Review, Interview and Giveaway with Lynette Eason

My Review of A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason:
5 STARS

A Killer Among Us is exhilarating! The story is about 2 detectives, Noah and Kit who are new partners and find themselves working on a serial killer case. Not only are there people getting killed around them but it is evident that either Noah or Kit are getting hunted too! Trying to work with new a new partner is always a struggle especially when you find yourself attracted to that person as well.

Once you start reading A Killer Among Us, you'll have a hard time putting it down. There is a ton of action and suspense that had me guessing who the killer was the entire time. This book reminded me of watching the TV show "Criminal Minds" where you get to see inside the head of the killer as well as watching the detectives work the case. I enjoyed the tidbits of a glimpse in to the killers mind, he sure was psychotic.

The main characters were enjoyable; I was completely immersed in their lives right from the start. I really admired Noah; he was such a Godly man and always made an effort to remind Kit as well as others of God’s love.

The spiritual threads in here were perfect. There was a lot of action going on, but here and there was a mention of God's love and forgiveness. A Killer Among us reminded me that God never abandons us or forsakes us even when we turn our backs on him! Very inspirational!

The romance was sweet and desirable. I felt like the romance moved a little fast considering it all happened within a few weeks but I wouldn't change anything about it. Very clean and enjoyable! I am looking forward to reading more by Lynette Eason. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Christian Suspense with a touch of romance, you will not be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author. My review is not biased by the fact that I was given this book. I HONESTLY read and review any book whether bought or given to me. If I did not like the book I would definitely not give a rave review or recommend it.

Author Interview

Hello, Lynette Eason, and thank you so much for talking with me today! To begin, could you just tell us a little about yourself?

 

I’m a writer, a mom and a wife. Not necessarily in that order. LOL. But here’s my bio:

Best-selling author, Lynette Eason has written/contracted nineteen novels, including Too Close to Home, which was #13 on CBA’s bestseller list for December 2010. Lynette writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line and Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Lynette is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). She and her husband and their two children make their home in South Carolina.

How long have you known that you wanted to be a writer?  Did you receive a clear “calling” from God or have you always had a desire to write?

I loved to write even as a student in high school and college. I always preferred essay tests over the multiple choice ones. LOL. But really, I didn’t start writing seriously until about 11 years ago. I had this story in my head and decided to get it down on paper (in the computer) and did so.

I have never met anyone who preferred essay questions to multiple choice! LOL   Who has inspired you the most?

Dee Henderson. She was my mentor for a long time when I didn’t even realize what she was doing. Poor woman. I just kept asking her question after writing question and she answered every one! She just kept telling me I was getting better and one day I’d be published. I decided I believed her and kept writing. J

What are 2 things that people wouldn’t normally know about you?

I hate the summer time and I’m not crazy about change in general.

You recently have had a book published, would you take this time to describe it to us?  How and where can readers buy your book? (versions and locations)

A KILLER AMONG US is book 3 in the Women of Justice series. The back cover copy is:

What happens when the hunter . . . becomes the hunted?

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. These new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he may be hunting one of them too.

With nail-biting suspense, clever plot twists, and a hint of romance, A Killer Among Us is the latest thriller from Lynette Eason.

Praise for Lynette Eason's Women of Justice series

"My friend Lynette has a hit on her hands with this romantic suspense."--Dee Henderson, bestselling author, the O'Malley series

"A fast-moving tale filled with nonstop action. No chance to catch your breath with this one!"--Irene Hannon, bestselling author, the Heroes of Quantico series

"An exciting ride with characters you will care about."--Margaret Daley, award-winning Steeple Hill romantic suspense author

"Don't read Eason's newest novel late at night!"--RT Book Reviews

"One heck of a thriller. The suspense is high; I was turning pages so fast I had to go back and re-read."--Suspense Magazine

Is there a spiritual message in your book?  If so, what is it and what can readers expect to get from reading it?

Yes, the spiritual message is a woman on the run from dealing with her past and God. When she runs headlong into both, she must decide what she’s going to do about it. How is she going to deal with her past? Is she going to trust God and believe that things happen for a reason? Is she going to believe that God cares about her and her feelings like Noah keeps telling her? I want readers to realize that God is in control in spite of the evil in this world. And we need to let go of all the baggage we hold on to and let God take care of it in His way and His time. This is a lesson I have to learn over and over myself. Ha.

What’s your favorite part of the story?

Where Kit realizes that she doesn’t have to choose one family or the other and that she’s been blessed with two families who love her.

What was the hardest part to write?

The serial killer is always hard to write because I don’t understand that kind of twisted mind.  I do a lot of praying through those scenes.

Do you have any other books in the making?

Oh yes. Always. Right now, I’m working on the Deadly Reunions series that starts in January 2012 with the first book called When the Smoke Clears.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?  Anything else you’d like to share?  (promotional information)

Readers can find me online at www.lynetteeason.com

My email address is lynetteeason@lynetteeason.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynetteEasonAuthor

And twitter: www.twitter.com/lynetteeason

I always LOVE to hear from readers.

Here are a few fun questions:

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

Pepsi or Coke? Coke

Cats or Dogs? Dogs

Summer or Winter? Definitely winter!

Thank you so much Lynette Eason for being with us today!

GIVEAWAY TIME

 
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of "A Killer Among Us”

TO ENTER:

*Leave an encouraging comment about the interview/author with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address. Use this format kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com to protect you from spam.

*If you leave a comment you are automatically entered in the giveaway, unless you tell me not to.

*Here are ways to get entries:

mandatory entry: comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+2 Rate my latest review (on Departures by Robin Jones Gunn) on Blogging for Books by clicking here.
 

+2 Read and leave a comment on any of my other reviews located on this blog.

**This is a total of 6 entries.  Tell me in your comments which of these entries you did. **

*The contest will run from today (April 28) until Tuesday (May 24). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

**USA addresses only, please**

Departures by Robin Jones Gunn

About the book:

Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen cross paths on their way to summer vacations that reveal what a gift it is to have a true Forever Friend.

Now Boarding at Gate 10
After her high school graduation, still aching from Todd’s departure, Christy joins her family on a trip to Wisconsin to visit relatives. While there, she reunites with Matthew, an old friend from junior high. When Matthew starts to show a romantic interest in Christy, she realizes this summer vacation could change everything she thought her future would be.

In the Event of a Water Landing
Fifteen-year-old Sierra Jensen can’t wait to spend her summer vacation with her friend Jana at a pristine lake in Montana. But when they arrive, it becomes clear that Jana’s only interest is acquiring a boyfriend. Sierra just wants to hang out with the guys as friends, but Jana turns every encounter into a possible romantic relationship. As their friendship begins to suffer, Sierra wonders if it’s possible to find a Forever Friend who will listen to you, laugh with you, and keep your confidences.

My Review:
4 STARS

Departures contains two very short novellas about two girls that Robin has other books about.  The first part of the book is called Now Boarding at Gate 10, is about Christy.  She flies to previous home tome in Wisconsin to celebrate her grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary. While she is there she meets up with her elementary crush Matthew and he takes her on a tour of her past.  Christy spends a lot of time reflecting on her personal relationships, her future and relationship with God.

The second half of the book is called In the Event of a Water Landing, and it is the about Sierra and her summer vacation.  Sierra goes on trip with her friend Jana along with Jana's older brother and his friend Tim.  Jana spends a lot of time flirting with guys while Sierra decides to just sit back and enjoy the summer while reflecting on what God wants for her life and her friendship with Jana and her new interest in boys.

I enjoyed both of these short stories about teens. I have not read any of the other books so I did have a hard time connecting with the characters but overall it was good.  In the story about Christy I had a harder time enjoying because I felt like her character was a little unbelievable.  She was supposed to be 18 years old but I felt the character was really immature and was a lot younger.  The second story was a lot more believable to me.  Both story lines were cute though and the message was clear. The message being that God cares about your relationships with other people and with Him and he wants you to consult with him with every decision in your life. I would recommend this story for young teens at any age!

To comply with regulations by the Federal Trade Commission, please note that Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Please take a moment to rate my review:

About the Author:

Robin’s first grade teacher wrote on her report card, “Robin keeps the entire class entertained at rug time with her stories.”

Even with such an early affirmation, Robin didn’t think much about becoming a writer during high school or college. She was more intrigued by the idea of traveling to foreign lands and telling people about God’s love.

But Robin’s husband also noticed her gift for storytelling and urged her to attend a writers’ conference. That first conference, in 1979, opened the door for publication of devotions, articles, interviews and 14 children’s books.

When her two children were young, Robin would rise at 3 a.m. and brew a pot of tea. Then she would go to work, creating stories for teens that later became the Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, and College Years books.

Robin’s first novel was published in 1988, and she has continued to write between two to five books a year. Her 63 published books include 47 novels, all of which are still in print. Sales of her popular Christy Miller Series, Glenbrooke Series and Sisterchicks Series are approaching four million copies sold, with translations in nine languages.

Robin’s passion for storytelling and travel are evident in all her books, especially the Sisterchicks novels, and she has received thousands of letters from readers around the world who have come to know Christ through her writing. She sees this as her dream come true. Her novels are traveling to foreign lands and her characters are doing what she always longed to do; telling people about God’s love.

Her website: 

http://www.robingunn.com/

Mailbox Monday #2

Here is week 2 in my new blog posts about what I received in my mailbox (and by mailbox I mean, some from the library, some via kindle, and then of course regular snail mail.

You can buy all of these from Amazon!

Fateful by Cheri Schmidt

About the book:

A huge fan of Jane Austen, Danielle hopes to find her own Mr. Darcy when she leaves Colorado to attend art school in London. Of course she knows it's silly to wish for that, naive even. But she's met enough males who lacked respect for women, a growing trend it seemed. And at nineteen...well.... However, on only her second night there she gets lost and is threatened by a stalker who proves to be immune to her martial arts training. Before she is completely overpowered, she is then saved by Ethan Deveroux.

While Danielle does find the romance she seeks in Ethan, he's no Mr. Darcy. Her hero is held by a spell which fractures their chance at a happy ending. During the day Ethan is closer to mortal than immortal and can date her like any other man. Yet, as the sun sets, the powerful magic of an ancient curse returns and the evil of that spell is revealed. When that magic begins, Danielle's fairytale romance ends because Ethan Deveroux is a vampire.

My review:
4 STARS

I have to admit...I was a bit skeptical of this book when I was asked to read it by the author for the purpose of reviewing. I LOVED Twilight with a passion but have found it almost impossible to enjoy another vampire or paranormal book since, so I was convinced I wouldn't enjoy it. This book was an exception. I really liked it!! Fateful is about young Danielle who moves to London to go to school there and live with her Uncle, Aunt and cousin. Soon after her arrival in London she is attacked, but then saved by the handsome and delicious Ethan. The only issue is that her handsome rescuer is actually a cursed vampire. They soon begin dating and it proves to be almost impossible for Danielle to stay out of harm’s way.

One of my favorite quotes "She loved the way her name melted from his tongue, like a tender endearment, made sweeter by his British articulation."

This story has a lot to be desired! The characters were delightful and I couldn't get enough of the sweet romance between Ethan and Danielle. The romance was my favorite part because it was sweet, and passionate yet clean. Danielle is a charming "girly girl" that loves to wear skirts and has an innocent way about her. Ethan is handsome, charming, and very old school when it comes to dating. The story line was very good. It did have a lot of similarities to Twilight, which is the only reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 star rating, but then again, most vampire books do. The differences were great though and Cheri made her story stand out! There was lots action and most of the story was unpredictable. The ending was unique and I devoured the story as soon as I started reading it. I can't wait for the next book by Cheri Schmidt; she is a very gifted author! If you love young adult paranormal/vampire books then this needs to be added to your list of books to read, I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author. My review is not biased by the fact that I was given this book. I HONESTLY read and review any book whether bought or given to me. If I did not like the book I would definitely not give a rave review or recommend it.

Review, Interview and Giveaway with Hope White

My Review of Witness on the Run by Hope White:

5 STARS

What if the only thing you remembered about your life was that someone was trying to kill you? This was Robin's life. Robin witnessed a brutal killing and ran for life right in to the path of danger. Then she is suffering from fear-induced amnesia and can't even remember who she is. Jake Walters is a P.I. who happened to be watching the building when he saw Robin fleeing for her life, he felt responsible for her well-being and intended on staying by her side to keep her safe until the case was solved. Multiple attempts were taken on Robin's life and she and Jake were continually trying to hide from danger!

Hope White did an amazing job with keeping the story unpredictable and enthralling! You never know who to trust or who the villain is or whether or not Robing and Jake will survive. Right from the start your heart is softened to Robin and what she is going through. Robin was my favorite character in this story because she is determined to not let the fear control her life. She is trying to deal with all the emotions of her memory coming back to her while trying to stay alive. She is strong confident woman and you don't often see that in the main women in stories.

There were a lot of spiritual threads throughout Witness on the Run. Both Robin and Jake had a lot of hurt in their lives and all through the story they are reminded that God is the source of all things. This book reminded me that we are stronger than we think with God's guidance in our lives; all we need to do is give him the control! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Inspirational Romance and Suspense!!

I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author. My review is not biased by the fact that I was given this book. I HONESTLY read and review any book whether bought or given to me. If I did not like the book I would definitely not give a rave review or recommend it.

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Hello, Hope White, and thank you so much for talking with me today! To begin, could you just tell us a little about yourself?

Accused of being an eternal optimist,  I began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when I was in grade school, and wrote my first book when I was eleven — a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard!   My college sweetheart and I have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie.  When not dreaming up inspirational tales, I’m usually out walking the many trails here in Washington, enjoying a fine cup of tea with friends, or hiding out in a movie theatre. 

How long have you known that you wanted to be a writer?  Did you receive a clear “calling” from God or have you always had a desire to write?

I've always known I was meant to be a story teller.  During school I'd gaze out the window and dream up these fantastic adventure stories with, of course, a tender romance!  Didn't make for a great GPA, but it was a lotta fun.  I kind of backed into writing fiction by starting my career as a reporter.  Eventually I figured out these great stories in my head should be written down and shared, so I embarked on a fiction writing career and have loved every minute of it!

Who has inspired you the most?

Wow, a loaded question.  I find inspiration from so many people in my life!  As far as inspiring me to write, I'd have to say my high school teacher (see, I was listening in *some* classes <G>) Miss Scott.  She encouraged me to get my ideas down on paper and she celebrated my creative talent.  These days I'm inspired by both the creative  and humanitarian works of rock singer Bono.  He's didn't let stardom go to his head, and instead shared his success with the world by helping people in need.

What are 2 things that people wouldn’t normally know about you?

I want to para glide.  Occasionally I have chocolate for breakfast!

You recently have had a book published, would you take this time to describe it to us?  How and where can readers buy your book? (versions and locations)

You may buy "Witness on the Run" from any online store (Amazon, B & N, etc.),  or in bookstores.  Some Wal-Marts and Targets also have copies.  The book is suspense driven with strong romance and faith elements.

Here's the blurb:

A gun firing. A man killed. Running for her life. That's all Robin Strand remembers of the shooting she saw. With fear-induced amnesia, she can't identify the killer, no matter what the police say. The only one who believes her is private investigator Jake Walters. And he's the one who steps in to rescue her when her safe house is discovered. As they struggle to stay one step ahead of danger, Robin needs Jake more than ever. With his faith and training as a guide, they work together to bring back her memory. Before the killer can ensure that she never remembers.

Is there a spiritual message in your book?  If so, what is it and what can readers expect to get from reading it?

The main spiritual message is to surrender your fear to God, and have faith.  We often times run from fear when, in fact, there's a great lesson to be learned. 

“Witness on the Run” challenges my heroine to find strength in herself and seek guidance from God, although she’d turned away from him years ago.  Due to her temporary memory loss, Robin is challenged to take a look at her life from a whole new perspective, and find courage she never thought she had.  I believe we are stronger than we think, especially with the Lord’s guidance and love, and we’ll rise to conquer any challenge.  I hope readers will look at the fear in their lives and surrender it to God to help them find their own inner peace and strength.

What’s your favorite part of the story?

Two parts:  When he asks her questions to help her access her memory, which brings them closer together, and when she rescues him from the water.  During this second scene he asks her never to put herself in danger for him again.  She can't make this promise and tells him so.  She's growing stronger here, working past the fear of not knowing who she is, and she's redefining herself as a strong woman who will protect the man she loves.

What was the hardest part to write?

I'm drawing a blank.  This book was so much fun to write!

Do you have any other books in the making?

My next Love Inspired Suspense "Christmas Haven" will be out in November 2011.  It also takes place in Port Whisper — I love this fictional town! 

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?  Anything else you’d like to share?  (promotional information)

www.hopewhiteauthor.com
http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/

Here is a few fun questions:

Chocolate or Vanilla?  Chocolate, of course!

Pepsi or Coke?  Tea (Can’t drink soda)

Cats or Dogs?  Nooooo!  Do I have to pick?  I guess it would be cats because they teach me so much about being independent.

Summer or Winter?  Winter!

Thank you so much Hope White for being with us today!

GIVEAWAY TIME

 
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of her November title , "Hidden in Shadows”

TO ENTER:

 
*Leave an encouraging comment about the interview/author with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address. Use this format kcmelone(at)yahoo(dot)com to protect you from spam.

*If you leave a comment you are automatically entered in the giveaway, unless you tell me not to.

*Here are ways to get entries:

mandatory entry: comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+2 Rate my review on Blogging for Books by clicking here.
 

+2 Read and leave a comment on any of my other reviews located on this blog.

**This is a total of 6 entries.  Tell me in your comments which of these entries you did. **

*The contest will run from today (April 21) until Tuesday (May 17). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

**USA addresses only, please**

All's Fair in Love, War, and High School by Janette Rallison

About the Book:

When your chance for getting into college and your date for the prom are all on the line…

Sixteen-year-old Samantha Taylor is used to having things go her way. She’s head cheerleader and has all the right friends and a steady stream of boyfriends. But when she tanks the SATs, her automatic assumptions about going to college don’t appear to be so automatic anymore. She determines that her only hope for college admission is to win the election for student body president. Unfortunately, with her razor wit and acid tongue she’s bettersuited to dishing out insults than winning votes.

When she brashly bets her classmate Logan that she can go two weeks without uttering a single insult, Samantha immediately realizes that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. And when her current boyfriend dumps her, less than three weeks before the prom, it couldn’t be a worse time to be forced to keep her opinions to herself. Finding a new boyfriend will be a challenge now that Logan shadows her every move, hoping to catch her slipping back into her old ways. Samantha is determined to win the election and find a dream date for the prom, no matter what it takes. After all . . . all’s fair in love and war (and high school!)


My Review:
5 STARS

Have you ever felt like the cheerleader always had it all, she was beautiful, smart and got any guy she wanted?  Well this story will prove that theory wrong.  This is about cheerleader Samantha who bombs her SAT's, then decides to run for class president so she could have something worthy on her college application, all while trying to snag a prom date!

I love how Janette Rallison can bring the reader to right in to the story so you actually feel like you're back in high school all over again.  I never cared for high school that much and this story just reminded me of that! I hated the way Samantha and her friends talked badly about everybody but I loved how Rallison used this story to draw attention to bullying and by giving us an ending to love! She has a gift for writing clean, fun, and inspirational books for teens but there are just so good that an adult like me can really enjoy them.  I love to read her books to cheer me up and give me a laugh. 

About the Author:

Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but there's a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.

Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007.

Her website:  http://janette-rallison.blogspot.com/  

Giveaway

I found this great giveaway for Darlington's book Bound By Guilt....here is the link to sign-up!

http://katieslegacy.blogspot.com/2011/04/interview-giveaway-cj-darlington.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheLegacyOfAWriter+%28The+Legacy+of+a+Writer%29&utm_content=Yahoo!+Mail

Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall

About the book:

Step into a breathtaking novel of adventure and romance set amid the War of 1812. During an assault by an enemy sailor, timid farm girl Rose McGuire is saved by the least likely of heroes—a British Naval Lieutenant. Now that he’s wounded, she’ll have to heal as well as hide him. Alex Reed is being aided and abetted by his enemy—albeit an innocent and attractive one. But he might be doing Rose more harm than good if his presence on her farm is discovered. As their love blooms, trouble looms. Will this couple survive another British invasion?

My Review:
5 STARS

Surrender the Night is the next book in MaryLu's series of Surrender to Destiny! I thought this story was just as good as Surrender the Heart or even better.  Surrender the Night is about Rose, a young girl who lost everything at the hands of the British, during the War of 1812 and she finds herself an orphan living with her Aunt and Uncle.  She is now fearful of all British soldiers but finds bravery when an astounding soldier comes to her rescue and then ends up being injured while protecting her.  She helps take care of him by hiding him on her property and helping him heal.  She struggles with her fears of him and her desire to care for this man.

I love how MaryLu just has this ability to suck you right in to the story from page one! Right from the start I enjoyed reading about the characters and was completely invested in what was happening in the story.  Rose is such a remarkable character, such hardships she went through but she learns to trust God and believe in her destiny.  Then there is the main hero Alex.  Tyndall paints a wonderful description of a delightful man, I can just envision his strong muscled chest and his tender ways, took my breath away! The way he learned his destiny and found a relationship with God was heartwarming.

There was so much history involved but the romance is what  captured me! That and the inspirational messages though out the story.  There are a lot of conversations between the hero and heroine and God and you can see their faith grow throughout the story.  Surrender the Night is a true Inspirational Historical Romance that will have readers begging for more to read!!  

About the Author:

M.L. Tyndall (MaryLu) grew up on the shores of Southern Florida dreaming of romance and adventure upon the sea. She now lives with her husband, six children, and four cats in Northern California where she writes inspirational adventure romance novels. MaryLu's novels have been praised for their fast-paced action, strong inspirational messages, and incredibly vivid settings. Her first novel, The Redemption was nominated for the prestigious Christy Award for Best Christian Fiction. 

  Her Website:  

http://www.mltyndall.com/ 

 

Buy her book online at Amazon!

 

Mailbox Monday #1

I've decided to post on my blog all the books I've received in the previous week via mail! I've seen others do this on their blog and thought it looked like fun so I'm going to do this also.  I received a whole lot of books last week so this one will be fun!!

Book Giveaway

Here is a chance to win Karen Witemeyer's Head in the Clouds!!

http://bookponderings.blogspot.com/2011/04/monthly-giveaway-head-in-clouds.html?showComment=1302979395994#c33383793129151488

Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall

 About the Book:

First book in the Surrender to Destiny Series.

Acclaimed author M. L. Tyndall begins a riveting new romantic adventure series set against the rich backdrop of the War of 1812.

My Review:
5 STARS

If you've ever struggled with understanding what your destiny is in life than you'll thoroughly enjoy this book!  Marianne is a young woman who finds herself engaged to the man that as a child drove her insane with his taunting of her.  She is suffering to marry him because she needs her inheritance money to help take care of her sick mom and younger sister.  She doesn't feel as though this is her destiny because she knows the marriage will not be based on love and she can barely stand the sight of him.

Noah is also not thrilled with the engagement to his snobby childhood friend Marianne. He has no desire to marry her but he is trying his best to please his father by taking her as his wife and investing her dowry in to his family business.  He feels he has no destiny and that he is never able to please his father since the death of his older brother Jacob.

When Noah embarrasses Marianne at their engagement party she follows him on to his boat and while saving a cat she gets knocked out cold.  When she wakes up she finds out they've taken to the seas.  The struggles are just beginning as Noah and Marianne learn to find their destiny on the brink of the War of 1812.

I really enjoyed this book! I got sucked in to the characters stories and lives right from the start, my heart just ached to help them.  MaryLu Tyndall has proven to be an amazing author with Surrender the Heart; the way she intertwines faith, inspirational romance, with adventure and history is delightful.  This is a stirring historical romance with a lot spiritual threads throughout the story. 

I felt there was quite a bit of topics about faith, God and destiny, sometimes it was the right amount at the right time but other times I felt it took too much out of the story.  That is my only complaint, it didn't take away from the whole rest of the story though and I thought the inspirational message was great; I'm excited to read the next book in the Surrender to Destiny series. 

About the Author:

M.L. Tyndall (MaryLu) grew up on the shores of Southern Florida dreaming of romance and adventure upon the sea. She now lives with her husband, six children, and four cats in Northern California where she writes inspirational adventure romance novels. MaryLu's novels have been praised for their fast-paced action, strong inspirational messages, and incredibly vivid settings. Her first novel, The Redemption was nominated for the prestigious Christy Award for Best Christian Fiction.

Her website:  

http://www.mltyndall.com/