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18 October 2014

"Christmas Bounty" by MaryLu Tyndall - Review


The Westward Christmas Brides Collection

The Westward Christmas Brides Collection (Barbour Books, 2014)
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels 

Five out of Five Stars! *****

Christmas Bounty
by MaryLu Tyndall

Set in Santa Barbara, California, in 1855, this is an engaging story that is pure MaryLu! Of course we had to have a handsome pirate with a heart of gold.  Widowed Caroline Moreau is attempting to fulfill her late husband's wish of producing wine that will rival that made in Europe. With her two young children, Phillippe and Abilene, she faces danger in this task. Someone is trying to sabotage her efforts.  When captured pirate, Dante, is about to hang from the gallows, Caroline rescues him. He in turn, in the story, saves her and her children. But the relationship is fraught with difficulties. Neither one wants to accept their relationship as more than a business arrangement--but their hearts say otherwise.

This story is unique and you won't want to put it down until you are through reading it.  MaryLu Tyndall fans know that she creates swoon-worthy heroes and she doesn't disappoint in this novella. The ending has a bit of "Gift of the Magi" feel to it, with the sacrifices made. I loved that story by O. Henry, another great Christmas read and a classic.

Giveaway: OWG is giving away a paperback or ebook copy of this book this week. Susan Page Davis, who has a new novel out set in Maine, is also giving away a copy of The Westward Christmas Brides plus a copy of her new novel Mainely Mysteries!
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30 comments:

  1. MaryLu TyndallOctober 18, 2014 at 4:34 PM

    Thank you, Carrie! I'm so glad you liked my story. :-) Hugs!

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  2. Christina SpicuzzaOctober 18, 2014 at 6:17 PM

    Thank you for this review!!! It sounds great!!! I would absolutely LOVE to win a paperback copy of this book!!!! I am a HUGE reader! I love your blog! OWG rocks!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 18, 2014 at 9:29 PM

      TY Christina! This is a huge book! It has really pretty deckle edges.

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  3. Christina SpicuzzaOctober 18, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Caryl KaneOctober 18, 2014 at 6:23 PM

    Carrie, thanks for the review. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... ;) Looking forward to reading these books.

    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 18, 2014 at 9:29 PM

      I've been reading Christmas stories for weeks now and I expect I'll continue until my inlaws arrive for Christmas! Blessings!

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  5. AnonymousOctober 18, 2014 at 6:38 PM

    Looking forward to win and reading the book.

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  6. UnknownOctober 18, 2014 at 6:47 PM

    Thank you Carrie for a lovely review and a great giveaway.

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  7. Brenda HurleyOctober 18, 2014 at 8:19 PM

    Absolutely love the sound of this story .... another "MaryLu-hit" for sure, the way she knows how to bring her story together !!! I would very much like to be entered into the contest. Thank-you SO much Carrie, for providing this opportunity !!!
    Take care,and, God Bless, In Him, Brenda Hurley

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 18, 2014 at 9:30 PM

      Brenda, this is classic MaryLu!!! A wonderful novella! I hope she'll enter it in some contests. Blessings!

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  8. Mary PrestonOctober 18, 2014 at 9:14 PM

    I always appreciate a unique read. Great review thank you.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 18, 2014 at 9:31 PM

      Yes, I agree, it gets boring to read same old same old, Mary! Blessings!

      Delete
  9. susanluluOctober 18, 2014 at 9:51 PM

    Books like this are so much fun to read! I enjoyed this post, as I know I would enjoy the book.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 19, 2014 at 2:08 PM

      It is heavy. I love the cover and deckle edges but it is hard to hold. The stories are great, Susan!

      Delete
  10. Bonnie RoofOctober 18, 2014 at 11:37 PM

    Thanks for your great review, Carrie!!

    Can't wait to read "The Westward Christmas Brides Collection", and MaryLu's "Christmas Bounty" - especially!! You can always count on her to have an unusual story line, exciting adventure, swoon-worthy characters, and wonderful inspiration - in addition to that romance!!

    I love anything MaryLu writes and am always inspired by her love for God and the inspiring story lines she includes in her novels!!

    Shared post!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 19, 2014 at 2:10 PM

      I know what you mean, Bonnie! I think it's time for me to find any MaryLu books I haven't read and get to them! Her strong faith really shines though in each story!

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  11. MerryOctober 18, 2014 at 11:55 PM

    MaryLu's story sounds wonderful, I love the pirate being rescued by the lady!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsOctober 19, 2014 at 2:11 PM

      Great twist in the story line! Really unique story. I hope she'll enter this novella in some contests. MaryLu just won a contest for one of her books, this past week!

      Delete
  12. UnknownOctober 19, 2014 at 12:59 AM

    Ahh another one of my favourites!! But then it's hard not to love, or swoon over, anything that MaryLu writes! :-) Great review CARRIE, and you were right... I didn't want to put it down until it was finished!

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  13. Diana FlowersOctober 19, 2014 at 9:00 AM

    UGH, my comment didn't take! Now to remember what I said. :/ Oh yes. Did someone mention MARYLU and pirates? Count me in! Sounds like another typically wonderful story by MaryLu Tyndall, that I can't wait to read cuddled up by the cozy fireplace this winter. Great review, CARRIE!

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  14. Heidi Reads...October 19, 2014 at 4:00 PM

    I love Christmas novellas! Looking forward to reading this collection! Thanks for sharing your review!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  15. UnknownOctober 20, 2014 at 12:10 AM

    oh Wow! It sounds great
    God bless you
    ChrisG

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  16. PattyOctober 20, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    Thanks for sharing your review Carrie! I love this time period and western setting in American history...

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. bn100October 20, 2014 at 10:52 PM

    Nice review

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  18. Mary KoesterOctober 21, 2014 at 6:41 PM

    Who doesn't love pirate stories? Your novella out me in the mood for Christmas stories, Carrie! Nice review.

    Mary

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  19. UnknownOctober 22, 2014 at 5:58 AM

    Love MaryLu's books:) Thank you for sharing your review, would love to win a copy:)

    Rebecca

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  20. Library LadyOctober 22, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win in your giveaway. I very much enjoyed reading your review.
    Janet E.

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