Cover Image: The Liberty Bride

The Liberty Bride

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This was a fun a read. It’s not clear from the description but Emeline is an American who finds herself captive aboard a British ship and pretends her true loyalty lies with England and not the younger country of her birth. Owen is also American by birth but has spent years as a double agent in the service of her majesty’s navy. They both hold grudges against each other for what they believe to be false loyalty to America which makes them a traitor. It’s a fun ploy to keep them apart. They are falling for each other but more importantly they want to help America win over England and fear having to turn in the other as a traitor. About half of the book takes place aboard the boat before they go on land to Baltimore.

I have read a few of the books in the series and really enjoyed this one. It requires no knowledge of any of the previous books to enjoy this one. In many ways this felt less historical than the others I read as this one is more of an adventure novel aside from the obvious war and loyalty issues. There were a bit too many internal monologues with Emeline’s struggle to obey convention and what she believed she should do. I did enjoy the lesson she learned about following God did not require so much sacrifice as she had feared. The novel is fast paced and an enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

The Liberty Bride was a compelling and interesting story. During the War of 1812 Emeline is headed home to America from England on when the ship is taken captive by the British. While captive, she meets Lieutenant Owen. Owen is a British solider. It's interesting to see their issues with trusting one another and feeling they are enemies. When they have to accomplish a task for the British, they finally learn to trust one another. I really enjoyed it and will be reading other books of hers in the future.

Was this review helpful?

The Liberty Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #6) by MaryLu Tyndall started out slow but as I read more the story became alive and was more interesting. It is the early 1810s and Emeline Baratt is on her way back to the United States from England on one of her father's ships. The British fire upon her ship and the passengers and crew become prisoners of the British. Emeline pledges her allegiance to the British. The Captain gives Emeline privileges not given to the other captives and she has a certain amount of freedom. But she is drawn to Lt. Masters even though they are sworn enemies. Emeline is not aware that Lt. Owen Masters is a spy for the United States and Owen is not aware that Emeline's loyalty is to the States. This is a historical romance and is a fun read.

Was this review helpful?

Great story! I could hardly put it down! The Liberty Bride takes place during the War of 1812, beginning with a privateer ship being captured by a British warship. An exciting story of two people working as spies for America, even though neither know the other is working for the American side. I enjoyed reading this book! It's a story I will read again and again! I look forward to reading more titles from this author!

Was this review helpful?

THE LIBERTY BRIDE by MARYLU TYNDALL is a historical novel which takes place in 1814, when Emeline Baratt's father's ship is attacked and taken over by the British. Emeline decides to try and save the day by pretending to be British and this leads to all kinds of adventures. She has always felt that her father disapproves of her determined character, and for this reason she feels she is a disappointment to God as well.
Lieutenant Owen Masters is also an American spy who has been in the British navy for years, trying to get information to help his country win the war. He too has a wrong perception of God, seeing Him as an unbending, authoritarian figure. His opinions were formed by his father, who was a legalistic, harsh preacher, who let both his family and the church down very badly.
It is a sensitively told story of courage, forgiveness and loyalty, and also God's grace, protection and leading. We see Emeline's compassionate nature as she doctors both friend and enemy with the same zeal.
We see the horrors of war, where men kill one another for "freedom", compared to the true freedom that the Father offers us in Christ.
It is a really enjoyable book, with deep truth underlying the exciting story. I recommend it as a really good read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Emeline doesn't always do what's expected much to her father's dismay. Now after spending a year in England with her aunt, Emeline is returning home. When her father's ship is seized by the British Royal Navy, Emeline helps nurse the wounded sailors on both sides. Owen, both a Lieutenant in the British navy and an American spy, is intrigued by Emeline. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. Emeline is a very strong and brave woman. Emeline wrestles with what is expected and what she thinks is right. I liked the Christian themes through the book as Emeline and Owen struggle with their faith. This is a suspenseful book set during the War of 1812. I liked this book very much.

Was this review helpful?

Emeline Baratt is the 7th generation of the Lytton family when Tyndall once again picks up the saga of the Lytton family. With her mother deceased, her father has sent her to her Great Aunt in England to become a lady. Instead Emeline finds herself a caregiver for her great aunt who has become ill. After 2 years, her aunt has died; and Emeline is returning home on an American ship that is taken over as bounty by an English vessel. War has broken out between the Americans and English once again in 1812 as England attempts to return the US to its control.

Emeline is definitely a lively and engaging character. As she plays her double role, she portrays the perfect English lady while internally staying true to her American roots. Owen, a British Lieutenant, is the perfect hero playing his double role to a tee. Both of them were intensely loyal to the US whilst playing their roles as a British lady and officer. Yet never knowing the true person behind the facade. Yet hints are shown in their kindness and caring for the American prisoners taken aboard the English
ship.

This book hooked me from the start and was another definite success in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. This series can be read as stand alones but are more enjoyable when read as a series.

Was this review helpful?

The sixth book in this series features Emeline Barrett, a spunky lady with a mind of her own. The War of 1812 is the setting as Emeline is sailing home to her father in Maryland when her ship is captured by a British frigate. For safety reasons, she declares her loyalty to the Crown and tries to obtain information to give the Americans. Also, on board is LT Owen Masters, an American spy. Neither Owen or Emeline trust each other but feel a mutual attraction. Sparks fly as this story progresses. Very enjoyable read. Highly recommended!.

Was this review helpful?

I've enjoying this series. Each book is written by a different author so some books I enjoy more than others.

This is one enjoyed very much. I haven't read a book by MaryLu in a long time. I forget how talented she is and how much I loved her stories.

Emaline is a strong character who has to make some tough choices.

Owen is a desirable hero, who is trying to lead a double life.

The reader knows Emaline and Owen's secret but they don't know each others secret and I was just waiting for the truth to come out. Chapter after chapter the tension builds as they get buried deeper in their lies.

A wonderful historical romance.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

America and Great Britain fought TWO wars against one another. Who knew? (Probably you; I didn’t.) That’s one reason I love historical fiction—I learn history and enjoy it. Approximately 30 years after the Revolutionary War, the war of 1812 was our “second war for independence,” one that restored America's independence and honor, and opened the way to westward expansion. The war had a large naval component. It is here, in the Atlantic Theater that The Liberty Bride takes place.

This book is #6 in a series, but it stands alone well. (I haven’t read any of the others, but now want to go back and read them, too!)

I enjoy MaryLu Tyndall’s writing. I feel her characters have depth and are relatable. I appreciated the heroine's struggles and triumphs. She was not one dimensional but felt real. That being said, I was a little unsure of the male protagonist of this book. References by others on the ship’s crew make him out to be a playboy and dangerous and I didn’t see that (or resolution of it) in the story. But that is minor and didn’t detract too much from the storyline.

I liked this book. I didn’t get bored at sea (2/3 of the book is at sea) and couldn’t wait to see how everything would work out in the end.

Was this review helpful?

The Liberty Bide by MaryLu Tyndall is the sixth book of the Daughter of the Mayflower series, though it can be read independantly without missing anything. I have fallen in love with this series, it’s quite unique because many different authors participate., I actually broke my reading stop when I saw I got the arc, which is really special because reading stops only happen when I’m too ill to read. It took me a week where it would normally take a few hours, but I read it and I can say this is my favorite book of the series yet!

Emeline is an artist at heart, she has amazing painting skills, but her father, wants her to marry. She has rejected all the men in Baltimore, so it is decided that she stays a while in England with her aunt. She in the hopes of getting more opportunity to paint, and her father’s hope is that someone strikes her heart. Unfortunately the aunt dies, so she is forced to return to Baltimore on one of her father’s ships, but it seems like it might not be the best idea to be on a ship in the middle of the Indepence War. Their worst fears come true, and the crew with Emeline among them are taken prisoner by an English vessel. To save herself from imprisonment and hopefully gain some useful information, she claims to be loyal to the English crown. Much to the dismay of the American spy Owen, who is slowly growing very fond of her...

Normally I’m not one to fancy miscommunication plots, where everything can just be resolved by being honest, but this is a different kind - you can really understand why the secrets are being kept since lives are at stake. It was nice to not be frustrated for once! The characters are well fleshed out, especially Emeline grows a lot in this book, from an insecure woman who wants to do the right thing and be a proper lady, to understanding one doesn’t need to be a proper lady to be loved by God (and someone else maybe too lol). This brings so much freedom, and it makes her free spirit, bravery and kindness shine through later on in the book. There are interesting side characters, and though much of the story is spend on the few square feet of a ship, there is never a dull or boring moment, it is quite fast paced actually. I love the writing style, the sentences really flow into one another, and of course I slightly fell in love with Owen along with Emeline.

Was this review helpful?

This book is in a series of books that describe life throughout the history of European North America. I found this book to be more enjoyable than the others in the series. I liked the characters and the spying. It was interesting to see people who were both on the same side and couldn't see it in the other one. It was a very good book that kept me involved right up to the end.

Was this review helpful?

Like The Patriot Bride, this story centers on the time in history when America was fighting the British for independence. This is the War of 1812 and once again spies are very important.

I liked that spying was more a part of this story than in The Patriot Bride. It was fun to see how, when you're being so careful, you protect yourself, yes, but you also miss the help you could have.

The faith element was also unique in that both Emeline and Owen were essentially struggling with the same thing and going about "solving" their problem in very different ways. I appreciated that Emeline wrestled with deceit and lying. Just because it's war doesn't make the decisions easier. Same with Owen. I kind of wish he'd had a last encounter with the captain and with Ben, just to see if they forgave, but the ending was still good.

Was this review helpful?

I got this book for one reason and one reason only--MaryLu Tyndall. I love her fast-paced swashbuckling romances on the high seas. And while the adventure on the ship and the high stakes of war didn't disappoint, sadly, the characters kind of did. For some reason they just fell a little flat for me. I almost felt that the author was held back a bit compared to some of her indie titles. The book was still good, just not one of my favorites from her.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! What an excellent series The Daughters of the Mayflower was. If you haven't read them all though, don't worry. The last book in the series by MaryLu Tyndall, The Liberty Bride, can be read as a standalone.

Right from the first page the author grabs your attention and doesn't let go. There is adventure, intrigue, danger and romance. Everything you look for in good historical fiction.

I loved the characters (even the nasty ones). Tyndall is such a good writer. She knows how to keep her readers up all night! The best part of this series is that several different authors write it. If you are looking for a Christmas gift, this entire series will make an excellent addition to a historical reader's library. I highly recommend them, and this final book in the series was a perfect ending.

Was this review helpful?

Romance on a British Warship During the War of 1812

Emaline Baratt preferred her painting to rushing into marriage. Her father, however, had different ideas. He believed that the only appropriate life for a young woman was marriage and the sooner the better. Because of her resistance, he packed her off to Brighton, England to live with her wealthy aunt.

Emaline delayed returning to Baltimore as long as possible, but with the death of her aunt, she must return. She is the center of attraction, particularly for young officers, when she returns on one of her father’s ships.

This is the era of the War of 1812. When a British warship sights the ship, they open fire. Emaline is taken prisoner. She decides the best way to save herself is to pretend British sympathy. Therefore, she is given her freedom to tend to the wounded. She also receives the Captain’s attention because of her art.

One of the young officers, Lieutenant Owen Masters is both attracted and repulsed by her. He’s an American spy and while he’s drawn to Emmaline, he can’t risk his cover.

This is the sixth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. As with the others, it is a romance with a background of a period in American history. The history is well researched and over the six books we get a picture of the struggles of the young American republic.

The characters are typical for a romance novel. Owen and Emaline are attracted but try to fight their blooming interest. The book has adventure, but it’s mostly in the first and last chapters. For me, the middle sagged a little. I recommend this book if you enjoy romance with a realistic historic background.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review.

Was this review helpful?

The publisher of this novel asked me to read and review this book. It was a bit different than what I thought it would be.

Let me start with some explanation. I am from Europe, the Netherlands, where religion is a very private thing unless you are a militant Muslim or a Jehova's witness. A lot of people do believe in God or Allah but most will not go public about that. Due to my European roots American patriotism in novels can sometimes grind a bit when it is overdone. Maybe I am more on the English "side" ;-)

Now back to the novel:

First of all romance novels are nowadays often filled with a lot of sex. This one is not! More than a kiss does not happen. For a short love story the novel does try to be layered and not be shallow. Both parties have trouble reconciling their political beliefs with the fact that they are falling in love with a traitor. After a bit of a slow start a lot of action takes place and to the credit of the writer the lines between the parties get blurred because people respect or befriend people on the other side as well. This writer uses her romance novels also as a way to bring people to Jesus by talking about salvation. It brings depth to the story but for readers from cultures where you do not shout your religion from the rooftops the open referring to God over and over again can be a bit much. Maybe also because in my very strict religious upbringing it can border with blasphemy to preach on every corner of the street as Jesus warns in the New Testament. I guess it is a difference between American and Dutch culture (I have played wargames online where American players posted daily bible quotes in between "ok we go and kill the purple group" and "Are your armies ready?").

Secondly for people who are not American (or English) the setting of this novel might be a bit confusing. I thought "Americans fighting the British'? Oh it is set during the American revolution. I did not get the traitor thing in a certain scene and then a president Madison was mentioned and I had to open Google. So no American Revolution but the War of 1812 (never heard of to my shame as I am an avid amateur historian). Apparently after the American Independence the British kept supporting the Indians and so a part of the US wanted a war over Canada. After a couple of cities were attacked by the Brits who did not want a war with problems with Napoleon at home and the Americans not gaining what they wanted, a peace treaty was signed and the USA was in isolationists politics for the next century. So the book was an interesting history lesson as well.

I think this novel is a good read for people who likes their stories "clean". Also for people who like to read something in a real historic setting especially Americans who might like to read about the events that let to the composing of their national anthem. For all the foreigners in a second edition it might be handy to include a short introduction explaining the historical setting like "It is ... years after the war of independence and now..."

What makes me wonder: is the period one of the persons is under cover not overly long?

Was this review helpful?

MaryLu Tyndall's contribution completes the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Stretched out the entire year, they have been marvelous stories of our nation from beginning to the 1800s. Well written by a slew of great Christian fiction authors, these stories mesh fact with fiction to give the reader an excellent look back in time. Great stories, every single one. Recommended.

*My thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book. The opinion stated here is entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a wonderful seafaring adventure—set in the historical context of the War of 1812. Although this book is the 6th in the series, it can be read entirely as a stand-alone novel. I found myself rooting for the two main characters—Emaline and Owen. Each was keeping secrets from the people around them. Tyndall ties up the conclusion in a satisfying way. I think anyone who reads historical fiction/romance would enjoy this book.

Was this review helpful?

Another Daughters of the Mayflower book! I love when a series of books can be read as stand alones. I also love when various authors write a series, because it exposes me to different author’s writing styles and voices.

The Liberty Bride is the 6th book of this 8-book series, (Yay – 2 more books!) and the first book I’ve read by MaryLu Tyndall. She set the tone quickly, drawing me in with the very first lines.

For me, this was a fast read. The pacing was great and the characters were unique and intriguing. It was fun to ride on the high seas and watch Emeline and Owen figure out who they really are and where their loyalties lie.

With elements of romance and suspense, this is a great read for those who are interested in historical, high seas, or pirate stories. (Be sure not to miss the Author’s Historical Notes at the end of the book.)

Author: MaryLu Tyndall
Publisher: Barbour Books
Series: Daughters of the Mayflower Book 6
Pages: 256
Pacing: Steady/Fast
Opening Line: What would it feel like to drown…to float listlessly down…down…beneath the chilled waters of the Atlantic?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Was this review helpful?