Interview with MaryLu Tyndall - New release "Surrender the Dawn"

MaryLu Tyndall is the author of Surrender the Dawn

Published by: Barbour (August 1^st, 2011)


Interview by Carrie Fancett Pagels



MaryLu Tyndall is also the author of 10 books. She is a member of Colonial American Christian Writers and has a three book series set during colonial times.  Her latest series has been set during and after the War of 1812, which many historians refer to as the second war for independence. 

MaryLu, what got you interested in the colonial time period?

I’ve always been drawn to this time period. I suppose because it was such a volatile time, a time of adventure, exploration, new worlds, and new beginnings. A time when people left the comforts of home abroad for opportunity and freedom and then had to fight not only the elements but natives and marauders in order to carve out homes for themselves in the wilderness. This was also the Age of Sail when tall ships ruled the seas. To me, it is it such a romantic, adventurous time period! What’s not to love?

What inspired your latest book?

Two things: The War of 1812, which, in my opinion, is one of the most fascinating, patriotic, and miraculous wars our nation has ever fought.  America had virtually no navy and a ragtag army, yet we defeated the most powerful empire on earth at the time—the British. Those same British arrogantly boasted how easy it would be to take back the American colonies. How shocked they were when, with the help of Almighty God, we sent them packing!

Also, I like to interject a strong spiritual theme into each of my books. This series revolves around the theme of destiny—how to find your God-given purpose on this earth. Each book represents one thing that can prevent you from finding that purpose: Insecurity, fear, and unbelief. I show through the story and characters how to rid yourself of these encumbrances and then seek God for your destiny. Each of the heroines in the books play a grand part in the war and hence in the deliverance of America from the British invaders. And of course they all fall in love with dashing heroes!

Do you have a favorite colonial place you like to visit and why?

Can I have more than one? LOL. I guess Charleston, South Carolina would be my favorite. There is such a rich history there, beautiful historic homes, cobblestone streets, tall ships—you can almost feel the history in the air. I also love Annapolis and Baltimore for similar reasons. As you can see, I love port towns. They were the center of activity, commerce and culture. Plus they were often attacked by marauders, enemies and pirates. Which makes them very exciting places! My favorite thing to do is to explore historic buildings where the echoes of those who came before us still ring through the brick walls, or gaze out over the bay and envision the tall ships rocking at anchor in the water. Ah, to be transported back to that time!

If you care to say, you can tell readers where you live and what colonial places you have in your state or your home state if different.  Unfortunately I live in California. No colonial places here at all. L  And I grew up in South Florida which was largely Spanish for years. 

Surrender the Dawn is a story set during the War of 1812 in Baltimore. It is about a young lady desperate to care for her mother and sisters in a war that has robbed her of her father and brothers. Since no honorable privateer will allow her to invest her money, she is forced to align with the town rogue and his broken-down ship.

Tortured by guilt over his parents’ death, Luke Heaton longs to redeem his reputation and win the affection of the beautiful Cassandra. At first he is quite successful as a privateer but things take a terrible twist when the British blackmail him into selling them supplies off the coast.

Though everything seems against them, the couple fall in love, but Cassandra is suspicious of Luke’s traitorous activities. Setting out to catch him in the act, she is tossed head-first into a massive British invasion of Baltimore and one of the most decisive battles of the war where lives, liberty and the future of a nation are at stake.

Giveaway:  Leave your email address for a chance to win a copy of Surrender the Dawn. Surrender the Dawn is also available for purchase through CBD and Amazon.