The Reckoning By MaryLu Tyndall
Ransom Press, June 2015
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
Five Stars!~
Adventure On The High Seas!
With pen in hand, er quill rather, Marylu Tyndall has written a story of a love that transcends time—as a disheartened young woman from the 21st century suddenly finds herself on a mesmerizing shipboard journey through frothy, glittering, turquoise waters surrounded by a band of pillaging, filthy, swashbuckling pirates...300 years in the past!
24 year old Morgan Shaw feels virtually hopeless upon finding out she has stage 3 cancer, and is unceremoniously dumped by her shallow boyfriend because of it. When she creeps into the hold of an old pirate ship replica at San Diego’s Annual Tall Ship Festival to avoid seeing her ex, she hits her head and awakens to find herself on a real pirate ship, The Reckoning. At first Morgan thinks the pirates are all actors hired by her wealthy father to distract her, but realization soon begins to hit home.
24 year old Morgan Shaw feels virtually hopeless upon finding out she has stage 3 cancer, and is unceremoniously dumped by her shallow boyfriend because of it. When she creeps into the hold of an old pirate ship replica at San Diego’s Annual Tall Ship Festival to avoid seeing her ex, she hits her head and awakens to find herself on a real pirate ship, The Reckoning. At first Morgan thinks the pirates are all actors hired by her wealthy father to distract her, but realization soon begins to hit home.
The Reckoning just happens to belong to one of the most notorious and vicious pirates to sail the Caribbean, Rowan Dutton. Rowan Dutton has but two things on his mind—buried treasure and other men's wives, and Morgan is desperate to get away from this filthy (albeit handsome) pirate and return home. But something about this lady with her odd clothes and speech enthralls him and he playfully nicknames her Lady Minx. When Morgan unknowingly betrays Rowan, danger encompasses The Reckoning and everyone aboard. Will Morgan make it safely back to the 21st century?...and if so can she bear to leave Rowan behind? And does any of it matter since she is living on borrowed time anyway? Could it be that God has a plan amidst all of this turmoil?
What an amazing, unpredictable read with more twists and turns than a treasure map! Initially I was not sure about the time travel aspect of the story, but MaryLu Tyndall handles this theme so pragmatically that I stayed glued to the pages—with emotions as tossed as a ship upon the tumultuous seas. I was so torn between wanting Morgan to make it home for her chemo treatments, but hoping she might stay as well. I loved the humorous interplay between the main characters; they truly loved to egg each other on! The story of God's redemption and love was beautifully interwoven throughout the storyline, and the conclusion was surprising indeed! One of Ms. Tyndall's best to date in my opinion. Be sure to grab a copy today, me hearties!
This book may be purchase through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below and you will have a chance to WIN one of TWO copies (one being an e-book) of The Reckoning!
Diana, I was already planning on reading this, but, after your great review, I will be on the edge of my seat until I am able too!
ReplyDeleteMAMMAG, perhaps you will win a copy here! Thank you!
DeleteAwesome review Diana!! Loved the line '... unpredictable read with more twists and turns than a treasure map!' :) So very true and just one of the many things I loved about this story (and others) of MaryLu's. I love reading conversations too, especially between characters with charisma and sparks between them... So that interplay you mentioned was something else that totally won me over with this book! I've already got 2 family members lined up to read my paperback when I purchase one! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, NOELA! You're so sweet! My grandson was here while I was posting my review and he begged me to let him read it. haha I told him he was only 8 and there was kissing in it (thinking that would gross him out), but he still begged to read it. :) I enjoyed the sparks and charisma especially as well...why didn't I think of those two words whilst writing my review. Mayhaps I should change it! ;)
DeleteGreat review, Diana! "The Reckoning" is a fantastic book. I totally enjoyed the banter between Morgan and Rowan. Yes, MaryLu did a wonderful job with the time-travel aspect of the story, and once again, it was like having a history lesson (only better) with MaryLu's beloved pirates. I absolutely LOVED it and I highly recommend it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank so much for coming by and sharing, ANGI! I always learn a lot while reading MaryLu's books. But I'm having so much fun reading it I don't realize I'm learning anything. She kinda sneaks that in on us. ;) And my, how a lady can write ship battles like she does is beyond me!!!
DeleteDiana, thank you for the fabulous review! I am ready for a time traveling, swashbuckling adventure.
ReplyDeleteHi, CARYL!! Thank you for your kind words! You will surely get lost between the pages of this amazing book.
DeleteI haven't read any pirates stories but would love to win this one so I can change my statement to I love pirates stories by MaryLu Tyndall
ReplyDeleteAnd you will, DEBBIE! Lol! This one will take you so far back in time you'll get lost between the pages. Just don't forget to come back! Gasp ;)
DeleteAny book that brings awareness to cancer is a must read. Thank you so much. I can not wait to read this one. I pray that people will see Morgan as more than someone with cancer and that a life can be changed from this.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of cancer survivors again we thank you.
SONNETTA, thank you for sharing! What a lovely name you have...perfect for a novel! I thought perhaps the book might be dark b/c of the cancer issue, but it's far from it. It is all about hope, excitement, and....life!
DeleteThat is why I would encourage people to read it. Some of us are living with God and it makes a big difference when you have a relationship with God. You get to view life through his eyes. Cancer is like any other disease that we have to live with and still enjoy our life.
DeleteYou can definitely use the name for a novel.
God is someone our heroine has a problem with to a certain extent, SONNETTA. She has a head knowledge of who He is (like so many Christians including her parents), but it takes a crisis to really know Him for herself!
DeleteThanks for the fabulous review, Diana. I would so love to win and read this book!!
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
You're welcome, BETTI! Thank you and lots of luck in the giveaway!
DeleteYowwza! What a GREAT review, Diana!! I'm stunned. You wonderful OWG ladies know how to write reviews. I'm truly blessed to have such thoughtful well-spoken Godly women write their opinions of my books. I feel so blessed each time I have a book release. May God bless you for your kindness. <3
ReplyDeleteFunny that I'm hearing most people wouldn't normally pick up a time travel! I've always loved them... ever since first reading Diana Galbadon's Outlander. But, you're right.. it's not a normal genre for me.... yet most of the book takes place in the past where I feel most comfortable. :-)
I don't know how to express my thanks to you, Diana, and to Noela for her review yesterday. I'm off to share! HUGS HUGS HUGS!! Also waving to everyone who commented!! Some are friends, some are new to me!! Thanks for stopping by!
MARYLU, you're more than kind! Thank you. We here at OWG appreciate you and in case you couldn't tell, we also love your books! I rather cringed when I thought of you reading my review, b/c who can do this great book justice? I'm the one that was stunned! I read a well known author's time travel books and enjoyed them very much! I think mayhaps (you have Noela and me using that word now-lol), readers won't think a time travel book is realistic, but that just isn't the case with your books. When you think about it, every time we read a historical fiction book we are going back in time, right? HUGS back to you, MARYLU! Keep writing these juicy books!
DeleteI'm still over here jumping up and down saying, Pick Me, Pick Me!!! hehe :)
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, ANNE! lol We love persistency here at OWG -- hope it pays off for you!
DeleteYes anyone will to talk about cancer is a must read.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much more than that, too, KIM! I so hope you get the chance to read this! Blessings~
DeleteEvery review I read about The Reckoning confirms that I need to read this book to find out how MaryLu accomplishes this very fascinating plot. I think it's rather beyond my imagination. I've enjoyed other books by MaryLu and this sounds like another I will really like. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletePAM, we were just talking about that below. Imagination. That part of my brain must be pea-sized compared to MaryLu's. Lol I just don't know where all her amazing thoughts and ideas come from!
DeleteYep, definitely one NOT to miss! The more reviews, interviews, & excerpts that I read, the more this book intrigues me. MaryLu is a master of words, her characters vivid as her imagination!
ReplyDeleteTRIXI, wait to see how far YOUR imagination takes you while reading this one! I was thinking about that while reading this book. I could never think of all the stuff MaryLu packs into a book --- it amazes me!
DeleteI am so wanting to read this.. the reviews are pulling me in :)
ReplyDeleteLove her books...
DEANNA, this one will knock your socks off! Should you be wearing any, which I strongly doubt! ;) Good luck in the drawing!!
DeleteYou "wow-ed" me (not a pirate term, for sure, lol) - with that beautiful descriptive review, Diana!! Thank you!! I - too, am a person who doesn't normally read time-travel novels, however, I can't wait to read this one. I know that I will be thoroughly engrossed with the descriptive characters, setting and story line in "The Reckoning", enthused by it's suspense, educated with those bits of knowledge tucked within it's pages - all while being blessed by it's inspiration. MaryLu always masters any subject she writes on - another case in point: mermaids ("Tears of the Sea").
ReplyDeleteThank you, BONNIE, for your sweet words to me and to MaryLu! I am certain you will have a hard time putting this one down. It so blessed me to have the opportunity to read it! Let's see -- a pirate term for wow-ed...shiver me timbers?? I have no clue. Lol
DeleteEverything tells me I am going to enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteEverything tells me you're right, MARY! lol
DeleteI actually have not read this yet (busy with a couple real life situations..) BUT I am so tripping over myself excited to read this!! My two favorite genres..Pirates and Time Travel!! I am sure Mary Lu heard me fan-girling over this book! AAAhhhh!!! No way!! :D So as soon as things settle in the next few weeks (daughter is getting ready to leave to Japan for work..for 1-3 years). I know I will be needing something to occupy my time when she leaves. :)
ReplyDeleteWell this one is right up your alley, RUTH! Get ready to go on the trip of your life as well! To the Caribbean! lol
DeleteMarylu made me fall in love with pirates and that even they... could come to know the Lord!
ReplyDeletemissionwife at hotmail dot com
Indeed they can - and DO in MaryLu's books! So cool! Good to see you again, MELODY!
DeleteWow! What a great cover! This one certainly looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing, MELANIE! Hope you get the chance to read it ASAP!
DeleteThanks for your review Diana. Wish I could write reviews like this. No way. Would love to win MaryLu's book.
ReplyDeleteMaxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Oh, thank you, MAXIE! I'll just bet you could. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteOkay, you guys, you've totally convinced me now that I must read this book. And I do adore time travel when it's done well and this one sounds like it definitely is. Sigh....how can I possibly read all the books I want to read?????? Such a lovely dilemma, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is, KAV! Well done AND a lovely dilemma. lol Nobody writes about hunky pirates like ML Tyndall!
DeleteLike you, I'm not sure I would automatically pick up a book with a time travel aspect, but this sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wait until you read it, PATTY. Someday I want to reread it and I never reread books! Tossing your name in my cyberhat!
DeleteI am halfway through the book and am reading more tonight, Diana! Lovely review, as usual! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhen you get a bit over halfway through there's no stopping place, CARRIE! Thank you!
DeleteWell if Reckoning is anything like Tears of the Sea I can't wait to read it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the chance to read it soon, JENNIFER!! All of her books that I have read are the BoMb, and I have read just about every one! Thx for coming by OWG!! :)
DeleteI love the time travel twist. I can't wait to read The Reckoning !
ReplyDeleteWorthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
I think you will enjoy all the many twists in this delicious book, MERRY! :) I love an unpredictable read, don't you? Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteLoving the reviews on this book and anything written by Marylu has been excellent!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you , NANCY! I have read almost all of MaryLu's books and they are all so good...and "out of the box." Good luck!
DeleteI would love to win this great book looks like a great read to read on the beach vegging out.
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely, TAMMY! Just don't climb aboard any old pirate ships! (wink)
DeleteWas searching Amazon for some good quality Christian adventure romance novels, and came across MaryLu Tyndall. Her books are amazing and you really feel like a part of the story. =) would love to win her newest in this series for free. Got the first 3 books for free thanks to some gift cards i won though Swagbucks, so why not keep with the free book trend? ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is Book 5 in this series, SMITTY FAN, but can be read as a stand alone. A winning streak is fabulous! Hope it keeps up for you!
DeleteI'm with Nancy on this one! I love all the reviews on The Reckoning and anything by Marylu!! I recently found a collection of hers called Surrender to Destiny. As I am a huge fan of time-travel books and historical fiction, you've really piqued my interest. Thank you for sharing your review with us, Diana! On an aside note, I really like the book cover. The guy on the cover looks like Ben Barnes aka Prince Caspian. - Juli emeraldelena@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, JULIANNA! Yeah, he is one hunky pirate, isn't he? Lol Good luck in the drawing!!
Delete