The Ransom ~ MaryLu Tyndall

 

Title: The Ransom
Author: MaryLu Tyndall
Publisher: Ransom Press
Book Four in the Legacy of the King's Pirates series

Can a woman run a business and provide for a family in Jamaica in 1692? Juliana Dutton intends to find out. With an ailing father and a wastrel for a brother, she has no choice. But she must keep her activities a secret or face destitution. When a nosey suitor threatens everything, she spurns him and instead becomes engaged to the town idiot, Lord Munthrope. But is he an idiot? The more her problems push her closer to the man, the more she realizes he is not who he seems.

Alexander Hyde, the Pirate Earl, is the most feared pirate in the Caribbean—feared, successful, wealthy, handsome, and bored, so terribly bored. When an unexpected event allows him to get close to Juliana, a woman he has loved from afar for years, he takes it. But leading a double life causes more problems than it’s worth. A restless crew and a long-time enemy out to capture and hang Alex, put Juliana in grave danger.

As tremors rock the city of Port Royal, Juliana’s faith in God is equally shaken. Not only have things gotten worse, but she is confused by her feelings for both Munthrope and the Pirate Earl. Deception, intrigue, mutiny, death, betrayal, all attempt to tear the lovers apart. But the final blow comes when a massive earthquake strikes the city and threatens to sink it into the sea.

"The Ransom is a journey not soon forgotten..."  Cindy Vallar, editor Pirates and Privateers

MaryLu Tyndall ~ Author

After I read MaryLu's The Ransom I needed to know why she decided to publish independently. And here are her frank answers to my questions....



~Why did you decide to publish independently?  

For a number or reasons. Most people don't realize that when you write for a traditional publisher, you may be locked into what they want you to write. Or more importantly in my case, what they don't want you to write. I wanted to write pirate stories and colonial stories but my publisher wanted westerns and 19th century America.  Also once you sign a contract with a publisher, you give them all rights to your book. The author no longer owns her book. The publisher can put whatever cover on it, edit it or not, even decide not to publish it (within limits).  They also fix the price and decide how much marketing they will do. In addition they get a higher percentage of each sale.  After 14 books, I longed for control over my own career. I longed for the freedom to write what I wanted, design my own covers, set my own price, and keep most of the profits from my hard labor. So, that's what I did!

~ Do you still intend to publish traditionally too?

I won't say that I never will. It depends on the publisher and the contract details. My goal is to reach as many people as possible with my books, so if a publisher allows me to write what I want and they can extend my readership, I might consider it.



And coming July 2014....


Abandoned Memories ~ Book Three in the Escape to Paradise Series
Publisher: Barbour 

 
 In MaryLu Tyndall’s stunning conclusion to her Escape from Paradise series, Angeline Moore longs to make a fresh start in the Confederate colony of New Hope, Brazil. James Callaway longs to create a city free from immoral women who caused his failure as a preacher. But a series of strange happenings soon lead the colonists to believe they have been brought to this place for a divine purpose.



                                                                         

As an added gift giveaway to MaryLu's "The Ransom" .... A hand-crafted necklace from Misty Isles Design (that's me!) of ocean-blue and foam white beads, silver "life-preserver" links, and an anchor pendant. Great for summer-time wear, it's 28" long (opera length) so it can be slipped easily over the head without struggling to close a clasp. 

Please leave your e-mail address with your comment so you can be notified if your a drawing winner. 

...And as MaryLu found her mission as an author in order to reach as many people for the Lord as she can, we pray that you do too. Blessings on your summer!  

  Find out more about MaryLu and her books at:  www.marylutyndall.com

                                              

                                                                                    

                                                                            

                                                                                                                 


                                                                         

 

Pattern for Romance & God's Provision In Tough Times

We welcome two authors this week to Hope Inspired Stories: Carla Gade, presenting her historical romance, Pattern for Romance, and God's Provision in Tough Times in which Cynthia Howerter collaborated with a group of other authors to bring you an inspiring non-fiction collection. It is our hope you will enjoy these books, and discover God's guidance through their hope-filled stories.
      

Title: Pattern for Romance
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Author: Carla Gade


Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan—a design for love.

Author: Carla Gade

Carla Olson Gade has been imagining stories most her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing historical Christian romance. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she is represented by agent Chip MacGregor. Carla and her husband share their home in rural Maine where they reside near their two young adult sons and new grandson. To learn more about her, please visit her website CarlaGade.com or her popular blog WritingToDistraction.blogspot.com.




God's Provision in Tough Times is the second book hi-lighted on H.I.S. Stories this week by one of its authors, Cynthia Howerter.

Title: God's Provision in Tough Times
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Author: Cynthia Howerter and Guest Writers

Are you in the midst of tough times? Perhaps you're unemployed, underemployed, or having financial difficulties that leave you feeling hopeless and helpless. Do you question if God is aware of your circumstances? Are you wondering if there is a way out of your situation?

Cynthia Howerter and La-Tan Roland Murphy have both experienced God's provision in tough times. Along with guest writers, they candidly share their own personal stories of unemployment and financial despair.

You will find encouragement and hope as you read each story. Like you, many of these writers have lost their income, savings, homes, and health insurance. Some have found themselves on public assistance while others faced homelessness. Their faith and trust was refined and strengthened as God provided a successful path through their tough times.

Each writer's personal story demonstrates the power of God who knows exactly what you are going through and who promises to care for those who put their faith and trust in Him.

God's Provision in Tough Times includes personal accounts by guest writers Alycia W. Morales, Beth K. Fortune, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Cecil Stokes, Dan Walsh, Deborah Raney, Dee Dee Parker, Eddie Jones, Eva Marie Everson, Felicia Bowen Bridges, James L. Rubart, Ramona Richards, Roger E. Bruner, Tamara D. Fickas, and Torry Martin.

Author: Cynthia Howerter

If you wish to be included in the giveaway-- a copy each of Pattern for Romance, God's Provision in Tough Times, a 15" colonial "Honour" doll, a  5" x 7" crocheted cross book mark, please leave a comment with your e-mail address (only those living in U.S. and Canada are eligible).

"Honour" Doll

Bookmark  Cross 

Thank you for stopping in this week--Blessings!

Veil of Pearls

Title: Veil of Pearls 
Author: MaryLu Tyndall 
Publisher: Barbour Books

Be swept away to Charleston of 1811, a city bustling with immigrants like Adalia, who is a runaway slave so light-skinned that no one guesses her past. Terrified her secret will be discovered, she settles into a quiet life making herbal remedies for a local doctor. But when Morgan, the handsome son of a prominent family, sweeps her into his glamorous world—a world in which the truth about Adalia’s heritage would ruin them both—suspicions and petty jealousies are aroused. What will Morgan do when he discovers that the woman he has fallen in love with is a runaway slave?


I've read all of MaryLu Tyndall's books and find that she consistently maintains excellent story quality; her characters have depth and richness, written with a special sensitivity to their plights. And if you want to have that "swept away" sense of adventure, these are the books for you. As a retired school teacher I've recommended her books to friends, family and students for an uplifting read--even learned something about early American history and the sea-faring life in the process! I'd love to see these books in high school libraries as well. I can't wait for her soon-to-be released "Veil Of Pearls"; another beautiful story of inspiration and encouragement we've come to expect from MaryLu Tyndall.

 As a retired school teacher I've recommended her books to friends, family and students for an uplifting read. I'd love to see these books in high school libraries as well.

After I wrote this as part of a review for MaryLu's "Surrender the Dawn" on the Barnes and Noble site, I asked myself why did I put that in? Will people get the impression that her books are not "adult" enough if I'd like to see them added to high school libraries? Would people get the wrong impression and think MaryLu wrote YA (young adult) fiction? Believe it or not, I agonized over that comment; but God had other plans, and something else soon happened which makes me appreciate His timing even more....

Soon after I'd made the comments above, I'd read where the publishing industry released another book.... a certain "adult" novel, and a new descriptive came out along with the genre: "mommy-porn".  I won't dwell on the title or the author except to say that in an interview recently she stated that she's tried not to let too many things change in her life: She's still doing laundry,...and there are at least two people by her side who have not read her books — her sons. "Good G--," she says, "I would be mortified."

There will be a lot of adult women out there saying "But--but-- I have the RIGHT to read what I want!" My mother used to call it the I-I-ME-ME-I syndrome. Self-centered, pleasure-seeking, hang-the-consequences type of thinking from people who want to do what they please because they work hard, deserve it, and after all they're adults, darn it! And since its legal, it must be all right.

But as adults, aren't we supposed to consider our responsibilities first....?

Because--

YOU CAN BET THESE BOOKS WILL END UP IN THE HANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHETHER YOU WANT THEM TO OR NOT.

So, MaryLu, you not only write great stories....but you write GOOD stories. For adults. (We'll just pray they end up in the hands of young people too).  


"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? (12)Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (13) If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:12)





Author:MaryLu Tyndall  www.marylutyndall.com
 

 

Leave a comment to win a giveaway of MaryLu's Veil of Pearls, and a 15" hand-made doll dressed in Federalist period costume, and a silk fan. (see below). And please stop in to MaryLu's site for more information on her books!