Today on Must Love Books we have a very special guest! And that guest is:
MaryLu Tyndall!!!
Keep reading to hear more about MaryLu and the awesome books that she writes!
1. Welcome to Must Love Books. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m an introvert, patriot, mother, neighborhood cat-lady, tall ship enthusiast, friend of pirates and mermaids, obsessive compulsive control freak, history lover, hopeless romantic, and a sword wielding princess-warrior of the King of Kings. I have 13 published books, all historical romances that are filled with adventure and romance and themes that are guaranteed to touch your heart. I grew up in Florida but currently live in California with my husband, 6 kids and various stray cats!
2. Your new book, Elusive Hope, is the second book in your Escape to Paradise series. Can you tell us a little bit about this series?
The series follows the adventures of a group of colonists who flee the war-raged Southern States after the Civil War and immigrate to Brazil where they hope to set up a Southern Utopia. Forsaken Dreams, Book 1, tells the tale of their journey to Brazil and the love story of two passengers, Eliza and Grant, who must overcome their bitterness from loss and the war in order to find love. Book 2, Elusive Hope, is the story of two more colonists, a con man and a spoiled Southern Belle who are thrown together as they journey through the jungle to Rio de Janeiro. Both of them are harboring secrets that could destroy the other one. They encounter strange happenings along the way–eerie mists, visions, even wolves–but something even stranger happens during their trek. They fall in love.
The series follows the adventures of a group of colonists who flee the war-raged Southern States after the Civil War and immigrate to Brazil where they hope to set up a Southern Utopia. Forsaken Dreams, Book 1, tells the tale of their journey to Brazil and the love story of two passengers, Eliza and Grant, who must overcome their bitterness from loss and the war in order to find love. Book 2, Elusive Hope, is the story of two more colonists, a con man and a spoiled Southern Belle who are thrown together as they journey through the jungle to Rio de Janeiro. Both of them are harboring secrets that could destroy the other one. They encounter strange happenings along the way–eerie mists, visions, even wolves–but something even stranger happens during their trek. They fall in love.
3. Who is your favorite character in Elusive Hope?
Hayden Gale, the hero in the story. He’s a man’s man who knows how to take care of himself and his lady. He’s smart, handsome, resourceful and brave. Yet he’s also kind and caring and deeply wounded by the rejection and abandonment of his father. I love writing these complex characters because you really never know what they are going to do. 🙂
Hayden Gale, the hero in the story. He’s a man’s man who knows how to take care of himself and his lady. He’s smart, handsome, resourceful and brave. Yet he’s also kind and caring and deeply wounded by the rejection and abandonment of his father. I love writing these complex characters because you really never know what they are going to do. 🙂
4. Your books include a lot of spiritual warfare. What is the most difficult thing about writing about spiritual warfare?
Making it sound genuine and real. I don’t want it to come across hokey or cartoonish because the war we are all involved in is very real and very powerful. Having experienced this type of warfare in my own life, I feel led to attempt to share with others the things I have seen and learned.
Making it sound genuine and real. I don’t want it to come across hokey or cartoonish because the war we are all involved in is very real and very powerful. Having experienced this type of warfare in my own life, I feel led to attempt to share with others the things I have seen and learned.
5. What made you decide to write about the spiritual aspect of the world?
In a culture where so many non-believers are obsessed with the dark side of the supernatural,things such as zombies and warewolves and vampires, I wanted to show that there’s a light side to the spiritual realm as well, We are all involved in a battle of good vs. evil whether we want to admit it or not. The bad side gets lots of press. The good side gets mocked. I feel as a Christian writer, it is my duty to pull back the veil of eternity and give readers a glimpse of the battle and show the power they have in the name of Jesus to win that battle on a daily basis.
In a culture where so many non-believers are obsessed with the dark side of the supernatural,things such as zombies and warewolves and vampires, I wanted to show that there’s a light side to the spiritual realm as well, We are all involved in a battle of good vs. evil whether we want to admit it or not. The bad side gets lots of press. The good side gets mocked. I feel as a Christian writer, it is my duty to pull back the veil of eternity and give readers a glimpse of the battle and show the power they have in the name of Jesus to win that battle on a daily basis.
6. What is your favorite book that you have written?
My very first novel, The Redemption, will always be my favorite! For a number of reasons, one I had so much fun writing it because at the time I had no expectations it would ever get published, and two, the heroine’s journey mirrors my own search for that unconditional father’s love and the value and purpose that can only come from God. Besides, what’s not to like about a Christian Pirate?!
My very first novel, The Redemption, will always be my favorite! For a number of reasons, one I had so much fun writing it because at the time I had no expectations it would ever get published, and two, the heroine’s journey mirrors my own search for that unconditional father’s love and the value and purpose that can only come from God. Besides, what’s not to like about a Christian Pirate?!
7. It is hard to find books in the genre that you write. Are there any books/authors similar to your writing that you would suggest?
If by my genre, you mean sea-faring swashbuckling stories, no, I haven’t found anything similar in the Christian Market. However, I do have some favorite authors who write adventurous historical romances: Michelle Griep, Laurie Alice Eakes, Jessica Dotta… and a couple of old favorites, Georgette Heyer and Raphael Sabatinni.
8. Do you prefer ereaders or real books?
I like both! I have a Kindle and it’s great to carry hundreds of books with me wherever I go. But I must admit, I do love the feel of a book in my hand, and I prefer to have real copies of my favorite books.
I like both! I have a Kindle and it’s great to carry hundreds of books with me wherever I go. But I must admit, I do love the feel of a book in my hand, and I prefer to have real copies of my favorite books.
9. What is your favorite place that you have traveled for your research?
Charleston, South Carolina!! Wow, what a cool city! If you haven’t been, I highly recommend you stay in a hotel down in the historic district and take some tours down the old cobblestone streets and into the beautiful homes and parks that have been there for centuries! There’s even an old dungeon where they used to keep pirates!
Charleston, South Carolina!! Wow, what a cool city! If you haven’t been, I highly recommend you stay in a hotel down in the historic district and take some tours down the old cobblestone streets and into the beautiful homes and parks that have been there for centuries! There’s even an old dungeon where they used to keep pirates!
10. What is something that is on your bucket list?
I desperately want to visit Israel before the Lord takes me home. Maybe one of these days!
I desperately want to visit Israel before the Lord takes me home. Maybe one of these days!
11. If you could time travel, what era would you like to visit?
The Age of Sail. 1500’s – 1700’s!! What a time of great adventure, new worlds and beginnings, pirates and privateers, romance and chivalry! And the gowns were gorgeous!
12. Where can your readers find you online?
Website: http://www.marylutyndall.com
Blog: http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marylu.tyndall.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLuTyndall
Blog: http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marylu.tyndall.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLuTyndall
Thank you so much for visiting Must Love Books today, MaryLu! It was an honor to have you on my blog and I look forward to hosting you again in the future!
In case you missed it, check out my review for Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall here: https://mustlovereading.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/book-review-elusive-hope-by-marylu-tyndall/
And now, if you would like to WIN a FREE copy of Elusive Hope for yourself, please check out this post: https://mustlovereading.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/giveaway-elusive-hope-by-marylu-tyndall/
Must Love Books 
Well the spiritual warfare aspect came across as anything but hokey. 😀
I agree!
I tried to “like” this interview but apparently I don’t have a WordPress account and there was no provision for getting one. What I read made it sound like I had to be a blogger, which I am not.
Yes, in order to “like” a post, you do need to be a “blogger” or have an account. But since you commented on this post, I’ll say you can count that as a like under the rafflecopter form 🙂
I agree, too–the spiritual warfare aspect sounded just like all the creepy stuff on TV & in movies today…with the exception that it was actually creepy, not “cool.” I really liked Hayden, too. He wasn’t predictable at all. Neither was Magnolia. Your plot had all these totally unexpected twists in it as well! I *LOVE* your books, MaryLu!!
If anyone hasn’t read MaryLu’s books–ALL of them are great! 🙂 Make sure you start with Book 1 in each of her series. For example, “Forsaken Dreams” is Book 1, then “Elusive Hope” is Book 2. Book 3 is still being worked on…sigh…can’t wait!! But MaryLu has written a ton of other awesome books to occupy us in the meantime. I’ve read all of her books & buy them for my friends & family–everyone loves them. 🙂
Isn’t she fantastic!?!?!
I AGREE!!! People need to read these books! And yes, definitely start with number 1 in each series. You’ll get soooo much more out of it and enjoy it so much more 🙂
Ah.. thanks everyone for your sweet comments!! Wow.. what a treat to come over here and read them. Leah, thank you so much for having me on your blog!! I loved your questions… and the blog post looks fabulous!! Hugs to all!! MaryLu
You’re welcome MaryLu! I’ve loved having you 🙂
Aww thanks 🙂 🙂 Hugs back!