A gem!

Recency Christian romance, second in a series. Filled with humor, this is yet serious as well. Haven Manor had been unused when Daphne and Kit moved in and set up a place for women of society who had been ruined and with child that no one wanted. Something Daphne knew about first hand. They gave them refuge, training to be in service, and a safe place where they raised the children. They had done so for about 14 years when the owners' son became the Marquise and decided to come there and live.

William had no idea what had gone on there over the years. He was just glad to escape the Ton and be somewhere peaceful. Or so he thought. Gradually he gets to know Daphne, who tried her best to act as housekeeper and hide it all from him, including her son who looked exactly like William. (His cousin was the father.)

The story is deep, intricate and wound with emotion and humor. I can identify with Daphne's insecurities. Her feelings will twist your heart. So will everyone else's. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this, but I highly recommend that you do.

This is an author to love and read everything she writes. She has built a place with such interesting people, and it's fascinating to get to know them and wonder what will become of the rest of the characters. People of wealth learn they can care and help others that they usually wouldn't interact with. And the girls who were used to that high society life learn about their strengths and talents while deeply caring for others and making a new life.

Thank goodness for chapters in a book so that there is a place to put it down once in awhile. But you may be like me and not want to put it down, reading for more hours at a time than you planned!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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.”
#AReturnOfDevotion #KristiAnnHunter #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Great Read. I found the the main character, Daphnie to be different then most women in romance novels. Her imagination world and reluctance to see herself, brought more interest to the story line. The architecture of the home was vividly described, along with all the other characters. I could picture each one of them in my mind. Yes, I recommend getting this book.

I loved the first book in this series, A Defense of Honor, and so I was looking forward to diving into the sequel. I was slightly hesitant about Daphne (I wasn't sure what to make of her in book one), but I figured the author could make her shine! However, I did have problems with the book, most of which are probably just personal preference. I want to explain some of my thoughts though, so there will be a few non-minor spoilers ahead!

DAPHNE. I couldn't connect with this sweet gal. She was definitely a different heroine, but not necessarily in a bad way? She was realistic, and I liked getting a glimpse into her head. But she was kind of...flighty. Not in character, but she daydreamed often, which just seemed a bit childish and inappropriate considering certain aspects? I didn't mind so much, until she thought a scene with the hero WAS a daydream, and then I got a little uncomfortable. And the almost-lying was somewhat exasperating at times. I felt like it was kinda taken to an extreme, so much so that I ended up wanting the two characters to meet that were being kept apart. I don't know if we were supposed to want them kept apart or not... :P

WILLIAM. I adored Graham in A Defense of Honor! William didn't quite live up to him for me... But he was still a good guy. There were times where he seemed somewhat stuck up and arrogant, and this was dealt with - but there was, I felt, a lot of back and forth between him lowering his guards and being truly kind and gentlemanly, and turning back into the 'master of the house.'

THE ROMANCE. I said there was some back and forth between William's decisions/actions... There was with the romance too. It bothered me that William would flip from being really enamored with Daphne one moment, to treating her like a servant and distancing himself the next. Same with Daphne. I TOTALLY GET why this happened, but it just felt like it happened so much that I was like, "Really, guys?!" Things are worked out, OF COURSE, but it seemed like some unnecessary pain to get there.

LASTLY, things were somewhat slow for a bit. It was about halfway through before the story felt like it got rolling to me. I do, however, want to applaud the author for dealing with tough situations with grace. There was more detailing in this book than I was completely comfortable with at times, but overall it was pretty well done.

OVERALL, I didn't enjoy this as much as the first novel, but I would still recommend it to people! I hate leaving negative feedback, but I just don't think the book was for me - I really enjoyed the first book and the tie-in about Nash and Margaretta. Things that I mentioned about probably wouldn't bother others as much! Most of my thoughts were just personal preference. If you enjoyed A Defense of Honor or A Search for Refuge, I would definitely say it's worth a try to read this one!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts above are entirely my own, and I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

Daphne Blakemoor lives happily in the country caring for the children and working as a housekeeper, and continuing to keep her secret. But when the new Marquis decides to move into the mansion, she finds every things that she has fought for threatened.



William is the new Marquis of Chemsford, and he is determined to establish a legacy completely the opposite of his father. He is looking forward to a quiet life in the country away from the foils of society. But when he arrives at his country estate he is surprised by the housekeeper's reluctance to let him in, he is baffled by her peculiar habits but wants to give her a chance to prove herself. But does this housekeeper hold a secret that will change his life forever?



An engaging read, with strong characters and serious situations with a humorous twist. William is understandably baffled by the goings on at his country estate and his beautiful housekeeper who often goes missing at odd hours. He is ashamed of his past and vows to chart a different course rather than follow in the footprints of his father. As he gets to know Daphne he admires her ideas and resourcefulness.



Daphne never really liked the bustle and betrayal of society, she struggles with fear of her secrets being revealed and how they will affect the ones that she loves. I like how she expresses her ideas and holds to her faith.



Though part of a series, it stands well on its own and has strong themes of faith, family, and forgiveness. I liked returning to Haven House and the many characters. I really admired William and Daphne, they were both good heroes, strong in their weaknesses. Good character growth and a great use of situational humor to lighten the mood and bring a smile to my face. Highly enjoyable!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

I liked this second installment in the series better than the first. This was, above all a novel about second chances told with a lot of wit and grace.

William was a great characters as an unconventional, and somewhat reclusive nobleman, and poor Daphne just had to cope with having what had been her home invaded- by the rightful owner.

There isn't a lot of action in this novel, but not everything needs that. Most of the drama here is in the interactions between the characters, and surprise meetings with figures from their past. Its more of a human drama of feelings, facing the past and forgiveness.

I liked seeing some of the minor characters come into their own a little more: such as Jess with her shadowy past, as well as some of the details about flourishing industries in the early 19th century.

There did seem to be an effort to cut down the number of Americanisms in this book: at least in the first part. There the characters used some of the correct British terms and phrases, but that sort of lapsed and by the end the characters were referring to 'trunks waiting in the hall' and 'leaving the store'.

Overall, I liked this story more than some of the previous ones by this author, and find it a lot gentler and less jarring than some others. Perhaps this was also due to the British narrator adding a touch of authenticity with her command of regional accents.

I requested this title from Netgalley, and purchased the audio-book of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

I was so excited to have a copy of the second book of this series because I loved the first book so much.
Kristi Ann Hunter is an excellent writer. She has a way of pulling the reader into her story world that is entertaining. Dialogue is believable, and the subject matter that she tackles is done so with sensitivity and grace.
Despite all this, I found it difficult to jump back into the story of Haven Manor where it picks up Daphne’s storyline. It’s been a while since I read the first book that I’d forgotten many details but even so, I found myself annoyed with Daphne’s character. She daydreams (nothing wrong with that but it was a bit excessive for me), and then keeps lying to the new Marquis who stakes his claim on the abandoned house where she’s been living for 12 years, taking care of illegitimate children of the aristocracy. She assumes the role of housekeeper and is a terrible mess in this role. If I’d been Marquis, I would have kicked her to the curb on the second day. As I continued to read I kept thinking, “Spit it out already! Tell him who you are and that the kid who looks like him is yours!”
My reading experience didn’t improve.
So, unfortunately, this second novel didn’t even meet my expectations, as excited as I was to get my hands on a copy of the second book.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great sequel to "A Defense of Honor" by Kristi Ann Hunter. "A Return to Devotion" continues the story of Daphne and her son and friends. Romance is intertwined with devotion to family and friends. Forgiveness enters the story often. Great historical fiction. This book can stand alone but is SO much more interesting if you've read book one in the series. I'm hoping for a 3rd book in the series!

This book would have to be my favourite of Kristi Ann Hunter’s novels that I’ve read so far. I’ve said from the beginning of this series that I love its premise, but I found myself a little disappointed with the way the story played out at the end of the previous book. Not so with this one.

The first thing I loved was how gradually the attraction developed between Daphne and William. Far from being instantly attracted to William, Daphne virtually goes into shock the first time she lays eyes on him (you’ll see why as soon as you begin reading), and William thinks his new housekeeper is rather an odd duck and wonders if he’s going to have to fire her. But time gradually alters those initial impressions and they begin to take a more accurate measure of each other’s character, and it’s only as their interactions increase that they begin to recognise that deeper feelings are developing.

The other big winner for me was that this story didn’t follow a predictable path at all. Given the number of secrets Daphne is trying to keep (secrets that have been kept with the best of intentions, but have now painted her into a corner), it would have been so easy for this story to go the clichéd route: heroine has secret, hero and heroine build relationship, all comes crashing down when hero discovers the secrets heroine has been keeping and his trust is broken. This story went much deeper than that, and my appreciation of William only grew with each passing chapter—particularly as those secrets began to come out—because he saw who Daphne was and what she needed. As determined as he became to court her affections, he was committed to doing so at her pace rather than his own.

Finally, this isn’t just a romance; this is a story of restoration for Daphne—one that has been over tens years in the making. If you also happen to love a rural Regency setting, then that’s just the icing on the cake. And historical romance lovers will devour every crumb.

Daphne Blakemoor was perfectly happy living in her own secluded world for twelve years. She had everything she needed--loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes on, and the new marquis has an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.

William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect until his housekeeper turns his life upside down.

They've spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, find a new path for the future together?

Daphne is hiding from the world around her. She made a mistake in her youth that she is still paying for. William is not your normal Marquis. He loves peace and quiet. When he arrives at his new home he is surprised by how it is run and the lack of staff. Daphne Being the housekeeper makes that very difficult to do.

I liked the book. But there seem to be a lot of fluff mixed in with the story. Daphne liked to imagine how life could be and a lot of time was spent on her imaginations. Sometimes it seemed to go on and on. The story between Daphne and William was good. I enjoyed how they worked out their problems. If William had been a typical Marquis, things would not have worked out well for Daphne. This was the second book in the series. It isn't necessary to read the first book. But it would be helpful so you could understand some of the things mentioned in book 2. I look forward to reading Jess's story. Hers could be quite interesting.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I have to say I enjoyed share that I enjoyed reading Book 2 – A Return to Devotion even more than the first book. I found it just as warm and lovely as the first book and filled with love, Faith. good times and bad times. The good prevailed over the hardships and love/friendship was all around throughout this story. I can’t wait to read the third book in this series: A Pursuit of Home when it comes out later this year!

A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Kristi Ann Hunter delivers a story to her readers that will give them much to ponder and lots to enjoy in this wonderfully written tale of finding love, trust and forgiveness.

I discovered Kristi Ann Hunter while combing through new authors who write in the Regency era without including language or inappropriate scenes. How lovely to find not only a new author but a new series of books with lots of crackle in the dialogue. Ms. Hunter has recently embarked on a new series that tackles some fairly heavy topics that would cause scandal no matter when the story was written. Hope Haven has been a home for the illegitimate children of the Ton for more than a decade. But the death of the current owner and the impending arrival of the new one has meant that the children who found shelter there must be placed in new homes. Most have found a new family to love but there are still some that are unlikely to given their age or personality. Daphne Blakemoor has determined to care for these children as long as possible and help them find a position in the new owner’s household. Although the new Marquis of Chemsford has relayed the news that he is arriving soon to see the Manor house, Daphne is hopeful he will find country life dull and return to London quickly. But Lord William Chemsford has no intention of going anywhere anytime soon. Seeking a respite from his many responsibilities while also wrapping his mind around all he is in charge of now will give him much to ponder and review. His arrival is less than ideal and he is not quite sure of the sanity of his housekeeper, “Mrs. Brightmoor”. But William quickly learns that first impressions are not always the best and while the current staff of his country home may not be completely up to the mark, there is no denying they are willing to work hard. The unusual decor and vast amount of art works present in the house give William a place to begin when he decides to make the Manor his choice of home. His friend and fellow peer Derek Thornbury is just the man to sort and catalog his collection but there is much to do before he can come. As William begins to examine some of the unusual pieces throughout the home, he comes across some well made but unmarked pieces that show great talent. Neither Daphne nor any of the other staff will answer his questions about the pieces until a shocking revelation brings Daphne’s former life and family to light. Daphne has hoped never to have to reveal the disgrace surrounding her departure from London fourteen years ago. It is not for her own sake that she wishes to keep the circumstances silent, rather it is for the sake of her son whom she raised alongside her fellow child caretakers. She has not ever told Benedict who his father or mother are, hoping to let him make his way in the world based on his own merit. But the truth comes out when William and Benedict come face to face. William reels from the shock of seeing a young man who looks almost identical to himself. He knows he is not responsible for this young man’s existence but also knows Benedict is family. Demanding answers from Daphne brings revelations that are hurtful to everyone but also brings healing that is long overdue. As William and Daphne work together to bring order to the house and find ways to help Benedict find a good situation to use his talents, they will develop an unexpected friendship. But before they can move beyond friendship to something more, they will have to open their hearts to trust and forgiveness for the hurts of their pasts. And with the arrival of more people from their pasts, they will each be hard pressed to forgive and move on. It will take a greater faith than they have ever had to get passed all the pain and the love of each other for them to finally trust someone else again. I loved the excellent writing of this story and the carefully crafted scenes. Everything flowed well into the next chapter and the revelations you knew had to happen were introduced in just the right moment. The genuine kindness and caring of each character was evident without being overdone and the reactions of everyone seemed natural. These people did not seem fictional and that made it so easy to connect with them. My heart broke as Daphne tried to protect her son from the pain of her mistakes while still helping him understand that she is not ashamed of him in any way. And William’s kind way of helping those around him while also ensuring the truth was finally told made him a perfect match for Daphne. I also enjoyed reading of the spiritual journey that Daphne and William both went on in the pages of this story. They refused to let the past dictate their future and sought to help others in whatever way they could. The courage that each of them found because of the situations they found themselves in made them even better people and allowed them to find love with each other. I will certainly be recommending this book and the series to others as its one of the best I’ve read. Ms. Hunter is quickly becoming my favorite Regency author with her witty dialogue and realistic characters. I’m excited to see where she will take the series next.

I receive this E-Book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

A Return of Devotion is a beautiful tale of love, restoration, reconciliation, and knowing that your past mistakes do not define you. This is book 2 in the Haven Manor series and this is Daphne’s story.
Taking place after the events that happened at the end of the last book, this story picks up as the new owner of the house, William, Marquis of Chemsford, comes to take over and live in the manor since it is a ways out in the country. He really sees potential in the home though it certainly needs work, but it will work for him to stay mainly out of society. William was a very serious fellow, trying not to follow in the steps of his foolish father; he liked to be in control. When he arrives at the home, he nonetheless is very surprised by the “servants” in residence, especially Daphne the “housekeeper”.
Author Hunter’s trademark wit ensues and the banter between William and Daphne is sometimes borderline crazy/hilarious. However the peculiar conversations between Daphne and other townspeople were a riot and must be in control William is highly curious as to what is really going on.
I was sitting on the edge of my seat so to speak as to when all the secrets of Haven House would be revealed. This is an enjoyable book about a heavy matter that was made lighter with humor and love. I look forward to reading about Jess next and her knife wielding ways.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

A new book by Kristi Ann Hunter… Woot! Woot! Yay!

A Return of Devotion opens with an amusing scene and vivid visualization that makes me giggle. At the clumsy, alarming, and entertaining first meeting with Lord Chemsford (William) it takes only moments to get a sense of who Daphne Blakemoor is. (All her awkward blinking cracks me up.) I effortlessly connect with her, as well as William, as he navigates his new title, new path, and new uncertainties.

I love it when I’m drawn in to a story quickly, as in this regency tale. Ms. Hunter’s witty writer’s voice (say that three times fast!) is entertaining, welcoming, and pulls you into her character’s heads effortlessly.

With all the wit and amusement, the story still holds deep and serious undertones, and I soon learn Haven Manor is cloaked in mystery. I rapidly begin turning pages and become lost in secrets of the past…

As with each of Ms. Hunter’s previous books, I begin reading slower as I reach the last few chapters. It saddens me to leave these characters, for they’ve become my friends. The spiritual undertones are meaningful, and the love and faith warm my heart. A beautiful, beautiful tale.

Pages: 400
Opening Line: She should have been prepared.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I definitely enjoyed this book! I loved that we got to spend time with an awkward heroine...like, truly awkward, not just cutesy awkward. haha! I have to admit that there were moments when I wish she would've come off as just a teensy bit more competent in the beginning, though - lol - and it was *really* hard for me to buy that Daphne had never told her son he was her son (not a spoiler - we know that right away). But those things aside, I suuuuper enjoyed the romance of it all, I enjoyed catching up with characters from the first book in the series, and I definitely look forward to the next one! Jess has been by far the most intriguing character to me in all of Kristi Ann Hunter's books so I can't wait for her to get the spotlight!

A Return of Devotion
by Kristi Ann Hunter

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 05 Feb 2019


I am reviewing a copy of A Return of Devotion through Bethany House and Netgalley:


Daphne Blakemore had spent the past twelve years in her own secluded world, and she had been happy with that. In this world she had everything she needed, loved ones a place to call home and a time to let her imagination run away. But after the ownership of the estate she works on as a housekeeper is passed on, and the marqui that is now in place has a connection to her past, the life she had is threatened.




William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the opposite of his father. He believes starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect that is until his life is turned upside down by his housekeeper.



Daphne and William have spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest pain, and find a new path to the future together?


I give A Return to Devotion five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is the second book, or the third, if you include the prequel “A Search for Refuge” in the Haven Manor Series.
I totally loved it, as much or maybe even more than the first one.
Haven Manor is a long abandoned estate in a rural village that has being used in the last 12 years to accommodate and raise cast off children from the London society. The owner has long neglected this estate and knows little of the life that is going on in his estate. So when he dies and everything passes to his son William, things at Haven Manor are about to change drastically.
Daphne Blackmoore has spent more than the last decade at Haven Manor, caring for the orphaned children as the housekeeper and living a peaceful but somewhat lonely life. She carries a big secret, as Benjamin, one of her wards, is really her son, but in order to protect him, she hasn’t told him about his true origins.
So when William, the Marquis of Chemsford, arrives to claim his estate and to escape London’s shallow society, he has no idea of what is going on in there. Daphne tries to pretend she’s a mere servant and things don’t take off too well at first. On top of that, her son Benjamin has a striking resemblance to him, and she doesn’t know what to do with that, and tries to hide him from him. William suspects she is hiding something, and feels tempted to dismiss her, but she’s so intriguing and wants to know her better.
What I loved best about the story was the characters. I loved Daphne’s shy and introvert character, yet kind, compassionate and strong when needed. She was not the typical strong, outspoken and spunky heroine. Yet she felt more realistic and relatable to me. I loved her creative and imaginative mind, always daydreaming of the life she would love to have. And her love of her son and sacrifice to keep him was admirable, given her circumstances.
William was complex character and so much more than the brooding man he seems at first. I liked how he grows through out the story. They were both the perfect match even if they started out with the wrong foot.
There were great secondary characters too. I’m actually looking forward to Jess’s story and was delightfully surprised to know that she will be the heroine of book number 3!!
The book plot had twists that captivated me and kept me intrigued until the end, rooting for the characters and for their very well deserved happily ever after.
Kristi has a was of threading through some tough issues with tact and respect, and to bring humor even out of the most awkward circumstances! I shed few tears but I mostly I laughed out loud at a few scenes!
I totally recommend this book to lovers of historical romance. It’s an inspiring and heartwarming read with an uplifting message!
Can’t wait for the release of the next installment in this series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I loved getting a closer look into Daphne's story. She was a very caring person with a wild imagination. But she was extremely bothered by being around new people. It made for an interesting mix, and quite a story! The plot was wonderfully done, and the book was hard to put down. Which led to nights of staying up reading far to late! But the late nights was definitely worth it, and I can not wait to see what Kristi Ann Hunter's next book will be!



I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

Facing head on the anxiety and fears that Daphne has dealt with far longer than the night she found herself running from London. There’s so much more to Hunter’s stories than a bit of historical fiction, romance and fluff. Every character she introduces are intricate, with a depth that makes them entirely unique from each other. Kit is now gone on her wedding trip, and Haven Manor has been left to Daphne & Jess to prepare for the unavoidable arrival of the new owner.

William the Earl of Chemsford, is desperate to get as far away from his impending responsibilities & the title seat and has come to see to the repair work to the estate. The dialogue between Daphne & William is as always carefully tailored to each of them. The reader quickly discovers who he is while learning far more about Daphne than we previously have been given. The two are so perfectly matched - it just takes them a lot longer to discover it. Likable & tender personalities to delve into the difficult subject of the series. Done in a way that is both informative & thoroughly enjoyable.

You won’t want to put this down.

Thank you to Bethany House for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review.

As a person who often gets lost in her immagination, it was interesting to get to read about a character who does this as well. Some parts seemed a little incongruent but overall really nice love story about learning to accept forgiveness and living fully.

What stood out to me most about this book was the daydreaming and fantasizing of Daphne! It's something I've done, more at some times in my life than others. It was interesting to see how her fantasies faded as she became more present and invested in a real relationship and her own life beyond her son and the other children. I love the premise of this series, how the characters provide aid to women in desperate circumstances, even raising their children. Their haven came to an end, and it was fun to see them try to keep the secret from William, who kept discovering curiosities about his estate and the people who remained there. I also enjoyed Daphne and William's early perceptions of each other and the way they slowly became more comfortable... until the secrets rising to the surface could no longer be avoided. I was happy with the way the story ended, with a new future and direction for their humanitarian efforts. Looking forward to the next in the Haven Manor series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)