! And a great and enticing start to a whole New Series I’m eager to keep on reading!
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing vía NetGalley and wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I became a fan of this author while listening to Book 1 in her Haven Manor series. One book was all it took to hook me into reading 5 additional titles... with Vying for the Viscount being my 6th. While this story felt lighter than the Haven Manor series, it still possessed the same strong writing, fabulous (often witty) dialogue, and the sprinkling of faith I've come to expect.

There are many reasons I'm drawn to Kristi Ann Hunter's stories with the foremost being the remarkable ability she has for making me love her characters. In this story, there were three characters who I adored: Hudson aka Viscount Stildon, Aaron Whitworth, and Miss Bianca Snowley. Hudson is a man who had been groomed his entire life to take the reins of his grandfather's estate and stables. I admired how he entered English society and the way in which he adapted to the customs that were so different from those in which he had been raised. He showed remarkable humility by expressing to his stable manager, Mr. Whitworth, when he was out of his depth. Hudson's willingness to take Aaron into his confidences and to allow the man to see his weaknesses led to a warm camaraderie between the two men. (Fans may recall Aaron from Defense of Honor.) Long before the Vycount arrived on the scene, Bianca Snowley had made an agreement with Mr. Witworth which allowed her to become a regular fixture in the Hawksworth stables. Over the course of the book, this horse-loving neighbor goes from accusing Hudson of horse thieving to wishing she could steal his heart. 

Vying for the Viscount would be a great addition to any Regency or horse lover's bookshelf. 

Book 2 in the series has already been announced and I look forward to reading Aaron's story when Winning the Gentleman releases next April. 

I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A heart warming Regency era romance, where friendship and trust provide the best base to build a new life on. Viscount Stildon, Hudson, has grown up in India but has always known England was his future home. Even though tutors and a devoted father have taught Hudson what he needs to know for his title, nothing could prepare him for the social differences. He needs help fast and needs to shelve his ego to learn what is required out of the office. Enter Bianca, who knows all the etiquette but follows her own interests when they clash. Riding and horses are her passions and the stable at her neighbor's lands are the best around. A new Viscount is set to arrive but Bianca isn't worried, there are horses to ride and the stable manager has an amicable friendship with her. Then her life flips upside down when her step mother decides Bianca needs to marry, immediately. Then the new Viscount arrives and Bianca realizes she does have her "perfect man". But he wants her help getting a different wife. What is a friend to do?
Kristi Ann Hunter takes her readers to a different time period, where horses are all important and husband hunting is a mother's main past-time. Great research transports you to the 1800's. The relationships she writes are so well done, I feel they are very relatable and I could meet them for a dance. They show their neighbors that character and dedication matter more than money and titles. A person is made up of more than etiquette and prestige.
This book should be added to any to be read pile. It was such an enjoyable read, the time flew by. I was sad to say goodbye when the last page came. I can't wait to rejoin them in the next book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Bianca Snowley dreams of marrying a man with an impressive stable of horses. When the new Lord Stildon arrives from India after the death of his grandfather, Bianca sets her sights on him. If only she hadn’t made such a bad first impression.

Bianca is a very unusual female for this time period. Most women in her position would not be able to work in the neighbor’s stable. She seems to get away with so much because her step mother only cares about her biological daughter. Though things will change when her father gets involved.

I have read about dances and assemblies so many times during this period, but I had no idea how some of the things there worked. I felt like I was reacting to them the same way Lord Stildon was.

I love how Kristi Ann Hunter always makes her characters so realistic. They all have such interesting personalities and you want to know what will happen to them. In fact, there are so many characters I still want to hear more about and know what happens to them in the future. The next book in the series is Winning the Gentleman which is about the beloved character Aaron Whitworth.

"With one more blink of her eyes, his future went from planned to uncertain, but it also went from dull to colorful."

A delightfully spectacular Regency read set against the horse flesh centric community of Newmarket, it doesn't get any better than this!

This may be my favorite book by Kristi Ann Hunter yet, a thoroughly satisfying Regency read, cleverly weaving threads of social intrigue evocative of the time, with protagonists that I couldn't help but cheer for all the way through. Engaging and nearly impossible to put down, filled with heart and humor along the way. But that's not all, there are HORSES! As if I didn't already have enough reason to love this book, Ms. Hunter goes and plays her trump card by bringing this community driven by a passion for horses to life, making it a turning point at which many of the characters bond over the course of the book.

I knew that I would love Bianca from the very first page, with her love of horses and eschewing of the social acrobatic games. She is clever, with a quick wit, sincere heart, with the ability to be honest with herself, and gets a task done on her own terms, along with her modern sense of practicality.

Hudson is determined and genuine, I admired his willingness to confront what he didn't know head-on, and acknowledge his need for help.

This book is stellar on so many levels, with well crafted characters, and supporting characters, as well as some familiar faces from previous books by this author. The author finds ways to say so much simple interactions. I loved the amazing friendship dynamics in so many of the relationships between characters, many of which I am hoping get their own stories in future books as there is still quite a bit of mystery around them. My vote for the next book in the series is a tie between Aaron Whitworth and Lord Rigby, I just can't decide! One of my favorite books this year, I can't stop gushing about it. HIGHLY recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

From the moment Bianca hit Hudson with her boots, to Aaron introducing himself with "I am illegitimate", I laughed. And I was reminded why I love Kristi Ann Hunter's books.
And as we bumped into other familiar faces or at least the mention of them, I was also reminded how quickly they become endeared to me. More than just a fun read, Hunter's books are thoughtful and rich in wisdom.

Hudson, Viscount Stildon, grew up in India always knowing he'd one day have to go back to England. When the time comes, however, the journey to becoming a proper viscount while surviving English ton and weather has Hudson almost considering the month-long journey back to India. Almost. Not quite.
Because he's always known England was supposed to be his home, not India. And he does not want to fail the memory of his father. To the point that he will accept the help of his obstinate and quirky neighbour, a shunned stable master and all of his workmen in order to have the proper number needed to learn the waltz.

As Hudson and Bianca seek to think matters into their own hands to design their destinies, they might discover the truths engraved within them goes deeper and has been transforming them before they were even aware.

I am very much looking forward to the next instalment. And if we continue to bump into familiar faces, I would not mind ;-)