A Return to Hawthorne House ~ Review

A Return to Hawthorne House

A Hawthorne House Novella Collection

By Kristi Ann Hunter

A Return to Hawthorne House is a collection of shorter stories mostly set before A Noble Masquerade. There are three stories Always a Lady, The Lady's Maid, and A Lady of Esteem (which is only in the print edition, not the digital edition). I read the digital edition, as that is what I preordered (I had previously obtained A Lady of Esteem). 

Always a Lady finds Miranda in the midst of her Season, but she isn't catching the eyes of any gentlemen; rather, her mother is. Specifically, the Earl of Blackstone has singled her out. But is the Earl looking for another chance at love? Or is he sabotaging Miranda's chances so his own daughter will win the hand of the Season's most eligible bachelor? 

This is the lovely story that was only hinted at throughout the Hawthorne House series as Miranda, Georgina, Trent, and Griffith all search for love, as their parents did.

In The Lady’s Maid, Trent takes over the home that Amelia Stalwood had called home. The servants were more like family than servants, and they are taking Trent into their fold. One of the servants, Lydia Smith had been Amalia's companion and a parlor maid and was content with her work. But when Trent's valet turns out to be the one man Lydia had feelings for, she's not sure she'll be able to stay. When Finch is ordered to work closely with Lydia, all the feelings and dreams that she's been hiding for years could come true or ruin everything. 

But working for the Hawthornes could provide unexpected surprises - after all, they all believe in love matches, not marriages of convenience. Could this trickle down to their servants? Or are some boundaries uncrossable? 

A Lady of Esteem is Amalia's story - a forgotten ward raised by servants and her chance at finding true love. This story takes place between Always a Lady and The Lady's Maid and before A Noble Masquerade. There are some interesting mistakes in regard to Amalia and her status as a ward. Her friendships with servants throughout the Ton have resulted in a unique insight into the various homes of the elite of society. If you get the digital version of A Return to Hawthorne House, you need to get A Lady of Esteem if you have not previously purchased it (it explains a few points in A Noble Masquerade and An Elegant Facade).

This is a delightful collection that anyone who enjoyed the Hawthorne House books won't want to miss.

About the Book:

Always a Lady

Despite the fact that her daughter is not cooperating, Caroline, Duchess of Riverton is determined to ensure every one of her children marries someone they love as much as she loved their late father. William, the widowed Earl of Blackstone, is delighted to have his days of escorting daughters approaching an end. The last thing he expects is to find himself drawn to a woman who is just starting such a journey. Are they each too set in their ways to grasp this chance to have a second love?

The Lady’s Maid

When Lydia Smith began her career as a parlor maid, she knew love and marriage wasn’t likely in her future. Dreaming about the boy next door as she dusted seemed harmless until he started working as the new valet under the same roof. When Finch needs her help with a special project, will it give them a chance to defy expectations and find love or ruin their happiness forever?

BONUS - Print edition only - A Lady of Esteem

Targeted ~ Review

 

Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn,     and Natalie Walters Targeted is the perfect weekend read (or 3 weekend reads). When you put three equally good novellas in one book, you can't go wrong.  In On the Run, Daria Nevsky's past has caught up to her. Or rather her late father's criminal past has caught up to her, and it could cost her her life. But Daria isn't about to ask anyone for help. Unfortunately for her, Dr. Ryker Donahue insists on helping her. But maybe that isn't such a bad thing when things go wrong. ------ Anyone who has read Lynn H. Blackburn's Defend and Protect series will love that Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon's sister Emily gets her turn as the main character. And On the Run finds Emily exactly where she doesn't want to be - smack-dab in the middle of a dangerous situation. And worse, to get through everything alive, she's about to leave her comfy indoor living behind to help her teenage patient and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper, who she is not interested in, no really, she's not.     ------ And the final story of this book, Caught in the Crosshairs, finds CIA officer Claudia Gallegos caught in a big international situation when she walks into a murder situation in which she manages to be the number one initial suspect. And when she is less than helpful to the former Army officer charged with investigating her role in everything, she finds herself in even more trouble. Could Ari Blackman actually be her greatest ally as things go from bad to worse? She's about to find out, but she's not going to make it easy for him. I really enjoyed all three of these novellas, which are up to the standards one would expect from these three authors. The suspense is felt throughout each story. So if you, like me, enjoy well-written romantic suspense that isn't overly graphic anything you will want to read these stories. This is also a great way to introduce one's self to a new author if you are unfamiliar with any or all of these authors.  I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.  About the Book: Get ready for triple the excitement, intrigue, and romance with three heart-stopping stories from your favorite romantic suspense authors! In On the Run, Lynette Eason introduces you to IT Specialist Daria Nevsky, a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead--and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone. In Deadly Objective, Lynn H. Blackburn throws physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper into an impossible situation. They don't know why the vice president's son seems to be in the crosshairs of a killer, but they'll sacrifice anything to keep him safe. In Caught in the Crosshairs, Natalie Walters pits former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman against his colleague, CIA officer Claudia Gallegos, when Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. Can he prevent a coup that would put America at risk?

Legacy of Love ~ Review

Legacy of Love
Haven Manor #1.5
By Kristi Ann Hunter

Sometimes one just needs to escape into a book and this novella was just what I needed. This sweet Christmas story finds Sarah Gooding in service to the Dowager Countess of Densbury, as her companion. But the Countess is in failing health, something her family doesn't seem to realize but Sarah sees it as the woman, who has become more than an employer, becomes frailer as Christmas approaches.

Randall Everard is more than a little shocked at his grandmother's deterioration since his last visit. And when he hears his family's plans to put her aside he is more than a little surprised at his grandmother's companion speaking out so forcefully against their lack of regard for her comfort. Sarah's championing of his grandmother allows Randall to see her as something other than a mousy, silent shadow. 

As the Countess sets plans in motion for her final Christmas she brings Randall and Sarah together in her own special way allowing them to get to know one another for who they truly are rather than their societal station. And her final gift is a legacy of love.

This novella is part of the Haven Manor series but it can be read as a standalone title. A perfect introduction to the series or Kristi Ann Hunter's work if you have never before read her.

About the Book:

When Sarah Gooding returned a valuable brooch to the elderly Dowager Countess of Densbury, she had no idea it would lead to a job as the lively woman's companion. Nor did she expect to admire the Dowager's youngest grandson so much, even though the difference in their stations means nothing will ever come of her daydreams.