M.L. Tyndall's The Red Siren ~ Reviewed

The Red Siren
M. L. Tyndall
Barbour Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60260-156-7

Faith Westcott abandoned her shallow faith when a series of tragedies struck her family. To save herself and her sisters from forced marriages, Faith takes up a cutlass and turns to piracy to accrue the money needed to assure their future. But her dual identity is threatened when the God-fearing Dajon Waite begins to scour the Carolina coast, vowing to expunge it of pirates. When he is asked to take on the guardianship of Faith and her sisters, his vow to avoid women is put to the test.

Sir Wilhelm Carteret has always gotten everything he desired, but Faith Westcott, his bride-to-be, seems unaffected by his charms. When Carteret devises a plot to rid himself of his competition for Faith's heart, Captain Dajon Waite, alarming secrets of Waite's past are brought to light.

Faith's fiery personality makes a feisty counter to Dajon's level-headed logic. With a smattering of seaman's talk and the stereotypical parrot on her shoulder, Faith excels at plundering ship after ship, while trying to keep her strong-minded sisters on the straight and narrow she herself shuns. Dajon's character arc begins in the prologue, and builds to a satisfying, albeit expected, conclusion. His duty as guardian to the Westcott sisters puts his heart right in the line of fire--Faith's fire. But his coolness and gentlemanly ways chip away at Faith's determination not to fall in love. When Faith's father arranges for her to marry Sir William Carteret, a new subplot is added to the story that works to bring about the very satisfying conclusion, and facilitates Faith's ability to see the folly of her rebellion and opens her heart to the love of God and a good man.

M.L. Tyndall has crafted an engaging story of piracy and betrayal, love and sacrifice. Well written, with enough detail and subplot to satisfy those who enjoy a complex story, M.L. Tyndall has delivered a piratey tale that will leave you both satisfied and longing for more.

Reviewed by: S. Dionne Moore


Bonus Review:

Faith Westcott abandoned her shallow faith when a series of tragedies struck her family. To save herself and her sisters from forced marriages, this fiery, born-to-the manor redhead is a lady by day and a pirate by night. How long can she maintain this dual identity before she’s caught red-handed?

God-fearing Dajon Waite, who scours the Carolina coast, expunging it of pirates, is a more-than-capable captain in the British Royal Navy. But when he is asked to take on the guardianship of Faith and her sisters, he’s headed for deep water. Having vowed to avoid women, what will he do when he finds himself falling for Faith?

Sir Wilhelm Carteret has always gotten everything he desired, but Faith seems to be unaffected by his charms. When he devises a plot to rid himself of his competition, more than Captain Waite’s reputation is at stake as alarming secrets are revealed.

The Red Siren is the first in the Charles Towne Belle series—and an action packed beginning it is! MaryLu Tyndall shows off her nautical finesse in the surprising twist of a lady pirate. With the imagery Tyndall incorporates into her writing, you can almost taste the salty spray of sea water and feel as though your own feet are planted on a heaving deck right beside Faith Westcott.

Besides imagery, I also like how irony is woven into the story’s fabric. An example would be how Faith worries about her younger sisters’ safety and doesn’t think twice about exposing herself to heaps of piratey danger. It gave me pause to reflect on where in my life I might be doing something as ridiculous.

Another Tyndall trait is establishing the grounds for hope in dismal situations. Captain Waite is faced with complete ruin, yet he puts his hope in God—who never fails us. This lesson in fiction is a good reminder to carry over in real life.

And speaking of Captain Waite…ooh-la-la. He’s a larger than life hero with a physique to match. Brave, strong, compassionate, everything a girl could want. Let me warn you, however, by the end of the book you will definitely be wanting more. It’s quite a cliffhanger.

Five bottles of rum and a rousing yo-ho-ho to MaryLu on another successful pirate tale. If you’re stuck in the winter doldrums, this is the book for you.

Review by Michelle Griep