April's Author of the Month: MaryLu Tyndall

I am so happy April is here, for oh-so-many reasons! How about you?? Spring has finally sprung (at least here in WA where I live) and the birds are singing...what's not to love about April? (Before we move on, I must say real quick that it was great to be able to have Mary Connealy with us last month, wasn't it?!)

Well, if this month wasn't already totally fabulous, I have another reason for you to be jumping for joy. 

Wait for it.....

This month's featured author is none other than MaryLu Tyndall!! Yippee!!! See, I knew you would be just as excited as I am--I knew you would be jumping up and down!! *wink*

Well, instead of beating around the bush, let's get right to it.

Hope you enjoy getting to know the magnificent MaryLu!

Tell us about MaryLu! And please include a delicious tidbit that we HCR fans might not already know about you!


I'm a passionate, creative, romantic introvert who loves to create stories in my head. When I was little, I would spend hours daydreaming by putting myself into different settings and adventures and then letting the story play out in my mind. (Of course I was always the beautiful heroine!)  In fact, most of the time, I would prefer to remain in my head than face real life!  Despite that, I wandered off path and away from God for several years and became a computer nerd (a.k.a. as a programmer) where I spent 15 years in misery trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. I've only known the Lord for 19 years now and they've been the best years of my life! I grew up on the beaches of South Florida and love anything to do with the sea and tall ships and swashbuckling heroes. Popcorn, chocolate and cats make the world go around, and God is the sole purpose I write.

Your books are loaded with amazing historical detail. Did you have to do gobs of research? Was it daunting?  


Gobs? Yes!  Daunting? Always. Honestly, research is not my specialty. I much prefer writing. I truly love history and it's fun reading all the fascinating stories from the past, but it can be quite grueling if you're looking for that one tiny detail you need for one small scene and it takes hours to find! I'm very fortunate to have quite an extensive library in my office, but the internet is also invaluable for research. Depending on the story and the time period, I can spend up to a month doing research for just a single book. 

The Christian element in your stories is wonderful. Do you know the spiritual theme before you start a book or does it come to you as you write? 


Good question. I'm definitely a theme-writer. I start with a theme or spiritual lesson, something the Lord puts on my heart to share through the story. Then I create a story and characters around that theme. Most everything that happens in the plot and to the characters is a part of moving that theme along from beginning to end. What's really cool is that many times other themes sort of grow out of the first one and I end up with more than one moral of the story. 


What is your favorite scripture?


Psalm 84:10-11 
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

Was that not simply delightful?! MaryLu, thank you SO much for being a part of my blog this month. I know that I am not alone when I say that your books have blessed my life and I'm so thankful you are following God's path to write. May His blessings be upon you!

OK, now ladies, April is a biggie--many FABULOUS books are out this month, so your quandary about what to read next has been solved! If you haven't read FORSAKEN DREAMS, then go get it, because it's fabulous. Wanna see what I thought of that book? You can read my review here.

MaryLu has offered to do a giveaway (one copy and US addresses only) of FORSAKEN DREAMS!! Awesome, huh?! So, if you want to be entered, you must FOLLOW MY BLOG here or on FB and leave a COMMENT about which Tyndall book is your favorite. You must include your email as well. Pretty simple, I must say. *grin* The drawing will be a week from today (April 8th).

God bless you and have a great April!

Happy Reading!