Vying for the Viscount

 

Back Cover

For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor.  When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he's even more at a loss.

The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley's refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought.  Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can't help but be intrigued by the area's newest eligible bachelor.

Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other.  As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life.  But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

Review

What a fun, delightful read!  With witty dialogue, likeable characters, and stables full of beautiful horses, Vying for the Viscount is another wonderful historical read from Kristi Ann Hunter.  I loved the fact that the main characters were avid horseback riders who found their "escapes" galloping across the fields on horseback. Not to mention, it is much easier to hash out problems while riding!  I kept stealing "moments" to read another page in this story, more than once burying my nose in the book for hours at a time as it was just so enjoyable.  I especially enjoyed the inclusion of some very endearing characters from the Hawthorne House series in Vying for the Viscount (and I hope it will be a recurrent theme for the rest of the novels in the Hearts on the Heath series!). 

Hudson and Bianca are likeable characters.  You can't help but feel sympathy towards them while they muddle through their unique circumstances.  For Hudson, he feels adrift without having any proper knowledge of the estate and family affairs in England, and completely lost when it comes to knowing the ways of people in high society and the proper norms.  Bianca is able to help him navigate the society life, while in return requires some help of her own.

Bianca has a loving, if not a bit distant, father, and a scheming step-mother who would rather forget that Bianca existed, if not for the fact that her own blood daughter is of age to step out into society and find a suitable husband (something that is not done until the elder sister is married). As her step-mother continually pushes unsuitable (not to mention, mean) eligible men towards her, Bianca determines to take the reins of her life into her hands to avoid a disastrous match.  Hudson offers to help her find an affable husband (with a stable full of fine horses of course), and Bianca agrees...even while her heart grows fond of Hudson himself. What follows is a entertaining tale of looking for love in all the wrong places.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.