Book Review: The Crossing at Cypress Creek by Pam Hillman

Caleb O’Shea jerked awake to utter stillness.
Opening line of The Crossing at. Cypress Creek by Pam Hillman

The Crossing at Cypress Creek is the last in the Natchez Trace series from Pam Hillman. Several favourite characters return but having read the previous two novels isn’t not required. Our lead characters are Caleb, the last of the four O’Shea brothers to arrive in America from Ireland, and Alanah, an American struggling to survive in the rough environment.

Caleb’s journey to America includes 3 years of fighting his way around the world and making solid friendships. One such friend I particularly enjoyed getting to know is Tiberius, a Moor. Silent and confident, he is a lovely balance to Caleb. The two come to work alongside the O’Shea brothers in the logging business.

Alanah is supported by Lydia, a Native American who has excellent healing skills. The two care for the injured and are a formidable pair, a vision of female strength in adversity.

Set upon by pirates (I do love a pirate twist!), the two teams come together to defend each other, their businesses and Cypress Creek. The adventure is quick-paced and well-written! I enjoyed it from the first page and would have happily kept reading about the Natchez Trace!

The characters are rich and carefully thought through. Guilt and redemption are discussed from a Christian perspective and worked through the story elegantly.

I highly recommend it, it’s five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale!

From the back cover:

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-perfect 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.