A Heartwarming Regency--"A Defense of Honor" by Kristi Ann Hunter--Review

Being a lover of Regencies, I somehow missed out on reading any books by Kristi Ann Hunter before now.  I've heard so many great things about her Hawthorne House series, that I was excited to be able to read and review A Defense of Honor, the start of her new Haven Manor series.

Ms. Hunter has a firm grasp of the Regency era, as evidenced in her writing and the many details of the period that she incorporates into the story.  Regency lovers will not have anything to complain about in that quarter.  The setting and the detail are what really shine in this book.  I found the storyline itself to be rather slow, but it seems the author doesn’t mind taking her time and focusing more on setting and character development.

 A Defense of Honor has a great cast of characters that readers will fall in love with.  All of the children with their different personality traits are adorable.  Our hero, Graham, has an easy going nature that one can’t help but love.  I especially love the friendships and the side characters.

 The story itself deals with the heavier topic of what happens to women who have children out of wedlock and the fate of those children.  The author refers to everything very discreetly and with grace, but it is still a main theme of the story.

A Defense of Honor is a great addition to Christian Regency fiction!   I’m excited to read some of this author’s earlier work and see how it compares.  I especially love the message that all children are a gift from God, no matter the circumstances they are born into, and they deserve to know it.

Content: I would give this book a PG-13 rating due to the heavier topics dealt with in the book (read above).  Some examples of the content are: references to children born out of wedlock and indiscretions.

Rating:  I give this book 4 stars.

Genre: Christian fiction; Regency; Historical

I want to thank Kristi Ann Hunter and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.



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. 

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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. 

 

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"Her Place in Time" by Stephenia McGee--Guest Post

 

Her Place in Time Blurb:

 

Can love offer a new future…in the past?

A mysterious gown, unexpected courage, and a love that transcends time. 

Nursing student Lena Lowery faces a grim diagnosis and a dangerous surgery. On the cusp of the life-changing procedure, Lena stays at the Rosswood Plantation Bed and Breakfast for one last weekend with her mother. There in an antique armoire, Lena discovers a Civil War-era gown that holds an unimaginable cure…a trip back in time to when the house served as a hospital.

Confederate Sergeant Caleb Dockery lost his brother, his eye, and nearly his life. Stuck in a makeshift infirmary, he’s counting the days until he can return to duty…and seek revenge. When a stranger appears, he suspects she’s a spy. If he can’t return to duty and find the revenge he craves for his brother’s death, he can serve his country by stopping this traitor. But her nursing skills are saving lives, and her courage and independence stirs his heart. When Lena’s safety is threatened, Caleb must strain the loyalties that bind him or risk losing her forever. 

Caught between a future that holds no promises and a past that could offer new life, Lena must face an extraordinary decision. Should she return to her own time where her days are numbered? Or can she and Caleb find a love that stretches across time?

If you like historical romance with a twist, strong female characters, and heroes that transcend eras, you’ll love this journey through time that tests the limits of love.

*Her Place in Time is set in the house from The Liberator Series, just prior to the start of Leveraging Lincoln. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Annabelle and Peggy in this new novella.



Guest Post: Blurring fact and fiction

 Stephenia H. McGee, Her Place in Time

 I really love weaving fiction with reality. I suppose that’s why I am so drawn to historical fiction. I wonder what it would be like in the past, and then try to paint that world by bringing the research to life.

 

One of the best things about research is traveling to the historical locations, and one of my favorites has been Rosswood Plantation.

 

Beautiful, isn’t it? I first happened on Rosswood when looking for a historical plantation to set The Liberator Series. I met with the owners and asked if they would be interested in letting me use the house for my books. Not only did Miss Jean allow me to use the house, but she also told me all about its history as a Civil War hospital and let me see copies of the historical owner’s (Doctor Walter Ross Wade) plantation diaries (which you can also see if you stay at the bed-and-breakfast!)

My mother and I had a wonderful stay, and we were served a mouth-watering breakfast by Rosswood’s very own Peggy (I adored this lovely lady so much, I named one of my characters after her).

Here they are, Mr. Ray Hylander and the talented Ms. Peggy, both real people who appear in Her Place in Time when Lena visits Rosswood in the present.

And here are a few more pictures from our stay.

 

 

I loved the house and the history and knew it would be a great house for the story. After the completion of The Liberator Series, I wanted to take another trip to Rosswood, and had this wild idea. What if by putting on one of the house’s Civil War era gowns, a guest could be transported to the past?

Thus, the idea for Her Place in Time was born!

Here are two Civil War period gowns they found at Rosswood that are believed to have belonged to Maybella Wade, Rosswood’s historic lady.

 

 

Recognize that yellow one? It’s on the cover of Her Place in Time!

As is Rosswood, as well. I really had a lot of fun blurring the lines of fact and fiction in this one. When Lena stays at the bed-and-breakfast, she finds the yellow gown, and when she puts it on…goes back in time to when Rosswood served as a Civil War hospital. She was in for quite a shock, but no more of one than Sargent Caleb Dockery, who is intrigued by the sudden appearance of a rather unconventional lady.

You can get your copy of the novella here: https://amzn.to/2GCRNep

And be sure to sign up for my newsletter. You’ll get updates on new releases, have a chance to enter giveaways, finds some new recipes, and more! And as my thank you, I’ll send you the first book in The Liberator Series for free!

Sign up on my website: www.StepheniaMcGee.com

 
So how about you? Would you think it would be fun to travel back in time? If you could, what time would you visit?

 

 

Bio for Stephenia H. McGee

 

Stephenia H. McGee writes stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. After earning a degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences, she discovered her heart truly lies with the art of story. She put pen to page and never looked back. Visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com for books and updates.

Sign up for her newsletter for monthly giveaways and more, and get a FREE novel! Get yours instantly here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/81eo2tc3lm

Social Media connections: 

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Mystery, Danger and Intrigue, O My!--A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano--Review

A Rumored Fortune is a masterpiece!  Joanna Davidson Politano’s debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears, was on the list of my top ten fiction reads of 2017.  So I was a little worried that her next novel would not live up to her stunning debut.  As you can see, I loved A Rumored Fortune just as much!

Ms. Politano is a master storyteller and a wordsmith!  It’s hard to describe why her writing is so unique.  Some words I would use are lyrical, whimsical and creative.  It is such a pleasure to read the way she phrases sentences and paragraphs. She does a wonderful job describing people and places.
 
I love the story and the mystery in A Rumored Fortune.  It has a Gothic feel to it, reminiscent of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights.  The whole novel is very atmospheric.  Ms. Politano also weaves allusions to Christianity throughout her fictional story of Tressa and the hidden fortune.

Tressa is a main character I fell in love with.  I love how she is delicate, yet spunky.  She can take care of herself, yet also asks for help when she needs it.  She prays and I like how she talks with God.  Our hero (who shall remain a mystery because we don’t know who to trust in the beginning) is very swoon-worthy.  He also talks to God and follows his convictions to help others. 

You will not be disappointed with this book!  Ripe (in more ways than one, as it involves a vineyard) with mystery, intrigue, danger, and secrets, you will be frantically flipping through the pages to find answers.  Who can Tressa trust and where is this fortune everyone is looking for? 

Content:  This book is a clean read.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian fiction; Mystery; Historical fiction; Romance; Victorian

I want to thank Joanna Davidson Politano, LibraryThing Early Reviewers and Revell for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author: 

I’m a work-from-home mom of one super cute baby girl (pictures to prove it) and I write novels. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I…  like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan, which is undergoing a constant renovation.

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The secret's out! This book is fantastic!--Miss Serena's Secret by Carolyn Miller--Review

It’s no secret that I love all things Regency and Jane Austen!  Ms. Miller writes stories that are Austen-esque with fabulous faith content and her own original twist.  So obviously I was ecstatic to be able to read and review Miss Serena’s Secret, her newest book in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series!

Ms. Miller writes an engaging story true to the Regency time period.  Regency lovers will appreciate all of the historical detail included throughout the story.  Even though the book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.  It is fun to see characters from previous books make appearances in Miss Serena’s Secret.  I love how Ms. Miller even includes a family tree.  

Let me just take a moment to appreciate Ms. Miller’s descriptions of the scenery. Wow!!!  It felt like I was watching a movie as I could envision the beautiful English countryside so well.  I need to go visit England now!  My Austen loving heart was excited to see many nods to Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. 

Miss Serena’s Secret is a book readers will love because of how the main characters are very flawed and broken in the beginning, making them relatable and accessible.  The characters learn about faith and living it out in one’s everyday life.  They pray, look to Scripture for comfort, and let their belief determine their actions. 

Miss Serena’s Secret  is a lovely tale of healing, redemption, forgiveness and faith!  Regency and romance readers won’t want to miss Carolyn Miller’s newest book!

Content:  I give this book a PG-13 rating because of the issues the main character deals with (being assaulted).  Nothing is described in detail and it is written very tastefully, but it is a sensitive topic nonetheless.  Some examples of the content are: a teacher gives unwanted attention to a student and looks down her neckline; mention of gambling; a character drinks wine; a little innuendo about a married couple but nothing overt; reference to a woman’s period; mention of a woman being assaulted; a man notices a woman’s figure, a character has episodes that could be PTSD related.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre:  Christian fiction; Regency; Romance; Historical

I want to thank Carolyn Miller, Kregal Publications and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's previous novels have won several contests, including the 2014 RWA "Touched by Love" and 2014 ACFW Gensis contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy.


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