Sunday, October 8, 2017

My Review: An Inconvenient Beauty, plus giveaway!


"God had blessed him with a brain, and Griffith intended to use it."
(I just thought this quote summed Griffith up rather well.)  :)

Description:
Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, and he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. He's certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, but while Frederica is strangely elusive, 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, her uncle will only help them if she'll use her beauty to assist him in his political aims. Already uncomfortable with this agreement, the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she wishes to be free of her unfortunate obligation.

Will Griffith and Isabella be able to set aside their pride and face their fears in time to find their own happily-ever-after?


About the Author:
Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in computer science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is the author of the Hawthorne House series and a 2016 RITA Award winner and Christy Award finalist. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.








My Review: 5 stars!
It can’t be over!  I’ve been anticipating this book for months and now, it’s over!  What?!  I fell in love with the Hawthorne siblings in the first few pages of “A Noble Masquerade” and have adored joining them on their sometimes less-than-smooth paths to love.  That being said, my excitement for this book was tempered just the slightest bit because this is the last book!  And I’ve been waiting for Griffith’s book since first meeting this protective, loving, sometimes a bit arrogant, always particular, big brother and what if this book wasn’t what I’d been expecting?  What if, by some strangeness I can’t even comprehend, I didn’t like it?  What if I didn’t love Griffith as much between the pages of his own story?  Honestly, I don’t even know why I entertained any of these questions, because I absolutely adored this book!  

I so wanted to take my time and savor this last Hawthorne House story, but best intentions flew right out the window the moment I turned the first page and I flew right through it, sighing as I flipped the final page hours later.  Ms. Hunter always keeps me turning pages long after I’ve promised myself and others “just one more paragraph/page/chapter,” and this story is definitely no exception!  As always, I loved her writing style, the unique way she describes things, her quirky characters, and interesting plot twists.  I so enjoyed having all of the siblings back and harassing one another in love.  There were quite a few “laugh out loud” moments that had other people questioning my sanity and me trying to explain, “you’d have to have been there.”  I love how completely Ms. Hunter’s stories draw me in, until it seems as though I’m right there with them, standing on the ballroom floor, wondering what on Earth I’ve gotten myself into.

 I’ve already said how much I adore Griffith, but Isabella “Bella” Breckenridge was entirely a surprise for me!  I simply fell in love with her character!  I loved her heart for others, in particular her cousin, Frederica, and her family.  She’s willing to sacrifice anything for them, even her own happiness.  She is beautiful, but underneath the trappings, she’s witty, sarcastic, funny, caring, kind, and straight-forward, despite the deceit that brings her and Griffith together.  She’s someone I’d dearly love to be friends with - and not just because I’d get to meet Anthony, Ryland, Trent, and Griffith - that’s just a perk.

Okay, I do have to expound on Griffith just a bit more.  I can’t resist!  He’s so swoony!  I know I say that a lot, but a guy that goes to his little sisters for advice and takes a lady to look at the trees . . . *sigh*  Too bad he’s taken.  But, there’s so much to be said for this giant of a man who adores his family and takes his role as Duke so seriously that he makes a plan for who and how he’s going to marry, unwilling to even consider making a mistake in something so important.  I loved the heart behind the idea, but I was right there with Ryland and Anthony, laughing at Griffith trying to plan something like falling in love.  And I had to applaud Bella for unintentionally throwing a huge wrench in his grand plan.  Their romance was so sweet!  If more than a little odd (which seems to be the case for these siblings).  Neither of them is what the other was looking for, but the story never seemed contrived.  I couldn’t resist sighing at the sweet moments and laughing as their best laid plans went very awry.  

All of that to say, I loved this book!  Go, read it, sigh often, laugh out loud, and fall in love!


Now, for the reason you clicked on this link in the first place - the giveaway! 
 
What You Win:
I loved this book so much (obviously), as well as the entire series, that I want to share a copy with someone!  Actually, I want to share a copy of one of Kristi Ann's books with you - so if you're new to her books (we need to talk) and would prefer to start with the first book, I'll happily send you a copy of it.  Or if you missed owning one of the previous books, it's winner's choice. It's also winner's preference, paperback or ebook. :)

The Details:
The giveaway will be open until Midnight on Sunday, October 15th.
Just leave me a comment answering the question below and enter your info into the Rafflecopter form and I'll (hopefully) notify the winner on Monday, the 16th.
This giveaway is open to International friends (please, join us!), but just so you know, if you win, you'll automatically get an ebook.

The Question:
What's a book you've read recently that was so good you wanted to share a copy with everyone?



a Rafflecopter giveaway
And I think that's it!  As always, thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you took a moment to enter the giveaway!  And if you don't want to wait on a copy, or if you'd like to learn more about Kristi Ann's books, links are below. :)
Have a lovely day!









23 comments:

  1. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is the last book I read that I really wish I could give everyone a copy of.

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    1. I haven't read that one, yet, but I've heard so many recommendations for it!

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  2. Lori Benton’s newest book Many Sparrows...

    I’ve enjoyed her books so much I have been sharing them with my aunt who is a big part of my love of reading. I usually wait until her birthday or Christmas to send a copy of Lori’s newest book, but have already sent her a copy of Many Sparrows!

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  3. Oh where do I start?! A book that I recently re-read for the second time is Max Lucado's You'll Get Through This, so powerful even the second time around. I have a feeling I'll be reading it at least once a year!

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    1. Hi Abby!
      I love that book by Max Lucado! (I'm certain you suggested it to me) I'm also loving Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors - if you've not read it yet, I highly recommend it, even though I haven't finished it yet!

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  4. I would love to share The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep with everyone. It was a fantastic story and I loved it. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win a copy of Kristi Ann Hunter's books. I have the first two books in this series.

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    1. So you need Trent's book - it was SO good, too! Seriously, this is one of my very favorite series. :)

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  5. I just finished Tricia Goyer's Non-fiction "Walk it Out" which I would love to share with everyone. I also loved
    High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin. Thank you the review! I want to read this series. I am a new to Kristi Ann Hunter, so if I win, I would pick the first one of the series. Thanks so much for the chance!

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    1. Oh, I've been wanting to read High As the Heavens - now I have another recommendation for it! Yay! :)

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  6. The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.

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  7. The book I want to share with everyone is actually a picture book called Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari. It's told from the dog's point of view and done really well. It's about a girl in a wheelchair that has a bond with her dog that is unbreakable.

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    1. Hi Danielle!
      That sounds like a beautiful story! (Are you sure you didn't write it?) :)

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  8. I recently finished Toni Shiloh's latest book Returning Home. This book is fantastic! I was hooked from the very beginning and the characters are so well written I felt like I was a part of the story. Just wonderful!

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  9. I just finished Jen Turano's 'After a Fashion' which I just loved. She had me giggling throughout the whole book. I love the humorous situations she puts her characters in. Thanks for the review and the giveaway. I haven't yet read any of Kristi's book. :o

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    1. Hi Loraine!
      Oh, I just adore Jen's books! And she is just as hilarious in person!
      And we shall have to have a discussion about your reading habits, to have missed Kristi's books. ;)

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  10. The book I wanted to share with everyone (and finally got my book club to add to our list for next year) is The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof.
    I really liked the novella and first book in Kristi's series. I have the next two books and am waiting to somehow acquire An Inconvenient Beauty so I can read them all one after the other.

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    1. Hi Pam!
      Oh, I have The Lady and the Lionheart in my TBR pile! I've heard so many marvelous things about it, that I finally just bought it and haven't had the chance to read it, yet! It'll have to move to the top of the stack!
      Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  11. Tearing the Veil by J Rodes released July 2017 It is distopian young adult fiction - not my go-to category, but a great read

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    1. Hi Bethany!
      Oh, I'll have to check it out! I've been attempting to try new genres and have found, at least with Nadine Brandes' new series, that I actually like dystopian. Or maybe just her books. :)

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  12. Difficult question.... but I just finished Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest, The Return, which was excellent, and I would recommend to everyone. I have read and enjoyed the first book in this series. Thanks!

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  13. Reading Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey.....which is amazing. Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig, I'd love to give to everyone if I could. A Name Unknown by Roseanna M White would make this list as well.

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  14. The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green! This series is on my MUST read list!

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  15. Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey was a great read. Kara Isaac's Then There Was You was one of my favorites this year.

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