Publisher’s Overview:
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.
The Formal Stuff:
Thank you to the publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for my complimentary copy of The Crossing at Cypress Creek.
First Thoughts:
I’m part of a JustRead Reviewer Tour for this novel. I’ve previously read and reviewed the first two titles in the Natchez Trace series.
My Take:
Four of the O’Shea brothers made their way to Mississippi in the first two books of the Natchez Trace series. They’ve found a permanent home, and the oldest two have found love and success. Now, wayward son Caleb arrives seemingly by chance and has to explain why he left Ireland when he did. But before he can do that, he has to rescue Alanah who appears to lead a double life. Why does she dress like a vagabond and behave as she does when in her home community?
The characters of The Crossing at Cypress Creek are a mixed bunch. The river is the hunting ground for Micaiah Jones and his murdering marauders; and pirates of the Caribbean they are not. Alanah’s guardian, a preacher by the name of Jude, is a contemporary prophet Jonah; he refuses to preach close to home, believing the people of Cypress Creek aren’t worthy of the message of grace and forgiveness. Caleb’s companion, Tiberius, is a man from foreign lands whose weapon of choice is a scimitar. Tiberius sets his sights on Alanah’s mentor in healing, Lydia, who is a free woman of mixed race. Alanah’s story is revealed in pieces. Because of that, I was confused when she was first introduced. Had she appeared in one of the previous novels? Should I know her backstory already? I was also muddled at times by the sheer number of characters. Which males are O’Sheas again? Remind me of William’s relationship to them?
The novel itself, however, is thoroughly enjoyable and gradually leads to an epic confrontation on the river. There ARE some not so nice moments thanks to the bad guys, just as there were in The Road to Magnolia Glen. It’s disappointing that this series is a trilogy as I felt more could be written. There are two O’Shea brothers who didn’t get their own book and are too young in these three to warrant proper attention. The trilogy is also set before Mississippi is organized as a United States territory. I’d have liked to have read what happened to the O’Shea family and their acquaintances with the changes that came from that event and then the creation of the State of Mississippi in 1817. Instead, the Natchez Trace trilogy reads as a grand family saga cut off in its prime.
Have you read The Crossing at Cypress Creek? Do you plan to read it? Let me know your thoughts.
Publisher: Tyndale
Publication Date: 04 June 2019
Page Count: 432
Read more on: Tyndale’s Website Pam Hillman’s Website
Purchase on: Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-million Christianbook.com
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