"Abandoned Memories" by MaryLu Tyndall

A book review of "Abandoned Memories" by MaryLu Tyndall

The third book of MaryLu Tyndall's series "Escape to Paradise" won't disappoint with its incredibly gripping tale. Set in 1866, the newly settled colony of New Hope can't seem to catch a break with disasters striking from all sides, and old memories seeming to take form before their very eyes.

Angeline Moore
Although she seems like the epitome of a perfect lady, something dark and sinister remains hidden from sight. She is running from the past and from the law, and with New Hope being her last hope, Angeline is desperate to reshape who she is before her secrets are found out and she is once again an outcast. With Wiley Dodd's repulsive glances and strange visions from her past, Angeline's new life is threatened more than she thought possible. Will she be able to turn to God and allow His forgiveness to make her clean, or will she be forced to leave her new home behind and return to the filthy streets of her past.

James Callaway
A doctor, a preacher, a drunk? James is hoping to put his past behind him and become the spiritual leader of the colony, but with no other doctor around, he seems to be forced to fill a role that he no longer feels he can do, and his strange reactions to those situations is threatening the good opinions of those in the colony. James is determined to create a utopia in Brazil, an area without immorality that was on every street corner back home, and ruined his life, and he hopes to stay on the right track with Angeline Moore at his side; a refined woman. With the bizarre disasters that keep striking the colony, James is pushed to the limit to discover what spiritual forces are at work before it destroys them all. Will James be able to overcome his fear of doctoring, his fleshly weaknesses, and become the spiritual leader that he has failed to become before?

Angeline's opinion of James is uncertain, but James wants to change that. He doesn't understand her distrust of him, and why she keeps spurring his advances. When her secrets are threatened to be revealed; being the one thing that will turn James away from her once and for all, she resolves to never allow them to become involved, turning him away from her life forever.

Something is strangely amiss in New Hope, and is setting the colonists on edge: haunting visions, crypts with chains beneath an ancient temple, an archaic Hebrew book. With the murder of one of their own, the colonists begin to believe that they have been brought to Brazil to defeat an evil that is wreaking havoc on the colony and the place they have begun to call home. Are they right? Is there an ancient evil, that if released, will destroy the known world?

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I read MaryLu's latest book in one sitting... literally! I sat down after supper and didn't put it down until I had finished. For some reason all of her novels have affected me this way, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Once again MaryLu has created an amazing read, full of biblical truths and worldly issues that is absent in Christian fiction today. Too often I put down the book, wondering if the main characters are followers of Christ, or they are just Church goers in our world. I want to be challenged in my faith, given an example of how to live, and given biblical examples to compare my life to. I want to read a novel that challenges me to read more of my bible than I do of novels, which is hard to find now-a-days.

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Killer ants, mysterious wolves, flash floods, and visions seem the last of their worries when the colony is visited by pirates and the lives of those they love have suddenly been threatened with their lives. Definitely a book I recommend to read as you will have a hard time putting it down as you will find yourself relating to those in the book and  the struggles they face.

"The Ransom" by MaryLu Tyndall

A book review of "The Ransom" by MaryLu Tyndall

Time travel may not exist, but MaryLu Tyndall has come close to accomplishing the impossible in her book "The Ransom." On page one you will find yourself taking a step into a tavern in Port Royal, 1692, and I guarantee you will be enthralled until the last page.

Juliana Dutton
Betrayed by her father's health and her brother's immaturity, Juliana is forced to try to run the family business in order to pay the bills. In a world where women are considered a wall flower, not capable of intelligent thought, Juliana struggles to hide her day to day activities, all while her brother is determined to spend all of her hard earned money at the gambling tables. To top it all off, she seems to have acquired an unwanted suitor who is threatening to uncover her secrets. There seems to be only one man who can help her, Lord Munthrope, someone she considers to be a buffoon, and she may be forced to accept his bizare engagement to stave off the rumors that being to encircle her life.

Alexander Hyde
Disenchanted with the world as his infamous father, Captain Edmund Merrick Hyde, one of the most feared pirates in Port Royal, raised him to believe in, Alexander steps away from the family faith and sets out to create his own destiny. The Pirate Earl is the man he becomes upon the Caribbean seas and in the dark alleys of Port Royal, but the pleasures no longer satisfy as they once did, and Alex becomes more desperate to find a way to stave off the emptiness lodged in his heart, all while battling an enemy from the past who threatens to take his life.

With an enemy out to destroy Alex and capture Juliana for himself, they both must struggle to overcome their fears and rely on the Divine while all seems to be lost. 

Take a step back into Port Royal, Jamaica in 1692, as MaryLu Tyndall once again weaves a tale that will leave you unable to walk away. Although I have never been to Jamaica, I felt as if I was there, visualizing the whole novel page by page.

MaryLu Tyndall creates a gripping story, and not just some feel good novel, but an accurate telling of what life was like in Jamaica in the 17th century. I am so tired of reading books that skim over the filthy, and sordid facts of the past. I must say I was impressed on the first page, when MaryLu threw her character into the brothels and proceeded to not skip over the lewd facts that permeated the docks of Port Royal in the 1600s.

Another thing that has impressed me with MaryLu Tyndall's writing is that although she has been pressured by the publishing companies to tone down the message of our salvation in Christ, she refused and has now branched out on her own, publishing her own books. Too many Christian books now-a-days have perhaps a paragraph worth of the Christian message, and MaryLu refused to be brow beaten into submission to what Satan's plans are for our world. An admirable feat to be sure.

I will conclude that if you are looking for a book filled with pirates, murk, mire, and mayhem, you have found the right book, and the right author. Go pick up one of her books at your local library, bookstore, or order online at amazon, barnes & noble, christian book store, or many other sites. You wont be disappointed!

Thoroughly emursed in the pirate world,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

"Elusive Hope" by MaryLu Tyndall

http://marylutyndall.com/books/elusive_hope

A Book Review of "Elusive Hope" by MaryLu Tyndall

Nothing but sparks fly when Hayden Gale and Magnolia Scott are within a couple miles of each other. Two people who are seeking something completely different, but somehow find a way to work together out of desperation to achieve their goals.

Magnolia Scott
What is a Southern belle doing in the jungles of Brazil and what would her fiance think if he saw her now, perspiring and swatting flies? Yuck! Magnolia doesn't intend to wait to find out. She is bound and determined to make her way back to everything she deems important; stunning gowns, gorgeous balls, and marriage to the man she thinks will save her.

Hayden Gale
Nobody but Hayden knows what he is doing in Brazil, and he would like nothing better than for it to stay that way. He is bound and determined to find his father and make him pay for the life that Hayden has to live. Hayden is positive that his father murdered his mother, and will do anything to bring him to justice, or is it revenge?

MaryLu Tyndall has done it again, she has captured her audience with a gripping tale of two people that professed to despise each other, but in reality aren't that different after all. They are both in a desperate search to find someone, Magnolia her fiance, and Hayden his scoundrel of a father; both will do anything necessary to reach that goal, including lying or possibly even stealing.

The moment I started reading her book I couldn't put it down. I am not saying this because I like to read, or because all of MaryLu Tyndall's books have turned out to be fantastic reads with deep biblical messages. Just the opposite. I loved her other books, but when I read a book I look for a difference in characters and a connection to the reader. One thing that I despise most is when the hero of a book, or the main male character, is alway the same. He reacts the same, says the same things, or makes the same decisions. Hayden Gale is quite a different character. He does everything opposite of a gentleman, because in all honesty, he isn't one.

I can always count on MaryLu Tyndall starting a book off with a splash, and in Elusive Hope, the second book in the Escape to Paradise trilogy, it literally is a splash! Her words gripped me in this telling tale in Brazil... and when I say gripped, I mean it. I started reading right before I went to bed, and ended up not falling asleep until I was finished. Suffice to say, it was a good thing I didn't have to work the next day.

I don't know how she does it but I could feel the sweat dripping off my back and the flies buzzing around my head as I read Elusive Hope. She also brought me so much closer to my relationship with God, really bringing home the message that God is our father, and that He cares intimately for each and every one of us. Both Hayden and Magnolia had difficult lessons to learn about God and His saving power and grace; MaryLu Tyndall is one of the best at painting that trying tale.

There is only one way you can really dive into Elusive Hope, and that is to find it somewhere, whether that is in your public library, in a book store, online to order a paper copy, or even an eBook version. I'm telling you it will be worth it!

For now I'm signing out,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

“Forsaken Dreams” by MaryLu Tyndall

A Book Review of “Forsaken Dreams” by MaryLu Tyndall

http://www.marylutyndall.com/151

A budding romance that was doomed to fail from the start?

Have you ever wished you could leave everything behind? Have you ever wished you could start over? Build a new life? A life, where no one knows your past, your secrets, or your regrets? Colonel Blake Wallace , Eliza Crawford, as well as a whole ship full of passengers are trying to do just that…

Colonel Blake Wallace has gone through so much more than any of us could imagine. He lived through the death of all those he loved and held dear. All he wants now is to escape both the memories of their deaths and the unforgettable images from the war. He decides it is time to leave his home, a home now taken over by the North, a home so far gone from the beauty it once was. His plan includes creating a new colony in a land of hope; Brazil. Blake not only is escaping from haunting memories; he is wanted for “war crimes” by the Union. With his life in danger, this is his last chance to fully live his life, but can he let go of the past enough to really live?

Eliza Crawford has more secrets than anyone can imagine. Just like any of us, she tells little white lies to disguise the truth, but will those lies come back to bite her? She has grown up a pampered Southern Belle, and has known luxury her whole life. She threw that away for “true love,” only now she wonders if it really was. Her late husband was a general in the Northern army, and man she left her life for, and gave her allegiance to, only to find that he was not who she thought he was. She now has become an outcast from her Southern roots as well as being discarded by her Northern ties. The only way for her to be accepted is to once again leave life behind with a hope for the future, but has she chosen the right ‘hope’? Has she found a place to truly call home?

MaryLu Tyndall has done it again. She takes a scene, a page from the history books, and gives it life. She adds colorful characters, flowing waters, a ship sailing the ocean, and a mysterious land. Readers can’t help but be drawn into this vivid journey. With a wide diversity of characters it is hard not to relate to one, if not all of the passengers embarking on this grand adventure in hopes of a new future. When you think the book is finished, there is one more twist, one more heart wrenching experience that one can’t help but feel drawn into.

There are people that you can’t help but dislike, but at the same time you are almost drawn to them as well. You can somehow relate to them, feel their pain, and want them to grow in their faith to fully become the people they should be. Normally there are the antagonists and the heroes in a novel. MaryLu has created a world in which the antagonists can have a new future too, if they only decide to start fresh on new soil with a changed heart.

Will Blake and Eliza move past the secrets that seem to build up between them? 

Can the other passengers find a way to work together and become the colony Colonel Blake had desired for them to be? 

Can God’s love triumph in the lives of this colony?

The only way you can find the answers to these questions is to pick up the book and read. I could not put it down, and I will bet you won’t be able to either. 5 out of 5!

Readin' like crazy,

Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Asparagus Risotto

I tried this tonight, and was extremely happy with it. I had to modify the recipe, because for some reason they didn't have any herbs or spices in it... there wasn't even salt or pepper. So here goes.

Asparagus Risotto

1 T.     Olive oil
1/2 c.   Chopped onion
1 c.      Sliced fresh mushrooms

1 1/2 c. Arborio rice, uncooked (I used basmati  and it worked fine, I just had to add more liquid)
2 t.       Grated lemon peel

2 1/4 c. Condensed chicken broth (I used Presidents Choice Organics Chicken Broth)
1 1/2 c. Water
1/2 c.    White wine (I didn't have any, and therefore used more water)
3 c.       Cut fresh asparagus, 2 inch (2.5 cm) pieces

1/3 c.    Water
1 t.        Salt
1 t.        Pepper
1 t.        Basil leaves
1 t.        Greek seasoning
1/2 t.     Garlic powder
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Heat oil in large non-stick skillet or wok. Saute onion and mushrooms for 5 minutes until mushroom liquid is evaporated.

Stir in rice and lemon peel.

Combine chicken broth with first amount of water and wine. Add 1/2 cup broth mixture to rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until broth is absorbed. Add another 2 1/2 cups broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. Add asparagus. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups broth mixture, in 2 additions. Cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender and creamy. Ensure that the asparagus is tender. If it isn't, continue stirring on heat until they are.

Add second amount of water. Add the salt, pepper, basil leaves, greek seasoning, and garlic powder; stir. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately. Makes 5 cups.

Cookin' up a storm,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Turkey Apple Burgers

Alrighty everyone, I have a new recipe, something I tried tonight and I just have to share it. They are really good! Turkey Apple Burgers. It kinda seems a little strange, but they are so good.

Turkey Apple Burgers

1 lb.    Lean ground turkey

1        Large egg, beaten
1 c.     Finely crushed soda crackers (I used 3/4 c. PaneRiso Rice Bread Crumbs)
1        Finely chopped onion (I recommend using a food processor)
1        Garlic clove, crushed
1        Red apple, with peel, finely diced (I recommend using a food processor for this as well)
1 T.      Chopped fresh parsley
3/4 t.   Salt
1/2 t.   Pepper

Combine all 9 ingredients in large bowl. Form into 6 patties. Broil 4 inches (10 cm) from heat for 10 minutes per side, or grill over medium heat on barbecue. (I pan fried them on medium - high heat for about 4 minutes per side).

I added some stuff to the meal of course. I didn't have any buns, but you can definitely eat these burgers as an actual hamburger patty. I made some Herbed Baby Potatoes. Check out the link to find the recipe.

I also made some tomato salad. This is something my mom used to always make. Super easy. You take a couple tomatoes (depending on how much salad you want), cut them up like you were making Greek salad. Then take some parsley, Italian seasoning, a  Tablespoon of Olive oil (or grape seed oil) per tomato  Then add some salt and pepper and stir it up. You can add more seasoning or herbs if you would like, but that is pretty much it. So delicious.

You guys have a great day, and perhaps enjoy these delicious meal ideas.

Cookin' Up A Storm,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy

Herbed Baby Potatoes

This is a recipe that you can use all the time and takes no prep time. Tastes delicious and is really easy to do.

Herbed Baby Potatoes

2 lbs.  Red (or white) baby potatoes (about 40), unpeeled
2        Small onions, cut lengthwise into wedges
1 T.    Hard margarine/butter (I use Earth Balance Soy Free)
1 T.    Olive oil (I used Grape Seed Oil)
1 T.    Lemon juice
1 T.    Italian seasoning
1/2 t.   Salt

Cut any larger potatoes in half to make all uniform in size. Place in greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Add onion.

Melt the margarine in small saucepan on medium-low. Add next 4 ingredients. Stir. Pour over potato mixture. Toss until potato mixture is evenly coated with herbs. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil. Stir. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden.

A little herby,
Not-So-Princess Lizzy