The Crossing at Cypress Creek

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HILLMAN, PAM
THE CROSSING AT CYPRESS

Sailing and soldiering around the world has taken Caleb O'Shea far from his native Ireland, so he never imagined that a promise to see a fellow crewman safely home would practically land him on his brother's doorstep. After spending years away from his family, Caleb isn't certain what kind of reception he will receive when he steps foot in Natchez, Mississippi. The one thing he knows for sure is that he won't stay long.

Since her sister was kidnapped by river pirates six months ago, Alanah Adams has taken special care to avoid drawing attention to herself. Those living in the rough-and-tumble settlement of Cypress Creek might even think she's addled. But when she stumbles into Caleb and his friends in Natchez, she appears to be the picture-picture lady.

Caleb only catches glimpses of the mysterious and beautiful Alanah before she disappears. But a chance encounter with her at his brother's logging camp near Cypress Creek leaves him uncomfortable at the thought of the young woman traversing the dangerous area alone. At a crossroads in his life, Caleb must decide whether he wants to give up the worldly adventures he's been seeking for one closer to home.

My Review:

I hate to say this but I think it might actually be good that this is the last Natchez Trace novel because a reader's heart can only take so many O'Shea brothers before self-combustion becomes a real threat. Those are some serious Alpha males and Caleb is the bad boy brother with a heart of gold who knows how to stir things up. I'm still feeling the delicious aftershocks.

And the fun thing is Alanah's just about as scrappy and daring as Caleb, which disturbs him no end. She's led a hard life and is an interesting mix of naivety and worldly wise. And ever so wary of the brash Irishman who has spent the last three years traveling the world. Their romance is the slow burn kind since they are besieged from all sides by danger and pure evil (shudder)! This third story is the darkest of the three, I think, with it's river pirates and highwaymen. A town full of debase criminals are determined to wreck havoc for the O'Shea brothers and those they love. Lots of action including some wince-inducing fight scenes.

Loved the way the author includes much loved characters from the first two books in this one. It's a veritable O'Shea family (and friends) reunion as they welcome the prodigal home at last. Fabulous conclusion to an awesome series!

PS: After meeting all the O'Shea brothers I'd like to assure Connor (my first love) that he continues to have an edge over Quinn and Caleb. As swoonworthy as those younger brothers are, Connor will always make me swoon a wee bit deeper....blissful sigh. I think it's time to reread his story one more time. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Crossing at Cypress Creek, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 3 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Road to Magnolia Glen

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HILLMAN, PAM
THE ROAD TO MAGNOLIA GLEN

Natchez, MS -- 1792

Bitter since his eldest brother abandoned their family in Ireland, Quinn O'Shea travels to Natchex, Mississippi, ready to shuck the weight of his duty and set off on an adventure of his own. It's time Connor, as head of the family, took responsibility for their younger siblings. While aboard ship, a run-in with three half-Irish sisters lands Quinn in the role of reluctant rescuer. Though it may delay his plans, he cannot abandon the Young sisters, especially the tenacious yet kind Kiera.

Upon arriving in the colonies, Kiera Young prepares to meet her intended and begin her new life. But she soon discovers it's not a marriage of convenience her brother-in-law arranged, but a far more sinister deal was negotiated for her and her sisters.

Quinn offers to excort his charges safely to Breeze Hill Plantation and his brother's care, fully intending to seek his freedom elsewhere. But the longer he remains, the greater his feelings toward Kiera grow and the more he comes to realize true freedom might be found in sacrifice.

My Review:

Psssssttttt....Connor, I'll always love you best but your brother, Quinn...he's the kind of reluctant hero I can dust off my fainting couch for. Irish. Brooding. Gallant in spite of himself. Disgruntled verging on contented if he'd just stop seething long enough! The inner turmoil flies off the page and clobbers an unsuspecting reader right between the eyes! What's not to love, right?

Well, Kiera isn't a fan at the start. Not from their first little dust off  on the ship heading to America and not once they land and part ways but...doesn't Quinn go and transform into a hero on her? A grumpy one who doesn't hide the fact that he has his sights set on leaving asap. Blissful sigh. I do so love a struggling romance where both parties valiantly try not to fall for the other. And Quinn and Kiera give it a good try...but fail miserably in the end which -- yay -- results in a sublime happily ever after!

But not too soon because there's a villain afoot...in fact I whooshed out a startled gasp just after the 100 page mark when I suddenly realized that..well...not sure if I was slow on the uptake...but bam -- I made a text to text connection (that's school library talk for finding a tie between two books.) You don't need to have read The Promise of Breezehill to grasp the nefarious goings on but if you have...well, you'll appreciate them all the more. Cue the scary organ music and start turning pages faster!

And the really fun thing about this story is that we have ample opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with Connor and Isabella. And even though Connor is a bit of grouch in this book, he still set my heart aflutter. Pair that with the palpitations Quinn was giving me and you can imagine the state I was in by the time I reached the end. Rapturously discombobulated about sums it up!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Road to Magnolia Glen, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 30 2018.

The Promise of Breeze Hill : a Natchez Trace Novel

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HILLMAN, PAM
THE PROMISE OF BREEZE HILL : A NATCHEZ TRACE NOVEL

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, so he vows not to be tempted by the lovely lady.

The responsibilities of running Breeze Hill have fallen on Isabella's shoulders after a suspicious fire devastated their crops, almost destroyed their home, and left her father seriously injured. Even with Connor's help, and her growing feelings for the handsome Irish carpenter, Isabella fears she'll lose her family's plantation.

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

My Review:

Gobsmacked doesn't even begin to describe the way I'm feeling right now as I sit in a discombobulated 'the-morning-after-a-frenzied-reading-night' stupor. I only have two words.

Connor O'Shea.

Give me a moment to rally my sensibilities, but you might have to move my dog-eared copy of Breeze Hill to another room so I'm not tempted to...rats...just a sec while I read a particularly toe-curling moment over again.

Blissful sigh. Okay, I'm back. Goodness, that Connor!(insert fangirl swooning emoji here.) Hero of my heart. Masterful, compassionate, noble in spirit. A man with a work ethic and passion for family. And protective. Oh, someone pass me the smelling salts, the opportunities he has to go all protective on Miss Isabella Bartholomew...rats, wait a sec, I need to re-read a particularly swoonworthy rescue.

Okay, I'm back..for now. I can't seem to stop myself from reading the tantalizing bits over again...which is pretty much the whole book so you see my dilemma. And did I mention Connor is Irish (in case you didn't clue in by his name) but I mean, almost fresh off the boat Irish so he still has the brogue. Set my heart afluttering every time he spoke -- even when he was being an 'eejit.'

 Isabella is a tad impetuous and stubborn and used to running things so there's bound to be some clashing when Connor starts taking initiative -- and sometimes issuing commands that don't go over very well. I do so love an independent-thinking heroine. She's changed a lot in a year of hardship -- grown and stretched in every way except in her faith. There's a lovely inspirational thread that follows Isabella's battles with God and her ultimate surrender to His higher power.

And a really intriguing aspect of this story is the way the element of suspense is handled. Only the reader knows right from the start who the villain is. The characters haven't a clue. So I was always on edge every time The Villain showed up and I'd try to warn Isabella with a "Bad guy alert!" But did she listen to me? Of course not! She's all sweet and nice and "Oh, do come in and visit awhile. Martha, bring us some tea, if you please." And there I am expiring on my fainting couch for all the wrong reasons because she's just led Danger into their midst. (cue the scary organ music)

Though it might not seem like it from this very Connor-centric review, there is an astounding cast of secondary characters -- both good and pure evil -- that bring an even deeper dimension to an already amazing story. And the history is fascinating. I don't know a whole lot about this era and particularly this part of America so the setting added even more to my reading pleasure.

And when the story came to an end as all good books inevitably do, I was left bereft because Connor chose Isabella not me (shuddering sigh)...but...wait, he has brothers and the next book is about....yoohoo, Quinn, we haven't met yet but I'm about to fall deeply in love with you...(I'm so fickle!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Promise of Breeze Hill (and goodness, why wouldn't you?!) leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 17 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Home for Christmas : Historical Christian Romance Collection

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DEAN, JANET
HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
HILLMAN, PAM
LESSMAN, JULIE
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS : HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN ROMANCE COLLECTION

There is nothing better than romance unless it's faith-filled romance plus Christmas! Join these multi-published, award-winning and best-selling historical authors as they take you on a joy-filled, old-fashioned sleigh ride full of sweet, happily-ever-after romances, the tried-and-true kind that honor God, love, romance and timeless Christmas spirit!

My Review:

A wonderful collection of Christmas novellas that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit. I think what struck me the most is how each story immediately grabbed my attention. I was hooked on the very first page and each author followed through with plenty of action and romance to keep me captivated right to the end. The kind of satisfying read you get from a full length novel only in a shorter format.

A Daddy For Christmas by Janet Dean A heartwarming love story set in 1930 about a man who wants the chance to be a father, a child who wants the chance at having a daddy and the woman who chances everything by loving them both. Dean pulled at my heartstrings as I watched Rafe and Tess struggle to find their way. A stirring tale of restitution and hope.

Second Chance Christmas by Ruth Logan Herne In Levi's own words, "Life stopped being simple about the time Nellie Bausch sashayed into his shop." And that pretty much sums up this novella. Nellie arrives in Second Chance, South Dakota determined to start fresh. She's an independent woman who isn't afraid to voice her opinion. Just the kind of woman Levi isn't looking for and that makes the best kind of romance. :-)

All Aboard : Destination Christmas by Pam Hillman Katie is torn between her love of ranch life and her aunt's determination to find her better prospects in the city. When her trip to Portland is cut short by an accident, Katie's faced with an uncertain future -- and a handsome cowboy who is determined to keep her safe. Lots of tension and laughter and few sweet moments under the mistletoe.

The Best Gift of All by Julie Lessman A wonderful glimpse into a wild and whacky O'Conner Christmas. While this is mostly Lizzie and Brady's story, there's still some side-slapping scenes with all the O'Connor sisters and their various offspring. Love the humour and chaos. But there's a serious side to this novella as well as Lizzie and Brady struggle with the pressures of their expanding family. Lessman delivers faith and romance with her trademark passion for both.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Available in ebook format only

If you would like an opportunity to win an ecopy of  Home For Christmas please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 13 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Stealing Jake

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HILLMAN, PAM
STEALING JAKE

When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-Fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy―literally while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town―as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off―Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can’t seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

My Review:

A plot so riddled with action and suspense that it'll give you itchy fingers (which means you want to find out what happens so badly that you're tempted to start turning pages faster than you can read.) Such a delicious dilemma for an avid reader!

Love that the romance is front and centre right from the start. The reader is in no doubt that chemistry exists between Jake and Livy and romance could blossom quickly under ideal circumstances. Alas, since the circumstances aren't ideal, there isn't a smooth path to matrimony -- but I sure enjoyed all the bumps and detours along the way!

Trust is a core issue that threads its way throughout this story. It's something Livy in particular really struggles with because of her past. But Jake harbors his own share of doubts which compound Livy's trust issues and it spirals into quite a quandary. Then there's young Luke, a mistrustful street kid who holds the key to a lot of questions that need answering...if only he could trust someone with the information.

The surprising suspense thread kept me riveted right to the very end....and then I mourned that it was all over. You know -- that black moment in a reader's life where you realize there is no more story but you're not ready to let it go? And the thought of starting another book leaves you feeling unsettled? That's how I felt when I reached the last page of Stealing Jake and what a wonderful (and disturbing) conundrum for an avid reader to be in. Definitely one for the keeper shelf.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Stealing Jake please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 2 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Homestead Brides Collection

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CONNEALY, MARY
MILLS, DIANN
VETSCH, ERICA
Y'BARBO, KATHLEEN
FRANKLIN, DARLENE
GADE, CARLA OLSEN
HERNE, RUTH LOGAN
HILLMAN, PAM
WITHAM, BECCA
THE HOMESTEAD BRIDES COLLECTION

Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting.

 

My Review:

 

Yes, you counted correctly. Nine authors equal nine stories in this wonderful collection that celebrates the pioneer spirit. I understand that novellas aren't every reader's cup of tea but I love the opportunity to meet new authors in this unique way. So this was definitely a win/win read for me. Not only did I get to bask in the glory of tried and true authors I can always count on to deliver a spellbinding story, but I'm thrilled to have new authors to add to my 'must read' arsenal.  

 

I will confess to finding nine novellas a bit daunting -- I usually prefer novella collections to be four stories or under -- but I wasn't about to miss some of my favourite authors' stories so I braved it out and am glad I did.

 

It wouldn't be practical to review each individual novella so I'll just give my overall impression. Think the Little House books for grownups. Gave me the same kind of thrill and fascination with a lovely dash of romance added in. I'm amazed anew at the backbone and courage of pioneer women and these stories are a lovely tribute to that heritage.

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Homestead Brides Collection please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 15 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Claiming Mariah

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Add caption

HILLMAN, PAM
CLAIMING MARIAH

In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.

With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

My Review:

Oh, I soooo hope this is the beginning of a series!!!! I'm already so attached to the characters (including ones who have yet to make an appearance!) that I'm not ready to let them go. Hillman has woven a riveting Western tale complete with an unsolved mystery to figure out. Fast-paced and packing an emotional punch, I just couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.

Slade's struggle with forgiveness and the desire to extract his own vengeance has defined him since boyhood. Being a party to this chivalrous, decent, compassionate hero's conflicting struggle made for a fascinating read. He's such an enigma.

Mariah is spunky and determined but oh so stubborn and she clashes with Slade from their first meeting. Understandably since he's determined to uproot her family from the only home she's ever known but that stubbornness doesn't help her cause. Watching their attraction develop and grow amidst all that conflict makes for a roller coaster read!

There are some swoonworthy romantic scenes within these pages as well. In fact, I'll never look at a glass of lemonade the same way again. Blissful sigh.

I can't say enough about this wonderful book. Claiming Mariah is a definite candidate for your virtual TBR pile (it comes only in e-book format).

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Claiming Mariah (e-book), please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 6 2013 Offer open to international readers. Good luck!