mrstina's review
5.0
Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall*****
Elusive Hope is the second book in the Escape to Paradise series. We first met Magnolia Scott and Hayden Gale on the ship crossing to Brazil. Magnolia is a young spoiled southern woman whose family lost their fortune in the Civil War in the United States. Her father blames Magnolia for the lose of their fortune and drags her to Brazil against her will in order for her to meet and marry a rich young man thereby recouping their social status. As a young boy Hayden's mother dies leaving him to grow up on the streets, fending for himself in order to survive. He blames his father for his mother's death and ultimately his misfortune and has become an angry, bitter young man and seeks his father who left him and his mother years ago.
The story picks up with the colonist having traveled through the jungles of Brazil to set up a new colony. They encounter many struggles setting up their new homes, not only living in the jungle but the intense heat and variety of insects and animals they share the jungle with. However, there is some unseen force causing vivid dreams of people from their past who have died, but seem so real.
Magnolia learns that Hayden is leaving the colony in search of his father and follows him when he refuses to take her along. As they travel through the jungle they learn much about themselves and each other and a growing attraction between them. Things don't work out as they had hoped and they end up back in the new colony. Hayden is shocked when his father walks into the colony along with several men and women.
Will Hayden finally kill his father and revenge his mother? Or will he follow God's leading and surrender his life to Him and ultimately forgive his father? What of Magnolia, will she find a way out of the jungle and back to the States? Will she answer God's call on her heart? Can she learn to live in the jungle with the man she has grown to love? How will these supernatural forces affect the colony in the days and months ahead? Can they fight the evil that seems to permeate the jungle?
This is a story full of adventure, struggles, heartache, love, joys, faith, evil, greed, treasure hunt, forgiveness, pirates, and so much more. There is an element of suspense woven throughout the story with unexpected surprises that draw you into the characters lives. Magnolia and Hayden are characters that I wanted to shake one minute and hug them the next. A great combination of the struggle between good and evil. Great story!
~~I received this book from Bookfun.org and the author in return for my honest opinion~~~
Elusive Hope is the second book in the Escape to Paradise series. We first met Magnolia Scott and Hayden Gale on the ship crossing to Brazil. Magnolia is a young spoiled southern woman whose family lost their fortune in the Civil War in the United States. Her father blames Magnolia for the lose of their fortune and drags her to Brazil against her will in order for her to meet and marry a rich young man thereby recouping their social status. As a young boy Hayden's mother dies leaving him to grow up on the streets, fending for himself in order to survive. He blames his father for his mother's death and ultimately his misfortune and has become an angry, bitter young man and seeks his father who left him and his mother years ago.
The story picks up with the colonist having traveled through the jungles of Brazil to set up a new colony. They encounter many struggles setting up their new homes, not only living in the jungle but the intense heat and variety of insects and animals they share the jungle with. However, there is some unseen force causing vivid dreams of people from their past who have died, but seem so real.
Magnolia learns that Hayden is leaving the colony in search of his father and follows him when he refuses to take her along. As they travel through the jungle they learn much about themselves and each other and a growing attraction between them. Things don't work out as they had hoped and they end up back in the new colony. Hayden is shocked when his father walks into the colony along with several men and women.
Will Hayden finally kill his father and revenge his mother? Or will he follow God's leading and surrender his life to Him and ultimately forgive his father? What of Magnolia, will she find a way out of the jungle and back to the States? Will she answer God's call on her heart? Can she learn to live in the jungle with the man she has grown to love? How will these supernatural forces affect the colony in the days and months ahead? Can they fight the evil that seems to permeate the jungle?
This is a story full of adventure, struggles, heartache, love, joys, faith, evil, greed, treasure hunt, forgiveness, pirates, and so much more. There is an element of suspense woven throughout the story with unexpected surprises that draw you into the characters lives. Magnolia and Hayden are characters that I wanted to shake one minute and hug them the next. A great combination of the struggle between good and evil. Great story!
~~I received this book from Bookfun.org and the author in return for my honest opinion~~~
lmbartelt's review
5.0
Earlier this year, I read my first-ever MaryLu Tyndall book when she released the first book in her new series, Forsaken Dreams. I loved it so much, I could hardly wait for the second book, which released this month.
And Elusive Hope doesn't disappoint. (I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.)
In it, Tyndall continues the story of the post-Civil War Southerners who are looking to start a new colony in Brazil. Forsaken Dreams told the story of their sea voyage and the relationship between the ship's captain, Blake, and Southern widow Eliza. Book 2 turns the lens toward Hayden, a con man looking for the father who abandoned his family, and Magnolia, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy couple who is miserable and wants to go home.
The book started a bit slow for me and I wondered if Elusive Hope would be conform to the pattern I've often seen in a trilogy where the second book is weak and just a placeholder of sorts between the beginning and the end.
I'm happy to say that Elusive Hope does much better than that. I don't know how the author does it, but she blends romance, adventure, and spiritual truth in a way that is challenging, interesting and entertaining.
When I read Forsaken Dreams, I compared it to Gone with the Wind, only with the setting on a ship. That was meant to be a compliment. Elusive Hope reminded me of some of my favorite scenes from that '80s movie Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. I loved that movie, and when Hayden and Magnolia are navigating the jungles of Brazil, I pictured scenes from the movie.
I like that Tyndall's books remind me of other works I like without feeling like they are carbon copies of those works with a slightly Christian perspective. Tyndall's characters undergo significant trials and overcome major obstacles on their way to faith. She pulls no punches in her belief that there is a battle of good and evil taking place here and now. Both books so far in the Escape to Paradise series have had elements of spiritual warfare. Elusive Hope's plot builds on that theme, and without giving anything away, leaves us with a lot of questions yet to be answered in book three.
I, for one, can't wait to see how this ends.
Tyndall doesn't write your "typical" Christian fiction, and I don't mean to knock anyone's favorite author, but her books are worth the read because they are different in a good way.
And Elusive Hope doesn't disappoint. (I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.)
In it, Tyndall continues the story of the post-Civil War Southerners who are looking to start a new colony in Brazil. Forsaken Dreams told the story of their sea voyage and the relationship between the ship's captain, Blake, and Southern widow Eliza. Book 2 turns the lens toward Hayden, a con man looking for the father who abandoned his family, and Magnolia, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy couple who is miserable and wants to go home.
The book started a bit slow for me and I wondered if Elusive Hope would be conform to the pattern I've often seen in a trilogy where the second book is weak and just a placeholder of sorts between the beginning and the end.
I'm happy to say that Elusive Hope does much better than that. I don't know how the author does it, but she blends romance, adventure, and spiritual truth in a way that is challenging, interesting and entertaining.
When I read Forsaken Dreams, I compared it to Gone with the Wind, only with the setting on a ship. That was meant to be a compliment. Elusive Hope reminded me of some of my favorite scenes from that '80s movie Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. I loved that movie, and when Hayden and Magnolia are navigating the jungles of Brazil, I pictured scenes from the movie.
I like that Tyndall's books remind me of other works I like without feeling like they are carbon copies of those works with a slightly Christian perspective. Tyndall's characters undergo significant trials and overcome major obstacles on their way to faith. She pulls no punches in her belief that there is a battle of good and evil taking place here and now. Both books so far in the Escape to Paradise series have had elements of spiritual warfare. Elusive Hope's plot builds on that theme, and without giving anything away, leaves us with a lot of questions yet to be answered in book three.
I, for one, can't wait to see how this ends.
Tyndall doesn't write your "typical" Christian fiction, and I don't mean to knock anyone's favorite author, but her books are worth the read because they are different in a good way.
danyrn's review
5.0
Magnolia Scott is a Southern Belle forced against her will into the forests of Brazil. With her overbearing father insisting on uprooting her family to escape the uncertainty of Southern life after the Civil War, Magnolia doesn't have much of a say in the matter. As Magnolia sees her life full of suitors, parties, dresses, and beauty fade, she realizes she needs to find a way out of this horrid jungle, even if she has to run away to do it.
Hayden Gale had spent years seeking revenge against his scoundrel of a father. His search leads him to Brazil, where he's believed to be helping colonize the jungle, and he plans to seek out his father and finish his search once as for all. With nothing to lose, definitely not a good reputation, Hayden keeps searching, but he didn't think he'd have a companion particularly not the snooty Magnolia Scott.
As they journey to Rio de Janeiro, each for different purposes, they both try and use the other for their own purposes, but the more they travel together the closer they get and the harder the deception is to uphold. Magnolia begins to love the place she used to hate and Hayden begins to see a different side of Magnolia he never knew existed and both begin to feel differently towards each other with every step. One thing's for certain, falling in love wasn't in the plans.
Can Magnolia Scott learn to love the tropical land that is Brazil or will she leave to try and find love back home? Will Hayden get his revenge against his father or will he realize that revenge isn't healthy? Can Magnolia an Hayden fall in love despite their differences or will their love be ripped apart by life and status? Can Hayden and Magnolia realize that the only One who truly matters in this life is Jesus?
---------------------------
I love MaryLu Tyndall's work. I have since the beginning and her first book, a pirate series that captured my heart. Since that first book MaryLu has definitely improved as an author and this book proves it. This book was eloquently written and heart tugging and I couldn't get enough. Only MaryLu could make a book involving a con-man and a woman obsessed with her looks into a viable and romantic romance.
This romance is one of the best I've ever read! It had complexities and issues that made the romance feel realistic yet and kept my interest. This isn't a hugely passionate romance, but neither is it stale. It has enough kisses and emotional connections to keep your attention without making it feel forced. The whole romance is just terribly romantic and plays on pretty much any historical romance buff's fantasies. I absolutely loved this one!
The storyline of this novel is actually more than just a romance which definitely keeps your interest and because of the suspense of it, I actually stayed up until 2:30 in the morning to read it just because I couldn't stop. There's actually a really interesting secondary plot line that completely fascinates me and definitely makes me want to read the third book in the series. Without saying too much, it involves some creepy happenings and visions. It's so gripping!
The setting of this book is gorgeous. I've never been to Brazil but MaryLu Tyndall's description of this lush and green terrain creates a mental image that makes you feel like you've been there. In this book you really get to "experience" Brazil and because of that my opinion has kind of changed toward these colonists and their leaving America. This terrain has captured my heart along with the quirky mix of colonists that call it home.
MaryLu Tyndall captured me with her very first words in print and the inspiration for them, but this book captured me for a different reason and I'm glad I got the opportunity to see her grow into the amazing author she is today. This book is absolutely amazing and is definitely worthy rereading let alone reading. This author and all of her books come very highly recommended by me.
Overall, I loved it. It captured me from the beginning and I loved every second of the journey I got to go on. This book is perfect for romance lovers and lovers of the forest. This book is best left to adults and very mature teenagers. I give this book a five out of five.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
booksoneveryshelf's review
3.0
Not what I’d expected . . .
This book was very surprising for me and not much like what I’d expected. I’d read Forsaken Dreams and loved it, but I’m sorry to say that I didn’t like this one as much.
This is a book about forgiveness and finding your true worth in God. I enjoyed how the author wove the faith subtly into the conversations and thoughts. It wasn’t overwhelming, but was still a very strong underlying element through out the story.
The detail Ms. Tyndall included was fantastic! She really made the story come to life and at times it seemed as though you were actually there, like you could reach out and feel the vines or smell the flowers.
I really enjoyed the characters too! The by-play between Magnolia and Hayden was great! I loved following them as they slowly went from enemies, to friends, to something more.
The one thing I found annoying was how the story would jump from Magnolia and Hayden, to those back at New Hope, just when something exciting was happening, then the same would happen in reverse. Something interesting would be going on at New Hope and it would switch back to Magnolia and Hayden. Maybe it was intentional to keep your interest or keep you reading to find out what would happen next, be I just found it quite irritating.
The biggest surprise for me was the oddly spiritual things going on. People seeing visions of those from their pasts, Magnolia seeing her inner beauty (or lack thereof) reflected whenever she saw her reflection. These were very unusual and truthfully, are most of the reason it I’m only giving it 3 stars. This happening is explained the further into the book you read, but that didn’t make it any less strange for me.
I also didn’t care for the ending at all!
I would recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction and adventure.
I received this book through The Book Club Network for my honest opinion, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated in any way for this review.
This book was very surprising for me and not much like what I’d expected. I’d read Forsaken Dreams and loved it, but I’m sorry to say that I didn’t like this one as much.
This is a book about forgiveness and finding your true worth in God. I enjoyed how the author wove the faith subtly into the conversations and thoughts. It wasn’t overwhelming, but was still a very strong underlying element through out the story.
The detail Ms. Tyndall included was fantastic! She really made the story come to life and at times it seemed as though you were actually there, like you could reach out and feel the vines or smell the flowers.
I really enjoyed the characters too! The by-play between Magnolia and Hayden was great! I loved following them as they slowly went from enemies, to friends, to something more.
The one thing I found annoying was how the story would jump from Magnolia and Hayden, to those back at New Hope, just when something exciting was happening, then the same would happen in reverse. Something interesting would be going on at New Hope and it would switch back to Magnolia and Hayden. Maybe it was intentional to keep your interest or keep you reading to find out what would happen next, be I just found it quite irritating.
The biggest surprise for me was the oddly spiritual things going on. People seeing visions of those from their pasts, Magnolia seeing her inner beauty (or lack thereof) reflected whenever she saw her reflection. These were very unusual and truthfully, are most of the reason it I’m only giving it 3 stars. This happening is explained the further into the book you read, but that didn’t make it any less strange for me.
I also didn’t care for the ending at all!
I would recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction and adventure.
I received this book through The Book Club Network for my honest opinion, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated in any way for this review.
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