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12 July 2012

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall



Veil of Pearls
By MaryLu Tyndall
(Barbour, 2012)
5 stars*****


Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels


MaryLu’s Best Book Yet!

Althea become Adelia when she escaped Sir Walter Miles. MaryLu Tyndall’s newest story, set in federalist era Charleston, South Carolina, has all the makings of an amazing novel. The setting, the characterization, the story, and MaryLu’s voice come together to give the reader an amazing emotional experience. I would like to thank Barbour for allowing the Colonial American Christian Writers and the Overcoming Through Time—With God’s Help blog, an advance PDF copy to read.  I flat-out loved this story.

It takes a multi-published author to pull off a story about a white slave who has raced to her freedom, from the islands where Althea enjoyed a happy childhood until taken captive by Miles, and then becoming Adelia, a healer working with a physician in Charleston. Adelia is a feisty gal who has had to struggle to become free and has endured insufferable indignities at the hand of her “owner.”

Fabulous job of conveying the physician’s own mixed reactions to his times and to slavery and of incorporating his back story into the work with a deft hand. And of showing Adelia’s reaction to the slaves in Charleston and the sweet little girl that is slave to the doctor.

Her early interaction with the Rutledge family, wealthy plantation owners, portends of the problems that could bring strife between Adelia and the very bored Morgan—who needs to get a life.  He, also has been living a double existence, unbeknownst to his father.  With unflinching detail, MaryLu exposes Morgan’s father and brother as the brutes they are. 

Adalia,finds herself pulled into a society that will never fully accept her if they find out the truth of her past. I sure hope all those families in Charleston, where I lived for seven years, don’t take offense at their last names being associated with some nasty characters, such as the ever-spiteful Emerald Middleton.  Miss Middleton is “a piece of work” as we’d call her nowadays. Both Morgan and Adelia need the Lord to help them with their situation and with this conniver.  There is also a demonic-type character in this book who well portrays how satan tries to come against us when we are at our weakest.

This was an amazing book. MaryLu's best book yet!!! You will be thinking about this book and the characters long after you are done reading.  I would LOVE to see this made into a movie.  It would be great. 




MaryLu's books can be found on CBDAmazonLifewayBarnes and Noble, and other book stores.


Thank you to Marian Baay for the book trailer.  You can read Marian's review on Colonial Quills (click here.)



GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of MaryLu's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in Kindle format not as a paperback.

64 comments:

  1. FABULOUS REVIEW CARRIE! I can't wait to re-read this book. Loved your statement about Emerald...that was very nice of you to say she is "a piece of work" LOL!!

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  2. Another awesome review as usual, CARRIE! This ranks as one of my favorite books--ever...along with a few others. Fabulous movie material as you stated. Everyone needs to put this one on their wishlist, and make their wishes come true. They certainly won't be sorry they did!

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  3. Awesome review, CARRIE! As you told me I didn't read it while I added the book trailer. :))LOL

    I was wondering if this is the first book that the we ALL have reviewed?

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  4. I agree that it was her best book yet! I read a big honking galley version where the pages were falling out. I'd love to win a copy of the actual book so I could go back and read it again sometime.

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  5. GREAT REVIEW, Carrie, and you are dead-on -- this is DEFINITELY MaryLu's BEST BOOK YET, which is really saying something since she is the top of the heap as far as I am concerned and one of my all-time FAVES!!!

    Drop-dead cover, to-die-for story and a deadly hero -- this is a book EVERYBODY needs to read or die trying!! ;) (Not sure where the "death" theme came from except for my desire to kill the villain in VOP!!)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  6. I got one of those too, MICHELLE, and it was such a blessing to get an actual copy. I've got it displayed in my livingroom--matches my decor beautifully! It's such a lovely cover.

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  7. Thanks TERESA! I really struggled with what to say about Emerald, lol! Thought that phrase kind of covered it.

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  8. DIANA, yes I loved this book too and hope they will make this into a movie!

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  9. MICHELLE! I think DIANA got one like that, too!!! We ended up getting her a physical copy of the book, too, because of that. We'll put you in for the drawing!

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  10. I have been to Middleton Plantation so I recognize that name! Thanks for the excellent review. It sounds like there is great depth in the characters you described. I would really like to read this book. Thank you for offering a copy for the contest.

    Blessings, Janice jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. JULIE! Exactly--this book does have everything in it to make it a winner. I think if I wrote it I'd be intimidated to write another after this one, it's so good. We'll keep praying MaryLu draws on those deep wellsprings of creativity and craft for her future works!

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  12. JANICE, we used to have a membership for our family at Middleton Plantation--I love that place and have an unfinished MS set there! Will put you in for the drawing!

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  13. I loved your review Carrie! Surrender the Night was pretty good, so i am excited to hear you call VOP her best yet :-)

    gwen(dot)gage(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Somehow I haven't read any of MaryLu's books yet. Really looking forward to reading this one since I've been hearing such great things about it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Brooke
    iblog4books[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. GWEN! This book is even better than StN, which was great!

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  16. BROOKE! you are missing out--you need to remedy that situation! Thanks for coming by!

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  17. Awesome review, Carrie! Looking forward to reading VOP but don't enter me as I've already ordered it. ;-) Congrats, MaryLu!

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  18. Great review, Carrie. I just finished reading Veil of Pearls and was struck again at what a great job MaryLu does weaving history/research into her novels. I never understood how Christians who fought so passionately for liberty could also justify the buying and selling of other human beings. In Veil of Pearls MaryLu tenaciously digs down into her characters’ deepest feelings about the atrocious practice of slavery (from someone who is a slave, someone who owns and abuses that slave, someone who considers himself a benevolent master, others who justify the practice because it is a part of society, others who have been reared to see slaves as less than human, and finally to someone whose renewed faith in God and his abiding love allows him to overcome his prejudice). MaryLu courageously holds up a mirror to her characters who react as most humans – some preen, some glance away and some don’t like what they see and run away, while others, seeing the truth as God would have them see it, take note and make changes.

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  19. So good to see MaryLu here! I've always loved the cover of this book and can't wait to read this one. MaryLu writes beautifully and carries a wonderful spiritual message in each of her books. Please don't enter me in the drawing as I just rec'd the book! Bless you all!

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  20. I've heard several people talk about the movie potential of this book, would love to read it.

    rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

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  21. I would love to win a book! Thank You. Terri Clark Terrilea@yahoo.com

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  22. ELAINE, Good to see you and the other CACW gang here! You will love this book! Thanks for visiting with us!

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  23. SUSAN, you just need to copy your comment and post it in as a review on Amazon and the other places! Great metaphor. Thanks for coming by! Am sending your MS to my Kindle and am going to try the comments feature. Blessings!

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  24. LAURA, we are so blessed to have you, Susan, Elaine, and MaryLu with us on CACW and contributing to CQ! Gives us first dibs and heads up on great books like this one, too!

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  25. MELISSA, all four of us on this blog read and reviewed the book and we all thought this would make an amazing movie. I wonder who MaryLu's agent needs to approach about that possibility?

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  26. TERRI, welcome, and we'll put your name in the random.org hat!

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  27. Wow, Carrie! All I can say is Wow. What a great review! Thank you so very much!!! And Hello everyone else!! Thank you for dropping by to support my new release! It means the world to me.

    Waving at my dear Colonial Quills friends!! And to dear Julie Lessman and Michelle Sutton! I don't know why God has blessed me with so many wonderful online friends!! who all have such gracious hearts..

    Veil of Pearls is truly the story of my own struggle to overcome worrying about what others think of me... wanting so badly to fit in but always ending up on the fringe. (Actually, I've discovered the fringe is a better place anyway!) And only caring about what God thinks is the answer to finding true peace and self-acceptance.

    Hugs to all!

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  28. Wow, this book is getting such raves! Can't wait to read it.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. Thanks MARYLU!! Glad you liked the review!I am so glad the Lord used this writing to minister to you and to others through your words.

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  30. Fabulous review! The more I read about this book, the more I want to read it. Just added it to my Goodreads list.

    brendon8@bellsouth.net

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  31. I'm impressed, it sounds like a very well done story! The little movie got me in the mood to read it! =-D
    bskaggs(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  32. I think I'd enjoy reading this book thanks for the chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  33. I've never read any of MaryLu's books. This sounds like a great one to start with. So many wonderful reviews can't all be wrong. ;-)

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  34. And my email is

    andeemarie95 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  35. A great review thanks Carrie, and a book that will be definitely going up the top on my 'To Read' list! :)

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  36. Awesome review!! I love MaryLu's books and cannot wait to read this one!

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  37. New author for me. I would love to win!! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  38. I'd love to read this. I find myself worrying about what others think and have to keep telling myself God is the one we need to please!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  39. Would love to read this book!

    battles2001@hotmail.com

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  40. I think I read 'The Falcon and the Sparrow' several years back, but I think thats the only one I've read by MaryLu. Would love to read another!
    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. Carrie, I'm reading the book now and loving every word! MaryLu outdoes herself with every book. Just when I think it can't get better she pulls it off. She is one of my favorite authors and this book lets everyone know why.

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  42. I have had Veil of Pearls on my wish list since the first review I read. So looking forward to reading. Love the cover. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  43. I loved your review!!! You have me sold! I have heard so much about this book and would love a chance to get my hands on it!

    sherrinda (at) gmail (dot) com

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  44. BRENDA-I hope you get a copy in your hands soon!

    TEDDY-I would like to see that little movie turned into a full length movie! This book was that good!

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  45. SHERRINDA! Thanks! You will love this book. If you don't win, go buy it! Good to see you here!

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  47. DEBBIE LYNNE!!! Thanks so much for coming by. I felt exactly the same way when I read this book! Have a blessed day and THANKS so much for all you do through Fiction Addiction and getting the word out about blogs!

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  48. PATTY, I am going to be honest (and hope ML doesn't see this, lol) but Falcon and Sparrow was my least fav book of hers and none of the others I have read have been like it. DIANA and I recently discussed how every author is entitled to a book that we don't like--isn't that nice of us LOL!!! Thanks for coming by!

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  49. PATTY, reading this one will make you a MaryLu fan for life! Thanks for coming by!

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  50. APPLE BLOSSOM, KATHLEEN, MISS CLARK, and MISS KALLIE, good to see our friends here! Will enter you all! KATHLEEN--I thought you won this book on CQ or here already. I must be confused but I'll check my email.

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  51. MELISSA and KATHLEEN-Good luck ladies!

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  52. ANDREA, you have been missing out!!! Get thee hence to your public library or borrow one of ML's books on Kindle from a friend and you'll be hooked! Heck, I'll loan you one of mine on Kindle. Her books are like those Pringle chips!

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  53. NOELA!! We love having international visitors here! So glad you found us. Welcome!!!

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  54. NOELA-What a lovely name! Definitely put this one next, gf!

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  55. LADETTE, I can't believe you haven't won this yet some place! You'll love this book as you have the others. Hoping you get your chance this week!

    MELISSA, same with you, you reading gal--hey have you seen it out at the bookstores yet?

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  56. DIANA--LOL, yeah, well we used a different word, didn't we!!!

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  57. Carrie, awesome review! MaryLu's books just keep getting better and better, don't they? I haven't read it yet, but the reviews have been fantastic. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway. Have a great weekend!

    bookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. Thanks ANGI! Absolutely--ML's books do get better and better! Thanks for coming by!

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  59. I can't wait to read this book!!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  60. MARISSA, Make sure to set aside some time for when it comes in!

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