Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Happy 2018, everyone! :D

The Promise of Breeze Hill is our group buddy read for January!

GR Summary:
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 and vows not to be tempted by the lovely lady.

The responsibilities of running Breeze Hill have fallen on Isabella's shoulders after her brother was found dead in the swamps along the Natchez Trace and a suspicious fire devastated their crops, almost destroyed their home, and left her father seriously injured. Even with Connor's help, Isabella fears she'll lose her family's plantation. Despite her growing feelings for the handsome Irish carpenter, she seriously considers accepting her wealthy and influential neighbor's proposal of marriage.

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

I actually started this one last night and have already read 70 pages (unintentionally rang in the new year by reading, haha). I'm into the story and enjoying it so far.

I'm going to try to join in with this one.

I'm planning to read this one, too, if my library gets it in on time...

I'm in for this one. I read the first chapter the other night. Whew! What a great hook into the book. Looking forward to reading more.

Actually, this will be the next ebook I read after the current read. It's what came out of drawing for my TBR challenge. :)

I have read about a hundred pages and I'm loving it!

Maria wrote: "I have read about a hundred pages and I'm loving it!"

Yay! So glad to hear that!

What it is about an Irishman? ;)

Has anyone read anything else by Pam Hillman? I was surprised to see that I already own on Kindle and had not even connected that it was the same author.

Hannah wrote: "Actually, this will be the next ebook I read after the current read. It's what came out of drawing for my TBR challenge. :)"

How convenient! :)

is the only other one of hers I've read, and I really enjoyed it.

Breeze Hill will be the first I've read by Ms. Hillman.

Oh, I meant to say that TPoBH is my first by her as well. :)

Though I'm guessing it won't be the last and you're now looking forward to that other one by her that you mentioned already owning. :)

I'd never actually heard of this author before it was nominated for January, but I have the book on hold at the library (actually was the one to suggest they purchase a copy . . . and they are in the process of acquiring it!), so hopefully will be able to join in the discussion soon!

I will probably read this one soon because I am still waiting on the book I am moderating. It was supposed to be in but it didn't come on the bookmobile today.

Andrea wrote: "Though I'm guessing it won't be the last and you're now looking forward to that other one by her that you mentioned already owning. :)"

Definitely! :)

Loraine wrote: "I will probably read this one soon because I am still waiting on the book I am moderating. It was supposed to be in but it didn't come on the bookmobile today."

Loraine, it's a really quick read, and with the way you read fast, you'll finish it in no time. :)

I'll probably start it today.

Beth wrote: "Maria wrote: "I have read about a hundred pages and I'm loving it!"

Yay! So glad to hear that!

What it is about an Irishman? ;)"

LOL! He's charming, isn't he? ;) The story is very engrossing anyway.

Just finnished it last night! Stayed up a little late but I just could not stop myself. I really liked how the plot never gave up, kept me "in " the story the whole time. Now I just need more coffee to get through today ;)

Looking forward to joining in! planning to start tonight :-)

Halfway through. :)

I finished. It would have been a five-star read at first, but the extra-convenient tornado and the hasty ending plus three profanities dropped it down to a three star. Looking forward to discussion.

I just requested "Promise of Breeze Hill" from the library and it should be in within the next few days so I can read it.

I am glad you mentioned the profanities Hannah so I didn't purchase a digital version of the book. I would have been very disappointed if I had spent money on a Christian book and discovered profanities in it. Since you said that you would have given it five stars without the profanities Hannah, I will go ahead and invest time in reading it but I am always disappointed when Christian authors chose to include profanity in their books.

Jolyn, I'm right there with you. It's incredibly disappointing when Christian authors choose to use profanity in their books. The first thing that pops in my head at that point is: How does using God's name in vain honor Him?

Just finished The Promise of Breeze Hill. It's my fist novel by the author. I think I also have:



Stealing Jake is her debut.

One minor thing bothered me in the novel. I'll wait to share until the discussion begins.

Jolyn wrote: "I just requested "Promise of Breeze Hill" from the library and it should be in within the next few days so I can read it.

I am glad you mentioned the profanities Hannah so I didn't purchase a dig..."

Exactly. I think I'm going to write the author a polite little note and express my desire to continue with the series if I know there won't be more instances of using God's name in vain.

Staci wrote: "Just finished The Promise of Breeze Hill. It's my fist novel by the author. I think I also have:



Stealing Jake is her debut...."

I too have those books...Stealing Jake in hard copy and Claiming Mariah in ebook. I really enjoy how she strings a sentence together, so I may try to read another of hers this year.

Just picked up "The Promise of Breeze Hill" from the library today.

I hope you enjoy it, Jolyn.

Nicole wrote: "Just finnished it last night! Stayed up a little late but I just could not stop myself. I really liked how the plot never gave up, kept me "in " the story the whole time. Now I just need more coffe..."

Glad you enjoyed it, Nicole! :)

Jolyn wrote: "Just picked up "The Promise of Breeze Hill" from the library today."

Yay, happy reading!

I just finished reading "The Promise of Breeze Hill" and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually didn't notice any profanity in the book. Hannah do you recall where the profanities you noted were at? I am normally really sensitive to profanity so I am surprised that I missed them.

I was a little disappointed when the standard miscommunication between the couple in love kicked in but fortunately it didn't take too long to get worked out (feels like it gets really old as a plot point in romance stories). There were lots of other really interesting points about the story. Will there be a structured discussion at some point later in the month?

Jolyn, I saw a French profanity in chapter two. Haven't noticed any others yet, but I'm only about 30% into it so far. Hannah is usually great at spotting them, so I fully expect to find those others she mentioned.

The discussion usually starts around mid-month on group buddy reads, I believe.

Jolyn wrote: "I just finished reading "The Promise of Breeze Hill" and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually didn't notice any profanity in the book. Hannah do you recall where the profanities y..."

"My G*d" was used twice in English at 73% and 74%.

Jolyn wrote: "I just finished reading "The Promise of Breeze Hill" and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually didn't notice any profanity in the book. Hannah do you recall where the profanities y..."

Jolyn, I haven't commented on it yet because I was waiting just a little further into the month, but the whole "failure to communicate" thing is definitely one of my complaints about the story. I don't like it when the bulk of the conflict between the characters would be resolved from a decent conversation. Otherwise, I enjoyed them as characters and thought the romance was sweet.

As to the discussion, the format is more casual. I don't usually post discussion questions for a group buddy (no one really uses the questions much anyway), but in general, yes, we shoot for mid-month for posting spoiler-y stuff.

If you'd like me to post some questions, I'm happy to, otherwise, just feel free to post any comments or questions you may have about the book. :)

Robin wrote: "Hi! I'm looking forward to starting this book today. I'm eager to meet our Irish hero, and I'm happy to hear that so many of you are enjoying the book!"

Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it, Robin! :)

Beth - I don't need questions posted. I will wait another day or two (I guess we are about to mid-month now LOL!) and post my comments.

This book turned out to not be my thing, so I won't be joining in on the discussion.

Jolyn wrote: "Beth - I don't need questions posted. I will wait another day or two (I guess we are about to mid-month now LOL!) and post my comments."

Yep, it's mid-month now, so feel free! :D

Andrea wrote: "This book turned out to not be my thing, so I won't be joining in on the discussion."

No problem, Andrea. Enjoy your next read! :)

Thanks, Beth!

I enjoyed the novel and definitely plan to read the next in the series.

The only thing that bothered me is that William had too much to drink when they went into town. First, this seemed very out of character for him and second, I wondered then if he was such a good match. Will he be the type to overindulge on a regular basis?

It made him seem very juvenile in the way he acted, though otherwise he was portrayed as a level-headed man. I didn't seem to recognize him as his own character...it was weird.

I cannot fathom being in Leah's position. The mixture of grief over the loss of her husband and the joy of having his child must be overwhelming. I know it's hard to understand until you "walk in someone else's shoes", but I cannot imagine having a place in my heart for another man during the whole ordeal. William was a great match, but why the rush? That just rubbed me the wrong way...

It seemed a little fast, too. I wanted a lot more of Leah's story.

Personally, I loved this book. I don't usually like it when people don't talk to each other causing misunderstandings, but in this case I agree with Jolyn and Beth, things were fixed soon so it didn't bother me.

I think I loved this story because I found it was very compelling. I couldn't wait to read more and had a hard time when I had to put it down, a sign of great enjoyment. :)

As for Leah's situation, I'm always surprised when I read about a widow wanting to start over with another man, especially so soon. You see, I believe there's only one true love and seeing women and men searching for another spouse when claiming that they're still in love with their husband or wife sounds weird. But I've been told I'm wrong and that everybody deserves to be happy again with another spouse. Would love to hear your opinions.

This has been on my mind lately, as my aunt is getting married in a month; but her husband won't have been dead for a full year by then! It seems way too fast for me, like she's just scared of being alone. I don't know. They seem happy and in love, but I personally can't imagine myself even thinking about dating again if my husband ever died, at least not for a good long while! If the kids are young, and the widow needs help raising them, then I can understand. But my aunt's one kid is all grown and has a kid of his own. I guess maybe it's a case-by-case thing. I'm always wary of a woman really being able to commit to a serious relationship if she's still dealing with the loss of a lifetime partner. What about y'all?

Hannah wrote: "Jolyn wrote: "I just finished reading "The Promise of Breeze Hill" and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually didn't notice any profanity in the book. Hannah do you recall where the..."

Thank you Hannah for answering my question about the profanity. I did indeed not notice it. After I converted the percentages to approximate page numbers (strangely enough I read "Breeze Hill" as a physical book rather than digital as I read most books) I did indeed find the profanity - "By G*" on p. 291 and "My G*" on p. 297 in the edition I read. I am so surprised that I didn't notice it when I initially read the book but as I look over the pages now I think there are so many uses of God's name in thoughts/prayer that I didn't notice the couple times where His name was actually used in a profane way rather than the way it is supposed to be used. This actually could illustrate a problem with using profanity in Christian books - how insidious it can be at creeping into our thoughts and we don't even notice the disrespect being shown to God.