Liberty Bride is the 6th book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, but it stood alone just fine. I never felt like I was missing something, even though I haven't read the previous books.

The book is set during the war of 1812, beginning and ending on an American ship. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book; the events leading up to the British firing on Fort McHenry. Books set on the high seas are a favorite of mine.

Emeline struggles to be a proper lady, based on her father's influence of what a woman should and shouldn't do. Her struggle with a works-based mentality toward God, if a little cliche, was at least heartfelt. Her relationship with her maid, Hannah, was one of the strong threads of the story - Hannah's motherly advice was a great balance to the story.

Owen was a fun, albeit less nuanced character. He dealt with a similar thought process as Emeline, also influenced by a stern father with a wrong, works-based view of God. He was the [stereo-] (...ahem! I didn't say that!) -typical dashing romantic hero.

The book could have done with a little less telling and a little more showing, in my opinion (I tend to be picky about these things). But the tension between the two characters, with their secrets and growing attraction, was interesting and well done. It kept me turning pages to find out how things were going to shake out. In my personal opinion, their dwelling on the physical aspect of attraction was a bit out of balance when compared to other things, but overall their love story was sweet and believable.

My only personal issue with the book was a rather unique spiritual storyline - shining, sparkly lights rising from a deceased body, divine doves flying over a funeral, and a second shining, sparkly light accenting a cross and convincing someone of God's presence. It left me with one eyebrow raised, and I got the impression that it was more about the mystical experience than anything else. But again, that's just my personal opinion.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, light, historical read with a happily ever after, then this book is for you.
I give it 3.5 stars.

*I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.*

If you enjoy turning your brain off before you open a book, this is the one for you. I struggled to finish it with all the implausible happening, and constant internal debate in the two main characters. Not a book I'd recommend.

"The Liberty Bride," like its sister books, is a Christian historical fiction novel. The series is unique in that each book is written by a different author. I have read two books in the series, both by authors whose work I have not read much in the past.

"The Liberty Bride" follows Emeline Baratt, who is returning home to the newly founded American nation from England in 1812. When her father's ship is captured by a British naval vessel, she is forced to hide her patriotism, hoping to gain favor and access to the British officers in order to aid her country. In the process, she encounters a young officer who distinguishes himself from the others. An undeniable attraction grows between Lieutenant Owen Masters and Emeline, but each of them is concealing a secret from not only one another but also everyone else around them. As intrigue grows, they are sent on a dangerous espionage mission. Will the mission reveal their secrets, and will those secrets tear them apart or bring them even closer?

"The Liberty Bride" is a sweet, clean, historical romance with a Christian worldview. While I have long loved Christian historical fiction, I have found a rather formulaic pattern which persists in many Christian historical fiction novels. (A feisty heroine encounters a gallant but conflicted hero, and together, they face nearly insurmountable challenges while their unlikely relationship develops using stilted dialogue under strenuous and nearly unbelievable circumstances related to great moments in history, while possibly delivering a stranger's baby along the way.) This novel falls well within that paradigm.

I know many readers are looking for a sweet, clean romance which they can meander through over the course of several weeks. If that's you and you don't mind reading a new iteration of the formula listed above, then this will likely be a satisfying read. Since I probably read about 100 books a year, I am finding I have less patience with books which sweetly follow a predictable path to a foregone conclusion. Don't get me wrong - I didn't dislike the book. I love a happy ending, I enjoy stories which incorporate a strong Christian worldview, and I have absolutely no objection to either feisty heroines or gallant but conflicted heroes. I just long for more depth in Christian fiction: both depth of character and plot development and depth in theology. This book fell a bit short in my estimation. I liked it, but I didn't love it.

I read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions contained in this review are my own.

Sixth in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, The Liberty Bride, by MaryLu Tyndall, follows two patriots through the days and weeks leading up to the 1814 attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812. Tyndall’s grasp of the history of this time is excellent, and her characters come to life right on the page.

Emeline Baratt is a plucky and courageous young woman whose father insists she forget her interest in art, and seek a suitable husband. When she accepts a commission to paint a landscape for the mayor’s wife, her father sends her to England to care for her aging aunt. Sailing home from England on her father's privateer ship, they are attacked by a British warship. Emeline and the entire crew are taken prisoner, but in order to stay out of the brig, she manages to convince the ship's captain that she and her female chaperone are loyal to the crown.

Owen Masters is an officer in the Royal Navy. He is also an American spy. Attracted to Emeline, Owen is discouraged when she insists that she is loyal to the crown. Afraid to trust, yet extremely attracted to each other, they dance around their feelings. Still distrustful of each other, the two are sent on a spying mission to learn of the Americans’ plans, number of troops, ordinance, etc., and report back to the ship. What each of them secretly intends to do is give similar information about the British to the Americans. Emeline prays for success. Owen doubts God cares for him.

Their experiences between leaving the ship and reaching the American encampment are at once terrifying and heartwarming. As with all the books in the series, history comes alive, and we are given more insight into the lives of several ordinary people who sacrificed so much for the liberty of this young republic.

This is one of the best works of Christian fiction I have read in quite a while. Without seeming preachy, Tyndall and The Liberty Bride remind us that we are never alone, and that God has our backs. Emeline believed that, in order for God to love her, she had to give up her dreams and adventurous spirit, and become a “proper lady” as described by her father's rules. God showed her (and us) that we can have fun, follow our dreams, and be as adventurous as we choose. She reminds us that loving and trusting God is not about following a bunch of rules made up by humans. Rather, it is about love and trust and kindness. 

What Makes This Reviewer Grumpy?

Using the phrase “begs the question” to indicate “raises the question”:  the two are not interchangeable. Using it in this way is an error that began in the late 20th century, not in 1814.

Aside from that, the usual things:  split infinitives, misplacement of the word “only” within sentences, using “brings” and “brought” in place of the more accurate “takes” and “took”, and missing commas.

I liked the basic plot of this book, but I didn't really click with these characters, which made it hard to become fully invested in the story. Emeline often came across as weak and wishy-washy in her thoughts, obsessing over what a "proper lady" would do and believing that God had brought all this calamity on her because she "wasn't good," yet her outward behaviour was that of a strong, confident woman—albeit also brash and naïve at times. The two didn't mesh to create a believable character for me, and at times one or the other was emphasized (or repeated) to the point where it became annoying.

Owen didn't do much for me as a hero either. He's supposedly a womanizer, although we see little evidence of that beyond numerous references to his appreciation of the sight and scent of the heroine. Nevertheless, I couldn't really see what attracted Emeline to him on an emotional level. He was so hot and cold with her, and all because he believed she was his enemy! I love stories where the hero and heroine begin as enemies but then learn to see beyond that; this couple never got to that point. 

There was a strong spiritual thread running through this story, with both Owen and Emeline needing to discover that God was not simply a divine rule-maker and -enforcer, but this growth happened a little too suddenly after much resistance for it to truly convince me. 

In the end, this one wasn't my cup of tea, but readers who read more for plot and setting may still enjoy this one.

First, I would like to thank the publisher and author for gifting me a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I received the first title in the Daughter of the Mayflower series last year on goodreads and Netgalley. This was my first introduction to the author and to the series. I am a big fan of historical fiction when it is done well and found the series to be pretty enjoyable. Stories well told with fictional characters based around historical events. I had a list of books to read so the Liberty Bride kept getting left in the pile, but once I did start reading, it was a quick and enjoyable read. There is a Christian basis to these stories without being overly preachy. I enjoy learning more about history and getting a glimpse at what it could have been like to be there. The characters are likable., the stories exciting and adventurous. There nothing mind blowing or life changing, but simply an enjoyable, clean historical fiction.

This was really sweet! I'm keen to try out the other books in the series now. Thanks for the review opportunity!

"Never you fear about that. God be wit' us."
"How do you know God is not with the British?"
"Don't matter wha' side 'e takes. 'E's still wit' you and me."

The Liberty Bride (2018, Barbour) by MaryLu Tyndall is the sixth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. It's a standalone Christian historical romance set on the sea in the Atlantic Ocean in 1814. I believe the last book I read by this author was Surrender the Sea, which is another great seafaring adventure.

Rating: 4.5 stars

The heroine: Emeline Baratt, 22, is returning to the states after two years in England with her great-aunt learning how to be a "proper lady." Emeline's an avid artist and has "medical skills she'd learned while accompanying her uncle on his rounds in Baltimore" prior to living in Brighton. Unfortunately, when her ship nears Baltimore, it's captured by the British navy. Emeline convinces the captain she's loyal to England, so she's only semi-imprisoned. While onboard, her artist and medical skills are put to use.

The hero: First Lieutenant Owen Masters, 25, of the British frigate that captured Emeline's merchant ship is actually an American spy, and has been looking for an opportunity to pass information on to the States. At his uncle's behest, he's looking for "just one bit of vital information. That's all we need." But "just when he was finally in a position to be of use to his country, now he had prisoners to protect." And one of those prisoners is Emeline, "the most stunning creature Owen had ever seen." Owen isn't the typical hero of Christian fiction, as he is a rake and fond of drink. "A bit of a wild card, Owen is, I mean Lieutenant Masters. The opposite of our captain, I'd say. But the men adore him. And despite the antics, the captain admires him as well. He can always count on Owen to volunteer for the most dangerous missions."

Christian elements:

*Emeline believes that when bad things are happening, it is because God is punishing her. "Either God had a rather peculiar sense of humor or He was still punishing her for her past rebellion." I think some people do think this way, and eventually need to learn that this isn't the way God works. Regardless, I still felt that this sort of thinking in Emeline popped up too much in the story.

*Owen, on the other hand, is completely closed-off to God. "...he had to conclude that God was not only distant, but perhaps even unloving."

Food for thought:

*"But followin' a bunch of rules don't make you righteous in God's eyes."

*"Certainly God wanted the Americans to win… to keep their freedom. Didn't he? Or perhaps he took no interest in the governments of men."

*"How can you praise God down here?"
" 'E is worthy to be praised everywhere. It don't matter our situation."

Is it clean/chaste? Yes. There is one point when Emeline admires Owen's muscles when he is briefly shirtless. She does drop her gaze, though. Trigger warning: There is an attempted rape. It was detailed enough to make me nervous. There's also one steamy kiss I could have done without.

Other content: Some alcohol served aboard the ship. Some British swearing: "blasted American privateers."

What I liked:

*A character apologizes to God for lying. I dislike seeing ambiguity in Christian fiction as to whether or not lying (or any other sin) is a problem. It's good for characters to be flawed, but sin needs to be acknowledged in some way in Christian fiction.

As a side note, there's a brief discussion on whether or not lying is okay during war. This is something I don't remember ever contemplating, so I found that pretty interesting.

*The captain of the British army that captured Emeline is a good man - one that respects God. I think that's a bold choice on the part of the author, given that he is the "enemy" of the story. It adds a nice complexity to the tale.

What I didn’t like: Just the items mentioned under the "Is it clean/chaste?" header in this review. And I found only one typo.

***********

The bottom line: I loved this novel set on the sea. I recommend it to fans of historical Christian fiction or of seafaring adventures, as long as the content doesn't sound like it's too much for the reader. The next book I read by Ms. Tyndall might be Surrender the Night.

I enjoyed the early American setting on both land and sea and the theme of patriotism that runs throughout the book. There is plenty of action and I appreciated the historical details that brought authenticity and made me grateful I live now instead of then! The swift pace of the plot made it hard to put the book down and even though I didn't quite connect with the main characters' emotions, I found the story captivating with twists and turns that made me wonder how on earth there would be a happily ever after. I loved the premise that Emeline and Owen are both spying for the same side, yet don't know that about each other and hold the perceived loyalties of the other against them. I would have thought that they'd realize it sooner, but I understand the risk involved if they happened to be mistaken. They were both likeable characters that grew in their faith and learned important life lessons.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Emeline Baratt an America get’s captured by a British warship. In order to survive she must act like a traitor to her country. She meets Lieutenant Owens Masters who she finds herself attracted to but he is the enemy. When she is sent on land to spy on her country for the British she must pick where her loyalties lie. Will her feelings for Owens or her country win out at the end? Only God can help her find her way.

A christian historical romance novel that has adventure, faith, love, moments that are fun and will make you fall in love with these characters. I enjoyed reading this story and it put a smile on my face.

Historical fiction told with historical accuracy is hard to find, except in the Mayflower Bride series. This is book 6, but the books are only a series in that they are set historically. Each is a stand alone romance. This one takes place on a warship travelling from Britain to America during the War of 1812. The author has built a genuine back story for the characters that brings them alive as part of history. Each has reasons to resist their feelings and must learn to trust each other. I really enjoyed being part of their story for awhile. A good story that also includes a great romance.

I have read and loved all of the Brides of the Mayflower series. I loved following along with it as it progresses with time. This series started out in 1620 and as of the sixth book we are now up to 1814 Baltimore. I live two hours from Baltimore and enjoy walking along the harbor there so this was even more enjoyable for me. MaryLu Tyndall does an amazing job with her description of the ship and the going on's on it. Strong, faith filled book that is another favorite in this series.
Pub Date 01 Dec 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have never read a book by MaryLu Tyndall that I did not thoroughly enjoy and The Liberty Bride is no exception! I love her portrayal of strong, capable heroines and equally matched heros. Lots of giggles and smiles and swoon-worthy moments. An enjoyable story and one I highly recommend to others.

This is the sixth installment of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book is written by multiple authors and covers a variety of historical conflicts in America’s history. This slice of history is the War of 1812.

Main female character is Emeline who is on her way home aboard one of her father’s ships when they are stopped by leading man, First Lt. Owen Masters. Sparkes fly between them some good some bad. She starts to think that all the trouble might be that God is not pleased with her and she’s being punished for past sins.

Sandwiched in between historical events, spying, Emeline trying to use her nursing skills to help prisoners there is a riveting historical journey during the war of 1812, with a splash of romance over the high seas action adventure you expect from this author. I was intrigued and learned much about this time period and the high price Emeline and First Lt. Owen Masters paid in order to be a spy and get the information to their source so lives could be saved.

Reluctantly Owen and Emeline embark a dangerous mission together for the sake of their countries. They don’t trust one another but they must arrive in time,. “Lives” were at stake.

There are still more novels to be read in the Daughters of Mayflower series out soon. I enjoyed the history notes from the author in the back of the book.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher/Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-issues-book-fun-mag

4 stars- I have enjoyed this new series from Barbour. It’s been fun to read about different times in history and to follow one family’s tree through the generations. I also like how each book touches on a specific time in American history. I have read most of Mary Lu Tyndall’s books and really enjoyed her series set during the War of 1812. Therefore, I knew this period in time was one she was very familiar with and that I was in good hands. Plus, I knew she would provide her readers with a lot of fascinating naval knowledge and intriguing action on the high seas.
This was another great read. I liked Emeline and that she had spunk and a mind of her own. She was always striving to be what she thought her father wanted her to be and what she felt a good “Christian” should be but her God given abilities and fervor for life kept getting in the way. Owen was also an admirable character. He too was striving to overcome what he felt were his faults and the faults of his father. He wanted to prove he was differ than the man that had abandoned his family.
I didn’t always agree with Emeline’s choices but that was part of her growing up and learning to be more confident. I loved her heart and willingness to stand up for those less fortunate. This story was a great lesson in learning to be who God made you to be and was one of my favorite books in the series so far.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is the sixth book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. The heroine is the granddaughter of the couple from book 3, The Captured Bride. This book has action, romance, interesting historical information about the War of 1812, and great spiritual content. Both Emeline and Owen had to pretend to be someone they were not, which really added to the tension. Once they went ashore on a spy mission, the danger and suspense really ramped up. They both struggled with knowing God because of their distorted view of Him. I don't see many stories set in this time period so I enjoyed the historical information (sidenote: I loved the author's Surrender to Destiny series also set during the War of 1812). I I think this book had it all and was one of the best in the Daughters of Mayflower series, thus far.
* I received this book free of charge from NetGalley.

The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall is the sixth book in a series of books by various authors, telling a story through the birth of America. This story is set during the war of 1812.

Returning from England home to Baltimore in 1812, Emeline finds the ship she is sailing on taken over by the British and herself made a prisoner of war. Refusing to accept her fate, Emeline fibs and says she is a British spy, thus getting herself out of captivity and into the captain’s trust. Upon docking in Maryland, she realizes the information she has could be very beneficial to the American troops. Will she find her way to safety, and will the truth set her and her country free?

I really enjoyed this book, but then I have enjoyed all of Tyndall’s books that I’ve read over the years. She has a great way of creating characters that draw you in with their doubts and hopes and fears, and creating a redemption story for them that is inspiring beyond the story. The plot drew me in and I found myself reading this book whenever I got the chance over the holidays, laughing out loud over the situations the characters got themselves into but also not being able to tear myself away.

Did you know MaryLu Tyndall was a guest poster on my blog in 2018? You can read what she had to say about how God inspires her creativity by clicking here.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.

The links in this post are affiliate links to amazon, which means that if you click through to purchase the book, I’ll get a small commission, but it won’t increase your price any.

I received a copy of this book for free. I was not required to post a positive review and the views and opinions expressed are my own.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I have read all the previous books to this series and this one just seemed to drag for me until I got to about the middle of the book. I thought the first part was very repetitious and could have been reduced to a few chapters. It took me several days to read the first part, and I almost quit reading it at one point, but I was curious to see how the relationship of Emeline and Owen would work out. It does get much better, and turned out to be very good. As a whole it is an excellent read and I have enjoyed all of the Brides of the Mayflower series.

SSETTING: Romantic story of young woman, Emeline Baratt, returning to America during the War of 1812, after her English Uncle and Aunt had died. Aboard an American privateer owned by her father, their ship was captured by an English frigate. Emeline and part of her crew were taken captive aboard the English ship. Pretending to have English loyalties, she is allowed certain privileges aboard, and is sent off on a spying mission along with several crew members, one of whom happens to be an American spy-Owen Masters. The attraction between the 2 had been building while on board, chilled by Emeline’s pretense to be supportive of the English. Will the mission succeed in supplying information helpful to the English, or will Emeline be able to relay important information on a planned British attack in Baltimore? Will Emeline and Owen learn the other’s secret loyalty to America and come to trust each other, or will distrust ruin their tenuous relationship?
CRITIQUE: The storyline is good, and the H & h have appealing personalities. Each is struggling with their relationship with God. Throughout the book, various characters lend spiritual aid, trying to help our couple with their faith—at times overly melodramatic. This makes the entire book appropriate for readers of all ages, but also lowers my overal rating of the book.
The book was accurate in its historical details of Generals involved, military plans and actual attacks. However, this is not primarily a book of the history of the War of 1812, but of a story taking place during this time. There is a short Bibliography at the end that readers may find useful in doing further research on the period covered.
I received this book as an advanced copy from Net Gallery. This review is voluntary. 3.5 stars

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I enjoyed it tremendously. I found a lot of very surprising and unexpected twists in the plot which definitely kept my interest throughout the book. I felt that the characters were very well-defined, and I came to know them as if they were actual people rather than characters in a book. I found the author's use of Christian themes throughout to be a very welcome addition. I appreciated the realistic views she portrayed as far as the characters thoughts and actions. Sometimes, authors try to write Christian-themed novels in a very stiff and awkward way, portraying characters as being "too upright." This author does not do that. Her characters have flaws which make them more human and more believable. I appreciate that realism when reading.