Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

sequels

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]

Wait! Everything's wrong! A review of A Sweethaven Homecoming by Courtney Walsh

A week ago, the long-awaited, much-anticipated sequel to A Sweethaven Summer released. (I wasn’t the only waiting for this, right?) And I could not wait to dive in to A Sweethaven Homecoming, return to the Michigan town of Sweethaven and find out what the gang had been up to.

Earlier this year, author Courtney Walsh introduced us to Campbell, who after her mom’s death, journeys to Sweethaven to meet her mom’s core group of childhood friends and help reconnect their lives. I don’t want to spoil anything from that book, so I’ll keep the plot recap to a minimum. Let’s just say the first book left a bit of a cliffhanger, with much to be resolved.

I eagerly dug into the sequel, which focuses more on country music star Meghan Rhodes’ battle for her kids in a not-so-sweet homecoming to Sweethaven. I trudged through the first chapters, not because they were poorly written but because no one was happy. This book is FULL of hard situations. Broken relationships. Insecurity. Feelings of helplessness, bitterness and unforgiveness. At one point in the story, a character says, “God, what is going on? Everyone I love is hurting right now.”

I. Am. So. There.

When I read, I often want to escape the reality of life. As the characters struggled and struggled and struggled some more, I just wanted to put the book down and walk away because I didn’t want to hurt anymore. (I know, it’s just a story, but man, do I love these characters.)

Isn’t that how life is sometimes?

What’s great about this story is that the characters make hard decisions. They do unexpected things: like forgive the unforgivable. They reconcile. They choose to fight for what’s important. They love, even when they aren’t loved in return. They take risks. I was especially impressed with the love and commitment the men in this book demonstrate. They don’t give up on their women who have issues. (There are men like this out there. Don’t give up on the male of the species, ladies.)

And they learn that some things are worth the pain.

So, lest you think I didn’t like this book, let me leave no doubt: TOTALLY WORTH IT.

In fact, I find myself a little sad right now because I finished the book so quickly and had to leave the town of Sweethaven for a couple of more months until the finale, A Sweethaven Christmas, releases.

I’ve heard said that great authors create a world readers don’t want to leave. Walsh has created a charming, inviting, homesick-inducing world with Sweethaven. I want to hug the ladies featured in the book and learn from them. (Am I weird?) I want to eat Adele’s food (she’s kinda like Paula Deen) and see Campbell’s photography and attend Jane’s Bible study and hear Meghan’s songs and drink Luke’s coffee. (Okay, so he’s not a lady, but he does figure into the plot.)

A hearty “well done, friend” to the author.

And to fellow readers, this is a series you don’t want to miss.