Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Fiction

A mix of what I love about a romantic adventure story: Review of Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall

Earlier this year, I read my first-ever MaryLu Tyndall book when she released the first book in her new series, Forsaken Dreams. I loved it so much, I could hardly wait for the second book, which released this month.

And Elusive Hope doesn’t disappoint. (I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.)

elusive hopeIn it, Tyndall continues the story of the post-Civil War Southerners who are looking to start a new colony in Brazil. Forsaken Dreams told the story of their sea voyage and the relationship between the ship’s captain, Blake, and Southern widow Eliza. Book 2 turns the lens toward Hayden, a con man looking for the father who abandoned his family, and Magnolia, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy couple who is miserable and wants to go home.

The book started a bit slow for me and I wondered if Elusive Hope would be conform to the pattern I’ve often seen in a trilogy where the second book is weak and just a placeholder of sorts between the beginning and the end.

I’m happy to say that Elusive Hope does much better than that. I don’t know how the author does it, but she blends romance, adventure, and spiritual truth in a way that is challenging, interesting and entertaining.

When I read Forsaken Dreams, I compared it to Gone with the Wind, only with the setting on a ship. That was meant to be a compliment. Elusive Hope reminded me of some of my favorite scenes from that ’80s movie Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. I loved that movie, and when Hayden and Magnolia are navigating the jungles of Brazil, I pictured scenes from the movie.

I like that Tyndall’s books remind me of other works I like without feeling like they are carbon copies of those works with a slightly Christian perspective. Tyndall’s characters undergo significant trials and overcome major obstacles on their way to faith. She pulls no punches in her belief that there is a battle of good and evil taking place here and now. Both books so far in the Escape to Paradise series have had elements of spiritual warfare. Elusive Hope’s plot builds on that theme, and without giving anything away, leaves us with a lot of questions yet to be answered in book three.

I, for one, can’t wait to see how this ends.

Tyndall doesn’t write your “typical” Christian fiction, and I don’t mean to knock anyone’s favorite author, but her books are worth the read because they are different in a good way.

You can learn more about MaryLu Tyndall here, and you can find her books at major online retailers.

And check out this hauntingly beautiful book trailer. If I hadn’t already wanted to read the book, the trailer would have sold me on it.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/OzPzAI_l_FM]

What I didn't know about Vikings: Review of God's Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert

I’ve read a lot of books across a lot of time periods, but I think I can safely say that reading this book was a first for me.

godsdaughterGod’s Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert is a story about Vikings. Not only that but about a Viking woman who’s a Christian. If there are two words I wouldn’t think to put together it’s “viking” and “Christian.” Because let’s face it, my knowledge of Vikings is purely stereotypical. (I’m thinking of those Capital One credit card commercials, and of course, the football team that is a mortal enemy of my beloved Chicago Bears. But I digress.)

It didn’t matter to me what else the story was about. That the main character was a Christian Viking woman was intriguing enough for me to want to read it. (Disclaimer: I received an electronic advance reader copy of God’s Daughter from the author in exchange for my review.)

And oh, was I glad I did. (And is that not the most gorgeous cover? Wow.)

Written in a beautiful, believable first-person point of view, God’s Daughter is the story of Gudrid, a Viking woman on a voyage to the New World with her husband, Finn, and a crew of Viking men (and a few women). She’s a leader in her own right, a daughter-in-law of Eirik the Red, and the first documented European woman to have a child in North America. She’s passionate and also tortured by her own feelings for other men in her life.

I couldn’t look away. I felt like I knew Gudrid and got a real sense of her struggles and vulnerabilities. She was a Viking who lived centuries ago, but her struggles aren’t all that different from women today. We want to take care of the people we love. We want to support our husbands. We want to use our gifts and callings for the good of the community. So relatable.

My only complaint is that I felt it ended a little abruptly. BUT, it’s the first in a series, so there’s hope for more great Viking adventures. (And endings are hard. As a writer, I know this. It was not enough to spoil the book.)

After reading this, I’m so upset that I know next to nothing about the Vikings and this time period. Such a fascinating era of history. (And FYI, Heather self-published this book because apparently Vikings don’t sell. Such a shame. Because this story is unique and well-written. I, for one, crave a story unlike others I’ve read.) The book releases November 1 (not that long!) and if you’re the e-reader type, add this to your to-read list and then remember to go get a copy.

You can learn more about Vikings and keep up on the author’s writing news at her web site.