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!

Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall ~ 5 stars

Surrender the Heart

MaryLu Tyndall

Surrender to Destiny series #1

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

A young mistrustful lady desperate to save her family. . .

A guilt driven man desperate to please his. . .

Both caught in the brink of a war that could change the course of history forever.

On the brink of the War of 1812, Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can’t receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. But Noah Brenin needs to sail his cargo to England before the war commences in order to prove his worth to his father and make enough money so he won’t have to marry at all.

When Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne chases him down and ends up on his merchantman out at sea. The situation worsens when Noah’s ship encounters a British man-of-war and the couple is impressed into the British navy.

While a young lad’s prophecy of destiny looms over them both, Marianne and Noah are forced to face their darkest fears as they desperately try to find a way to escape and fulfill their destinies—destinies that could change the course of the war and history forever.

My review:
This is another book to add to Tyndall’s ever growing list of fantastic books in the adventure/romance genre. This probably isn’t one of my favorites by MaryLu though, just because it lacked the spiritual warfare aspect to the story that is a unique trait of her writing. But, other than that, I thought that she did a great job with the story, characters, and everything else. If you haven’t read Tyndall’s books before, I suggest you put all her books on your TBR list. And if you are already a devoted fan, I suggest you pick this latest book up and add it to your collection of her great stories!

The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough ~ 4 stars

The Anonymous Bride

Vickie McDonough

Texas Boardinghouse Brides series #1

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

Three mail-orders brides arrive in Lookout, Texas, each expecting to marry the local marshal. But—he didn't order a bride. When a contest ensues to discover which bride will make him the best wife, there is a surprise fourth entry--an anonymous one. Mayhem occurs as the whole town tries to figure out who the anonymous bride is, and the mayor pressures the marshal to pick a bride or lose his job. Will Marshal Davis tuck tail and run for the hills? Or will he lose his heart and his bachelorhood?

My review:

I had expected this book to be pretty funny from what I had read about it, but, to me, it was more of a “funny-circumstances’ than a “laugh-out-loud-comedy” kind of a book. I really did enjoy it, just not in a “this book will crack you up” kind of way. The first and secondary characters were great and I loved them all. (I really loved how two certain scoundrel boys turned out to be so protective and caring towards Jack. LOVED IT.)

I liked how Vickie showed how important it is to forgive others in this book. Especially how she showed that the thing we are so angry about, might not even be something we should be angry about. We don’t usually know the whole story and we need to reserve judgment until we do. She wrote that theme into the book in a very poignant way. That lesson will certainly stay with me, and help me to be slower to anger towards others for their supposed wrongs toward me. Definitely recommended to people who like a sweet romance with a message.

The Sheriff’s Surrender by Susan Page Davis ~ 4/5 stars

The Sheriff's Surrender

Susan Page Davis

Ladies Shooting Club #1

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

Gert Dooley can shoot the tail feathers off a jay at a hundred yards from years of test-firing the guns her brother repairs. But long after giving up on marriage, she longs for rancher Ethan Chapman to see she’s more than a crack shot. When murder strikes the sleepy town, Gert forms the Ladies’ Shooting Club to teach the women how to protect themselves, their families, and their businesses.

Ethan didn’t ask to be named sheriff, but he accepts the position and takes on the investigation into the mysterious death of his predecessor. Now he’s pressured by the town’s women to restore order and safety to Fergus, and by the men who insist Ethan disband the upstart Ladies’ Shooting Club.

Another person is murdered, and Ethan turns to Gert and her ladies to help in the investigation. But will they find the murderer before he strikes again?

My review:
I really enjoyed this book. I do wish that the book had spent more time helping us get to know Gert better. It seemed like lots of time was spent with the mystery and with Ethan, and less with Gert. My heart went out to poor Milzie! I felt so bad for her and kept hoping that someone would befriend her. The mystery part of this book, I really liked. I was on the edge of my seat at the end of the book when the murderer was found out. I was very pleased with the way the book ended, and if you enjoy a sweet romance with a mystery thrown in, then I believe you will also.

The Raven Saint by MaryLu Tyndall ~ 5/5 stars + favorite!

The Raven Saint

MaryLu Tyndall

Charles Towne Belles series, #3

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

When Grace Westcott is kidnapped by a French mercenary, tossed aboard his ship, and told she will be sold to a Spanish Don in Columbia, she cannot imagine what she has done to deserve such a horrid fate. She has spent her entire life serving God and helping the poor, not to mention trying to save the souls of her two wayward sisters. Thinking perhaps God has sent her to preach to the vile captain and his crew, Grace's every attempt to correct their sinful ways is rewarded with only mockery. When Grace's situation grows far worse than she could imagine, she is forced to face her own human weaknesses. But she isn't prepared to face her biggest weakness of all-falling in love with the nefarious captain, Rafe Dubois.

My review:

The Raven Saint is the exciting conclusion to the Charles Towne Belles series. This book is absolutely wonderful. I cannot say how much I enjoyed it. I loved the message about not judging others, and trusting God with every situation that you face in life. Grace undergoes a beautiful transformation from a judgmental religious person, to a kind, understanding young woman with a true relationship with God. Captain Rafe Dubois finds it hard (if not impossible) to trust others because of numerous betrayals that he has suffered. With God working in their hearts they come to understand that trust and forgiveness are the important things, and revenge will never satisfy. This whole series should be on your immediate TBR list.

Love is a Battlefield by Annalisa Daughety ~ 5/5 stars

Love is a Battlefield

Annalisa Daughety

A Walk in the Park, #1

Barbour- Publisher

About the book:

Take a walk in Shiloh National Military Park in this fun, fast-paced romance by Annalisa Daughety, a new voice in women’s contemporary fiction. Recent history has taught park ranger Kristy O’Neal not to believe in love or risk her heart. Ace Kennedy came to Shiloh to research his family history—but it’s Park Ranger Kristy he’s studying. Using his own ancestors as an example, can he prove that true love really does exist before Kristy walks away forever?

My review:
I loved the themes in this book: forgiveness, trust, and true love. This book really shows that God can take our mistakes and bad choices and turn them into something wonderful. But only if we let Him. If we choose not to forgive and keep that bitterness in our heart, then we are keeping God from using turning it around. I loved Ace and Kristy and all the other characters. I’m really looking forward to the next books in this series.

Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy ~ 5/5 stars

Cowboy Christmas

Mary Connealy

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

Singer Annette Talbot used her voice to spread the gospel with a traveling missionary troupe. When the Latrells take over and want Annie to dress provocatively and give up singing her beloved hymns, Annie flees to Ranger Bluff, Wyoming, dreaming of reuniting with her father for Christmas. But trouble chases her—right off the edge of a cliff!

Elijah Walker’s heart turned as cold and barren as the high plains in December after his ex-fiancee betrayed him and caused his father’s death. But when he recues Annie out of a freezing river, Walker’s instincts tell him he must help a stranger in need.

Has Annie hidden the truth about wanted posters bearing her fact too long for anyone to believe her now?

Can Elijah, over come the painful past and learn to love again? Will there ever be peace in their hearts in time for Christmas?

My review:
Cowboy Christmas is another great book by Mary Connealy. Her fans are sure to enjoy this laugh-out-loud story that takes place at Christmastime. I loved the theme of being brave, and standing up for your faith. Although, Annette Talbot seemed to get in a lot of trouble trying to do just that. Then the wonderful Elijah Walker would have to come save her. Sigh. I love all of Mary Connealy’s books, and this is no exception. She always has a witty comment or funny turn-of-phrase that will make you laugh. The element of suspense in her books is also fun to read. A definite to-read.