I was first drawn in to this novel by the beautiful cover. It captures Isabella's character and the setting so well!
I don't know much about the Natchez area or its' history, but Pam Hillman gave a great description that helped me visualize it without going overboard with too much detail. The vivid description of Breeze Hill made me feel as if I were walking through the rooms, seeing the layout, the furnishings, and charred remains of each room.
Connor O'Shea was a hero after my own heart. Masculine, with a deep sense of commitment to family and protectiveness over those who are in need, and then throw in the Irish iron will and brogue...it really doesn't get much better than that! Isabella was a little bit of the damsel in distress, but never gave up on serving her injured father or those who depended on her. She was a heroine that I could respect.
The overall pace of the story was steady and strong, my only concern in the beginning of the novel being that too much of the villain's motives were revealed. While I would've liked to have more suspense in that case, I was still pleasantly surprised with how the story unfolded. There was plenty of intrigue and action to keep me turning the pages til the end.
I look forward to reading more of Hillman's books in the future!

I felt as if I was right there on the porch of that beautiful antebellum home, sipping on tea and then strolling along the grape arbor. Pam writes such a beautiful captivating story. A story with realistic, flawed characters that touch your heart and linger in your mind long after you’ve read the final pages.

Isabella has suffered great loss in her family, and she is shouldering the weight of not only the future of the plantation but that of her family as well. Her focus is on that of bringing in this next crop of cotton, and in rebuilding the wing of their plantation home that was burned out.

Connor hides his past hurt and distrust of others behind a strong work ethic and a desire to reunite with his brothers. It isn’t often that you find a male heroine who has self-doubt, but I found that it really made him more realistic and gave the reader a deeper glimpse into who he is. Connor is now on my list of favorite unconventional hero’s. I must add that I really enjoyed the teasing side of him, that showed his fun personality.

The historical setting of this book along the Natchez Trace isn’t a place I’ve read about before, and I really enjoyed learning about this piece of American history. Some day I’d like to travel the National Park highway along the Natchez Trace and see the sights.

Bottom line, this is a fantastic book. The characters are dynamic and realistic, the story is well researched and written. The plot moves along and kept me turning the pages long into the night. I highly recommend this delightful story!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

The Promise of Breeze Hill is a captivating historical romance by Pam Hillman. The book is set in the late 1700s along the Natchez Trace, a historic forest trail extending from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. Carpenter Connor O'Shea has indentured himself to Breeze Hill Plantation in the hopes of earning enough to bring his brothers from Ireland to live with him. Isabella, daughter to the owner of the plantation, has a lot on her shoulders with not only her father recovering from injuries and her recently widowed sister-in-law soon to give birth but also the responsibilities of the plantation to contend with. Her faith in God is gone...so many tragedies have happened. Why? Who is behind it all? With Connor's arrival the sparks begin to fly between him and Isabella. Will those sparks be strong enough to overcome the myriad of obstacles that stand in the way of a relationship between them and light the fire of romance? Readers will find a gritty book that has explosive and fast-paced action with knife fights, ambushes, a tornado, and near drownings. And there are lots of highwaymen, outlaws, and slave traders to keep the good guys on their toes. The author presents well-developed and strong characters with emotions that captivate the reader's interest and imagination and she does a fantastic job of describing the scenes, enabling the reader to feel right in the middle of the story. The Promise of Breeze Hill is well written and full of authenticity as it tells a little history of the rugged Mississippi frontier, portrays poignant family situations, and weaves a subtle thread of faith in God throughout. I am looking forward to more in the Natchez Trace series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a review and the opinions are my own.

I don't know that I have read any books by Pam Hillman, but she is worth the time to read. The Promise of Breeze Hill is the story of several people trying to tie themselves to the coat tails of the plantation called Breeze Hill. One of the surest ways to get their grubby little hands on the land is to marry the daughter of the owner, Isabella Bartholomew. What most of the men don't realize is that Isabella's widowed sister-in-law is pregnant and her baby may be the heir to inherit the plantation.

The full gamut of characters populate the pages of this book--impostors, posers, milquetoasts, and ruffians. Isabella and her family are the primary honest characters with a couple of other exceptions--one being Connor O'Shea, an Irish immigrant who has indentured himself in order to bring his brothers from Ireland.

From the time that Isabella bought Connor's indenture papers through the end of the book, Connor has felt it was his duty to protect Isabella. When she gets a message that Leah, her sister-in-law, is having trouble with her baby, she leaves from Natchez to get back to Breeze Hill. Connor decided to accompany her and it was a good thing he did. Her trip wasn't as dire as she originally thought, and she didn't need to put herself into more danger than she already faced.

This is a good book, with quality writing, but it didn't engage me. I can't put my finger on what I didn't like about it, but it's still a four star book.

My thanks to Tyndale House for allowing me to read and review this book.

I am SO EXCITED about this book! 'The Promise of Breeze Hill' is the first in an upcoming series, and for that, I am ever so grateful. Sometimes leaving a character (or two, in this case) is impossibly hard; I am so happy that I don't have to say goodbye to these characters just yet. An intriguing storyline, a fascinating time period and endearing characters. The perfect novel. I couldn't put it down, and even now, after finishing the book, am still thinking about Isabella, Connor and the events of the storyline. So very excited to see where the author takes this story!

Before moving to Tennessee, I had never heard of the Natchez Trace. Now, I can get to it in about twenty minutes. One day, I’d like to drive the Trace all the way to Natchez, Mississippi. Until then, I’m enjoying the beauty of the seasons along the Tennessee portion of this passage.

In The Promise of Breeze Hill, Pam Hillman brings characters who live along the Mississippi portion of the trace to life. Readers get to experience the danger—both from nature and from man—of traveling along this trail in the late 1700s.

Connor O’Shea, and indentured servant to Breeze Hill, knows how to push Isabella Bartholomew’s buttons and doesn’t hesitate to do so. His teasing makes him even more likeable after readers learn he’s indenturing himself in order to bring his brothers to the colonies from Ireland. Isabella is strong and determined (sometimes to the point of stubbornness).

Both of these characters must come to terms with past events. Connor’s poor judgement in his youth separated him from his family. Isabella’s problems are more recent with her brother’s death and the fire that destroyed a part of her home and injured her family.
There is plenty of intrigue as the residents of Breeze Hill try to unravel the mystery of who wants to hurt the family—and why. Add to it the criminals who attack travelers along the Natchez Trace that runs past Breeze Hill, the line of suitors vying for Isabella’s hand in marriage, and the growing chemistry and attraction between her and Connor, and this book kept me reading late into the wee hours of the morning as events unfolded and the truth was revealed.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Wonderful start to a series I'm definately excited about!

This book is well written, the historical setting is fascinating, the characters engaging, and the romance endearing.

If you enjoy stories about the most unlikely suitors, this is your book.
Isabella Bartholomew once lived a pampured life. But circumstances surrounding her family have changed and unexpected responsibilities have ended up being set upon her shoulder. Now her heart is set on one thing: bring her farm back to what it once was to relieve her family from some of their ache. Even though she can count on a group of loyal servants and a loving father, she's determined to carry her burdens alone.

Connor O'Shea is more than surprised when his contract is bought by a woman. He's had his enough share of attraction to a pretty aristocratic face and won't let something like that distract him ever again. His one goal is to work with all his might to bring his brothers to America. But Isabella's fierceness and determination will take him off guard and begin to grow in him an enexpected sense of protection.

I found myself completely loss in this story surrounded by people who faced a hard turn in life, but are willing to honestly and brevely fight for each other. This is somewhat of a contrast to other characters present in the story who don't measure consequences to achieve their greedy desires. There is a lot of cruelty facing this time in America's and a lot of prejudice blinding people to forget to treat each other with dignity. But among an unlikely set of wealthy and influent people, Connor will find a set of the most loyal and compassionate friends he could ask for - a group of people he finds himself willing to give and receive love from