I’ve read several series books lately, so it’s nice to break it up a bit and read a stand-alone.

Although this isn’t the first book I’ve read by Susan Anne Mason (I read Irish Meadows a few years ago) I’m still a newbie. Ms. Mason is a gifted storyteller, pulling her readers into history and causing them to live within the characters’ lives. 

A Most Noble Heir is a compelling read. I enjoyed the 19th century British setting and the sweet love shared between Nolan and Hannah. The secrets revealed turns their world for a loop, and the difficulties they face tests their grit, fortitude, and sacrifices they’re willing to make.

Overall, this is a fast-paced book, with an exclusive, refreshing Aristocratic British love story .

I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley.

Nolan and Hannah, have loved each other since they were 14 years old. Finally Nolan is prepared to ask Hannah to be his wife. Before he can ask, his mother confesses on her deathbed that Nolan is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby. With Nolan expected to become the Heir and join aristocracy his hopes of a future with Hannah seem dashed. Determined to find a way to be together the couple elopes. With expectations from his father and disapproval from his family, the couple struggles to be together, even after the marriage.  Nolan is torn between his fathers expectations and his wife. It seems that a happy union is out of reach.

This story was the first of Susan Anne Masons books that I have read. Although the story begins quickly and you are drawn into the plot early in the book it took a while for me to really feel involved with the story. Things happen so fast, and some of the events are predictable, so although the pace was good it was difficult to really connect with the characters. Towards the middle of the book the plot slows enough for Hannah and Nolan to really grow on you. The book wraps up nicely and the second half of the book felt like a better pace for me. The progression of the relationships especially between Nolan and his Father was well written, a very interesting part of the story that I did not expect. The plot may not sound original but it is written with enough subtleties that it definitely feels new and unique. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am eager to read more books by Susan. If you like regency romances (clean), this book is for you.

Overall I would give this book 3 1/2-4 stars it was a wonderful story with good characters. I great read for the weekend.

Wow, this was my first book by this author but if all are as intriguing and well written as this one, it will not be my last!

Solid and intense plot to keep readers awaken 'til late at night; there’s much more than a simple life-changing event going around here. A hint of mystery, a lesson on true love, and a good amount of tenderness builds the backbone of this story. 

This intricate story draws many sides of the characters. Start from the title "The Noble Heir", you expect a constancy in the main male character. Though there's a restlessness in him from page one, you see from where the author might have drawn out the word "noble" to describe Nolan. But, as the story flows, you see a desperation behind his actions; you never doubt his honesty and well intentions, especially towards Hannah, still, there's a thick layer of anxiety leading to his decisions. Another layered character is the Earl, Edward Fairchild. He's a character you feel as if you should hate; however, there's also a tickle to more than we've been given behind his motives.

Nolan Price is being bullied into an inheritance he hasn't asked for, one that will change his dreams and plans for the future. Edward has just found out he has an heir, who is giving a deja vu sense to the earl because of a romance with a maid. Nevertheless, Edward is determined to transform Nolan into the ideal heir, and Nolan agrees to tolerate all the shenanigans involving high society clothing, parties, and manners if it will guarantee a better future for Hannah and her sister. However, there's much going on behind his back than he can imagine. Hence, the underlined question is who Nolan wants to be? Can this first not-welcomed situation become an area of vocation and stewardship for Nolan?

As for Edward, his actions and good intentions might be misplaced and cause more pain than promote bonding between father and son, but until when will he be able to bend and push Nolan around and treat Hannah with crudeness without harming any chances of a relationship? And will Nolan and Hannah find out his manipulation in time to not fall into despair, not lose faith, and believe in possibilities beyond our understanding?

Susan Anne Mason did a fantastic job with the Victorian setting, contrasting the downstairs and upstairs realities. And where will Nolan and Hannah fit in in such a setting? Definitely through a foundation based on grace, sprinkled with forgiveness and rooted in faith.

Susan Anne Mason. A Most Noble Heir. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2018.

I’m always amazed at how my mood impacts which book I want to read next.  Sometimes I want something really funny, while other times I want to dive into a story that could win book of the year.  In other situations, I’m looking for a story set in a specific historical time period and other times I really want to read contemporary storylines. This week manages to be a relatively casual historical read, with just enough detail to set it firmly in the nineteenth century.

Ms. Mason writes A Most Noble Heir, a stand-alone novel set in nineteenth-century Britain.  Nolan Price and Hannah Burnham have both worked for the Earl of Stainsby since their early teens and have hoped to marry now that they are adults.  However, a secret shared by Nolan’s dying mother destroys his plans, as he finds himself as the unexpected heir of the estate.  In order to remain together, Nolan and Hannah secretly marry, but Lord Stainsby has other plans.  He hopes to train Nolan to take his place among the aristocracy and leave behind his former life, including his kitchen maid wife.  Nolan must somehow balance his newfound father’s wishes and those of his wife or he may find himself losing either one entirely.  

Ms. Mason writes a compelling twist on the standard tropes about the British aristocracy in A Most Noble Heir.  The view of the Earl of Stainsby’s world from the view of his stable hand and kitchen maid will be a particular thrill to those who enjoy Downton Abbey and other period dramas. 

Overall, I enjoyed reading A Most Noble Heir.  Ms. Mason writes an intriguing story that many readers will appreciate, especially those who love anything that relates to the British aristocracy.  Personally, I found the novel to be somewhat short on historical details.  However, Ms. Mason’s writing style still allowed for a surprisingly complete plotline and cast of characters that felt realistic to the setting.  This novel did seem to have a somewhat more cohesive and tighter plot than some of her other works, which does show continued improvement in her writing and story development.  A Most Noble Heir is a stand-alone book, which does feel somewhat disjointed from Ms. Mason’s other series in topic and setting.  Her next novel, The Best of Intentions, starts off her Canadian Crossings series, which will be released in July of 2018.

Fans of Ms. Mason’s works will likely want to read A Most Noble Heir.  Likewise, those who love to read anything related to the British aristocracy, especially set in the nineteenth century, will also likely find this book to be well worth the read. 

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the advanced copy of A Most Noble Heir!

Stable hand, Nolan Price, has always wondered about the identity of his father but he never dreamed of what a shock it would be or how much his life would change when he found out. He gets the answer he’s been seeking when his dying mother reveals that he’s actually the son of Lord Stainsby, the Earl they’ve both been working for. All of a sudden, his entire life and everything he’s planned and dreamed of for himself are shattered , including his plans for a future with kitchen maid, Hannah Burnham, as his wife. Once he’s officially recognized as the Earl’s heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry below his station. Refusing to give up on the woman that he loves, he comes up with a plan for them to elope, convinced that once they’re married and their marriage is sanctioned by God, that Lord Stainsby will have no choice but to accept their union. As Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy and his new station in life, he finds himself caught in the middle between pleasing Hannah and living up to his father’s demanding expectations. It seems like at every turn, circumstances are keeping Nolan and Hannah apart and pushing them further and further away from a solution that keeps them together. With all the challenges they’re facing, it seems like only a miracle will keep them together. 

I really enjoyed reading this sweet story. I found the characters to be incredibly well written, and most of them were so lovable! Nolan was so honorable in how he was trying to honor his promises to everyone, and as he worked so hard to get to know his new family, even when they didn’t want to include him. He was a lot more forgiving than a lot of people would be and didn’t let the difficulties thrown at him make him bitter and resentful. Hannah was an absolute sweetheart who was a stabilizing presence that really helped pull the family together. I particularly enjoyed Iris and her entire outlook on life and family. I also loved how Nolan and Hannah, as well as many of the other characters, relied on their faith to strengthen themselves as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. I really enjoyed every moment of this book and I hope that it will be the beginning of a series, because I’d really love to read more about this wonderful family!

I didn't leave a review because I couldn't get past the 5th chapter.....

I loved this book.  One of my favorite types of stories is the story of forbidden love that conquers boundaries.  This story begins with a love between two servants, but that all changes one fateful day.  When Noble learns of who his biological father is, his life will never be the same.  He’s always been curious about who the man is and why he’s not around. Now that he knows, he can’t help but wonder, would his life have been better if he remained ignorant?  Now that it’s out in the open he’ll never know.  His love for Hannah is true and as real as it comes.  Being an Earls son comes with certain rules and regulations.  Will true love prevail?  I could hardly wait to find out.  Mason kept me turning page after page waiting to see what would happen next.  I loved the humor mixed in with the drama, and wasn’t ready for it to end.  I grew to love each character and wasn’t ready to say goodbye.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance.  I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

A stable hand on the Earl of Stainsby’s farm, Nolan Price is just about ready to purchase a modest farm so he can marry a kitchen maid, Hannah. As his mother lies dying, however, she answers Nolan’s lifelong question about the identity of his father.  When he learns he’s a nobleman’s son, things get complicated quickly.  
I appreciated that the plot didn’t completely follow what I would have expected. There was a touch of mystery.  Mainly it seemed a coming of age story for Nolan as he strives to figure out who he is as a man.  He learns that you can’t meet everyone’s expectations. He clings to the fact that God has a plan for his life even when things aren’t going the way he’d like.  Hannah is a wise woman yet she too doesn’t always see things clearly.  I like seeing growth in a character and especially like seeing it in hardened people like the Earl of Stainsby. 
My favorite character was Hannah’s aunt, Iris.  She is wise and loving and ready to stand up to bullies.  She does the unexpected and brings life wherever she goes.  
I enjoyed this book and will look forward to more from this author. I would highly recommend it. 
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book.  I was not required to leave a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

Fantastic plot. An amazing cast. Upstairs, downstairs. Poverty, wealth. Bad guys, heroes. This book has it all. 

It begins with the simple love story of two of the staff of Stainsby Hall, England. They've known each other since they were teenagers, and have always planned to marry. Hannah & Nolan, have plans. He has saved and negotiated for a small farm nearby and soon their dreams will be realized. Until those dreams are suddenly shattered by a revelation that will rock their entire existence. Nolan has known that the woman who raised him was not his birth mother, but his mother's sister. His mother died during his own birth, and his mother's sister has loved him and cared for him as if he was her own. But she is seriously ill and one night as death is imminent she shares a secret with not only him, but the Earl of Stainsby himself. 

With everything they know turning in motion, Nolan persuades Hannah to marry in secret and as fast as they can. While you can appreciate that neither of them really have a clue to the depth of the challenge ahead - they are not helped at all by those who should take are care, and don't. I spent most of the book utterly annoyed and frustrated with Edward Fairchild. The Earl, has even 'been here before' and is acting in what I see as thoroughly hypocritical manner. Using his advantage against them, he deceives Nolan in the worst way. Desperation to find any way possible to secure an alternate heir to the estate than the despicable Orville, Edward doesn't have a single ounce of compassion or care as he manipulates Nolan to his selfish intentions. 

Hannah seems to be the one that will suffer the most. Nolan frustrated me many times too. He tends to flip flop between devoted & loyal - to distant and careless. Then we have the introduction to Iris, the Duchess of Hartford and it injects an extra element into this story that I loved so much. Nothing is one dimensional about this plot at all. Its clever, it will have you feeling all kinds of things about the characters. You'll want to bash the very book over the heads of some of them! So many twists and turns. With a big hurrah when one of them finally sees the light! The book literally goes out with a bang and I loved every single minute of it. 

As a bonus, the author will tell you about how Stainsby is a real place, that this story is based on the true story of her own ancestors, and you can even google it and check it out. 

Thanks to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Nolan Price planning to marry Hannah Burnham, just as soon as he can purchase a nearby farm. Before he can, though, his mother, on her deathbed, reveals that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsbury--the man whose stable hand he serves as. Knowing how the earl feels about Nolan's feelings for a kitchen maid, the couple elopes, but their hopes that the earl will have to come around once they're married don't come to fruition. As Nolan tries to learn his role as his father's heir, and to decide if he even wants anything to do with the man, he simultaneously pushes Hannah away. Will they find a place for their love in Nolan's new life?

This is a very enjoyable romance. I liked seeing Nolan try to adjust to his new life and Hannah making peace with past hurts. They were both endearing characters. Hannah's aunt Iris was a gem; she brought humor to the story that helped lighten some of the darker elements of the plot. 

I read a copy of the ebook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Nolan Price, stable boy at Stainsby, has his entire future mapped out. By the end of the month, he’ll have possession of a small farm (he’s saved for years), and he’ll propose to kitchen maid Hannah Burnham. 

But life seldom works out the way we envision it. Nolan battles feelings of abandonment for the father he never knew. His aunt—who raised him when his mother died in childbirth, reveals that his father’s name on her deathbed—throwing Nolan into a series of unexpected and unwanted events.

If you enjoy relational romance (the emphasis is on the young couple working through their feelings of abandonment and rejection), you’ll enjoy this book.

"A Most Noble Heir" is a Christian historical romance set in 1884 in England. The backdrop historical and setting details were basically correct, though the main characters had some modern attitudes. The main characters acted realistically and were fairly complex.

Hannah was very insecure. Nothing her husband did could prove his love for her. She would tell him to spend time getting to know his father, secretly hoping he would spend his full attention on her instead. She made no attempt to learn how to be a lady while agreeing that Nolan learn to become a noble. Essentially, she sabotaged her relationship because she didn't feel lovable and was sure her husband would abandon her. She had to work through the roots of these feelings of insecurity.

Nolan was proud and had a quick temper, like his father, so their relationship was very stormy. They had to build a relationship while struggling over Nolan's marriage, which his father did not approve of even though he had done a similar thing with Nolan's mother when he was young.

The minor amount of bad language was written in a "he cussed" style rather than the actual words. There were no graphic sex scenes, though the newly married couple were shown passionately kissing. Overall, I would recommend this enjoyable romance.

I enjoy the Courage to Dream series by Susan Anne Mason, and I was excited when I heard that Mason had created another novel, A Most Noble Heir. With a historical romance, I expected a historical setting filled with life in the past and characters who interact with each other in that time period. With A Most Noble Heir, I was taken back to the late nineteenth century and enjoyed my time with these characters. 
The writing jumped from the pages. Mason does a great job at using Deep Point of View and allowing me to really experience the movement and internal thoughts of each individual character. Mason does a great job at creating the setting and allowing me to really see the setting. I could imagine the two mansions and adore all the marvelous settings. 
The heroine and hero are different than most wealthy heroine and heroes in stories. Nolan doesn't find out he's an heir to a great fortune until the beginning of the book or around his twenty-first birthday. Nolan is an admirable character who actually makes me swoon a couple of times at the strong love he has for Hannah, and his willingness to give away all his new found fortune in order to be with Hannah, a kitchen maid. Hannah is a strong woman who loves Nolan and gives him the chance to decide if he really wants to give up everything for her. Both characters have a deep faith in God, and they don't change their faith in God for anything. 
The plot was different. I have read a number of stories where the characters discover they have money, but they have a hard time adjusting to this new found life. In The Most Noble Heir, Nolan does everything with the plan to keep Hannah as his wife. No matter the cost. The plot moved quickly and kept my attention riveted to the story. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what else Mason creates. 
Overall, A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason is a delightful unique story with amazing characters and a wonderful setting for a romance story. Fans of Mason's other works or Lorna Seilstad works will enjoy this novel. 
I received a complimentary copy of A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.