4 stars

www.mltyndall.com

In keeping with the current interest in all things Pirate, thanks to Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow, Mary Lu Tyndall has crafted a great tale set in the Caribbean in 1665, amidst the cutthroat life on the sea.

Lady Charlisse Bristol escapes the clutches of her depraved Uncle in England and begins a voyage to find her missing father, Edward Bristol, believed to be living in Port Royal. Disaster strikes leaving Charlisse stranded on a deserted island with little hope of survival until she is rescued by the reformed pirate, Edmund Merrick, whose savage crew’s wild ways terrify her. Edmund and Charlisse’s attraction is tempered by Merrick’s vow to bring Edward the Terror to justice as Charlisse struggles to believe her father is the most vicious pirate on the high seas and that God has any compassion for her.

Mary Lu has weaved high adventure, a tender yet intense romance with a spiritual message of God’s supernatural power and made it sing! Edmund and Charlisse are fascinating characters, as much for their flaws and struggles as anything else. Mary Lu’s portrayal of the pirate lifestyle does not hold back but makes for an authentic and entertaining read.

I will look for the sequel, The Reliance, releasing in January, 2007 with great anticipation!