This is the
fifth offering in Hunter’s Hawthorne House series. It begins with a prologue that provides a
good background to the characters. The
first part of the book was a little slow for me but the author uses that time
to connect the people and places to the other books in the series. So, while I recommend
reading them all, this is a great stand alone story. I have read several of the previous stories
and it was nice to become reacquainted with some of the characters from them.
This is
called a Christian Historical romance and
while the faith of the main character, Griffith, is an underlying theme, the author doesn’t hit
you over the head with it. Griffith has
a plan for his life. A plan that centers around the elusive Miss St.
Claire. Her father is wealthy but she
has never married. She doesn’t consider
herself to be physically appealing. On the
other hand, her farm girl cousin is beautiful but has no interest in finding a
husband. Her only interest is in helping her family save their farm.
Here’s what
the publisher’s web site says:
“Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, so he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. While he's certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, she is strangely elusive, and he can't seem to stop running into her stunningly beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge.
Isabella should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, she has no choice but to agree to a bargain that puts her at odds with all her romantic hopes--as well as her conscience. And the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she regrets the unpleasant obligation that prevents her from any dream of a future with him.
As all Griffith's and Isabella's long-held expectations are shaken to the core, can they set aside their pride and fear long enough to claim a happily-ever-after?”
If you like
following a common thread through several stories, this is a series you should
read.
Find more about the author, Kristi Ann Hunter, HERE.
I received a
complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and Baker Publishing
Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a
positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides
Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”