The Promise of Breeze Hill ~ Review

The Promise of Breeze Hill
A Natchez Trace Novel #1
By Pam Hillman

If there is one thing for certain it is that the Natchez Trace is dangerous and Isabella Bartholomew's family knows this. With the murder of her brother and a fire that has incapacitated her father Isabella needs help with their plantation. And fortunately, she is able to secure the skills of Connor O'Shea.

And unfortunately for Connor O'Shea, Isabella Bartholomew bought his papers of indenture. The last thing he wants is to find himself working for a lady of property who will again ruin his life on a whim. But Connor needs the work to bring his brothers over from Ireland.

Connor's carpentry skills are just what Isabella needs to repair the damage done to her home. But Breeze Hill Plantation needs much more than a rebuilt wing. And Connor finds himself filling a much larger role than what he had agreed to. And spending more time with Isabella is not high on his list of tasks but her father has allowed her to assume much of his responsibility in his stead.

But soon the danger, that targeted travelers, seems to be focused on Breeze Hill and the Bartholomew family. Is there a reason they've targeted and were their past mishaps instead a deliberate attempt to destroy them?

The Promise of Breeze Hill is an interesting book with a few unexpected twists along the way. This book deals with various issues including loyalty, family, and slavery all of which were of utmost importance in how this story played out. Some characters one is instantly drawn to while others are almost instantly disliked and believe me the dislike factor doesn't abate as the story unfolds. As a series starting point, I'm interested to see where this series goes. And in case you're wondering this story does not end in a cliffhanger and in and of itself is complete.

This book would be an excellent choice for a book club and there are discussion questions included after the story as is a note by the author giving a bit of historical background concerning the setting. And those who have a fondness for early American history will enjoy this book. And if you were to judge a book by its cover this one is lovely, by the way.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book with the expectations of a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Natchez, MS; 1791
Anxious for his brothers to join him on the rugged frontier along the Mississippi River, Connor O’Shea has no choice but to indenture himself as a carpenter in exchange for their passage from Ireland. But when he’s sold to Isabella Bartholomew of Breeze Hill Plantation, Connor fears he’ll repeat past mistakes and vows not to be tempted by the lovely lady.

The responsibilities of running Breeze Hill have fallen on Isabella’s shoulders after her brother was found dead in the swamps along the Natchez Trace and a suspicious fire devastated their crops, almost destroyed their home, and left her father seriously injured. Even with Connor’s help, Isabella fears she’ll lose her family’s plantation. Despite her growing feelings for the handsome Irish carpenter, she seriously considers accepting her wealthy and influential neighbor’s proposal of marriage.

Soon, though, Connor realizes someone is out to eliminate the Bartholomew family. Can he set aside his own feelings to keep Isabella safe?