Customer Reviews

The Redemption (Legacy of the King's Pirates, Book 1)

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lady Charlisse leaves London and the only life she's ever known in search of the father's love she has never possessed. Raised and abused by a licentious uncle, Charlisse bears deep physical and emotional scars that leave her wary of trusting men and the God her uncle claimed to serve. En route to Port Royal, the ship she bartered passage on sinks in a violent storm and Charlisse is left shipwrecked and struggling for survival on a deserted island. Near death, she is discovered by a band of pirates led by the infuriating and enigmatic Captain Edmund Merrick.

Edmund Merrick is a man with a mission. Once a pirate, Edmund has become a Christian and a privateer in the service of King Charles. He seeks to serve his new Lord by ridding the Caribbean of pirates and is on a quest to stop the reign of terror led by his one-time captain, Edward the Terror. When he rescues Charlisse from near-starvation, Edmund finds himself inexplicably attracted to her and admires her strength and tenacity. However, Charlisse brings new dilemmas to his life - not only must he protect her from his lecherous crew, but his resolve to capture Edward is shaken when he discovers his nemesis is none other than Charlisse's long sought-for father. Charlisse struggles to trust Edmund and his God -- never having known the love of a father, with only an abusive uncle as a male role model, her adventures in the Caribbean become an extreme exercise in faith. When treachery threatens to separate Charlisse and Edmund forever, and Charlisse's life is subsequently threatened by her father and his pirates, will their fledgling faith be enough to see them through seemingly overwhelming obstacles?

With a release timed to coincide with the "pirates craze" surrounding POTC: Dead Man's Chest, Tyndall's novel perfectly fills a gap in the CBA historical fiction market. On one level, simply put the novel is a great deal of sheer fun to read. The Redemption reminded me of Linda Chaikin's great pirate novels released about ten years ago, and delivers action, romance, and exotic locales in spades. Tyndall draws her characters with a great deal of style and panache and the fact that this is her debut novel, is, quite frankly, astounding. Her prose sparkles, the action is tightly plotted, and she incorporates faith without ever resorting to trite clichés or heavy-handed treatment. Highly recommended. Tyndall is an author that I look forward to seeing more from.

Thankfully, one will not have to wait long for a sequel. Book #2 in the Legacy of the King's Pirates series, The Reliance, releases in January 2007 followed by book #3, The Restitution, in June (well-timed to coincide with the release of the final Pirates of the Caribbean film, I might add!).

Swashbuckling pirates, battles at sea, a lady in distress, and a missing father all combine in The Redemption by M. L. Tyndall for an enjoyable read.

The first surprise came when I realized that the pirate captain, Edmund Merrick, had already become a Christian. How could this be? How could he continue his "occupation" as a pirate and profess to be a Christian? The questions drove me to read as quickly as I could. Finally it dawned on me. Edmund was a British subject in 1665 working at the Queen's order. He was a "legal" pirate. He and his pirate crew hunt down Spanish ships for the Queen. The British were at odds with the Spanish during this time period.

The problem with not with Ms. Tyndall's writing; it was with my lack of quick knowledge of the history of the time period.

I must say that in spite of my confusion I had to keep reading. Edmund Merrick's character enticed me to keep going to see how he would deal with the conflicts he experienced between the requirements of his job and his need to follow a more Christian path. Would he change or revert to his pre-Christian ways?

In Lady Charlisse Bristol, M. L. Tyndall created a strong heroine. Her determination to live after the shipwreck that stranded her alone on a deserted island and to find her missing father made me want to cheer her on. As Charlisse struggles to get through all the trials, I wondered how much more could she endure?

I've watched a lot of movies about pirates and enjoyed them, but I've not done a lot of reading from this time period. The weaving of the threads of historical facts is so well done in this novel that the unfamiliar nature of them became a rich background instead of a jarring intrusion.

The romance M. L. Tyndall creates in The Redemption drew me into the story as well. Would Edmund and Charlisse find a way to cross the ocean of doubt and fear between them in order to be able to acknowledge their attraction for one another?

Women readers will find this story captivating, yet it is written with a strong enough hero to attract male readers as well.

A Christian Pirate novel, what a concept, what an oxymoron! M.L. Tyndall, author of The Redemption, is quick to point out that the genre is actually historical romance--with plenty of gritty swashbuckling. So what am I, an industrialized-blue-collar-yankee-Christian reader and writer of adventures, doing reading what Barbour categorizes as fiction/ general/ romance? It is with pleasure and complete surprise that I found myself completely engrossed in The Redemption from start to finish.

The Redemption is no more or less a romance novel than is Robin Hood. Anyone interested in classic swashbuckling action stories which just happen to include a leading lady and man reluctantly falling in love, must read this book, regardless of the bookstore shelf label.

Not only was I relieved to discover The Redemption to be all Robin Hood with a thimble of Maid Marion, I was ecstatic to find that the quality of M.L. Tyndall's writing rivals that of Robin Hood author, James Clarke Holt! Every scene that could have lapsed into page-flipping predictability instead edged me on my seat then riveted me there with clashing cutlasses, strategic naval maneuvers and dire conflict: I'd found a gold and pearl true pirate treasure. Those are pumped-up-classy review terms but remember I'm a writer. This is what makes The Redemption true literature . . .

We begin with a shipwreck introduction of the heroine: must be the Godly woman who leads all the pirates to Jesus, right? Wrong. Lady Charlisse Bristol is a non-Christian who hates the church. She's rescued off a desert island when a pirate ship stops for careening and fresh water. The Redemption (the pirate ship) is captained by a Christian--yes, my eyebrows did the same thing.

While this story is not easily labeled, The Redemption can be best categorized as alternate-history, a sub-genre of speculative fiction. One of the reasons I'm drawn to write spec-fic is the creative latitude granted by the genre: If you can make something like a Christian pirate believable to your reader, it's allowed. Not only does M.L. Tyndall make apparent contradictions believable, she makes them logical and does so with the most powerful tool of fiction--deep characterization:

"Captain Edmund Merrick was raised in Britian's high society, found snobbery unfulfilling and fled to the Caribbean to seek adventure. Years of piracy proved equally unfulfilling and eventually he found Christ. The only reason Merrick's still in the pirate-game is that he was contracted by England to raid the Spanish Main."

In classic style and voice, Tyndall skillfully braids breathing characters with Raider's of the Lost Ark non-stop plot conflict and action, forcing you to turn pages until the very end.

This is a fabulous story!!! I couldn't put it down... It is everything a pirate adventure should be.

The characters are wonderful and realistic. Merrick, the pirate captain, is young in faith and has very realistic struggles. He is perfectly flawed and trying to overcome. Charlisse is strong and vulnerable battling her own past.

The adventures are exciting. This book was non-stop excitement, extremely believable (as far as a pirate story can be!), and made my heart flutter!

Tyndall's writing is so descriptive that I felt like I was IN the story... I could smell every smell, feel every wave, taste every flavor-- what a disappointment that it had to end. Fortunately, Amazon should be shipping the next installment soon!

If you enjoy Christian romance novels with suspense and adventure weaving it together, you will enjoy this book. It is more than just a love story-- it's a PIRATE STORY!

The very first book written by MaryLu Tyndall, "The Redemption", has truly been an on edge must know what is going to happen next in this novel. Just when I think in a few areas that things are about settled, some other suspense action comes up, and has me eagerly reading to see how the events will turn out. Read about how Lady Charlisse Bristol runs away from where she was brought up, by going on a voyage in search of her father whom she never knew, but heard so many wonderful stories from her mother. Though through the process she becomes shipwrecked on a desert island. To make things more interesting find out how a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick, rescues Charlisse from near death.

Charlisse being terrified of Captain Merrick, she is now baffled to discover this man has a faith in God. Captain Merrick is determined to become a better man or more of a godly man, but he is battling his old weaknesses of women and drink, which are testing him while he helps Charlisse in her journey to search for her father. A neat twist with this novel, "The Redemption" you'll read throughout seeing the title used in different ways. See if Charlisse will come to understand about the deliverance from sin and come to know what is salvation, and how Edmund learns more about giving his life to the One and only Creator. This swashbuckling romance novel will show ye how Charlisse 'nd Captian Merrick go through their journey, something ye don't want to miss!

I've read all of M.L. Tyndall's books and they are all magnificent. However, The Redemption remains my all-time favorite of all of her works. The story is enchanting, the characters step off of the page, and the inspirational message touches me heart with every re-read.

Charlisse's heart is vivid and real but I can relate to her struggle with being stubborn. Merrick is the dashing pirate that makes your heart beat faster, but he isn't a plastic Prince Charming.

Tyndall has made me a tall-ship fanatic, but she is the best at bringing the high seas to life. On top of that, this historical period has captured my heart. Yet there is nothing boring or dull in these books. Adventure and action rule the day!

This tender love story is perfect for a cozy wintery night but be warned! You may have to stay up late in order to see what happens next, as I did!

Let the author's lovely style pull you into the plot...the characters transport you into a different world...and the theme and message speak to your heart.

An enchanting read.

MaryLu Tyndall is one of the finest writers in Christian fiction and "The Redemption" is just another testament to that fact. Her descriptions will leave you breathless as she brings her unforgettable characters and their exotic surroundings to life with a vivid clarity that is uniquely her own.

Lady Charlisse Bristol is a young, innocent, beauty that has faced a lot of pain in her life and seems destined to face more. The death of her mother has left her at the mercy of her tyrannical uncle and his perverted, sadistic ways. With no other choice and the fear of what he may do next, Charlisse flees her opulent dungeon and secures passage on a merchant ship destined for Port Royal to find her father, a man she's never even met but who she believes is waiting for her and will love and protect her. But a terrible storm overtakes the ship, throwing our heroine into the turbulent, unforgiving waves. By the grace of a God she doesn't feel cares for an unclean, unworthy, nobody like herself, she has washed ashore on a deserted island. Lost and alone, hurt and hungry, she believes her survival of the sea was only to die a far worse death on this uninhabited land, a death she has been brainwashed into believing she deserves. As days turn into weeks, she begins to lose all hope of ever getting off this wretched island and ever meeting her father who is possibly the only person left on earth that will love her. She's hesitantly prayed for rescue, yet she never dreamed it would come in the form of a pirate.

Captain Edmund Merrick is a pirate, yet not the kind you'd expect. At one time bloodshed and power and greed fueled him, making a name for himself that was to be revered and feared. But he has since become a Christian and has given up most all his pirate ways. He has been commissioned by England to take and apprehend the ships and good, whether by land or by sea, of the King of Spain. So he's a legal sort of pirate now. He is still fierce, no question about it, but he is a good and fair captain, honorable and trustworthy, yet, easily given to cad tendencies that seem to be ingrained within him. His devastating good looks hit a girl like a rogue wave, stealing her breath and leaving her at his mercy. Our Charlisse isn't immune, and who could blame her? Having just spoiled a Spanish merchant vessel, Captain Merrick is heading to a safe and secluded island to careen his ship. He has no idea the beautiful treasure awaiting him on those shores but soon finds that this treasure is a massive weight of responsibility and protecting her from his unruly, unscrupulous crew, and even from himself, is going to take all the strength he can muster. He has never been drawn to a woman the way he is to Charlisse and he seems to have awakened feelings in her heart as well, which could be a problem, for it is a long way to port where he can deposit her safely to her father. But to Merrick's horror, he learns that the father she has risked so much to find, the father she believes will protect her from her evil uncle, the father she believe will love her, just so happens to be Edward the Terror, the wickedest, most ruthless pirate in the Caribbean, who Merrick has sworn to bring to justice. How can Merrick convince her that this man is not the father she envisioned him to be and that finding him could put her in the greatest danger of all? Her girlish heart simply can't believe that the man who her mother loved and who loved her in return could be this monster Merrick warns of. Surely he wouldn't hurt his own daughter. Can Merrick protect her before it's too late? And what of his mutinous first mate, Kent, who challenges his every decision and wants all that is his, including Charlisse? Much and many stand in the way of Merrick and Charlisse's love. Grave dangers and powers both seen and unseen threaten to destroy them from every side. Will they and their love survive to sail into the sunset for a happily ever after?

I have to warn you, the romance was a little on the heavy, edgy side for me and the single deciding factor in why I can't give this book the 5 stars that I desperately want to. I loved our hero, Merrick, but I didn't quite understand why, especially as a Christian, every look he sent Charlisse was seductive or sensual or a bold perusal from her head to her toes with undisguised lust and longing. I know he is a young Christian who is surrounded by a band of depraved pirates, having once been counted among the fiercest, most depraved himself, but his less than gentlemanly actions made me uncomfortable. Charlisse knows nothing of men and I felt that there were moments when Merrick clearly took advantage of her innocence. Granted he eases off significantly when he learns of the horrors she suffered in her past and is now determined to protect her from anyone that could hurt her, including himself. He also protected her from his crew, ready to defend her honor without the slightest hesitation. He has more morals and conviction then the whole lot of them combined but the first half of the book left me wondering how much of a change took place in his life since accepting Christ into his heart. To his credit, though, we see a significant change in him in the second half of the book both in his manner toward Charlisse and in his own heart of hearts. I know Christians are a work in progress as we run our race and Tyndall certainly knows how to paint our victories and our failures. So, I think the title of this book is quite fitting for what takes place therein.


**QUICK, POSSIBLE SPOILER** It appears every man on the ship and on land lusts after Charlisse, including men in her own family. There are quite a few "almost" rape scenes and shared memories of her past that will make your skin crawl. I suppose they do have a place in the story but that doesn't make them any easier to read. So, especially if you're a teen or are thinking of giving this to a teen reader, please proceed with caution. **END of POSSIBLE SPOLIER**



All edginess aside, this book was possibly the best I've read from the pen of MaryLu Tyndall and showcased some powerfully redemptive moments. Charlisse must come to the Lord and open her heart to Him, for only He can bring peace and restore a broken life. And while Merrick has accepted Christ, he needs to release all control to Him, for nothing short of a completely surrendered life will do. The Lord requires much from our hero and heroine, and each trial they face is a lesson in humility, patience, trust, and hope, testing their faith and refining their hearts. Tyndall always scripts incredible conversion scenes - scenes that move you to tears, scenes that you wish you could claim as your own personal testimony, scenes that let you know you serve a great and mighty God who can do all things if we just believe and have faith that He can.

I greatly look forward to reading the next two books in The Legacy of the King's Pirates series!

My favorite character in this book is Captain Merrick, but I did like Charlisse a lot. Merrick and Charlisse meet on an island, she half starved, and he surrounded by his pirate crew. The only option he can find is to bring her with him on his pirate ship. Merrick isn't an average pirate, though he's actually a privateer, he's a faithful man of God who has chosen to track down bad men and turn them over to the law. Charlisse is searching for the father she's never met, if only to escape her abusive uncle. This book had many twists and turns I didn't expect. For an author's first book, it's amazing! My favorite series is the Legacy of the King's Pirates!

When I was in fifth grade I stayed at my aunt's house one day and I wouldn't shut up so she gave me this book to read. I didn't know a few of the words so I put it down. I put it in a box. A few years later we moved and I found the book again. I started reading it and I couldn't stop. The Redemption became my favorite book, and MaryLu Tyndall became my favorite author!
After I read this book I started reading my Bible and found Jesus again. Also, on October 20, 2010 I was baptized! The road I'm on all started with reading this book. God chose MaryLu Tyndall as His instrument to lead me back to Him. I hope it will be that way for you all!

I like how the bad guys have a little goodness, and the good guys have a little badness, just like the rest of us.

I recommend this book to everyone! (I've actually read it 4 times)
Go check out the rest of her books!

MaryLu Tyndall takes you on a high seas adventure that is sure to both thrill and satisfy. If you like Christian historical romance this trilogy is for you!

This book, and the others in this series, is EXCELLENT! The Christian message, the development of characters, the lush descriptions, everything about it is fantastic! I'd HIGHLY recommend this series!