A Defense of Honor (2018) by Kristi Ann Hunter is the first book in her Haven Manor series. This book comes in all forms including eBook, and is 376 pages in length. With a full-time job and a very busy six-year old at home, this novel took me two days to read. I received a copy of this book in paperback form from the author via her publisher, Bethany House. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give A Defense of Honor 5 STARS. This novel is a Christian Historical Romance set in England in 1816.

About the Book

When Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she’s forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend’s missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she’s telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can’t matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and to raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. But as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, the risk of revealing the truth may come at too high a price for those she loves.

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My Thoughts

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my most favorite Christian authors. I adore her stories. Each one is so good and so unique, I think to myself, “How can she possibly do a better story than this?!” But each story gets better and better. And, A Defense of Honor may be my new favorite.

Ruth is one of my most favorite books in the Bible. I love Ruth’s heart. Ruth shows love the way Jesus shows love — completely and without strings attached. And, she knows how to trust God absolutely. Kit is very much a Ruth-like character. She loves the people in her care so much. And her sense of doing what is right and just is laudable. Daily, Kit defends and fights for women and children whom the world views as rubbish. Kit is truly doing the Lord’s work! But is she really? At one point, Kit realizes that her actions aren’t as noble as they seem. Kit is defending and fighting for women and children, but she is doing so with a vengeful heart rather than with a loving one. Kit realizes that her work has led her down a path where she doesn’t even talk to God anymore. She is more about making men pay for their crimes than she is about trusting God’s will in the lives of the women and children she is saving. Somewhere along the way, Kit lost her Ruth-like heart and is on the wrong path.

Trusting God is a really big theme in A Defense of Honor. While reading, I became so invested in Kit and her noble cause that I didn’t even realize that she wasn’t trusting God. I was right there with Kit during her freak outs and worry moments. I started stressing about things like finances and food and clothes. When Graham shows Kit that she is actually in the wrong, I was so ready to beat him up. “What are you talking about, Graham!? Kit is wonderful. Leave her alone” is what I wanted to yell at him. But, as he explains to Kit where she is falling short, my mouth gaped in dawning understanding. Oh my word…I stink. I was so invested in Kit because I am Kit. I try so hard to do everything on my own, to take care of everyone on my own, and to fix everything on my own. I go in guns blazing! But where does that get me? In trouble!!! I find I’m backed into a corner with nowhere to go but to God. And this is what Kit realizes. She does have a noble cause. She needs to never stop fighting for the women and children in her care, but she needs to do it with God, not without. I love this message SO much, and I am so grateful I read this book because I clearly needed this reminder.

A Defense of Honor is a really great story, and I highly recommend it. I found it to be highly engaging and fast-paced. The characters are well written and very realistic. And, the messages and themes are timely. If you are looking for an excellently penned Regency novel with substance then A Defense of Honor is definitely the book for you.

GIVEAWAY

I am giving away ONE (1) paperback copy of A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter. The giveaway begins today, 7-2-18 at 4:00 pm (PST) and ends on Thursday, 7-5-18 at 12:00 pm (PST). To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link below. Good luck!

CONGRATS TO Jeanne Crea.!

YOU HAVE WON THIS GIVEAWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

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