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Interview with M.L. Tyndall

Captain’s Log, Stardate 07.07.2006

Arrrrr me hearties! Today I have M.L. (MaryLu) Tyndall with me! Her pirate historical romance, THE REDEMPTION, releases today, which also happens to coincide with the opening of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest! Johnny-alert! Johnny-alert!

THE REDEMPTION

Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a desert island. Near starvation, she is rescued by a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Clarisse win her struggle against the seductive lure of this pirate captain?

While battling his attraction to this winsome lady, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest--until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean. Can Edmund win this lady's love while shielding her from his lecherous crew and working to bring her father to justice?

Now here’s MaryLu!

Tell us what inspired the storyline and characters of THE REDEMPTION.

The Redemption is a story of an abused girl, Lady Charlisse Bristol, who sails to the Caribbean in search of a father she has never known. She is shipwrecked and rescued by the handsome pirate captain, Edmund Merrick, who falls in love with her and then finds out the father she seeks is the most vicious pirate on the Caribbean and the man he has vowed to bring to justice.

The Redemption was born out of a difficult, personal journey. Like the heroine in my story, I too grew up without a father’s love and spent many years searching for acceptance and value in all the wrong places. I rejected God and didn’t realize that only in His arms would I find what I was searching for. There is a deep part of my soul written in the path Charlisse must take to find God’s love—a path that I hope will provide a healing touch to many lives.

So what started your love of pirates? And how many times have you seen Pirates of the Caribbean?

My love of pirates began when I was a child growing up on the balmy white beaches of South Florida. There is nothing more exhilarating than those gorgeous tall-masted ships, the men who commanded them, and the tempestuous seas they sailed upon. And uh hum, I'm embarassed to say that I saw Pirates of the Caribbean 13 times in the theaters. Yes, you heard it correctly.

So does your hunky husband look like Johnny Depp? Give us the scoop on how he stole your heart.

My husband is even more hunky than Johnny Depp (to me)! He had my heart with only one wink of his baby-blue eyes. My husband is the perfect hero, courageous, honorable, wise, and strong. And best of all, he treats me like a princess!

Any other pirate movies that inspire you as you write?

Absolutely, Sea Hawk, Captain Blood (Erroyl Flynn made a great pirate), Master and Commander and the whole Horatio Hornblower series put on by A&E, to name a few.

Finish this sentence: Writing a novel is like...

living in a dream world all day long.

Do you have a favorite scripture verse for your writing?

Yes, Psalm 37: 23-24. "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the one who holds his hand."

If you were a pirate ship, what name would you be christened?

The Wacky Warrior, because most people think I'm a bit crazy, and I feel like I spend my life in one big spritual battle.

If you were a pirate captain, who would be your crew members?

Argg, me crew would have to be me husband, George the fierce, me kids, Josh the conqueror, and Crystal the valliant, and then I'd be takin' on me friends, if they had enough guts to come aboard.

If you were a pirate captain, where in the whole world would be your port of haven and why?

That would have to be Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where I grew up. It still feels like home to me, and besides, its just a day's sail to the Caribbean!

What would be the name of your parrot?

Sassy, because if he hung around me long enough, he'd for sure have a smart mouth on him.

You're off the hotseat! Any last words before you walk the plank?

Only my sincere thanks to you, Camy, for taking the time to interview me, and my prayer that everyone that reads The Redemption, will not only find it an exciting and romantic adventure, but that they will be truly blessed by it also.

Camy here: Thanks muchos, MaryLu! Do you know what’s really cool? When I checked Amazon, they only had one more copy left in stock!

And for all you jealous cats, we’ll be seeing Pirates 2 ourselves here in San Jose on Monday July 17th!
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