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25 February 2011

Book Review


Surrender the Heart

(Surrender to Destiny Series)

By MaryLu Tyndall,
http://www.mltyndall.com/

Barbour Publishing
2010


Marianne Denton and Captain Noah were childhood playmates, now engaged, but neither of them truly wishes the match. Set at the build up to the War of 1812, all aboard ship, Ms. Tyndall delivers a tight plot, wonderful romance, and intriguing characters. She has a fantastic grasp on the terms associated with ships and is good at including the information without overwhelming the reader with it. Her secondary characters are some of the best I have seen in some time. This book is a page turner. Which is fine, since I was sick with the flu when I read the entire book in bed over a couple of days. I think if I had to set it aside as I was reading, I would have been irritated because it is a book that demands to be read in its entirety in a short time. That is great for some people but not for me, not usually, but we all need books for those times when we DO have the time to devote only to our reading. And I would much rather have a great brisk plot with wonderful characters than a boring one. Personal preference, however, is for the savoring kinds of books, normally. The kind I can read in chunks and not lose anything.

I give this book a 5 start rating ***** because it is extremely well done, nice wrap-up at the ending, solid from the beginning through to the end, fascinating plot and characters. Would suggest it for either a summer read or a time when the reader can focus just on this book from start to finish. MaryLu Tyndall does a great job of putting emotion and action on every page.

Bibliotherapy points: Unworthiness, self-recrimination, forgiveness, trust, alcoholism, inner character vs. outward appearance, and to some extent co-dependence but it is never really addressed as such.

Disability friendliness: Only available in paperback and on Kindle. This is text-to-speech enabled, per Amazon.

Leave me a comment with your email address for a chance to win my gently used (and signed) copy of Surrender the Heart. May God bless you and yours’.







38 comments:

  1. I'm nearly done with the second book. Also very good. Surrender the Night releases next Tuesday. I'll put a review up.

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  2. Hey, Carrie! Did you get the email I forwarded to you? Just wanted to know what you thought! I have had my eye on this book ever since it came out. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. I've missed you!:) BTW my hubby has had his own construction and painting business for 35 years and he says this color is linen and not pink. lol It's a neat color b/c sometimes I see the linen and the next time I look I see very, very, pale pink. My livingroom is like that...according to the light sometimes it looks like pale colored chocolate milk and other times it has a rose sheen mixed in with the brown. Love colors like that! Hope you are getting your strength back from having been sick!



    dianalflowers@aol.com

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  3. That book sounds amazing! I read a MaryLu Tyndall book for the first time a few years ago and immediately fell in love with the way she writes plot, description and character. I can't wait to read this one. Please enter me in your contest!

    kariss.lynch@gmail.com

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  4. Thanks Laurie! Glad you enjoyed the next book too. (By the way, Laurie's got a fabulous new release herself called Lady in the Mist)
    Diana, thanks for entering... my husband allowed me to paint our living room a very subtle shade of dark pink. Of course it looked more like salmon in the paint store!
    Kariss... thanks for the kind words!... Have a great weekend, Ladies.

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  5. Oh.. and I forgot, the 2nd book in the series, Surrender the Night, releases next week! Like the first book, this story continues with exciting adventures during the war of 1812... with many of the same characters from book 1. This book, however, takes place on land in Baltimore and ends up in Washington DC when the British marched into our capital and nearly burned it to the ground. Oh, and it's also a great romance!

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  6. Sounds wonderful! Thank you for doing this giveaway! I'd like to enter, please.



    biblioprincess 15 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

    Thank you!

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  7. I'd love to enter this! I love MaryLu Tyndall's writing style and books! Thank you!

    nms1214@q.com

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  8. People must be getting excited about this next book coming out, too, "Surrender the Night". Thinking I may have to finally break down, buy the Kindle, and listen to it on text-to-speech which I hear is not too pretty but is functional!

    Laurie Alice and MaryLu go way back, having been critique partners. Great to see you both here. Thanks ML, also, for posting about the review.

    Diana, since I have been known to wear one black pump and one navy pump, together, just let me think it is rather pinkish! We once painted a bedroom Pepto Bismol pink (thankfully it dried lighter!)

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  9. Kariss, Rachel, and Nicole, Welcome! We must think alike! Will enter you in the drawing. Check back on March 1st, debut day for MaryLu's newest book!

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  10. I love Mary Lu Tyndall's books but I don't have this one it would be so great to have this book!! Ohh I really want to win. :)

    Thak you and God Bless You
    jenniferyoubert@rocketmail.com

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  11. I LOVE Mary Lu's Books!!!!

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  12. The Legacy of the King's Pirates was one of my favorite series. I so want to check this one out.

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  13. I have not read any of Ms. Tyndall's books yet, but since I'm interested in the Age of Sail, I would like to read one. Here is my email -

    jeanne (at) squeakycleanreviews (dot) com

    I'm assuming that the winner does not pay for shipping?

    Thanks!

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  14. I love MaryLu's books! I've been trying to win a copy of this book over on her website. No, luck yet, but I'll try to win it here. LOL!
    Amber Minnehan
    amberminnehan@yahoo.com

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  15. Congratulations, Nicole, you were picked by Random Number Generator! Send me your snail mail. Will be emailing this message to you, also. Blessings!

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  16. Congrats, Nicole! Carrie, you were talking about wearing two different colors of shoes, well that actually happened to me one time. I was invited to a party at my daughter-in-law's house and I am always one who dresses up even at the grocery store. Well, hubs was in a hurry, you know how that goes, and I quickly slipped on a pair of wedge heeled sandals, and out the door I flew. I'd been at the party for awhile and this young woman walked up to me, and said, "Do you have two different sandals on?" At first I didn't even look down, because the straps criss-crossed the same way, the wedge heels were exactly the same heighth and the comfort level was the same. I thought she was just playing a joke on me. Finally, I did look down and realized in my hurry I had slipped on similar sandals, however, one was black and one was brown. I quickly thanked her and kicked them off and put them by my purse. So the whole rest of the party I walked around barefoot. I guess everyone just thought I was more comfortable that way, b/c nobody said anything. I promise you that hasn't happened since, no matter how big of a hurry hubby's in, I always double check my shoes. lol Life's embarrassing moments...:)

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  17. I must have misread it! LOL! For some reason, I thought this was a chance to win Surrender the Night. I already have Surrender the Heart! LOL! But, it is an amazing read to all those who haven't read it yet!
    Amber Minnehan
    amberminnehan@yahoo.com

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  18. Thanks, Carrie! I'm excited now! I'm emailing you right now to give you my info. :) God bless!

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  19. Diana, and I lived in SC at the time, do you think it has anything to do with that? LOL A black pump and a navy pump to work. One of my colleagues had done the same thing to MUSC, another psychologist. I guess that makes us part of the Spaz club, LOL!

    Amber, come by next week when my copy comes in. Will be interviewing MaryLu also.

    Nicole, will go look, did not see it earlier. Congrats, again.

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  20. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be a spaz with, LOL!

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  21. I am very excited about this series by MaryLu! Please put me in for the drawing.

    Thanks and Blessings!

    Angel
    allstahrfamily[at]gmail[dot]com

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  22. Please enter me in the drawing for MaryLu's new book. this series about the War of 1812 looks so good. I really like hearing about how her characters have to overcome personal trials (like rape) before they can fully find the love God has planned for them.

    Carrie, I love the new look to your blog!

    snowboundintheup@hotmail.com

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  23. Friday, March 4th,
    "Morning, Carrie and MaryLu".
    MaryLu ... thanks for sharing what you did in this interview. I did not know your personal past life-history, of growing up without a Dad. And then, to hear where you "came from" (lifestyles) ... to where you are "now today" ... totally remarkable, and nothing short of a miracle from God and His Grace ! Praise God, for His Divine Mercy and Grace, and Unconditional Love .... for us "all" (or truthfully, none of us might be where we are today) !!!
    I have all of your books, except this newest one 'Surrender the Night' ... and I would love to be the proud owner of it ! (Can hardly wait to be reading it.)
    Your style of writing is SO obviously a God-given talent, you just 'nail it' every time !!! Your novels are - suspenseful, entertaining, interesting, captivating, inspirational ... and the list goes on and on. They are NEVER predictable ... but keep you guessing from start to finish ! I truly, enjoy and appreciate your writing capabilities !
    Thanks again, for yet another chance, to try to win a copy.
    Hope all is well. Take care, and, God Bless,
    In Him, Brenda Hurley
    ( brennie7@hotmail.com )

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  24. Sounds great! Please enter me as would love to read the book.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  25. I have read every one of MaryLu Tyndall's books except this one now! I can't wait to read! I know it is going to be absolutely AMAZING!! :D

    sarah45431@hotmail.com

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  26. I am very excited to read this book, MaryLu's books are always entertaining. I loved her Pirate series. :)

    Thanks for the entry!

    herrins1@harneyesd.k12.or.us

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  27. I really enjoyed Mary Lu's interview and the review of her latest book, which I'm dying to read! I've read several of her works, and like her characters as well as the storylines...so inspiring. I'd love to be entered in this giveaway...thank you!
    Have a blessed day,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56{at]aol[dot]com

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  28. Great interview. I loved the first book in this series and cant wait to read this one.

    God bless

    arieljo12@hotmail.com

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  29. This books sounds so wonderful! I would love to read it. Thank you for entering me in this contest.


    Rachelle R.

    biblioprincess15 at yahoo dot com

    Thanks again!

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  30. I haven't read this author but the book review makes me want to! Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  31. I love MaryLu's books....she is a fantastic writer. I am very anxious to read this one...thanks for entering me.
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

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  32. MaryLu is a very talented author! I'm sure this book will be great! Thanks for the chance to win her book!

    suzannemcniel@gmail.com

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  33. Surrender The Night sounds like a wonderful read! I've read a lot of reviews, and its on my must read list!
    Enjoyed the interview, and knowing a bit more about the book, and about MaryLu.
    Thanks for the chance to win her book.
    Blessings.....Joy Hannabass
    ibjoy1953[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  34. I'd love to win MaryLu's book!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  35. Surrender The Night sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to win one of MaryLu's books! Thank you!! kcmelone[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  36. If I comment twice, do I get entered into the drawing twice? Just kidding! :^) It nice to stop by again and see you guys. I'm excited about this book and hoping to get my hands on a copy eventually.

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  37. What a great interview. Carrie, you sure know how to ask excellent, thought provoking questions that get to the heart. And Mary Lu, your transparency is a wonderful testimony to your Heavenly Father's love for you and others! I was very moved by this post and love your books!

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  38. You made me realize how blessed I am, MaryLu. Having a father is something i took for granted. And your prayers for him mean so much to me. You are a blessing to me!

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