Sunday, January 3, 2010

Interview and Book Giveaway: M.L. Tyndall and The Raven Saint



M.L. Tyndall (MaryLu) has written for Barbour Publishing since 2007 when her first book came out, The Redemption. A Christy Award Finalist, MaryLu writes books primarily set on the high seas featuring many of the villains and heroes that tread those waters-such as pirates and privateers! Her latest series, The Charles Towne Belles was first released in 2008 with The Red Siren. The Blue Enchantress came out in 2009 and her latest one, The Raven Saint, has just released this month. MaryLu lives California, with her husband, children and numerous pets. She has graciously agreed to give away an autographed copy of her latest book, The Raven Saint to one fortunate winner!


MaryLu, thank you for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you taking the time to answer these few questions, letting us get to know you better.


Q: How long did you write before you were published?

A: I’ve always written stories. Ever since I can remember I loved to dream up romantic adventures and put them together in story form. I had a poem published in my high school year book, and I nearly completed a novel when I was sixteen about a white girl who ran away with a Cherokee Indian. Of course I never finished anything and I certainly didn’t expect to get published. Writing was just a hobby of mine. I also wrote a time travel book in my 20’s as well as a Science Fiction novel. So, you see, I always loved to write, but because getting published was a one in a million shot, I never studied writing in school. Instead, I studied Math and Computer Science (Blaaa!) in order to make a good living.


Q: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

A: God is good! And that’s the truth. His mighty hand was all over the publication of my first novel, which was another one of those books I wrote as a hobby. It’s unheard of for someone like me with no formal training and no prior publications to submit her very first completed novel and get a contract not only to publish that one, but two more in the series. So you see why I truly believe this was a miracle.


Q: What are you working on now?

A:I’m working on a new series called Surrender to Destiny. The three books are set in Baltimore during the War of 1812 and follow the adventures of three women who, against their will, are thrust into the center of the war but who end up greatly affecting its outcome. It’s a series about finding your God-given destiny, and each story will be filled with adventure, action, and romance.

Q: Where can readers find out more about your books?

A: My website: http://www.mltyndall.com
My blog: http://www.crossandcutlass.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan club: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=38269435754&ref=ts


Q: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

A:The same message that I would shout from the rooftops if I could. There is a God. He loves you with all His heart. He died for you so you can live and He has a purpose for your life that is beyond anything you can imagine.


Q: Why did you choose this profession?

A: Actually, I think this profession chose me. I never had any plans to publish my work. I had a good career going at IBM, a great marriage, children, and several cats. When I felt led to write my first book about a pirate, I never dreamed I’d see that book on the shelves. I just kept taking baby steps, writing the novel, joining an online writer’s group, getting an agent.. etc... and God kept opening the doors. But now that I’m here, I have to say that I can’t think of anything I’d rather do for a living.



Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

If you made it down this far, thanks for listening!!! I love to hear from readers, so please drop by my website and send me a note. God Bless,



*Readers, please leave a comment with your email address to be entered to win a copy of MaryLu's great new release The Raven Saint. You will not be entered if you do not include your email address.
For an extra chance to win let me know if you are a follower or subscribe to my blog.
This contest is open to all. Void where prohibited. The winner is drawn randomnly and will be annouced on Saturday, January 16, 2010*
*This is an edited version of my original interview with author M.L. Tyndall*

45 comments:

  1. I would love to win this book!

    I am a follower.

    pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please enter me!
    Thanks!

    sapphirethepirate@bresnan.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, I would definitely love to win a copy of "The Raven Saint" .... can hardly wait to read it !!! Thanks, Marylu !
    And yes, I follow your Blog.
    In Him, Brenda H
    (brennie7@hotmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please enter my name in the drawing for the book. I just became a follower. Thank you very much.
    carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoyed hearing about MaryLu's new series in the works. Please include me in the drawing, I'd love to win The Raven Saint. Thanks!

    I'm a new follower.

    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Please enter me. I am a new follower.

    FYI - I have a contest on my blog for Mark Batterson's new book, 'Primal.' 01/04/10 is the last day to enter! Here's the link:

    http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/2009/12/primal-by-mark-batterson-book-review.html

    P)lease come by and follow for more chances to win books, etc...

    Blessings -

    Andrea
    andrealschultz[at]gmail[dot]com
    http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/l

    ReplyDelete
  7. sounds awesome! please enter me:
    rachelmarie42@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. please enter me:
    paulinewollmann@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am interested in being entered to win "The Raven Saint" book. Thank you.
    herrins1@harneyesd.k12.or.us

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm a new email subscriber. Please enter me in your giveaway for M. L.'s book. I read the first two and enjoyed them very much. The interview was great! Nice blog too.

    New Year Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'd love to win this book thanks.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please enter me.

    ladyverlinaATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm a new follower!

    ladyverlinaATyahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I get your email!

    ladyverlinaATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  16. enter me for sure!
    delarny@gmail.com
    she looks like a great author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I would love a chance to win this book, I"m a follower!

    Rae
    raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. thanks for the opportunity to read this fabulous book ;)

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've read "Blue Enchantress" and would love to read another book by M.L. Please sign me up for the contest. I am a follower and I subscribed to your blog.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks everyone for reading my interview and entering the contest! And thank you Casey, for having me on your blog!
    Happy New Year, everyone! May God reveal more of His love to you in 2010.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. I am now a follower as bigguysmama

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Absolutely adore MaryLu's writing! This has been such a great series. Can't wait to read book 3.

    Blessings,
    Mimi

    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've been hearing great things about this series and this author! I'd love to read this one.

    srfbluemama at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Would love to win a copy!
    ~Jen Unsell
    unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am now a follower.
    ~Jen Unsell
    unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Please enter me. I would love to get this book. Blessings
    tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Please enter me. I would love to win a copy of this book. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Please enter my name into the drawing. Thanks.
    Amanda
    jon.lewis16@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Please, enter me.
    gerszabi@yahoo.com

    (Carman sent me)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for the chance to win - Carman sent me
    mannasweeps (at))) gmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm following your blog
    mannasweeps (at))) gmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to win this book. Carman sent me!
    jackiesquilting@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I really enjoy this author.

    natalie_mclean1 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Th cover picture alone is great! The book sounds wonderful.
    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Pleas enter me! I'd love to read this book!
    onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm an email subscriber too!
    (And Carman said to mention I saw this on her blog!)
    onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Just subscribed. Thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  39. follower now.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love her books and would love to read this one. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am a subscriber.

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Am I too late? MaryLu Tyndall's books are all great!

    csteward@gmsa.org

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to win the book. Please enter me in the drawing. Great interview
    jolenecatlett@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. The other 2 were great.
    Please enter me, if I'm not too late.

    I'm also a follower.

    bethstitch09(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

    ReplyDelete
  45. Great post. I love your books.Merry Christmas to all.
    tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)