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A Pursuit of Home

(Haven Manor #3)

Kristi Ann Hunter (Goodreads Author)

4.64 · Rating details · 101 ratings · 60 reviews

When she learns the family she thought dead might be alive and in danger, Jess Beuchene knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long. Desperation brings her to Derek Thornbury, an expert in history and artifacts, to help her decipher the clues in an old family diary. Will their search to uncover the truth of the past lead to a future together?

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Paperback, 376 pages

Published November 5th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

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· 101 ratings · 60 reviews

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Sep 24, 2019 Cara Putman rated it it was amazing

Loved Jess’ story. Perfection! And loved how prior characters played such a large role in her story. It really was a beautiful story of redemption and healing. And the power of love.

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Oct 16, 2019 Amy rated it it was amazing

Stunning, utterly unique and gigantic twist in the whole Haven Manor series - I literally could not stop reading. What I loved about the very first book I read by this author has returned in what is by far the best in the series.

Kristi Ann Hunter is not only an author who can engage the reader in a fun, humorous way via the dialogue of the characters, but so skilled in her approach to story telling. There is so many angles, and depth to this plot, the reader will not be able to see what is comi ...more

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Nov 04, 2019 Ebos Aifuobhokhan rated it really liked it

"There is power beyond might and strength."

This book would take the whole of your mind and require your time to enjoy it. It is that captivating.
To enjoy this book you have to have patience and be ready to settle down.
The weight of a Nation rested on Jess and she did everything she could to save her people with the help of Derek. Her wit, determination, survival instinct were unrivalled.
The author's writing style was wonderful, I learnt a lot of new words from it.
I love the ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 Toni Shiloh rated it really liked it

I’ve been waiting for Jess’s story for-ev-er! When you add the cameo appearances of beloved characters from other stories I was giddy with delight. In fact, I think the cameo appearances is my favorite aspect of this story. To see several books come together in one story…happy dance!

I also loved the chemistry between Jess and Derek. Seeing them interact usually had me chuckling and quickly reading to see what would happen next.

There was also intrigue, mystery, and good ol ...more

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Oct 05, 2019 Kristine Morgan rated it it was amazing

Kristi Ann Hunter has reaffirmed her status as one of my all time favorite authors! A Pursuit Of Home is Jess's story. I have liked Jess since she first appeared in A Noble Masquerade and now I finally know her story. This is a fantastic adventure, with two people learning to trust, each other and more importantly God. I also enjoyed catching up with some old friends. I highly recommend this book. So grab you pot of tea and settle in for Kristi's newest read.

I was given a copy of thi ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 BlueJeansAndTeacups rated it it was amazing

A Pursuit of Home – Haven Manor Book 3 - by Kristi Ann Hunter (one should read the previous Regency Era books in order)

***Fantastic Characters***
French Countryside, 1806 Jessamine Beauchene - wealthy, royal niece to the King of Verbonne, petite at age 15. Her family attacked in the middle of the night. Shoved into a hole in the floorboards with their family’s secrets.
[Absolutely one of my favorite scenes is when a beloved character from Kristi’s very first novel appears.]
The board lifted and the light from a singl/>[Absolutely ...more

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Nov 16, 2019 Sarah Vanscoyoc rated it it was amazing

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my very favorite historical fiction authors so, of course, I was super excited for this book! Add in the fact that this is Jess’ story and you would find me stalking the mailbox for days, awaiting its arrival. I’ve been looking forward to her book since discovering she would be more than simply a quirky character in “A Noble Masquerade” and was most definitely not disappointed with what I found between the beautiful covers.
Along with being a favorite author, Ms. Hunt Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my very favorite historical fiction authors so, of course, I was super excited for this book! Add in the fact that this is Jess’ story and you would find me stalking the mailbox for days, awaiting its arrival. I’ve been looking forward to her book since discovering she would be more than simply a quirky character in “A Noble Masquerade” and was most definitely not disappointed with what I found between the beautiful covers.
Along with being a favorite author, Ms. Hunter is also one of the only authors of Regency novels whose works I will excitedly read again and again. I have nothing against stories set in that time period, they just aren’t typically to my liking. But apparently, if you add in some especially quirky characters (one of them being a valet with a couple missing fingers), sarcasm, intrigue, a treasure hunt, and some knife throwing, I’ll stay up quite late trying to read “just one more chapter.” I found all of those things and much more in this story.
I absolutely loved the new characters I got to meet, but also I had to grin at being reunited with some old friends. While you don’t have to read the books in order (though I would highly recommend all of Ms. Hunter’s books!), as the author does an excellent job of allowing each story to stand alone, I do think keeping up with the number of characters/titles/names may be slightly confusing if you haven’t read the others. If you have read the previous books in the series, then you’ll already be acquainted with Derek Thornbury and Jess Beauchene. Jess with her sharp tongue and equally sharp knives; Derek with his quirkiness, affinity for all things art and history related, and penchant for spouting random facts. Though I knew them a bit from the other books, I couldn’t resist falling in love with them in this one. Who can resist a hero that maybe isn’t the most dashing man in the room, but who is loyal, stubborn, somewhat socially awkward, kind, and determined to do the right thing, regardless of the cost? And Jess was something of a surprise for me. I already knew her as this very blunt, somewhat hardened spy-turned-cook, but learning her history and background brought her to vivid life. She is loyal, determined to protect those she loves, and is searching for a light in the shadows that she’s lived in for so long.
Two more things I greatly enjoyed: The dialogue, sarcasm, and just the interesting way the characters viewed things had me cracking up more than once (and my husband looking at me, awaiting an explanation) ! And the way the author chose to define more so what real love looks and acts like. Faith isn’t a deep, long, theological discussion here, but rather is woven throughout the story and shown in a myriad of ways.
Overall, I can’t think of a single page of this book that I didn’t enjoy. I would indubitably recommend it!

*My thanks to the author for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own. ...more

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Nov 06, 2019 Meghan Lloyd rated it really liked it

It's been a long time coming but Jess finally gets her story! I was first introduced to this character in Kristi Ann Hunter's first novel, A Noble Masquerade, which remains to this day one of my favorite Christian romance novels. It was so inspiring and taught me a lot about forgiveness and sacrifice. This book was a learning experience as well, particularly with the complex background given to Jess and how her hero fits into it all. There were so many twists and turns, and while the story began It's been a long time coming but Jess finally gets her story! I was first introduced to this character in Kristi Ann Hunter's first novel, A Noble Masquerade, which remains to this day one of my favorite Christian romance novels. It was so inspiring and taught me a lot about forgiveness and sacrifice. This book was a learning experience as well, particularly with the complex background given to Jess and how her hero fits into it all. There were so many twists and turns, and while the story began a bit slow for me, it picked up and became one that I couldn't put down.

Jess has been hiding a secret for ten years, one that, if discovered, could mean not only her death but the death of the people she loves. But now, with the discovery that someone she long thought dead is possibly alive, it's time for her to come out of hiding to help. With the assistance of Derek Thornbury, an irritating yet highly intelligent man, Jess must find an object long hidden in myth and legend in order to save her family - and her future.

Jess and Derek were an interesting couple. They seemed oddly paired at first, constantly bickering and with very little common, so I had a hard time getting invested in their relationship. I didn't see where the story could possibly go that would lead to them getting together. Of course, the author knows best, and I clearly didn't see the direction she was going. I kept on reading and eventually saw a glimmer of interest in Jess, a spark of longing in Derek, and once that happened, I was hooked. Jess was a very complex character, having a long and windy backstory, and she was understandably jaded with the world. Derek had largely been sheltered and saw things in black and white, so he didn't understand how she could live her life in such shades of grey. They were well suited to each other, once they spent more time together. The second half of the book was particularly heart wrenching, as the reader watches them grow closer, even though they know it could never work if her plan comes to fruition. And then watching them deal with that knowledge was...just lovely. I would have liked the ending to be a bit more drawn out, but I loved it for what it was. Romance.

I can't wait to see what Kristi Ann Hunter writes next! I always enjoy her stories and her characters draw me in so well. Exciting times ahead, I'm sure.

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.** ...more

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Sep 25, 2019 Adrienne added it

After her family's murders, Jess Beuchene, left only with the diary her father entrusted with her and family legends about their beloved home country, Verbonne, worked with the English to defeat Napoleon. Having finished her work, she moved on, ending up working as a cook in a home for unwed mothers and their children, never expecting that she would receive word that her brother, long presumed dead, is alive and trying to claim his place as king of Verbonne. In order to do that, however, he need After her family's murders, Jess Beuchene, left only with the diary her father entrusted with her and family legends about their beloved home country, Verbonne, worked with the English to defeat Napoleon. Having finished her work, she moved on, ending up working as a cook in a home for unwed mothers and their children, never expecting that she would receive word that her brother, long presumed dead, is alive and trying to claim his place as king of Verbonne. In order to do that, however, he needs a special symbol of his right to rule--and the secret of where to find that item is hidden in the words of the diary Jess has kept safe. Although she'd prefer to work alone, the diary is written in Italian and describes various works of art, and Jess must enlist the help of Derek Thornbury, an art expert who can also translate the diary. Unfortunately for her, he's one of the most annoying people she has ever met--and while he agrees to help, he asks far too many questions and sees through her attempts to give him as little information as possible. Determined to be a full partner in their quest, Derek doesn't settle for Jess's half-answers and evasiveness; he pushes for more and in so doing, he comes to know Jess better than anyone.

Wow! This is a thrilling read. I've been waiting for Jess's story, because she's been such a fascinating side character in the author's previous books, and this book did not disappoint. I loved seeing the interactions between sarcastic, world-wise Jess and scholarly, somewhat oblivious Derek--and especially seeing the moments when Derek wasn't quite as obtuse as Jess thought. I loved how Derek, while determined to help, recognized that there were things that Jess was better at than he was and didn't try to stop her from doing them, while also asserting himself when he did have the strengths needed to help. I also loved seeing other characters from previous books who refused to let Jess brush them off in her attempts to keep them safe and protect them from caring about her. This was a great conclusion to the series.

4.5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ...more

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Nov 13, 2019 Kav rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Sob! It's over, isn't it? This is the last book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Haven Manor series and I think I need to bring out the bookish widow weeds and mourn the end of this series in true Regency style. Sniffle.

I listened to the audible version (yay Beverley A. Crick -- excellent narration!) and I was so reluctant to say goodbye to these characters that I made the book last a week. I'd listen to a chapter and then pause while I relived every exquisite moment and had some fun plotting Sob! It's over, isn't it? This is the last book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Haven Manor series and I think I need to bring out the bookish widow weeds and mourn the end of this series in true Regency style. Sniffle.

I listened to the audible version (yay Beverley A. Crick -- excellent narration!) and I was so reluctant to say goodbye to these characters that I made the book last a week. I'd listen to a chapter and then pause while I relived every exquisite moment and had some fun plotting what might or might not happen next. Then I'd linger with those sweet memories until I couldn't stand it any longer and listen to another chapter and do it all over again. I needed to savor every last delectable second of this spectacular series. If it really had to end (that's debatable) this was one amazing grand finale!

I've been waiting forever for Jess's story. So prickly and aloof and lethal. She intrigued me from the moment I first met her -- waaaayyyy back in A Noble Masquerade (Hawthorne House series) and then she popped up again at Haven Manor being all kinds of mysterious (which is what Jess does best.)

The romance takes center stage and Hunter takes her time developing it. From enemies to frenemies to allys to...? I love the role reversal! It works brilliantly -- with Jess the knife-wielding spy and master of disguise while Derek is an ordinary scholar (well....more like extraordinary) who is so completely absorbed in art and architecture that he becomes befuddled by simple social niceties. Women rather scare him and he finds Jess truly terrifying...and compelling.

Sqwooooeeep Alert!!! (That's squeal, swoon and eeep smooshed into one hearty, blissful sigh of readerly satisfaction.) Barbed banter, intrigue and danger and a family mystery to solve. It all builds into a frenzy of bibliophile ecstasy -- especially since Hunter includes previous book heroes in all their besotted glory. I can't even express how thrilling that was!

The most romanticalist romantical Regency romance ever!!!! ...more

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Nov 01, 2019 Kai rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-read

The reader is immediately drawn into A Pursuit of Home by a story from Jess Beuchene’s past in the intense prologue.

Throughout the book there is an important mystery that must be solved. It will lead Jess Beuchene and Derek Thornbury on a journey together where they must rely on each other.

Jess and Derek are so different. He is book smart and her intelligence comes from her unique life experiences.

“He always seemed perfectly happy to be his odd self.”

He is so awkward and could spend every moment discussing paintings or telling someone a random fact.

“Atfact.
“Atexperiences.
“He ...more

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Sep 30, 2019 Anita Ojeda rated it it was amazing

Jess, Haven Manor’s enigmatic cook, cannot stand spending even a minute with the annoying Derek Thornbury. First, he invades her kitchen to examine the crockery, then he proceeded to tell her how to make Napels biscuits. He’s supposed to catalog the art collection at Haven Manner, not hound the cook.

She’d poison his tea (not fatally, of course) if she thought it would stop his incessant ‘Did you know’ questions. He had a way of making her feel the loss of all she should have had if h ...more

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Nov 13, 2019 MJSH rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2019, influencer-launch-teams

"The truth was that while the past colored the future, the people living in the present still wielded the paintbrush."

What a surprising and completely satisfying conclusion to the Haven Manor series! This third book in the series ties in all the characters from previous books, as well as some endearing characters from A Noble Masquerade (first book in Hawthorne House series). With her trademark writing style that is fluid, easy to read, and often humorous, Kristi Ann Hunter draws us ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 Michelle Lunsford rated it it was amazing

If you follow Kristi Ann Hunter's writing, then you are likely a fan of the character of Jess. If you're a fan of Jess, then you've likely been longing for the revelation of HER story. We finally receive this story in A Pursuit of Home, and what a treat it is! Everything about this story is simply perfect for who Jess is as a person (albeit a fictional one). This is not to say that we don't see character development in the narrative - we definitely do - but everything from the adventure to the c ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 Paula Shreckhise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1800-s, england, suspense-or-mystery, historical-fiction, new-releases-2019, series-finished, read-in-2019, new-releases, for-review, owned

From the fertile mind of Kristi Ann Hunter comes a tale of intrigue. A spiritual journey is in store for Jess Beauchene and a trip to a place she has left behind. While in hiding, word comes that one she thought dead needs her help to solve a mystery. Jess has been holding her own for ten years. She is capable and equipped to defend herself. So she is confounded to realize that she in turn needs help from a man who irritates her no end. He comes in the person of art and antiquities curator, Dere ...more

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Oct 22, 2019 Lyssa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs

I have wanted this story since book #1... ages ago. Jess was certainly interesting and unconventional and I was THRILLED when I discovered her tied up in the next series and I patiently waited until her time came. I was not disappointed.

But I have to admit that when I saw Derek being set up as her romantic interest, I was a little let down. I found him awkward, stuffy and boring in A Return of Devotion - everything Jess is not and he just didn't hold my interest. It seemed Jess agree ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 Rachael rated it really liked it

I’ve been waiting for Jess’s story, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was just as convoluted, mysterious, and exciting as Jess herself. There were beloved characters from previous books that added much to the story, but the character and skills of Jess really come through in this story.

Though the story is wrought with suspense and intrigue, Jess still is what makes this book so good. Her varied and amazing costumes, many talents, and backstory are fascinating. Her future uncertain
< ...more

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Nov 16, 2019 Rebecca rated it really liked it

"I am starting to wonder . . . .if I have ever actually met you. . . . . . Are you that prickly, argumentative woman . . . . or are you the woman who talked to me in the hayloft?"

Sometimes Jessamine Beauchene doesn't even know who she truly is, so how can she possibly explain herself to the man who has morphed from constantly irritating into annoyingly (or in rare instances adorably) perceptive? Forced to confide in art expert Derek Thornbury, Jess tasks him with helping her to solve a generati ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 Sandy rated it liked it

Shelves: arcs, 2019, no-potty-mouth, 2019-series-enders

I have been a big fan of Jess since A Noble Masquerade. Honestly, it took me way too long to realize Jess was an overlapping character. But I've loved Jess and have been waiting to hear her story for a long time.

I'm not sure that Kristi Ann Hunter had Jess's entire history and story planned from the beginning or if it wasn't until this book that she explored it all. Either way, there were certain pieces from the very beginning that trickled into the big picture for Jess.

I ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Jaquelyn Scroggie rated it it was amazing

I was quite literally dying to get my hands on this book. Hunter has a way of making me fall in love with characters and she’s done it from the first book of hers I picked up. I loved Jess right away and was hoping she would finally get her own story. She is such a fun and completely unique character and I couldn’t wait to get to know her even more. Hunter took me by surprise as I had no way of guessing what was going to happen in this story. Just as unpredictable as Jess herself, so is this boo ...more

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Nov 12, 2019 Tricia Mingerink rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-adult-fiction

I have been SOOOOO excited for this book ever since Jess from Hawthorne House book #1 showed up in Haven Manor #1 and the author announced that the last book in the series would (finally) be Jess's story.

This book returns to the action, adventure, intrigue, and network of spies that made me fall in love with Kristi Ann Hunter's writing back with her first Hawthorne House novel. If you haven't read that series yet, at least go out and read book 1. Many of those characters show up again in this b ...more

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Oct 01, 2019 Rachelle Sperling rated it it was amazing

A Pursuit of Home is far and away my favorite book in the series. It may, in fact, be my favorite book by Kristi Ann Hunter.

The Haven Manor series begins with a short novella, A Search for Refuge, continues in book 1, A Defense of Honor, follows with book 2, A Return of Devotion, and finishes with this book, A Pursuit of Home, which releases November 5th. If you haven’t read the previous books you can start now and be up to date by release day. If you have, you can pre-order now and ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 Suzie Waltner rated it it was amazing

I was already a superfan of Kristi Ann Hunter’s Regency books but wow, did A Pursuit of Home blow all of my (rather high) expectations out of the water.

First, there’s Jess! Finally, finally, Jess’s backstory is revealed and it’s beyond anything I could have dreamed up. Then Hunter pairs the lady who gets things done whatever it takes with a somewhat stodgy and cerebral art appraiser. From there, sparks fly. Sometimes they’re flying as Jess and Derek butt heads over opposing opinions ...more

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Nov 12, 2019 Rachael rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-historical, christian-favorites

Finally we find out the backstory of the mysterious Jess! My guesses regarding her history were woefully shy of the reality. With Jess's ties to the Duke of Marshington, I was not surprised when he and other characters from A Noble Masquerade made appearances. I will admit, Ryland, when not the hero of the story, can be exasperating. But it was fun to finally tie the Hawthorne House and Haven Manor series together, and to find out how Jess moved from one to the other.

It amused me hig ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 Patti Whitson Stephenson She Lives to Read rated it it was amazing

Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my favorite Regency period writers. The setting of Haven Manor has been perfect for this series, and from her detailed descriptions, I think I could recognize the Manor if I came upon it during a walk in that fictional countryside. Her storylines are interesting and always have a thread of intrigue. There’s been some other wonderful characters in this series, but Jess has always been the character in whom I’ve been the most interested. There’s always been such mystery ...more

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Oct 31, 2019 Doreen rated it it was amazing

This has been one of my favorite series of all time. Each story was so unique and had amazing characters. I’ve been wanting to learn more about Jess since the beginning so this book was a treat. It went in a different direction than I was expecting. She was so tough that I was expecting some kind of story of hardship or abuse. I was totally surprised to learn of her family’s history.

Jess is fascinating. She is a master of disguise. I laughed at her antics and escape attempts. It was ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Vibliophile rated it it was amazing

(4.5 stars) - puzzle pieces to the Master's peace

[This is Book 3 in the Haven Manor series. It can readily stand alone, though the story & characters will have more depth if you've read the previous books in the series]

Jess is living a mundane existence as a cook at a manor house when she is actually from a royal family - sounds like a fairytale, and in several ways it is, but it's told very believably with some faint echoes of the legends surrounding the deposing of ...more

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Oct 17, 2019 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, romance, christian

"A Pursuit of Home" is a Christian romance set in 1816 in England. This is the third book in a series. It can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous stories and/or "A Noble Masquerade" will help you to better understand the depth of the relationships. I've been eagerly awaiting Jess's story, and she has a surprising backstory. A brother that she thought had died along with the rest of her family has appeared to claim the throne of a small, nearby European country. To prove that he's t ...more

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Nov 11, 2019 Becky rated it it was amazing

“Sometimes stories are more about the one doing the telling than the tale being told. The true magic is the heart in the words, the emotion in the pauses, the depth of the conviction. “

This is the beginning of A Pursuit of Home by Kristi Hunter the third book in the Haven Manor series. Our heroine, Jess Beauchene, has appeared in the last two novels and has always been a favorite character of mine. Her past has been a mystery and we really do not know her backstory until now. Our hero, Derek T ...more

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Oct 06, 2019 CoffeeBreakBooks rated it really liked it

A Pursuit of Home was an entertaining, suspenseful, and heartening read. I appreciated that Jess Beuchene was somewhat different from a stereotypical heroine, and I enjoyed her analytical and independent personality. Jess, in order to decipher clues to her family's past secrets, must trust Derek Thornbury, an art expert, to translate an old diary. Each main and secondary character was presented with distinct personalities, making you feel as if you actually knew them. Even though it is the third ...more

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About Kristi Ann Hunter

Kristi Ann Hunter

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Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is an RWA Golden Heart contest winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.