Monday, November 4, 2013

Elusive Hope Giveaway and MaryLu Tyndall interview!!

Wowy-kazowy!! How lucky are we?! I feel so blessed to have MaryLu Tyndall with us today! Her latest book ELUSIVE HOPE is to die for. All you need to do is eat a cup of Death By Chocolate ice cream while you read this book, and you'll be dead for sure--in a good way! *wink, giggle*

If you haven't already read my review, you can find it here. And, I recommend you stop everything and do that now, then come back and finish the interview. Don't worry, we'll wait for you.

(Cue elevator music...)

Back? OK, let's begin!

Heeeeeeeeer's the interview!

Hi MaryLu! First, your hero and heroine are each very feisty and strong willed, yet they each have something very heavy they carry inside. How do you come up with such in-depth characters and what's your secret for bringing them to life?


I really believe that a writer has to have gone through a lot of their own personal trials in order to create characters who have deep internal flaws and struggle to overcome them. I often asked God why He gave me such a difficult childhood and then why did he give me such a LONG leash when I reached adulthood?  Thank God He finally yanked on that leash or I'd be over the cliff right now.  Yet, now that I'm an author, I see some purpose in all the pain. I am able to relate to many of the struggles I put my characters through. I suppose that's why, to many of my readers, my characters seem so real and end up becoming more like friends than fictional people.   Plus, I'm pretty feisty and strong-willed myself!  Just ask my husband. :-)

When you write, are there a lot of scenes that never make it to the book? Do you keep those scenes to use later or do you scrap them?  


It depends on the book. Some books I've kept every scene, others definitely needed some trimming here and there.  If I had to cut a scene in order to lower word count (which I often have to do because I'm rather verbose!) or because  it doesn't further the plot of the story, etc, and NOT because it's terrible writing, then I usually keep it. If I just didn't like the scene or thought it was poorly written, I scrap it. I don't want it turning up later after I'm dead in some English professor's class as an example of how not to write. LOL

What's your favorite part about seeing your book get published? 


There are so many different phases about the process that I love. One of my favorite parts is getting a first glimpse of the cover!  The cover is normally the first visual of my characters and story, the first resurrection from the pages into reality. If I have a video book trailer made, I also love watching it for the first time!   I guess my next favorite part is holding the book in my hands. It never seems real until you get those first copies in the mail. But my favorite part of all is getting emails from readers who write to tell me how the book impacted them, how it made them think differently, or brought them closer to God. Those emails are the best! And they give me the impetus to keep moving forward in this crazy business.

LOVE that insight, don't you, ladies?! Thank you VERY much, MaryLu--its such a thrill to get to know more about you, your characters and what its like to publish a book.

And the moment you've all been waiting for--the GIVEAWAY!! (The crowd is on their feet, erupting in cheers!) MaryLu has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of ELUSIVE HOPE, so if you would like to be entered, make sure you follow this blog and/or my FB page and leave a comment below with your email  address. IE: historicalchristianreview (at) gmail (dot) com

I'd love to know what your favorite Tyndall book is. Hands down, mine is ELUSIVE HOPE.

God bless you all and Happy Reading!

21 comments:

  1. You know, I've yet to read one. I've bought several and they're on my shelf,. very bad of me b/c I so want to have time. sigh, newborns......gotta love em

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    1. Oh wow, Melissa, you've got to read this one and tell me what you think! But ya, I can understand homeschooling, a newborn, and writing your own books can makes things a bit busy. :)

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    2. Melissa, definitely read MaryLu's books. I haven't read one I didn't like! I have Elusive Hope in front of me now ready to be read! When you find the time, you will be glad you did!

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  2. I hope this will be the first of the others she has written that I read. I enjoy learning of new authors and the title Elusive Hope is definitely one that intrigues. Feisty hero and heroine...the best kind!
    Merryheart13(at)Hotmail.(dot)com

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  3. I enjoyed Forsaken Dreams so I'm really looking forward to reading Elusive Hope! I've read some fabulous reviews! Thanks for the giveaway!

    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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  4. Forsaken Dreams was amazing!! I'm sure this new book will follow right in it's steps! Mary Lu never disappoints! :) Very excited to read Elusive Hope!

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    1. oppss.....forgot the email! :)

      cavinessemail@gmail.com
      cavinessemail[at]gmail[dot]com

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  5. Amber, Bless you for that great review!! And thanks so much for having me on your blog. Waving at everyone!! Thanks for dropping by! Hugs.. MaryLu

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  6. I've read 3 MLT books that I can remember right off, I think I enjoyed The Falcon & the Sparrow the most, but I do have a copy of Forsaken Dreams that I have yet to read, so that might change!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. So excited to read this! kelly(dot)ropson(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I follow you on FB and I'm really looking forward to reading this book--thanks for featuring it! And thanks for the interview and for the giveaway. danandlyndaedwards[at]msn[dot]com.

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  9. I signed up for your e-mail. I have several of MaryLu's books in my TBR pile, but I haven't had a chance to read one yet.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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  10. All of MaryLu's novels are excellent...Looking forward to reading her latest one. Thanks for the giveaway, Amber.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  11. I haven't read any of MaryLu's books yet but would love to win this one to read!! Donna d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  12. I loved the interview. It is so much fun to get to know MaryLu a little bit better. I haven't yet read one of MaryLu's books, though I do have Forsaken Dreams and I'm anxious to read it. Thank you for offering a copy of Elusive Hope.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I enjoyed the interview with MaryLu. It is nice of her to enjoy hearing from readers who Have been moved by her story line and characters. I follow her and you on your blogs by email .Thank You
    mcnuttj(at)rocketmail(dot)com

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  14. I have a life long love of MaryLu's books! Great interview! This new series of hers is enthralling - I recommend it to everyone! (no need to enter me in the drawing - I already have it!)

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  15. I love MaryLu's books...have read most of them! I am very anxious to read this one......thanks for the giveaway.
    jacsmi75 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  16. Amber! I was headed on vacation so as usual I turned to your blog to find a good book to read while dipping my toes in the sand. I was intrigued by your review of Elusive Hope and Forsaken Dreams so I downloaded both on my Kindle. OH MY GOSH!!! I couldn't put them down! Finished both in a couple of days! Probably two of the best HCR I've ever read! Action-packed, suspenseful, full of surprises and of course lots of great romance! My question is this: when does book 3 come out? I know there must be one cuz we were left hanging in book 2. Thanks for reviewing these books. Made my vacay extra fun!

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    1. Tami!!! I am THRILLED that you enjoyed those books so much, aren't they great?! And we have to wait an entire YEAR before book three comes out, and let me tell you I have been itching to read James and Angeline's story since book one! :)
      I can't wait to hear more about your vacation!! Thanks for commenting! HUGS!!

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