A Search for Refuge (Haven Manor): A Haven Manor Novella

I love this author. What ever she writes, I want to read. Kristi gives us just enough in this well written novella "A Search for Refuge", to wet our appetite. This novella is Margaretta's story. The first book of the Haven Manor Series, "A Defense of Honor" is Kit's story, coming out in June. I'm not sure I can wait until then. We will also learn about Daphne and Jess later on, not sure when they will be coming out. From Kristi's web page : "The Haven Manor series follows a group of women who take what could have been a life-crushing circumstance and turned it into an opportunity to help desperate women and their children from the same fate. Their pasts may have brought these women here, but God has an amazing future in store for them." You don't want to miss this series. Even if you are not a novella reader (sorry, but I don't get that), you want to read this one.

I loved this novella! It is an introduction to the Haven Manor series by Kristi Ann Hunter. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this new series! Margaretta is desperate to get out of London and to somewhere safe where her husband's family hopefully can't find her. Nash Banfield loves his quiet life in his small town and knows something is off about Margaretta as soon as she steps out of the mail coach. Even though he doesn't want anyone or anything to disturb his organized life he doesn't seem to be able to walk away from Margaretta when she seems to really need his help and is more than just a little surprised when he develops feelings for her.

•°o•:*:•.A MOST ENJOYABLE REGENCY READ.•:*:• o°• Marlborough, England 1804 Margaretta Fortescue arrives tired and dusty in Marlborough after 3 days of changing mail coaches to try and escape danger. She heads for a small grocer to ease her grumbling stomach, only to meet with Mrs. Lancaster who is the friendly and chatty proprietor. Little does she know she has been followed by the local solicitor, Mr. Nash Banfield who has promised to look after the elderly widow and ensure no damsels in distress or worse, take advantage of Mrs. Lancaster. However, Mrs. Lancaster has her own ideas and regularly makes herself available for helping those in need in accordance with God’s will. Nash and Margaretta each have reason to be untrusting, but over time begin to allow small chips in their armor. As the story unfolds more things to come to light and concerns for the characters grow. Mrs. Lancaster is wonderful and hopefully, we see more of her in the series. Ch. 3 “Margaretta didn’t know what to think of the way the old woman sprinkled God and the Bible into her conversation as casually as a Londoner might mention the traffic or haze. Even though she’d been attending church her entire life, Margaretta hadn’t ever thought to make Jesus quite that versatile. She’d left Him in church where He seemed to belong, but Mrs. Lancaster appeared to think He belonged everywhere.” Tea Moment: Ch. 6 “A cup of tea was pressed into her hands, and she sipped it gratefully, letting the hot liquid sooth her tight throat and settle her jumpy stomach. After half a cup, she almost felt normal again.” 5 stars. Highly recommend. © 2018 Bethany House - March 6, 2018 129 pages {10 chapters + epilogue} Thank you to Bethany House and the lovely author for a complimentary eCopy. My opinion is my own and given freely. Keep updated on the author’s website, Kristi Ann Hunter dot com Read & Reviewed: 03/08/2018 Haven Manor Series “The Haven Manor series follows a group of women who take what could have been a life-crushing circumstance and turned it into an opportunity to help desperate women and their children from the same fate. Their pasts may have brought these women here, but God has an amazing future in store for them.” -Author’s Website Book 0.5 A Search for Refuge (Margaretta’s Story) 03/2018 Book 1 - A Defense of Honor (Kit’s Story) 06/2018 Coming Soon – Daphne’s Story Coming Soon – Jess’s Story