After Connor O’Shea won my heart, I just had to meet his brothers! The Road to Magnolia Glen by Pam Hillman is the second book of the Natchez Trace series.
about the book
Bitter since his eldest brother abandoned their family in Ireland, Quinn O’Shea travels to Natchez, 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 Irish sisters lands Quinn in the role of reluctant savior. 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 the marriage her brother-in-law arranged was never meant to be, and a far more sinister deal was negotiated for her and her sisters.
Quinn offers to escort 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.
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my thoughts
One of my favorite dirty little secrets of history (aka things I’m pretty sure they didn’t teach us in school which I learned through reading historical fiction) is the Old World practice of sending unwanted folks (convicts, political foes, the poor, etc.) to the Colonies! Imagine a ship full of people, one group seeking opportunity and the rest being sent to the New World against their will! What a delicious plot-twist for our Americanized (often skewed) version of history!
I simply adore the O’Shea brothers! Hot-tempered and hardworking (much like his eldest brother), Quinn has begrudgingly stepped up to fill the role of caretaker/guardian for the two youngest O’Sheas. While he tends to blow a lot of steam over his older brothers’ past choices, Quinn’s loyalty runs deep. This middle born O’Shea brother has a protector’s heart, especially when it comes to damsels in distress!
Kiera Young has been sent to the Colonies with her two younger sisters in tow for the purpose of an arranged marriage. Although the reality of her situation is more distressing than her worst nightmares, Kiera conducts herself with dignity and class as an independent Irish lass should! Fueled by her ingenuity and pluck, Kiera grabs life by the reins and tenaciously holds on for the ride.
Honestly, all of that wonderfulness is just the icing on top, I was captivated from the moment Quinn opened his mouth and that honeyed Irish brogue skipped right out! I enjoyed every aspect of this story from the cultural diversity and period lifestyle to the foundational role of hope, faith, and forgiveness. This book has earned its place among my all-time favorites and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
CBA Bestselling author Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. Pam’s life in the country and her love of the old west bring authenticity to her work and depth to her characters, something that has been recognized many times in the industry through writer’s awards.
Her work has placed in dozens of writer’s contests, including being a four-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist with Claiming Mariah, her second novel, winning the Award for Best Inspirational. Other awards include the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, International Digital Award, and the EPIC eBook Award.
Pam lives in Mississippi with her husband and family.
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Natchez Trace series
also available
giveaway
Thanks to the generosity of a reader friend, we have a print copy of The Road to Magnolia Glen for one Faithfully Bookish reader!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Did y’all know the French and Brits were dumping folks in the colonies against their will?!
If so, where did you learn of the practice?
Be sure to add The Road to Magnolia Glen by Pam Hillman to your tbr!
Faithfully Bookish 
Can’t wait to read this newest of Pam’s Thank you for sharing about it.
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History is school was sooooo mnay years ago, but I seem to remember being taught that they thought of the colonies as a dumping ground to get the undesirables out of the country. Seems that most once got out from under their rule and had a second chance turned into hard working people. Most were strong and willing to work. Seems that their thinking came around to bit them in the rear years later.
Thank you for bringing “The Road to Magnolia Glen” by Pam Hillman to my attention. It definitely sounds like a book that I’d enjoy reading. Appreciate the chance to win a copy.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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I do recall learning that the French and Brits were dumping folks in the colonies against their will. Talk about a harrowing experience…Yikes! I don’t believe that I learned it when I was in school so many years ago. I think I learned of it like you did, Beth, from reading historical fiction! I am soooo looking forward to reading The Road to Magnolia Glen! Your review just makes me want to read it even more!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!!
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Thanks for the review, Beth! I’m beginning to think I prefer historical fiction over contemporary works.
I agree with you about our skewed learning. I am learning more by reading historical fiction than I ever did at school.
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This book sounds interesting. I like to read historical fiction as a way to learn about how it was to live in the past.
I really love an Irish brogue, as I read what the character is saying, I try to hear the sound in my mind.
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Yes, I knew from reading previous historical books. Thank you for the chance. Blessings
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This sounds like a really good book. I enjoy the historical novels. It’s so interesting to read about how things were done back in that time. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
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I did not know that, or if I did, I had forgotten it. And hi, by the way! 🙂
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Yes, they also sent undesirables to Australia. I guess it was out of sight, out of mind. This sounds like a fascinating book. It’s on my wish list. It would be fun to win it!
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I first learned of the French sending their undesirables here when I read The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green. I really enjoyed reading The Promise of Breeze Hill so am wanting to read The Road to Magnolia. Thanks for the chance to win it.
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I must have been asleep in class that day or was out sick, because I’ve never heard of that before. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
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I’d never heard about this before. I love all of the amazing history that we can learn through Historical Fiction! And I absolutely love the covers from this series!
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No I didn’t know that! Thanks for that info!
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I would love to read this book. It sounds really interesting.
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Would love to read this historical fiction book.
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I didn’t really know about the Colonies but did know of the folks sent to Australia. Fascinating bit of history. I know some people came as indentured servants, for a time, to provide passage and then have opportunity later to establish their own household. Thanks! Love the setting of the story – such a beautiful area!
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Hallo, Hallo – I’ve been following your lovely bookish tweets on Twitter for awhile now, whilst I have you linked in my sidebar of book bloggers I love reading. ???? I haven’t had the joy of visiting for awhile, as I had a bad bout of migraines clustering this Spring which limited quite a lot of things like reading print books and leaving comments on blogs! Glad I can start resuming where I left off this Summer!
I’ve been an appreciator of Ms Hillman for awhile, as I originally crossed paths with her on her lovely blog Heroes, Heroines & History – wayy back before it was thus named as it started off with a different title – I spied her Natchez Trace novels recently, taking stock of them, as I first learnt of some of the history surrounding the Natchez Trace when I read Andrea Watkins debut novel: To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Merriwether Lewis – which was connected to her real-life adventure of walking the Natchez Trace.
In regards to the Colonies being sent people against their will, I don’t recollect which Historical Fiction novel I was reading at the time, but this was first mentioned in my History lessons whilst in school – I wanted to expound the discussion but my teacher was less inclined. As per usual, whenever I was keen on a topic, my teachers took the other route and just overlooked the enquiry. Thus, it wasn’t til I started reading more Historical Fiction rooted straight out of the artifacts of what is known of History (as there are a lovely group of Historical writers like Ms Hillman from INSPY and mainstream outlets who are writing cutting edge #HistFic which knit out the stories we wouldn’t know otherwise) I started to get more of the facts. The sad bit is – a lot of the original settlers who came to America did not come out of free will.
Not just as regular re-settlers either – some were indentured due to a loss of fortune (either prior to being shipped or in transit – did you ever hear of the fate which befell the Fortune? [a ship] where the settlers were w/o provisions and had to work 7 years to pay back the Puritans in Mass. for the land and the supplies they were given on arrival?), some were sent as prisoners who were considered criminals in their countries and shipped to America as ‘punishment’ – this is how a lot of people came to Southern states (esp Florida, as it was literally their preferred choice) whilst others were sent for other reasons, either benign or suspicious. Our History is full of tragedy and inhumane back-histories of how we treated people without kindness, fairness or justice – this is just one earmark on where History and humanity diverted.
Yes! And, like you mentioned on your review – they were also sent for arranged marriages – there are so many different reasons why people were sent to the Colonies and it had little to do with a second chance or a new beginning – there were ominous reasons they were being sent here!
Definitely sounds like a great series to get involved with and I am thankful I dropped by today for the discussion!
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I do remember about people being brought to the colonies against their will. I love Natchez and would really love to read the book.
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Wow, guys, I’m loving this discussion about indentured servants. The history I found about this time period was fascinating. As Jorie mentioned above, I’ve blogged about the whys and wherefores on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog before.
Beth, thank you for the great review and the giveaway.
Love you guys!
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Hey Beth and Pam! No, I didn’t know about people being brought to the colonies against their will.
This series sounds FABULOUS! 🙂
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I did not know that! I’m surprised that I didn’t though, because my family loves history.
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Wow, I learn something new everyday. Pam is a new authors to me, looking forward to reading her books!
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I know that the British used Australia as a banishment colony, and thanks to The Mark of the King, I know more about how Louisiana was settled. Yikes!
It makes me wonder how many of my ancestors came here full of hope for a better life or because they felt like they had no other choice.
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Yes, I think the first time I learned this, that I remember, was when I watched “Ever After”.
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I did know this previously, but I think I found out more about the practice through reading historical fiction books. It amazes me how everything was settled and the hardships people had to endure!
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Hi . No I didn’t know that fact. Sounds like a great book to read.
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I did know. I learned more about the French doing this from Jocelyn Green’s The Mark of the King. The way the people were treated was shocking and sad.
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hi.. this book looks great. I also need to read the first book in the series.
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Definitely! They are both wonderful!
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