Monday, April 1, 2013

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!


23 comments:

  1. Super excited to see MaryLu as Author of the month!! My favorites are the 'Surrender to Destiny' series!

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    1. Hi Candy, thanks for commenting! Surrender to Destiny is one of my favorites too. I loved learning about the War of 1812!

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  2. I haven't read any of Mary Lu's books yet and would love to win it! Thanks for hosting a giveaway!

    mandaandtom(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Amanda! You will love her books--I can't wait to hear what you think of them! :)
      Thanks for following and good luck in the drawing! God bless!

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    2. Thank you, Amber! That's sweet of you to say.. Amanda I hope you win and get a chance to read one of my books. :-)

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  3. Good Morning Amber and MaryLu, thanks for this fantastic interview. As for which book is my favorite...that is hard to say, the first one I read was the Redemption. That would be my favorite because that's where I discovered MaryLu's books, but all the others after were my favorites too. :)

    Amber I "liked" you FB page and I now "follow" your blog.

    Thanks again for having the Capt'n on yer blog.

    avonmathews(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hey Teresa!
      Thanks for stopping by and thank you for following as well--that's wonderful! I haven't read Redemption yet, but since you love it I'll have to add it to my TBR list!
      Thank you again and good luck in the drawing!

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  4. I love being introduced to new great authors! Can't wait to start reading her books! I follow you via RSS and on facebook.
    colorvibrant (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Hey Heidi! So glad to see you on here!! :) Good luck in the drawing and have a blessed day!
      PS, yes you will love her books! You'll have to let me know which one you read first!

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    2. Thanks again, Amber!! I so appreciate you having me here! And welcome, Heidi!! Thanks for stopping by. :-)

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  5. AMBER AND MARYLU ... GREAT INTERVIEW, GALS!! Especially because it's by two of my favorite people!!

    I gotta say that MaryLu is one of my TOP-TOP favorite authors in the CBA and I love everything she writes, but HOLY FREAKIN' COW -- Forsaken Dreams is over-the-top WONDERFUL, and seldom have I been chomping at the bit for the 2nd book in a series like this!!

    Don't enter me in the contest because I am already blessed to have my own copy. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. Julie, Julie, Julie! What a THRILL to see you on here! Thank you so much for stopping by! And I TOTALLY agree with you--I am just dying to read book two, which is about Hayden and Magnolia. (Did those two characters remind you a bit of Scarlet and Rhett? They did to me a bit, and so that made them all the more awesome in my book. teehee) But I have to say, its is book THREE that I am dying for since James and Angeline are my faves!! I can't wait!!!
      Thank you again and CONGRATS on your own release, Julie!! Isn't that today?! Now THAT is a book I cannot wait to read...I keep checking my mail every day for my blog-tour copy! God bless!!

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    2. Julie!!! JUST LOVE YOU, Girl!! Thanks so much for dropping by! Talk about GREAT books, you all must read Julie's next release.. in 15 days! Love at Any Cost!! I had the privilege of reading this for endorsement. Simply Julie's BEST yet.. just love everything about it!!!
      Amber.. I'm working on James and Angeline's story right now!!

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  6. Amber I want to say that MaryLu's Forsaken Dreams is awesome . I also have read Surrender The Heart and it was my first book to read of MaryLu's and I fell in love with her books then. I am now reading the second book in the series And it is Surrender The Night and it really good also. I have read Forsaken Dreams and have my own copy YEAAA. I an like waiting for the second book also Julie Lessman.
    I loved the review and MaryLu CONGRATULATIONS you deserve it...
    May God bless you ..
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Liz!!!! Liz is on my Motley Crew and she's a GREAT Crew member. I just love you, Lady. Thanks for dropping by!!

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    2. Hi!!! How are you, Liz!? Thank you for commenting! Yes isn't that book wonderful?! Well, good luck in the drawing and I hope to see you back here soon! :)

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  7. I follow your blog and liked your Facebook page.
    My favorite book by MaryLu is Veil of Pearls. I haven't yet read Forsaken Dreams, so that may change.
    Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. Hey Pam! It's good to see you again! Oh my goodness, I will have to read Veil of Pearls, it sounds fabulous! Best of luck to you! God bless!

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    2. Hi Pam. Thanks for dropping by. :-) I must say that Veil of Pearls seems to be a reader favorite!

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  8. I've only read one book by MaryLu and that was Veil of Pearls. It was so good! I can't wait to read Forsaken Dreams! I'm also a follower of your blog on Facebook.

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. I'm waiting for this book in my mailbox and am really looking forward to it! I've so enjoyed following MaryLu's posts on facebook and can't wait to read this one.

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  10. Thanks for the chance to read MaryLu's latest novel...I loved her "Surrender to Destiny" series,

    I'm a follower, too.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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