"A good friend recently reminded me that all the answers are in the Bible, and I think this is definitely a case of God using an evil to create good." (343)

CFRR2016 Swag

Colin was the perfect hero of a story. He's handsome, smart and willing to go to lengths for the heroine to protect her, and annoy her. Isn't that fun? The easy and sometimes satirical banter always gets me. What made me love Colin more was the way Kristi allowed us to be inside his head. Knowing his feelings, his thoughts and his self-doubt, gave way to the perfect book boyfriend. Did I also mention he's quite mischievous in his own way? Very similar to Trent (that's how I fell for him in A Noble Masquerade! And he wasn't even the main hero)!  Yes, Colin. I need to go back and reread A Noble Masquerade and meet Trent again. His presence in An Elegant Façade was also quite comedic.

"Save me." Colin turned to find Trent, wild-eyed and panicked. "From what?" Trent's gaze darted around the room. "Whom." Colin rolled his eyes. "From whom, then." (228)

Yes, Colin's my love in An Elegant Façade, but I'm pleasantly surprised by how I've fallen for Lady Georgina too! In both A Noble Masquerade and A Lady of Esteem (prequel), I did not like her at all. That speaks to the talent of the author to change that around in one novel.  This book gave me a very good and compelling reason to relate to her, and ultimately find that she's someone I can and do like. Harboring a secret that created self-doubt and isolation from love ones can be debilitating in more ways than one.  And there lies the message of God's love for us despite our flaws, our disabilities and our shortcomings.   That scene in the library and the revelation! *Fanning self! Not only for the romantic aspects, but the final revelation and admission.  I need to go back and read this all over again!

Colin and Lady Georgina were perfect main characters, but the support of Duke of Marshington (Ryland), Lady Miranda, Price, Harriette and of course, my Trent were just rounding out a well executed play.  I can truly see it play out right in front of my eyes, and I do hope we'll be able to see them all again in the near future!

Besides the characters and the romance, I must say, the plot and the use of a different perspective in several scenes from the first book was ingenious. It's like having the whole 360 degrees of those scenes displayed in front of us, and that may also be a reason why I have found Lady Georgina not the spoiled lady she portrayed to be in both the prequel and in A Noble Masquerade.  If you love Jane Austen, Regency novels, a good romance with lovely messages interwoven throughout, unexpected plots and great characters, you must read Kristi's Hawthorne House series.



Can you tell how much I've enjoyed An Elegant Façade from this fairly long post?  Well, there's more. I'm excited to share that Kristi is one of the 35 authors attending the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat this August in Nashville! (I get to bombard her with questions about Colin and Trent! *shhh) If not, at least I'll get her to sign my copy of An Elegant Façade!  Check out the awesome swag and giveaways Kristi has graciously provided guests!




Are you excited? I love those stress books (you know, instead of stress balls)!! And those pretty ribbon keychains! And who doesn't love autographed books?!  So yes, I'm beyond excited, I'm ecstatic about CFRR and I can't wait to meet these awesome authors! All 35 of them, including Kristi!

Can't wait to meet Kristi too? Well, you can meet her first on An Elegant Façade Facebook Launch Party TONIGHT, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM EST!! Click on the image below to head to the Facebook Party page.

NOTE:  I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required.  All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.