A Defense of Honor

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

Another winner from Kristi Ann Hunter. It boggles my mind how deftly and beautifully Ms. Hunter has portrayed grace and forgiveness while dealing with a sensitive and disturbing topic plaguing the darker side of Regency aristocracy's glitz and glamour. The settings of London and Marlborough are breath-taking and wonderfully descriptive; the story is well-written; the plot is intricately detailed and well-paced; the dialogue is fantastically amusing and witty; the characters are so lovable despite their faults and flaws; and the thread of faith, grace, and mercy is strong throughout the book. Anyone who loves Regency romance with fun show more twists and turns to the plot and a swoon-worthy hero would absolutely love this book.

Graham is a privileged son of an earl who is bored out of his mind. He, unlike so many of his peers, has a set of parents who dote on each and dote on him. He has never had hardship in his life and he knows it. Despite his privileged station in life, Graham is easy-going, down-to-earth, tender-hearted, oh-so-lovely, and truly a gentleman. When his world collides with Kit's, he has the opportunity to shake himself out of his boredom and actually do something meaningful with his life. Kit is such a broken soul, riddled with guilt and shame. She's only focused on one thing until Graham comes knocking on her door - literally and emotionally. Graham and Kit's story shows how God can use individuals to touch multitude of lives for the better.

I didn't read the prequel novella (A Search for Refuge) but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of this book and this can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I have a long ways to wait for book #2 (A Return of Devotion) since it's slotted to be released in early 2019..... please write faster, Ms. Hunter!

I received this book from the author and Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective. show less

A Defense of Honor is my first novel by Kristi Ann Hunter, and as the saying goes, it will not be my last! 🙂 I had heard all the buzz about her books, and the genre, Regency romance, is one I enjoy . . . so what was stopping me? A limited amount of reading time, unfortunately. But I was determined to find a way to finally read one of her books. That’s why audiobooks are so great. I listen to them on my morning walks and whenever I have chores that don’t require a lot of my attention, like ironing (ugh). Hunter’s book was just the thing. It whisked me off to another time and place and set me right down in a lovely story. Although set in Regency England, there wasn’t a lot of society manners present. In fact, the book shines a show more light on the hidden side of the society doings of London — the children that are better off forgotten.

Main character Kit tries her best to make up for a decade-old mistake, one that cost a friend dearly. She, along with three other women, take in the children who don’t fit into society — the illegitimate children of the aristocracy. I loved the premise of this story, and found it certainly relevant for today. Inconvenience could have swept these children (and their mothers) into the poor houses of the day and into an early death or something perhaps worse. Kit is a strong woman who faces down any opposition or threat, but her weakness is the unforgiveness she places on herself. Graham, a man who at the beginning of the story is bored and looking for a diversion, finds that Kit is anything but boring. Of course the secrecy surrounding Kit’s endeavors places obstacles and walls between the two, but you will love how everything works out in the end. I listened to the audiobook and found the narration charming, especially in the voices of the children residing at Haven Manor.

If you like your romances set in the Regency period, plus love a story with a great message and spiritual truths relevant for today, then I recommend A Defense of Honor. Two more books are in the Haven Manor series. I am very much looking forward to traveling back in time to revisit Haven Manor.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased the audio version from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

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 show more 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. show less

Normally I’ll finish a book that I love in a day or so. With this book though, I took longer because I wanted to savor just how amazing it was! I didn’t want it to end. I really loved the characters and their progression. Growth is a huge thing for me, and I love it when characters have to go through a fair amount of it. Both Kit and Graham had things they needed to work on, and both had to find their way. They were excellent characters!

I also thought the plot was fantastic. Children have a special place in my heart (4th grade teacher here), and it makes me sigh happy little sighs when they’re happy and taken care of. Plus, these kids were delightful! Their personalities were so fun, and I hope to see more of them in this show more series.

This is one of my new favorites, and I can’t recommend it highly enough! All the stars! show less

For a regency novel it had a very unique storyline, one that was intriguing, highlighting the outcast due to others mistakes but also one of redemption, grace and trust. The main characters Kit and Graham drew you in and had you rooting for them by the end of the first chapter. Although there is a dark underlying story weaved throughout the pages that revolves around illegitimate children (by-blows) and a heroine who puts everything on the line for her cause, the words on the pages remain fresh and even humorous at times. Several times I had to remind myself that blackmailing is not a worthy cause, because I found myself backing The Governess in her grand scheme of getting revenge. The last few chapters leave you thinking deeply with show more lines such as "Did you even give them a chance?", "That's not the way grace works." or "He (God) wasn't confined to the solutions she could conceive." and many more. At one point in the storyline near the end, I found Graham to be a bit frustrating in that he didn't know if he could forgive Kit which went against the spiritual advice he was giving out. Although I have not read the prequel, it probably would be helpful in order to understand how Kit and Daphne found themselves in the situation they were in. If you are like myself and tend to read books based on mood or season, then this would be a great book to grab for a rainy day on the couch or cozied up by a fire in the fall.

*Thank you to Bethany House Publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.* show less

This is my first book of Ms. Hunter’s to read and it has left me wanting to read all of them. I cannot even begin to express how much I liked this book and how well written it is.
In the early 1800’s in England, a young aristocratic woman that found herself expecting out of wedlock had no hope. The standard protocol for the family was to disown her or send her away. Shame and ruin of the family name in society outweighed a daughter’s needs or that of the innocent child. Fathers of these precious babes were far and few between who would step up and take responsibility.
Twelve years earlier Kit left her life of privilege and wealth to embark on the mission to help these unwed mothers and save their children. It was all due to her show more feeling responsible for her friend, Daphne ending up in the family way. In that time they had grown to a family of 12 children, her, Daphne and another woman named Jess.
Her love and concern for the mothers and children were sincere but she was fueled by her guilt and trying to somehow pay for Daphne’s plight. Her methods of providing for everyone were somewhat underhanded and dark, but she saw it as justifiable with so many lives at stake.
During one of her excursions into London she finds herself being chased and finds retreat hiding behind the plants at an elite ball. Lord Graham Wharton spots her and is captivated by her. Even after she flees he cannot forget her. About this time he is drawn into his friend Oliver’s search for his sister who has disappeared. Unwittingly he finds himself on Kit’s doorstep literally. Secrets unfold, romance blossoms and God begins to work in all their lives.
Not only is this an intriguing novel, but I found it inspirational too. Trust in God was a strong thread that ran throughout the story. I saw how sometimes we think we trust Him and are not. We can get so drawn into “taking care” of ourselves we do not see we have put Him aside. The author also beautifully illustrated how He is taking care of your problems even though the answers have not appeared. I love love, loved this book! I cannot wait to read the next two in the series! You can read the novella that precedes the book, A Search for Refuge for free on Amazon!
I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own. show less

Kristi Ann Hunter tackles a topic that is often brushed over in Regency fiction. We read about the ton, the balls, parties & dinners, and even the scandals. But rarely do we read about what happens to those whose lives are ruined when the men of the upper echelon of society cast them away.

A Defense of Honor, the first book in The Haven Manor series, introduces readers to three women who refuse to forget or ignore the women and children who need to disappear.

After a close call of her own twelve years ago, Kit FitzGilbert pours her life into caring for those society would rather forget (after a run through the ton gossip mill, of course). Perhaps her methods are not the best, but her heart is in the right place. On one of her trips to show more London to secure funds for the manor, Kit meets Graham (aka Lord Wharton).

In an attempt to forget about an intriguing woman he’d learned little about, Graham sets out on a mission to find the sister of one of his friends. What he doesn’t expect is to run into that same woman who has been on his mind in the country.

Graham is a likable character from the beginning—charming, a little bit of a flirt, and someone who holds family and friends in esteem. And the first time he interacts with a child, I was smitten.
As Graham digs to uncover Kit’s secrets, and she struggles with handing control of the women and children she assists over to God, the two find a mutual admiration for the other.

In usual Hunter style, laughter and smiles are mixed in with heavier moments of questioning, disappointment, and concern.

Shining a light on both the trial and joys of helping those less fortunate, A Defense of Honor reminds readers that caring for even one person less fortunate than us makes a difference. The ending of Kit and Graham’s story is perfection while whetting my reading appetite for more about Daphne and Jess, the two women who help Kit run Haven Manor.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. show less