Surrender the Heart (Surrender to Destiny, #1)

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Surrender the Heart (Surrender to Destiny #1)

by M.L. Tyndall (Goodreads Author), MaryLu Tyndall

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 830 ratings · 142 reviews

On the brink of the War of 1812, Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can't receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. But Noah Brenin needs to sail his cargo to England before the war commences in order to prove his worth to his father and make enough money so he won't have to marry at all.

Defying his father's wis...more

Paperback, 368 pages

Published August 1st 2010 by Barbour Books (first published June 1st 2010)

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Jul 04, 2010 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-fiction

Marianne Denton finds herself engaged to the man who tormented her when they were both children because she needs to access her dowry to save her mother and sister. Noah Brenin agreed to the engagement to please his father, but now regrets it. On the night of their engagement party, Noah decides to continue to torment her - hoping she'll break off the engagement so he won't have to damage her reputation by doing it himself.

Unfortunately, Marianne has grown a backbone and decides to confront Noah...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Gwen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: top-favorites

Don't you just love it when you open a new book and the first sentence grabs your attention?

"I'd rather boil in oil than marry Noah Brenin."

Yep, this book had me at first sentence. :-)

Desperate for her dowry, Marianne accepts a marriage proposal from her childhood enemy, Noah. Her dowry will buy the medicines that can save her mother's life and keep her little sister from poverty. Noah proposed marriage to Marianne to please his father and save the family merchant business, but he doesn't plan o...more Don't you just love it when you open a new book and the first sentence grabs your attention?

"I'd rather boil in oil than marry Noah Brenin."

Yep, this book had me at first sentence. :-)

Desperate for her dowry, Marianne accepts a marriage proposal from her childhood enemy, Noah. Her dowry will buy the medicines that can save her mother's life and keep her little sister from poverty. Noah proposed marriage to Marianne to please his father and save the family merchant business, but he doesn't plan on actually marrying her. He plans to make a small fortune in England and the Caribbean islands, therefore making his marriage to Marianne unnecessary and easy to back out of.

Their engagement party is a disaster. Noah leaves early, determined to set sail for England that very evening. Humiliated and angry, Marianne follows to speak with him, and through a series of unfortunate accidents, ends up trapped on Noah's ship and headed to England with him and his crew. When no amount of pleading will convince Noah to take her back to Baltimore, Marianne resorts to sabotage, but her actions cost them all when they cross paths with an English frigate, and Noah's ship is helpless to run.

Toward the middle, I started to lose patience with the story. It's not that the middle sags and there's nothing going on -- they're impressed aboard a British frigate! I was just anxious for them to escape and impatient with the numerous scenes featuring Marianne with the British captain, and Noah up in the yard arms day after day. It was probably my frame of mind while reading it, because it's written well, and balanced with enough action to keep going. There is some interaction between Noah and Marianne on the HMS Undefeatable -- some very romantic scenes, actually. My favorite was when Noah went to Marianne's cabin to comfort her during a fierce storm.

The characters are very life-like. Marianne is plain and plump, and deathly afraid of the ocean due to the way her father committed suicide. She believes that no man can ever love her, and nurses a distrust of everyone, including God. Noah is trying to win his father's approval and atone for his part in his brother's tragic death. Both of them face their deepest fears while impressed upon the British man-of-war, fears they'll need to overcome in order to survive.

My golly gosh, what an ending! Be prepared to stay up until the wee hours of the morning through the last quarter of the book, holding your breath! Tyndall masterfully took the war of 1812 and used it to remind me of the story of Gideon in a very powerful way. Impossible odds. Outnumbered. But God is on their side. Seriously, the ending was amazing. Five stars. I'll definitely be picking up more of Tyndall's books in the future.

My favorite lines from the book: "I believe Mr. Garrick frightened my illness away."

"Perhaps we should employ him as surgeon instead of first lieutenant. Then he could go about scaring everyone into perfect health." (less)

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Oct 27, 2010 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Margaret by: CBD

Shelves: christianfiction, historical, barbour-books, august-2010, favorites, 1811-1820-us-regency-like

I have loved everything that I read so far from MaryLu and I'm so excited about this new series, and the covers are to die for! Marianne is such a personality on the page and I really enjoyed reading her story as her emotions went this way and that. Usually in a book it is the heroine that I enjoy most, and although I do love Marianne to death, Noah was the on that captured my heart. Page by page and chapter by chapter MaryLu takes you on an adventure rocked by the waves of the sea.

From the snug...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Carrie Penney rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, kindle-loan, tower-team, historical-fiction, romance, christian-fiction, christian-romance, words-with-friends, 1st-in-a-series, american-history, american

Marianne needs to marry in order to receive her inheritance. Money that is so desperately needed for her mother and little sister. After the death of her father they were left with nothing, but an outsider could never tell. They hide it well. Being a little plump and a little plain Marianne doesn't really have a line of young men lining up to court her, so it all comes down to an arranged marriage between the families. She does not want to marry Noah Brenin.

Noah isn't overly trilled about the p...more

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Jul 05, 2011 TJ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, kindle-archives, clean

4.5/5.0

A surprisingly rich and evocative romance set during the war of 1812. Marianne is a plain, somewhat plump young lady who desperately needs the money from her inheritance to help pay for her gravely ill mother's medicines. The only way to obtain it, however, is through marriage and the man the families have agreed upon is just as determined to avoid her and break off the arrangement as she is to see it through.

The story takes us into the life of the seafaring merchants of the time, those u...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Janelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, e-books, favorites, series-to-complete

I really, really liked this book! It was an action packed Christian romance based on historical events. Perfect combo for me.

I am quite often getting the free Kindle books from Amazon and mostly enjoy them, but this one was extra special. While this one was Christian, it didn't lack for romance either.

Set in time leading up to the War of 1812 between The United States and British Empire, we meet Marianne as she is prepping for her arranged engagement to the insufferable Noah Brenin. Their famil...more I really, really liked this book! It was an action packed Christian romance based on historical events. Perfect combo for me.

I am quite often getting the free Kindle books from Amazon and mostly enjoy them, but this one was extra special. While this one was Christian, it didn't lack for romance either.

Set in time leading up to the War of 1812 between The United States and British Empire, we meet Marianne as she is prepping for her arranged engagement to the insufferable Noah Brenin. Their families have set up the engagement for the benefit of their own families, however neither one wants to be married to the other. She thinks Noah is a boor and a clod. He thinks she's a spoiled rich brat. However, Marianne isn't really rich anymore, she needs to marry someone in order to receive the inheritance her deceased father had set up for her in order to take care of her ailing mother.

Noah quickly shows his face at the engagement party and makes a hasty departure to sail his merchant ship to England. His hopes are to make enough money and not have to marry the prissy, Marianne. Little does Noah know that taking off as he did from the party has irritated Marianne to no end and she takes off after him to his ship.

A little incident happens and next thing Marianne knows, she is out to sea with no hope of return. Noah is absolutely disgusted knowing he has to spend months at sea with his unwanted fiancée. She wants to return home to her mother but he cannot risk turning back and not making the fortune he hopes to make with his ships cargo.

Marianne hatches plans to destroy the inventory but ends up getting the ship into trouble with a British man o'war frigate, The Undefeatable. Several of the crew and Marianne are impressed with the British ship; basically made into slaves.

In this situation, Noah and Marianne see the strength in each other and realize they must start to rely on God to see them through these hard times. They must trust God that he has a plan and they must accept that they do not know His plan, only that there is one.

Through stormy seas, beatings, horrendous surroundings, Marianne, Noah and the rest of Noah's captured crew makes plans to escape. Through a series of action packed events, they come to their moment of escape and it doesn't go as planned. Noah and Marianne are separated and both are heartbroken. Noah vows he will get Marianne back, even risk death as he'd rather die with her, than without her. Awwwwww!!

I won't go on anymore from there, don't want to spoil it! It really was such a fantastic book. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
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Jun 14, 2012 Stacey rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Surrender the Heart”, the first novel in the Surrendered to Destiny Series, is a wild, page-turning adventure from the first turn of phrase. Mary Lu Tyndall creates vibrant characters that set sail on sparkling seas and into the hearts of her audience. Marianne Denton is not your typical wealthy American girl. She is being forced to marry Noah Brenin to unlock her inheritance so that her mother may receive much-needed medical care.

Noah’s circumstances aren’t much better. He lives in the shadow...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Be prepared to be "swept away" to a time where strife and war command the waters. Where two people find themselves, the Lord and each other! Marianne, a bold and thoughtful young woman whose life seems plain and unexciting, who must sacrifice her happiness for the sakes of her mother and sister finds herself "thrown" into the ride of her life onboard The Fortune. Noah, a courageous, witty and sincere young man whose dream is to prove his worthiness to his father, has endured much pain and neglec...more Be prepared to be "swept away" to a time where strife and war command the waters. Where two people find themselves, the Lord and each other! Marianne, a bold and thoughtful young woman whose life seems plain and unexciting, who must sacrifice her happiness for the sakes of her mother and sister finds herself "thrown" into the ride of her life onboard The Fortune. Noah, a courageous, witty and sincere young man whose dream is to prove his worthiness to his father, has endured much pain and neglected love at the hand of his father. Noah's longing for independence will make him think twice when he and Marianne are put together through their parents arranged marriage. Neither Noah nor Marianne can barely stand being in each others presence. Daniel a young boy who shows some of the crew on board The Undefeatable and The Fortune that by faith in Our One True God and by hope (when all seems hopeless) can change the present and the future. Along with some very personable characters makes this one book you won't likely be able to forget anytime soon. As the war of 1812 escalates its every man and woman for themselves. When Noah and Marianne and other members of the crew are captured and impressed onboard a British warship the crew quickly finds out how much they are despised by the British. The British apply heartless and painful tortuous punishment on their captives to get them to be submissive. While most of the officers are cruel there are some aboard the British ship "Undefeatable" who are honest and forthright and wish no harm to come to the Americans. The reader will feel as if they are onboard witnessing a great battle! A very faithfilled, entertaining, engaging and compeling read for anyone seeking adventure, romance and the love of the sea. Mrs Tyndall's vast knowledge of history and unlimited creative writing make this a novel to enjoy, savor and reread again! I am very eager to read the next novel in the series and long to once again become (a part in history!)
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Nov 12, 2011 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Surrender the Heart
Marianne Denton needs to marry Noah Brenin so she can get her inheritance. This is the only way she can afford the medicine her mother needs. But either Noah or Marianne is very excited about the wedding, why Noah even walked out on his own engagement party! If Noah could make enough money from the cargo he is taking to England maybe he won’t have to marry this woman he doesn’t even like. But little did he know that Marianne would follow him to the ship, only to get stranded t...more

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Nov 09, 2011 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian, historical, romance

Being English, I grew up with stories of naval battles, Hornblower, Bolitho and co. Being a girl, I mourned the lack of female role models in such tales of valor. And being an avid reader I just borrowed my brother’s books.

MaryLu Tyndall creates a fun heroine in her historical naval romance, Surrender the Heart, though there were times when I could wish the reluctantly betrothed Marianne were a little less headstrong. For someone afraid of water she’s dangerously careless on board ship, but she...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Loraine Alcorn rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received this wonderful book free off amazon and I'm so glad I did , Now I just have to read all of MaryLu Tyndall's books .

I really enjoyed this book, it really has everything a Christian fiction book should have . I loved the way both Noah and Marianne went from 2 people practically forced to become engaged to finding their Destiny together through some exciting circumstances . This is a very inspiring read, it clearly shows the need for people to stop living with fear and resentment and tru...more

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May 01, 2011 Tamara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, m-l-tyndall

M.L. Tyndall has done it again! SURRENDER THE HEART, her latest novel, and the first in the Surrender to Destiny Series, kept me on the edge of my chair, or should I say pressed to the rail of yet another sea-faring adventure.

Marianne Denton has found herself in a no-win situation. She is betrothed to Noah Brenin, an insufferable foe from her childhood. Not only will their union be out of need so that Marianne can unlock her inheritance left to her from her father, but we find out that Noah Bren...more M.L. Tyndall has done it again! SURRENDER THE HEART, her latest novel, and the first in the Surrender to Destiny Series, kept me on the edge of my chair, or should I say pressed to the rail of yet another sea-faring adventure.

Marianne Denton has found herself in a no-win situation. She is betrothed to Noah Brenin, an insufferable foe from her childhood. Not only will their union be out of need so that Marianne can unlock her inheritance left to her from her father, but we find out that Noah Brenin’s only interest in Marianne is to receive her dowry and help with his own family’s fortune. Marianne is willing to make the sacrifice of marrying Captain Brenin, only because her mother is in ill health and she must get the funds from her dowry to pay for her mother’s medical expenses.

When Marianne is shunned by Noah at their engagement party, she follows him onto his ship, the Fortune, and ends up setting sail with the rude and incorrigible captain Brenin. Marianne is soon discovered and insists that Noah turn the ship around and take her home to her ailing mother. Noah refuses because he needs to make his destination quickly to off-load his cargo and receive the income for his goods.

Noah is less than thrilled to see Marianne, but soon realizes she isn’t the insufferable snob he grew up with. Something about Marianne has changed and it is wreaking havoc with Noah’s senses. Not wanting Marianne to suffer embarrassment by breaking off their engagement, Noah decides to treat Marianne rudely and of little worth, so that she will be the one to break their engagement and thus save her reputation. Though Noah tries to play the part of a cad, his heart begins to attach itself to one Miss Marianne Denton, and as much as Marianne tells herself that Noah is only a pawn in her plan to pay for her mother’s medical needs, she soon sees another side of Captain Brenin and feels the strings of her heart pulled in his direction.
Action, adventure, the give-and-take of unrequited love, and the ultimate realization that what is shared is a genuine love, SURRENDER THE HEART takes you on a tumultuous journey, much like the seas that the Fortune must navigate in order to bring both our hero and heroine safely home.

Book provided for review purposes.(less)

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Mar 27, 2011 Cleffairy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reviewed at: Over A Cuppa Tea

Date reviewed: 20th March 2011

Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=4976

The world is becoming more and more depressing with each passing days. There is not much I can do about the things that’s going on in the world right now. I can’t stop natural disasters, nor I can make powerful nations who are pointing weapons at each other cease fire.

I can only seek refuge in books, in hope it will somehow stop me from feeling depressed and wistful about things that I cannot do,...more

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Jan 23, 2011 Helena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational, historical-fiction

Marylu Tyndall has proven with her 9th and newest novel, ‘Surrender the Heart,’ that she is an authority of inspirational romance adventures during the age of sail. ‘Surrender the Heart,’ provides readers with a gripping tale of war, faith and destiny intertwining duty with honor, forgiveness and ultimately, love. Book one of her Surrender the Destiny series, is a stirring historical romance with a focus on Christianity without being preachy, weaving together a beautiful love story fraught with...more Marylu Tyndall has proven with her 9th and newest novel, ‘Surrender the Heart,’ that she is an authority of inspirational romance adventures during the age of sail. ‘Surrender the Heart,’ provides readers with a gripping tale of war, faith and destiny intertwining duty with honor, forgiveness and ultimately, love. Book one of her Surrender the Destiny series, is a stirring historical romance with a focus on Christianity without being preachy, weaving together a beautiful love story fraught with tremendous odds on the eve of the War of 1812.
Tyndall so expertly brings the reader on the hero and heroine’s nearly insurmountable journeys through an intense historical setting, that readers won’t miss the love scenes typical of a traditional romance focusing instead, on the overall story and message of faith. In fact, I found this read to be as enticing as any romance chock full of great chemistry and swashbuckling adventures - it just doesn't have any love scenes. But because the tension Tyndall builds is so intense, and the characters so complex, readers won’t miss them.
Childhood acquaintances Marianne Denton and Captain Noah Brenin are betrothed as a war looms in 1812 when Noah leaves their engagement party intent on unloading his cargo in England before the war’s outbreak. In need of the dowry that her wedding will provide to help care for her mother and sister, Marianne is undeterred as she follows Noah onto his ship to confront him and unwittingly finds herself at sea and his mercy.
As she plots her escape realizing that Noah has little intention of making their arranged marriage more than just that, she manages to impair his ship dooming it to capture by a pursuing British Man-of-War. When Brenin’s crew is impressed, a fragile bond and mutual respect between Marianne and Noah is forged as they survive their imprisonment and plot an escape. But when Noah must leave Marianne behind, her enslavement leads to despair exacerbated by the knowledge that the ship plans to destroy the U.S.S. Constitution. That is, until she determines that she will somehow sabotage her current floating prison while praying for Noah to rescue her.
‘Surrender the Heart,’ has more detailed sea action and depth of emotion than most historicals I have read over 20 years. We can hear the groan of ships timbers, are deafened by the thunder of cannons, empathize with the plight and despair of both American and British sailors, and are stirred by the discovery of faith and heartfelt love between Marianne and Noah. The book’s descriptions are unparalleled as readers shift with the pitch of the ship to larboard, face a British war ship and ride mountainous swells to plunge into unrelenting waters as we traverse the seas and fascinating plot to navigate this compelling tale.
Tyndall’s impressive knowledge of sailing, seamanship and history without too much backstory, fuel the action and further the tension presenting ordinary characters doing extraordinary things with faith, honor and love during a time of war to provide a whole story that is as engaging as it is satisfying.
‘Surrender the Heart,’ is a page-turning standout in a field crowded by knights, vampires and myriad paranormal offerings.
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Nov 14, 2010 Kristi (Books and Needlepoint) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs

About the Book: Marianne Denton feels like her fate has been sealed. She is in a forced engagement to Noah Brenin, a man she has no feelings for and only bad memories of him antagonizing her as a child. With her plain looks, and plump figure, she doesn't feel she has a lot of options - and she must marry in order to receive her inheritance. This inheritance is all that her mother, baby sister and herself have left. With her mother ailing, Marianne needs the money for her medication. They have al...more About the Book: Marianne Denton feels like her fate has been sealed. She is in a forced engagement to Noah Brenin, a man she has no feelings for and only bad memories of him antagonizing her as a child. With her plain looks, and plump figure, she doesn't feel she has a lot of options - and she must marry in order to receive her inheritance. This inheritance is all that her mother, baby sister and herself have left. With her mother ailing, Marianne needs the money for her medication. They have already let the entire staff go, and there really aren't any more corners left to cut.

Noah isn't thrilled with the engagement either and is bound and determined to break it off. He wants to force Marianne's hand in it so that she won't want to marry him. Even though his father wants the inheritance money to further their business, Noah doesn't want to marry this plain woman.

After a brief appearance at the engagement party, Noah hurries out, not knowing that Marianne is following him through the streets back to his ship, the Fortune. She boards his ship, gets lost in the hold, and gets knocked out when she is startled by a cat. Upon her awakening she discovers that the ship has set sail and no one realizes she is on board. Refusing to take her back to port, Noah pushes the ship onward, not believing Marianne when she tells him there is no one to care for her sick mother. All he cares about is making a quick trip, unloading his cargo, and returning home to prove to his father that he is worthy of something.

Well, Marianne, stubborn woman that she is, decides to sabotage the ship in order to get Noah to take her home. It isn't until they are pursued by a British warship that her treachery is discovered. Both Noah and herself, as well as 2 others, are taken prisoner aboard the Undefeatable, the British warship. On this warship they meet Daniel, a young boy who tells Marianne that she has been sent from God to rescue him. That God told him this in a dream. Marianne had stopped trusting God when her father died and left them almost penniless. She scoffs at the idea that she should have such a destiny.

My thoughts: This was a great beginning to this new series. I loved the scenario of 2 people really despising each other from childhood, only to be placed in such situations that they slowly begin to see the other through new eyes. What will it take to get these two people to put their trust back in God and then to be able to trust in each other? I have been hit with the message a couple of times in the past weeks to "Be still, and know that I am God," and that message was in this book as well. To trust in Him, even without seeing the big picture, without knowing what may happen tomorrow. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next 2 books in the series, Surrender the Night and Surrender the Dawn.

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Oct 24, 2010 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you like high-sea romance, you will love Surrender the Heart by author Mary Lu Tyndall. This was another one of those books I couldn't put down.

On the brink of the war of 1812, this is the first book in the Surrender to Destiny Series. Our heroine in the story is Marianne Denton, who, due to circumstances beyond her control, has to marry to gain access to her inheritance. Unfortunately, Noah Brenin, her intended, leaves their engagement party before it gets started. He doesn't want to marry M...more

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Sep 27, 2010 Pumikin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another Enthralling Inspirational Romance from MaryLu Tyndall...

MaryLu has once again done what she does best--thrust the reader into a page of history, complete with a dashing lead male and a heroine destined for transformation.

MaryLu's regard for historic detail is, as always, impressive. She has obviously done her homework!
One very special aspect of this book, however, is MaryLu's choice for the main character. Rather than choose an obviously beautiful character, she has chosen a woman who so...more

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Sep 12, 2010 Christine Lindsay rated it 4 of 5 stars

MaryLu Tyndall’s fast-paced, fresh style of writing always gives me a few hours to escape from the weariness of life, and inspires me at the same time.

Her latest, Surrender the Heart, is set during one of my favorite times in history, the War of 1812. The characters, Marianne Denton and Noah Brenin, are two ordinary people.

Marianne is aware Noah only wants to marry her for the fortune he supposes her to have. She has no love for him either, and allows him to remain under the delusion she’s wea...more

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Aug 16, 2010 Margaret Metz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

There are some authors that you return to over and over again because they consistently deliver stories that capture your imagination and their characters win over your heart and continue to live in your thoughts long after you close the back cover. There are some books that you look forward to as soon as you hear about them. The more details you get, the more you can't wait for the book to be released. This was one of those books for me. It didn't let me down either. :o)

From the very first sent...more

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Oct 05, 2010 Wyndy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Excellent story. The author has caught the essence of below decks in an English warship of the 1800 and the total authority of the captain. The total dependence upon the vagarieties of the male by the women of the time is portrayed in a realitic manner and Maryanne's frustration with her restrictions understanding. Her attempts at control of her situations were delightfully detailed. There is enough drama between the Maryanne and Noah to make the outcome of the story unsure. Both of their relati...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-historical-romance

I have very much enjoyed reading this book, "Surrender the Heart" by MaryLu Tyndall. Marianne Denton, an ordinary young lady who feels like she will never be good enough, especially when she is captured on a British navy at sea. Noah Brenin, a driven man to keep his father's merchant business afloat to have his own father approve of him from a past accident of his youth, but then to realizing something else of more importance.

After reading, "Surrender the Heart", I saw how Marianne and Noah face...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book (and this author) came highly recommended by my favorite Christian Fiction author Julie Lessman. I had never read anything by MaryLu Tyndall, so I thought I would give it a shot, since the story sounded pretty interesting. Of course, as with all new-to-me Christian Fiction, I go in hoping that I am not going to be preached to in an overbearing manner, as is sometimes the case. I also worry about running into the common theme of not becoming "unequally yoked," which is usually a major,...more This book (and this author) came highly recommended by my favorite Christian Fiction author Julie Lessman. I had never read anything by MaryLu Tyndall, so I thought I would give it a shot, since the story sounded pretty interesting. Of course, as with all new-to-me Christian Fiction, I go in hoping that I am not going to be preached to in an overbearing manner, as is sometimes the case. I also worry about running into the common theme of not becoming "unequally yoked," which is usually a major, MAJOR turn-off for me in Christian romances. Thankfully, neither of those dreaded motifs occurs with Surrender The Heart. The majority of religious references have to do with regaining a lost faith in God. I suppose that is a common theme in most Christian Fiction works, as well, but it does not rub me the wrong way like the treatment of "unequally yoked" partners almost always does.

Enough about that, let's talk about the story! Oh my, but Marianne and Noah end up finding themselves in quite an adventure! Admittedly, the storyline and the presumed effects the pair would have on history and the War of 1812 are unbelievably far-fetched, but this is a work of fiction, after all! With Marianne and Noah, sometimes it was frustrating to watch them wonder or simply assume what the other must thinking of them. Overall, however, I found the development of their relationship so much fun to watch as it unfolded and grew into something richer while they both also grew in strength of faith, both in each other and themselves. This book will keep you turning pages, wanting to know how Marianne and Noah can possibly get through the ordeal in which they found themselves.

In sum, I think it is safe to say that this won't be my last book by Tyndall! Her writing style is descriptive without being flowery and over the top and she knows how to draw her characters and develop them in tune with the story. Not to mention, Tyndall provides a great supporting cast in the form of Noah's crew and the Captain and other high-ranking officers on the British naval ship where Noah and Marianne were forced to serve. If you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction, along with plenty of action and romance, I don't think you'll be disappointed with Surrender The Heart!(less)

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Sep 14, 2010 Delia rated it 5 of 5 stars

1812

Marianne Denton is not beautiful. She’s not thin. She’s not rich. And she’s not happy about the need to marry Noah Brenin in order to unlock her small inheritance and take care of her ailing mother and little sister.

But she’s determined to make the sacrifice.

So when Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne is not about to let him get away. She chases him through the streets of Boston all the way to the docks and onto his merchantman. A run-in with a loveable cat prevents her exit...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Lauren Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance

This review was first posted @ The Australian Bookshelf

I was pleasantly surprised by this Amazon ebook freebie. Surrender the Heart is a historical romance novel which probably also falls under the Christian fiction genre, which admittedly is not usually my thing but it was a subtle undertone of the book and didn’t distract me from the story too much.

Marianne sees herself as a plain, plump woman who expects nothing special in life so when her family arranges a marriage with childhood rival Noah...more This review was first posted @ The Australian Bookshelf

I was pleasantly surprised by this Amazon ebook freebie. Surrender the Heart is a historical romance novel which probably also falls under the Christian fiction genre, which admittedly is not usually my thing but it was a subtle undertone of the book and didn’t distract me from the story too much.

Marianne sees herself as a plain, plump woman who expects nothing special in life so when her family arranges a marriage with childhood rival Noah Brenin she takes it in stride. She needs to access her inheritance to fund the treatment her ill mother requires. Noah needs to access Marianne’s dowry to keep his merchant business afloat and to please his father. When Noah leaves
their engagement party early to go off to sea on his merchant ship to deliver cargo to England, Marianne is humiliated in front of her society and chases him down. It’s a little unbelievable how she ends up on the ship, but she does and so she ends up on the three month voyage out at sea. She is terrified of the sea and plots to sabotage Noah’s voyage so she can be returned to her ill mother. Noah reignites his childhood charm by treating Marianne sourly so that she will break off their engagement.

So, Noah wants Marianne to break off the engagement whereas Marianne needs the marriage to go ahead so there is much pulling and froing in this respect. Noah still considers Marianne to be the snobby princess that she was as a child and she thinks of Noah as the bully child she once knew. When they are captured by the British Army on the brink of the war, Marianne and Noah must work together to free themselves from a life of slavery and maltreatment.

This is a very well written historical romance novel with believable and likeable characters, plenty of suspense and action. I enjoyed the developing romance between Noah and Marianne. Marianne’s low self-confidence had her questioning Noah’s feelings regarding her until the very end and there were times I just wanted to yell at her ‘der he likes you!’ I will definitely seek out more of Tyndall’s books in the future.
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Aug 29, 2010 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Molly by: CFBA

Shelves: book-review

Wow! MaryLu Tyndall's done it again! After reading other books by this FANTABULOUS author, I knew I HAD to read this book! Not only did it sound absolutely wonderful, the cover was breathtaking. I could NOT wait to set sail with another inspiring historical book by nautical Queen!

A tender story of a marriage without love, perfectly created characters make up this deep romantic novel. I saw so much of myself in Marianne, for I time I could believe I was Marianne. I prayed for her and traveled her...more

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Aug 21, 2010 Kathleen L. rated it 5 of 5 stars

MaryLu Tyndall has added another great nautical historical romance to her impressive fleet. Surrender the Heart, set amidst the backdrop of the War of 1812, had me savoring the adventure, tension and romance between a high-born lady of Baltimore's aristocracy whose fortunes have run out, and a working class man of ambition who initially sees her as a means to an end.

Marianne Denton wishes only to care for her sickly mother and little sister. She needs her inheritance money which only her marria...more

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Oct 01, 2010 Janna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love M.L. Tyndall's books. The pirates, the buccaneers, the romance, the swashbuckling - ah, the things dreams are made of! M.L. captures all of these elements so beautifully that I get swept away in her books. "Surrender The Heart" centers around the War of 1812, which I find fascinating. The characters of Noah and Marianne are wonderful, first off they are engaged but neither can stand the thought of marrying the other person. Then neither of them is a perfect person, in fact they are both f...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Kathie (katmom) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: free-downloads

This was a historical romance...with a LOT of ship jargon.

Which didn't hurt it at all.

Marianne has to marry Noah, even though he tormented her beyond belief as they grew up together.

She realy hasn't seen him for eleven years as he's been the captain of his family's ship.

Noah cannot do enough to please his father. Marianne can't do anything except marry to save her young sister and her ill mother.

These two people are thrown together and learn just who the other one is. Neither of them had really...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Tiffany rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Beyond the first line of the entire book, the first three chapters were not intriguing whatsoever, and I was tempted to "jump ship". I was happy when it picked up in chapter 4. There was a lot of excitement, and I enjoyed the ship setting and the War of 1812 time period. Unfortunately, I did not care for the heroine's childish antics, especially in the beginning.

The woe-is-me, repetitive self-pity and doubt wore on me. I felt the story would have been better told with at least 100 fewer pages....more

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Jun 20, 2011 Starla B rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story. It wasn't quite what I expected, and I like that. One thing I did not care for were the loose strings at the ending. There were a few story lines through the book that were made to be quite important...but at the end, no resolution. (view spoiler)...more

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About M.L. Tyndall

M.L. Tyndall (MaryLu) grew up on the shores of Southern Florida dreaming of romance and adventure upon the sea. She now lives with her husband, six children, and four cats in Northern California where she writes inspirational adventure romance novels. MaryLu's novels have been praised for their fast-paced action, strong inspirational messages, and incredibly vivid settings. Her first novel, The Re...more

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The Red Siren (Charles Towne Belles, #1)

The Blue Enchantress (Charles Towne Belles, #2)

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