Celebrating over coffee with….MaryLu Tyndall
****Bonnie Roof, You are our winner!***
Good morning MaryLu! I am so excited to have coffee with you this hot and sunny Friday morning! I am even more excited to be talking about your upcoming book She Walks in Power. Can I just say that I absolutely LOVE the cover! Will you tell us more about the book and why you decided to write it?
Knights, Castles, and the Spirit of Power
What little girl didn’t grow up completely enthralled with stories about medieval knights and castles and dreams of being the fair maiden rescued from the dragon? I know it doesn’t sound very women’s-lib, but I was one of those girls who longed for the knight in shining armor to come to my rescue. I couldn’t get enough of medieval books and movies. So, when I grew up and became an author, I knew I had to write a medieval romance. However, year after year, my publisher told me that medieval stories weren’t selling and nobody would want to read one. Really? Yet it seemed every time I surveyed my readers, medievals were at the top of everyone’s reading wish list.
Fast forward ten years and against all odds, I’m finally writing that medieval series on my own. Yes, there are swoon-worthy knights, a castle, and even a damsel in distress. Though, I must admit said damsel is not as defenseless as Sir Knight assumes. She is not only an expert with bow and arrow, but she has the gift of spiritual discernment and can see angels and demons and other such things that exist in the spirit realm around us. With that gift and her allegiance to follow the Son of God, this damsel is not one to cross. In fact, she is quite powerful. Hence the title of the book She Walks in Power.
Why am I writing a book containing the spiritual gift of discernment? It may interest you to know that the people in medieval times were very spiritual. To see a demon or an angel was not as unusual as it is today. Why? I believe it was because they had more faith than we do. They not only believed in God, but also in the devil and demons. However, because most of them were ignorant of spiritual matters and relied solely on a corrupt church to interpret Scripture for them, they had no idea how to do spiritual warfare.
Fast forward 700 years and we find much of the same. In fact I would say much worse. Many Christians today don’t even believe in the devil and demons, and many of those who do have no idea what to do when they enter the battle. Why? Once again, I must point to the church. Though, thanks to the martyrdom of many over the centuries, we now have access to God’s Holy Word, many of us still rely on our pastors and Bible teachers to instruct us on spiritual matters. Yet unfortunately most of them don’t discuss these issues from the pulpit for fear of frightening people and losing church members. So we find ourselves right back where we started.
That’s one of the reasons I’m writing this series. I want to reveal through my characters how some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit operate and how to engage in battle with our enemy who is the hater of our souls. And along the way I guarantee you’ll love the adventure, the mystery and intrigue, and of course, the romance.
She Walks in Power releases in early September 2016, so be sure and look for it, or better yet, sign up on my Website to receive my blog updates or my newsletter, or “Like” me on Facebook.
Website: http://www.marylutyndall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marylu.tyndall.author/
Here’s a little more about the story
Alexia D’Clere didn’t ask to be Protector of the Spear, but after her dying mother gave her the tiny metal object and made her promise to keep it safe, she had no choice. Orphaned at age 9, she began to take over the running of her parent’s castle with the help of a trusted steward. Yet, when a plot to murder her was revealed, a friar whisked her away to live hidden in the forest. There, she learned to shoot expertly with bow and arrow and hone her skills to see into the spirit realm.
Now, at 18, she continues to keep the spear protected, provide meat for the starving village, while secretly caring for her ill sister who still lives in the castle. With Alexia’s powers of spiritual discernment and her skill as an archer, she is no match for those who come for the spear. That is until she meets Ronar LePeine, one of the King’s elite guard.
Ronar desires nothing more than to do his duty to God and King and pay penance for his past sins. Yet a forest sprite with red, flaming hair blocks his every move, all the while enchanting him like no other. Something evil lurks at Castle Luxley, and both Ronar and Alexia are soon thrust into the middle of a spiritual battle which will not only test their very beliefs, but put them both in mortal danger.
MaryLu Tyndall is an award-winning author who dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida’s Coast. With more than seventeen books published, she makes no excuses for the spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee and Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award winner, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, two grandchildren and several stray cats on the California coast.
In honor of our coffee visit this morning, MaryLu is giving away a copy of her book, Charity’s Cross! To enter, comment below answering the following question: MaryLu dreamt of knights and castles when she was growing up. What were you fascinated with as a child?
This giveaway will end on Monday, July 18 at 11:59 pm PDT.
Thank you for visiting with us today.
I was obsessed with knights and dragons as a kid and tended to lean toward the fantastical as an avid Tolkienite. Also, Pirates of the Carribean came out right in my heyday so pirates are always close to my heart. I can remember me and my sister going to the theater three times in one week to see it! I can’t wait for this new series! Spiritual war fare, while chilling, is has always been fascinating.
Thanks Liz! Seems we are kindred spirits. 😉
Wow this sounds like such a wonderful book. Would so love to read it!
Thanks Cheryl!
I loved anything to do with horses and King Arthur. That quickly morphed into history and foreign countries with fantastic heroes and heroines.
Me too, Marguerite…. Love the King Arthur stories!
Cannot wait for the new book! I adore that you delve into those topics that others seem to shy away from. Please keep doing it! I agree we need more insight and awareness of those things. Thank you for sharing today!
Oh, and I always dreamed of castles when I was young. 😉 I still do!
You’re welcome! Thanks for coming by!! I guess many of us dreamt of knights and castles!! Maybe because our Creator put a desire in women’s hearts to be princesses. We are all princesses in His Kingdom!
Being a princess waiting for her prince charming.
I’m not a princess but I am married to my prince charming.
You ARE a princess, Karen… In God’s Kingdom. But I’m glad you found your prince charming in this life. 😉
Are you familiar with the Canadian series Heartland? It’s a very clean family drama with tons of horses in it. Check it out on Amazon Videos.. Hubby and I stream it for free.
As A child, and even now, to much to list! Lol! I still love knights and castles, and a great deal more. I read everything Merlin I could, and that was just the start.
This sounds like a good series. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am interest in knowing more.
Blessing, Carol 🙂
Thank you, Carol!
I was more of a tomboy growing up, lol! So fishing with my dad, climbing trees, digging up worms, riding my bike everywhere, etc was more my style. I loved playing with dinosaurs or anything to do with them really, they probably fascinated me more than anything! Wasn’t too much into medival stuff 🙂
This book sounds great, I love anything MaryLu writes! Thank you for introducing a new book by her, and the chance to win a copy of “She Walks in Power”!
Trixi, you sound like my Mom. She loved hanging out with the neighborhood boys more than playing with dolls. Thanks for coming by!
That was much more my speed yes, MaryLu! I had one boy when I was a kid try to scare me with a garter snake thinking I’d run away screaming. I think he was taken aback when I snatched the snake out of his hand and told him how cool it was and started playing with him….lol!! I’m not sure he quite expected that! I’ve always had more guy friends than girl ones, even now, I can understand them better than some women 🙂 Thankfully, my husband understands this and isn’t jealous!
Yup. that’s my Mom too. So funny. Great story about the snake. Hey.. not all girls are wimps, right?
I guess I was different, I was never into medieval when I was young. I was either outdoors doing something or had my Barbie dolls, now Barbie and all of her fine fashion I did dream about!
But since I love anything MaryLu writes, I know I will love this new series!
Thank you so much, Joy!! So sweet of you to say.
When I was young I was obsessed with Airplanes! I loved watching them in the sky and when I was older I flew on one and hated it. lol, my ears popped and it was painful. I did get to ride in a helicopter and that I enjoyed. Thank you
Hi Linda, I actually flew a single-engine plane by myself. It was a blast! And I love helicopter rides too.
I loved medieval stories growing up and still enjoy them today.
I always found it unfair that those who had any spiritual gifting would be treated as a witch; even if it was gifts from God.
If this series is as good as “The Legend of the Kings Pirates” series, I know it will be fantastic.
(By the way, I’m sad that the pirate series is done. I read all 5 books in 3 weeks. I didn’t know what to do with myself when I finished last night. They were a great way to relax after a day of getting after teen boys, missing my hubby who has been out of town, and writing my own next novel. )
Thank you so much for writing a story the way God shows you to and not conform to what others are doing.
Hi Melissa, I plan on writing more in my pirate series… just not sure when. I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Horses.. I dreamed of being a cowgirl on a ranch 🙂
Although I do love your pirate series!!
Have you seen the series Heartland, Deanna? You should check it out. Lots of cowgirls and horses… 😉
As a child I was fascinated about woods, hills and mountains. I loved camping and discovering new things.
Hi Nancy, I actually planned to run away and live in the woods when I was young. I even got a book on how to survive in the wild on your own. LOL
As a kid I would make up menu’s, hand them out to my dad’s farmhands, and no matter what they ordered…. I actually only had 2 choices, peanut butter and mustard or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Cowboy and Indians were next on my dream list!
And you’re still writing menus! Hi Melody!! Interesting. I actually loved Peanut butter and mustard sandwiches when I was growing up. Everyone thought I was crazy.
For me it was magic. Not the creepy magician magic tricks, but fairy magic, elves and the like.
I love Fairy Tales. Always have. Once Upon a Time is one of my favorite shows. Thanks for coming by, Mary!
Loved this interview and learning more of the background behind ‘She Walks in Power’ – thank you, MaryLu!! So looking forward to reading it and love the beautiful cover!! Thank you for your exquisite faith-filled writing, MaryLu!!
As a child, I loved dolls – especially babies – and caring for the babies in my church nursery. Not much has changed – I’ve had a large porcelain doll collection for many years and love babies, lol!!
Hi Bonnie! That sounds just like you… you are such a nurturing, caring person. Wish you were here! I could use your help with my grandbabies!
I was in love with fairy tales, especially Rapunzel.
Yup. Me too!! Once Upon a Time all the way. Thanks for dropping by, Lucy!
I was obsessed with Regency romance novels because of the Lords and Ladies. I would read my mom’s books when she was through with them. I wished I was a Lady. Well, technically I am a Lady, just not titled. HaHa Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone.
Hi Debbie, I don’t blame you… I didn’t become obsessed with Regencies until I read Pride and Prejudice about 10 years ago. Wonderful time period!
I was always interested in history. As a child/adolescent I was more intrigued by people, rather than events in history. In fact, my favorite book from childhood was a beginning chapter book about Helen Keller. I can’t even count how many times I read it between grades 2 and 3. I was obsessed with her abilities and accomplishments as a blind and deaf person. I, also, love that my daughter has spent this past year studying American Sign Language in college.
Hi Terrill, I actually dated a deaf guy in High School. I used to know Sign language pretty well. Helen Keller was beyond amazing. Thanks for dropping by!
Dolls and being a mother I always had a couple baby beds set up in my bedroom and a ton of Doll Babies to sleep in them. Thanks for the chance to win
Linda, you and Bonnie (above) should get together. 😉 What a caring, nurturing spirit you both have! And I bet you are both great Moms. Thanks for coming by!
I loved the story of Rapunzel when I was a child. I always had short, curly hair and I dreamed of long, long hair like she had. And she lived in a castle! What could be more inspiring?
Yes, Joye! I agree.. what gorgeous hair she had and who wouldn’t want to live in a castle? Some day maybe we all will. 🙂 Thanks for coming by!
I love horses, knights and castles.
Sandra, thank you for the wonderful interview with MaryLu! 🙂
Anything make-believe that could be real… 😉
Can’t wait for her upcoming next book. My daughter would love it.