An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter - a book review

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.

Read an excerpt HERE.

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.”

An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter - a book review

This is the third story of the Hawthorne House series.  The author very cleverly begins this story before the previous one ends.  The second book focuses on Miranda Hawthorne.  This book revolves around her sister, Georgina. You would not need to read the other stories in order to enjoy this one.  The author does a great job of filling the reader in on all the important things. In the midst of all the witty conversations and humorous situations, there is a strong theme of reliance on God. It isn’t preachey, but it is clearly an important part of the characters' lives.

The Hawthorne House series is set in London during the Regency period and the author presents it in a very realistic way.  In a very unobtrusive way, she gives us a history lesson about customs, clothing, manners, protocol and cultural standards.

The subject of learning disabilities is presented in a very thoughtful and informative manner.

This is from the back cover:

“Lady Georgina Hawthorne has always known she must marry well. After years of tirelessly planning every detail of her debut season, she is poised to be a smashing success and have her choice of eligible gentlemen.

With money and powerful business connections but no title, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. He intends to marry someday, but when he does it will not be to a shallow woman like Lady Georgina, whose only concerns appear to be status and appearance.

But beneath her flawless exterior, Georgina's social aspirations stem from a shameful secret she is desperately trying to keep hidden--and that Colin is too close to discovering. Drawn to each other despite their mutual intent to avoid association, is the realization of their dreams worth the sacrifices they'll be forced to make?”

The ending seemed a bit rushed, which was a bit anticlimactic, but all in all, this was a really enjoyable book.

You can read an excerpt HERE

Learn 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.”