Monday, February 20, 2012

1st Blogoversary: Interview with MaryLu Tyndall & Giveaway!

MaryLu, welcome to Hardcover Feedback! Thank you SO much for being a part of my 1st Blogoversary Celebration! Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up on the beaches of South Florida where I fell in love with the sea and dreamt of tall ships and swashbuckling heroes. I didn't start writing professionally until seven years ago when the very first book I completely was contracted as the first of a trilogy, Legacy of the King's Pirates. I love chocolate, popcorn, movies and good books and I'd rather be on a tropical island than anywhere else in the world. Currently I live on the California coast with my husband of twenty years, six children and an ever-changing number of stray cats.

What or who made the biggest influence on you wanting to become a writer?
Honestly, I'd have to say God. He's the one who put the desire on my heart from when I was a wee little one. As far back as I can remember, I've always written. Stories, Poems, novels, diaries, letter, etc.. I can't imagine a world where I do not write. It's just a part of me. I must have a release for all the stories swirling around in my head or I'd go nuts!


What was the first book you ever wrote about and was it ever published?
The first book that I kinda sorta finished was a time travel historical romance where the heroine was transported into a future long after a nuclear disaster, but the world was so archaic, she thought she'd ended up in the past. Anyway, although I did query one publisher, it was never published.

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual?
I write in the same exact spot every day, which is at my desk in my "writing" room.. which is actually more like a bat cave decorated like a tall ship. LOL. I've tried writing in other places.. outside, on my back porch, Starbucks, but I can't do it.


Do you have a favorite character or one that is especially close to your heart?
Yes, my very first heroine in my very first published book, The Redemption. I modeled Charlisse after myself and my own journey through life as I searched for the love of a father who was absent during my childhood. Charlisse goes through many trials and adventures: kidnapped by pirates, attacked repeatedly, marooned on a deserted island, imprisoned. None of which I had to go through, thank God! But in the end, like me, she discovered that only the love of God could fill that hole in her heart.

What is the best gift you have ever received and who gave it to you?
A trip to a resort on Jamaica, and my hubby gave it to me. :-)

What is something that you have always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten around to it yet?
Travel to the Holy land in Israel.

What is your all-time favorite book?
I'd have to say the Bible. But aside from that, Captain Blood by Raphael Sabatini. Don't let the title dissuade you. It's a fabulous book!

Other than yourself, who is your favorite author?
Can I name more than one? Laura Frantz, Ronie Kendig, Laurie Alice Eakes, Lisa Bergren.

If a TV show was based on your life, what would the theme song be and why?
Amazing Grace. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare time? What's that? Well, if I had any, I love to oil paint and garden, but I haven't been able to do those in years.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird. Gotta get those worms!

What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
TV Show: Survivor. Movie: The Count of Monte Cristo.

If you had the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted, at anytime in history, where would you go and why?
Colonial times in America. I simply love this era when European settlers came in droves to the new land and created a life for themselves in the American wilderness. Everything was new and fresh. Opportunities abounded. Adventures were around every corner. It was a time of survival and family and honor. A time when our nation was just beginning to forge the ideas of freedom.

You are given an unlimited budget to plan your ultimate party. Please describe it (i.e. Where would it take place? Who would be on the guest list? What would be on the menu? Would there be a theme? etc.).
I would rent an entire deserted island in the Caribbean and fly in all manner of food and drink.. the best delicacies available. Shrimp, Lobster, Pasta, fresh bread, mangoes, bananas, oranges, yogurt, hamburgers, sweet potatoes and luscious homemade chocolate cake! I would hire builders to build air conditioned huts right on the beach for my guests and bring in world class bands for music. My guests could snorkel, fish, wade in the warm waters or lie on the beach. I'd also have a tall ship that would take people out on cruises. The guest list? All my family and friends and all the truly needy people in my city.


What are you currently working on?
A new trilogy called Escape to Paradise about a group of disgruntled Southerners after the civil war who board a ship and head toward Brazil where they hope to recreate a Southern Utopia. Believe it or not, this really happened? It's sort of a LOST meets Gone with the Wind.


Where can people connect with you online?
http://www.marylutyndall.com
http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/MaryLu-Tyndall-Swashbuckling-Romance/175344859169475

Thank you so much MaryLu for being on Hardcover Feedback!
My pleasure!!

GIVEAWAY:
MaryLu has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book Surrender the Dawn! If the winner is in the US they may choose a printed book or an e-book. If the winner is NOT in the US, then they would receive an e-book. 

To enter, all you have to do is follow this blog in at least one way, complete the mandatory entry and then complete whichever extra entries you want in the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open internationally!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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32 comments:

  1. The thing I found most interesting was the party question. What a great question! And I totally want to crash your party by the way MaryLu!!!!

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  2. MaryLu,
    I have loved your other "Surrender" books and can't wait to go back and read the Redemption one! Thanks so much for this giveaway!

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  3. i love the fact that, as a writer about the high seas, your writing nook is like a ship! cool

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  4. Great interview! I really want to go to the Holy land as well! :)

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  5. Hi Ladies!! Thanks for dropping by. :-) Abbi, should I ever have that party, you'll be invited! Kandra.. I'm so glad you enjoyed my Surrender books. :-) Marianne.. my hubby is in the process of turning one of our spare bedrooms into my new writing room.. complete with ship wheel and porthole and a pirate chandelier. Yes, I'm that weird... but I LOVE anything nautical. Have a great day!

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  6. Fantastic interview. After reading the comment about "Captain Blood", I had to add it to my TBR list along with the Surrender books. Thanks so much!

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  7. The authors answer to one of the questions above I found very interesting. Rather than discover an exotic land in historic times she chose early American history. Thumbs up!

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  8. Loved the interview! I love your books and since you enjoyed "Captain Blood" so much I'm going to find it myself and give it a read! Thanks!

    Marie Ferland
    mariefluffy@yahoo.ca

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  9. I liked the party question and that she would include the needy people in her city.

    marypopmom@yahoo.com

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  10. Tweezle, you'll love Captain Blood! And thanks for your interest in my Surrender series. :-) Margaret, I love my country.. I especially love the bravery, honor, hard work and godliness of the early colonists! Such an adventurous time. I often wish I could go back and witness it, though I don't think I'd do well without indoor plumbing! LOL

    Marie.. thanks! You'll have to write and tell me your thoughts on Captain Blood.

    Mary, thanks. There's a story in the Bible where Jesus invites all these prominent people to a wedding feast, but they are all too busy with their lives to attend, so he goes out and asks all the poor and sick and needy to come and of course they are thrilled. That always reminds me that I'm really one of those needy people.. not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense and God invited me to His great feast! Who am I not to take care of those needy people He loves on earth?

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  11. your new trilogy sounds good. I love MaryLu's books have many of them .

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  12. I love your interview questions. I think Heavenly Father wants us to have a well rounded life so we can grow and learn. So your answer about the Bible but. . . is perfect. I know writing is your God given talent. I am so proud to say I know you. :) Have a wonderful night dear friend.

    I love your books so much for the adventure you take me on while keeping me Spiritually in tuned with the Savior.

    Master Gunner,
    Connie

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  13. I love that MaryLu wrote a time travel romance! I also wrote a time travel romance as my first manuscript, and I am anxiously preparing it for the Genesis contest. Would love to read Surrender the Dawn. :-)

    gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

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  14. Thanks so much, everyone! Waving at me Master Gunner Connie!! Gwendolyn.. praying you do fabulous in the Genesis!!

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  15. I like that one of her favorite authors is Laura Frantz because she's one of my favs too!

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  16. All of the questions were interesting. I love all of the books by MaryLu Tyndall. The themes of the books keep me wanting more!
    samanthaakuiper@gmail.com

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  17. Her trip to Jamaica piqued my interest! I've always wanted to go there and I wish she had elaborated a bit more!

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  18. So I really want to read that unpublished book right now. It sparked my interest! :D

    eve @ essence of eve

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  19. I love the idea of a ship setting for a place to write. It's great to have that inspiration. I must look for your books MaryLu! Justmeshf@hotmail.com

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  20. Love that she's rather be on a tropical island than anywhere else.

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  21. MaryLu, I would like to visit the Colonial Times also. If I win, I would prefer a print copy.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

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  22. Wow! Timetravel. I've always thought that timetravel would be hard to master when writing a book.

    Great interview :)

    And Happy Blogversary

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  23. I have read romance books, but this summer I have delved into christian romance with the Love Finds You series. Always glad to find a new author

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  24. I am always curious about (an author's) favorite authors - and discover myself if I can see any parralels
    Thank you for for this great interview and for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

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  25. I read MaryLu's first two books in this series and absolutely LOVED them!!! I'd love to be entered for this one! Thanks for the opportunity. :)

    (MaryLu, I'm so jealous of that trip to Jamaica! Did your time there inspire any new stories? :))

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  26. Ooh!!! MaryLu's new series sounds wonderful. I'll have to be on the lookout for it. I love the writing room decorated like a ship. Great interview!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  27. Can I come to her party? That sounds so fabulous! The book series she is currently working on sounds really interesting. I look forward to seeing them come out.

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  28. I feel it is interesting how some authors portray the circumstance of their life in story form. I am interested in trials of others and I agree God is the ultimate security and what many are searching for but don't know where to find .

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  29. It is fun to read more about MaryLu. She has been on my radar for a while, but I haven't had a chance to read any of her books yet! I just found Captain Blood at my library, though, so I am very excited!

    katsaddress AT gmail. DOT com

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  30. Well, this Southern lady of-a-certain-age just loves must any story about the South. So a tropical island filled with Southerners during the Gone With the Wind time frame, sounds enticing.

    godley at yahoo [dot] com

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  31. I love this lady and I want to read her new trilogy called Escape.

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