Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall ~ 5 stars

Surrender the Night

MaryLu Tyndall

Surrender to Destiny series, #2

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

A timid American farm girl at the mercy of the enemy. . .

A wounded British sailor driven into hiding. . .

Both are about to change the course of history forever.

When British soldiers invade Baltimore amid the War of 1812, Rose McGuire, alone on her family farm, is easy prey for a brutal lieutenant. In the midst of the attack, she’s saved by British 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Reed. Will she now have to heal, as well as hide, this enemy soldier?

Alex hadn’t meant to kill his superior, nor get shot in the process. Now badly wounded, he’s at the mercy of this tomboy who obviously hates him. Can he trust her or will she turn him over to the Americans?

Rose is having trouble keeping Alex hidden from her family, the townspeople, and the man intent on courting her. Will the discovery of Alex’s presence force her to accept an abhorrent proposal?

As their love blooms, trouble looms, for the British are on the move again. This time, their target is Washington DC. Will these young lovers at heart find themselves enemies at war?

My review:
Let me just say that anyone who reads this book expecting another on-ship adventure is in for a surprise! I don’t believe there is a single “water scene” from cover to cover. So, if that will bother you, you probably shouldn’t read this book. However, it did not bother me at all and I thought MaryLu did a great job keeping up the tension and sense of adventure without ever “stepping foot” on the sea.

I loved the sense of patriotism in this book! That isn’t something you experience much today, and I loved that it was imbued throughout the book. Rose was awesome and I really admired her bravery despite what she had gone through in her life. Alex was pretty much amazing, and despite bad choices he is admirably redeemed by the end of the book and a fantastic hero for Rose. (One thing I did notice was that Alex’s plot/background was EXTREMELY similar to Dominick’s in Eakes’ “Lady in the Mist.”) The theme of trusting God and overcoming your past with His help was well done and inspiring. I’d say this is a definite to-read if you like adventure, romance, and faith-filled fiction!

Thanks to MaryLu for my free review copy of this book!