Vying for the Viscount - (Hearts on the Heath) by Kristi Ann Hunter (Paperback)

Goodness! I decided it was finally time to read this book and couldn’t help myself! I ignored all things around me and finished it in little over a day! I always love Hunter’s characters, her writing style and lovely stories! They always have a subtle yet meaningful spiritual thread and a captivating love story! And, yes, I am ready to get to Books 2 and 3. The audiobook is so well done by Ann Marie Gideon. She narrated a couple of the Hawthorne House books but I enjoyed her male voices better in this series. She carries the humor of Hunter’s books well and has a soothing British accent that is perfect for the English countryside setting. This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from an author giveaway free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the audiobook.

"He took a deep breath and reminded himself that he was the same capable, knowledgeable man he'd been in India . . . . . The only difference was that instead of one or two things changing, everything had changed." Returning to his English roots, newly titled Viscount (Hudson) Stildon is at a loss; navigating the British aristocracy is proving much more difficult than he had imagined, especially when his casual attire draws the ire of a young lady presuming him to be stealing horses from his own stables. A rather awkward boot attack ensued. Bianca Snowley begins nearly every day on the back of a horse. Not her own horse, mind you, but one that she borrows from a neighboring estate. After Bianca's first encounter with the new property owner proves rather embarrassing, she and the viscount actually form a bond of friendship, vowing to assist each other as they pursue their own version of matrimonial bliss. What a complicated web of expectations await them. Surprisingly, readers may feel more like spectators than participants in this story, which may dramatically slow down the bonding process with these most likable characters. Fortunately, the author's intentions are very forthright; conundrums of our own making are not outside the realm of God's providence, we simply need to ask for His help. "Lord, help my unbelief. Not my belief in my own capabilities but my belief that you've got a plan for me and I should follow it, even if it doesn't make sense."

With grace and beauty, author Kristi Ann Hunter has written a novel that is as charming as it engaging. Vying for the Viscount, the first book in the Hearts on the Heath series, is an historical romance that is well-written and utterly endearing. From the pastoral scene in the lovely cover art, to the appealing story contained within, Vying for the Viscount is a novel that captured my attention and kept me enthralled. As it combines elements of history, suspense, action, faith, and romance, it reveals a uniquely satisfying Regency story. With its stables full of horses, wide open meadows, and impressive country manors, this novel’s early 19th century English setting is captivating and very inviting. Within this setting, the well-crafted elements of plot and characterization come together artfully to create a truly enjoyable reading experience. The intriguing plot of this novel is clever and refreshingly original. The brief scenes of action and suspense are entirely satisfying and compelling. The romance is clean, genuine, and sweetly portrayed. The characters are well-developed and experience authentic growth as the story unfolds. Truly, Ms. Hunter's remarkable talent as a writer is fully displayed through her charming characters. Not only are they sympathetic in their insecurities, but they are also deeply relatable as they struggle to overcome their doubts, pursue their dreams, and develop their faith with sincerity and humility. Like a vibrant, rolling grassland stretching to the horizon, the characters and their experiences are welcoming and memorable. Vying for the Viscount is a story of faith, courage, perseverance, and love. With each carefully chosen word and phrase, Ms. Hunter has succeeded in composing an uplifting story that is undeniably thoughtful and meaningful. With great skill, thorough research, and heartfelt insight, Ms. Hunter has crafted an inspiring story that is entertaining and touching. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all readers. *I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

“Vying for the Viscount” I loved this book!! Kristi Ann Hunter has once again given us a great romance novel and kicks off her new Hearts on the Heath series with a bang. I so loved reading the story of Bianca and Hudson and how they find love that I didn’t want to put the book down (but I had to work). Kristi makes their story intriguing even weaving in characters that were introduced in her other books – like bringing back old friends and linking the Hawthorne House and Haven Manor series to the Hearts on the Heath series. These characters add to the story, but you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this book. There are also so many new characters – including Lord Brisbane and Lord Rigsby and even an evil stepmother – and you wonder what might be in store for them.

Beautiful gowns, festive balls, and life at an English estate...what more could a young maiden want? How about a horse? Bianca Snowley loves horses more than she loves the perks of English society but her visits to a neighboring stable may soon end because there's a new owner. Fortunately, for Bianca, this new owner is in need of help and a deal is struck. She will help Hudson as he assumes his role as Viscount Stildon and he will allow Bianca continued access to his stable. They will also help each other find a suitable mate and all will be well. And then, as in real life, the complications begin. Hudson and Bianca develop a common respect and, as their friendship deepens, the possibility that they will find anyone good enough for the other seems less and less likely! Vying for the Viscount is a delightful tale of a spunky heroine willing to fight for what she wants, a well-meaning hero who is in over his head, and several other colorful characters that you either love or hate, including a step-mother determined to find Bianca a suitable husband, and Aaron Whitworth, the stable manager who deserves his own story! Best of all, there is a romance that makes your heart flutter and your imagination soar as you supply your own interpretation. Author Kristi Ann Hunter has written another enjoyable story and fans of sweet Regency romance will love this first book in the Hearts on the Heath series. It has everything that you look for in a Regency novel! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was in no way obligated to write a positive review and these are my own opinions.

Bianca Snowley is not like the other women. She would rather be in the stables than in the parlor but doesn't realize how lonely she is until a new friend arrives next door. Hudson feels lost and lonely himself after leaving India, the only home he has ever known, to claim his inheritance. After a rather eventful meeting, Bianca and Hudson decide to assist each other in finding spouses. What could possibly go wrong? I have enjoyed every book Kristi Ann Hunter has written and this one was no exception. It was a great start to a new series. The pace was a little slow toward the beginning, but I enjoyed the original setting of Newmarket and meeting the new characters. Bianca and Hudson are new favorites of mine - I always love when characters are unique and not like the rest of society and I really liked how their characters became more complex throughout the book. There were some fantastic secondary characters; I particularly liked Aaron Whitworth and Lord Rigsby and hope we get their stories in the future. I also loved seeing familiar faces from previous books! If you are looking for a sweet regency romance with likable characters, a unique setting, and a fulfilling ending, this book is for you! I will eagerly be waiting for the next book in the series. I received an advance copy of this book but it in no way affected my review.

Hudson and Bianca are wonderful characters that don't fit the "normal" regency characters. Throughout the book they try to change themselves to fit the mold only to find that sometimes you can be yourself and find a place to fit in the world. The setting of the book puts you right into an estate the breeds and races horses. Kristi Ann Hunter does a great job of providing details to the racing world and breeding throughout the book making you feel like you truly know about horses. It is beautifully written and one that is hard to put down. If you are familiar with other Kristi Ann Hunter books you get a nice surprise with past characters making an appearance. If you are not familiar with her other books, the past characters are presented in a way that will make you want to read their stories but that doesn't take away from the story if you don't know them.

Vying for the Viscount Hearts on the Heath #1 By Kristi Ann Hunter Bianca Snowley loves horses, a most unbecoming past time for the daughter of a gentleman, especially one that is expected to marry well. But Bianca isn't like other young ladies in Newmarket and marriage is going to be on her terms. At least that was her plan until for stepmother set her sights on her. What's worse her stepmother seems determined to marry Bianca off to the worst possible man. Hawksworth is Hudson's destiny. His whole life has been in preparation of assuming the title Viscount Stildon. Following the death of a grandfather he never met, Hudson finds himself as out of place in England as he was in India. The instructions he thought of as preparing him for life among the aristocracy are sorely lacking. But admitting his lack will just open him up to ridicule and scorn among those who are now his peers. With help scarce, he turns to the only person he can trust - his next-door neighbor - Miss Bianca Snowley. Desperate to thwart her stepmother's plans Bianca agrees to Lord Stildon's plan in exchange for his help in helping her secure a future of her own choosing. Soon the most unlikely friendship forms -one that could be the undoing of all their plans. But sometimes the plans we make aren't the ones that are best for us. But can Bianca and Hudson discover what it is they truly want before they set themselves on a course of unhappiness? Vying for the Viscount is the first book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Hearts on the Heath - a series that may have a character or two from the author's previous series (I'm not saying more as that would ruin the surprise). I like Bianca and Hudson but I really enjoyed getting to know Aaron Whitworth who is the stable manager for Hawksworth and is both frank and insightful as the situation requires. I look forward to additions to this series as this was an excellent offering from the author that is not to be missed. Fans of Regency-era historical fiction will enjoy this clean-read offering. Those who have read Kristi Ann Hunter in the past will not be disappointed and those new to her work will be delighted. This would make an excellent book club selection. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Like all of Kristi Ann Hunter’s books, this one sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Then I was sad I had read it so quickly and the story was over! I love characters that have flaws and wounds, because I relate to them so much more than characters who have it all together. Both Hudson and Bianca had major insecurities and were looking for a place to call home. They ended up being surprised by where they found it. I enjoyed how this story explored the idea that not everyone knows what direction they’re taking with their life and that’s OK. You don’t have to know everything, and taking your time to figure it out isn’t always a bad thing. Hudson and Bianca had real life struggles and this book illustrated how to work through them with realistic solutions while still keeping the story fun. Hudson trying to figure out English society when he thought he knew all there was to know was comical and brought a lightheartedness to the story. I would highly recommend this book (and already have to my bookworm friends)! I received this book for free for my honest review.

This is the first novel of the Hearts in the Heath Series, and it’s a wonderful start that enticed me to read more of this series! Hudson is the new Viscount Stildon, having inherited the title and a big Manor from his grandfather. He was born and raised in India because his uncle threatened to kill any possible heirs to the title. But he was raised knowing he would one day inherit and go to England to claim his inheritance. And now, the time has come, and he finds himself with a fragile but promising breeding and racing empire, and at odds while dicovering he has no idea how to behave nor he understands all the customs of the english society, which he finds full of prejudices and based on appearance and status. When he visits his stables for the first time, he’s attacked by a strange Lady thinks him a horse thief, and he runs away. He later discovers this unexpected woman is Lady Bianca Snowley, from the neighboring estate, who has been volunteering for a time to exercise one of his horses, being this her most valued refuge from her life at home with her domineering stepmother. Hudson and Bianca seem to keep meeting each other, and they seem to have something in common. They need to get married. Bianca’s father has declared that Bianca has to marry before her younger stepsister, and her stepmother is set on setting her up with someone she abhorrs! So they agree to help each other, and Bianca sets to help him navigate with propriety among the ton, and that’s how they start developing a close and natural friendship that will later make them question if there might be something deeper than their witty and enjoyable camaraderie, and if they’re truly comfortable with the other finding someone else. Will they acknowledge their true feelings, or will they let society dictate their future? This was a beautiful and enjoyable story of friends turning into so much more! I loved that it centered around horses breeding and racing. Kristi Ann Hunter seems to have done a very well research in this camp and she describes it all with the naturality of a professional. I truly love her writing style that absorbs me in the story. I especially loved the main characters: Hudson was a man of honor, and he was determined to heir his grandfather would be proud of, he was naive and opposed to the tons duplicity and hypocresy, he was humble and kind. Bianca was a strong woman, having endured a difficult youth with her stepmother, who favored her natural children, but she had a kind heart and liked to help others. She’s the one to first realize he was feeling more for Hudson, and I ached for her while he was still indifferent and had his sights somewhere else. Yet it was beautiful when he acknowledges his love for Bianca. It was a slow romance in this sense, but so much worth it in the end! The plot flows with a natural pace, it never drags and there’s enough intrigue and drama to captivate you. Still, the best part are their witty dialogues and banter that made me laugh out loud! I loved to revisit some characters from her previous series too... All in all, a delightful Regency Romance that you will enjoy and I definitely recommend! And a great and enticing start to a whole New Series I’m eager to keep on reading!

Vying for the Viscount I absolutely loved this newest release from Kristi Ann Hunter! It was so much fun to read this fantastic Christian Regency romance, with horses included! The middle school girl still inside (the one who loved The Saddle Club and wanted to ride a golden palomino one day) was thrilled at the inclusion. The setting of Newmarket was a great choice for a story, not the usual Regency setting. I loved the spunk and resourcefulness of the heroine, and that she had reasons to feel sorry for herself, but never did. The hero was tall, dark, and handsome, but he had depth and wasn’t perfect. I liked that he was raised in India, and some parts of that were included in the story, including his seasickness. I also enjoyed the inclusion of some of the characters from her previous books. This may be my favorite Kristi Ann Hunter book, and I can’t wait for the sequel!

The beginning to this new series promises Kristi’s signature wit, charm, and heart. Bianca isn’t the usual charming regency lady, but then again, Hudson has his own unique charms too. The characters themselves are adorable, especially as each is trying to navigate their own place in a society changed from what they expected, and finding themselves the center of quite a few absolutely adorable guffaws. Their interactions are so sweet, establishing a fun, if rather unconventional, friendship even as they fight against the possibility of something more. Throw in some charming friendly faces from Kristi’s previous books, and this is a great novel I recommend for anyone wanting a sweet regency, and I can’t wait for the next book! *Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to post a positive review.

A delightfully spectacular Regency read set against the horse flesh centric community of Newmarket, it doesn't get any better than this! This may be my favorite book by Kristi Ann Hunter yet, a thoroughly satisfying Regency read, cleverly weaving threads of social intrigue evocative of the time, with protagonists that I couldn't help but cheer for all the way through. Engaging and nearly impossible to put down, filled with heart and humor along the way. But that's not all, there are HORSES! As if I didn't already have enough reason to love this book, Ms. Hunter goes and plays her trump card by bringing this community driven by a passion for horses to life, making it a turning point at which many of the characters bond over the course of the book. I knew that I would love Bianca from the very first page, with her love of horses and eschewing of the social acrobatic games. She is clever, with a quick wit, sincere heart, with the ability to be honest with herself, and gets a task done on her own terms, along with her modern sense of practicality. Hudson is determined and genuine, I admired his willingness to confront what he didn't know head-on, and acknowledge his need for help. This book is stellar on so many levels, with well crafted characters, and supporting characters, as well as some familiar faces from previous books by this author. The author finds ways to say so much simple interactions. I loved the amazing friendship dynamics in so many of the relationships between characters, many of which I am hoping get their own stories in future books as there is still quite a bit of mystery around them. My vote for the next books in the series is a tie between Aaron Whitworth and Lord Rigby. One of my favorite books this year, I can't stop gushing about it. HIGHLY recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! I love every chapter, every reference to a previous Kristi Ann Hunter book, and the glimpse into life at Newmarket and horseracing in Regency England. I laughed so much and now I'm having withdrawals. I might need to go binge her other ten books to get over it. Bianca Snowley and Hudson, Viscount Stildon, don't realize they're both lonely. After a somewhat disastrous meeting, they come to rely on each other along with the stable manager, Aaron Whitworth, to navigate the unexpected and early influx of society to Newmarket. Hudson is trying to make a name for himself with his grandfather's legacy and Bianca has decided to set her cap for a husband. While the romance is delightful, I do love a heroine that can stand on her own two feet and does not let life simply happen to her. Bianca "once thought she wanted nothing in life but peace and access to horses. Now it would seem that she was discovering, possibly too late, that there might be something in her life more important than riding. And that something just might be herself." The meet-cute is hilarious. The setting is vividly portrayed. The supporting cast has echoes from the two previous series and a new set of characters to adore and despise. And all of it is tied together with an enjoyable plot. Thank you, Bethany House, for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.

"It isn't the comfort that makes the love good. It's the life that makes their love good." Kristi Ann Hunter will never disappoint in bringing her readers a beautifully created Regency world full of high society and romance, laced with humor, wit, and delightful characters and wrapped with melodic, lyrical prose. Vying for the Viscount is a fantastic start to her newest series Hearts on the Heath and it brings us to Newmarket where horse-racing is king and horse-breeding the talk of town. I must admit it took me longer than usual to finish this book because I wanted to savor every word written on every page and hold on to the sumptuous experience of lingering on in the conversations and thoughts. The author's novels are known to draw you in to the characters' lives and have you live within them but this book grabbed a certain part of my heart and soul from the very beginning. If you are a fan of Regency romance, this is a must-read book for you. Our hero Hudson is absolutely adorable and lovable in his naivete and innocence about the traitorous and convoluted English high society which is so different from India where he grew up. His loyalty, sense of humor, humility, and thoughtfulness garner him friends as he learns to navigate the horse-breeding and racing culture that he's inherited from his grandfather. Bianca is an unconventional, outspoken, funny horse-loving gentlewoman who is being forced into a "profitable match" by her stepmother. Bianca's tender and compassionate heart encourages friendship with her lost and confused neighbor Hudson and even has her guiding him in society and functions to acquire the proper wife but they're not prepared for what their friendship will lead to. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the previous series again - so much fun! I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.