When Grace Westcott is kidnapped by a French mercenary, tossed aboard his ship, and told she will be sold to a Spanish Don in Columbia, she cannot imagine what she has done to deserve such a horrid fate. She has spent her entire life serving God and helping the poor, not to mention trying to save the souls of her two wayward sisters. Thinking perhaps God has sent her to preach to the vile captain and his crew, Grace's every attempt to correct their sinful ways is rewarded with only mockery. When Grace's situation grows far worse than she could imagine, she is forced to face her own human weaknesses. But she isn't prepared to face her biggest weakness of all-falling in love with the nefarious captain, Rafe Dubois.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Julie Lessman (High Ridge, MO), February 09, 2010
There are few books I look forward to with more anticipation that those written by MaryLu Tyndall. As an inspirational romance writer myself, I read tons of Christian romances, but for me, Ms. Tyndall’s are simply some of the best out there, the perfect mix of fast-paced romantic adventure for the heart, beautifully laced with a poignant spiritual message for the soul. She is, and continues to be, at the top of my list for a great read.
The third novel in her Charles Towne Belles trilogy, The Raven Saint, is no exception and a truly heart-pounding conclusion to this wonderful series on the high seas. A master at characterization, Ms. Tyndall concludes this action-packed trilogy with a cast of strong and compelling characters whose fears, trials and hopes soon become yours, taking the reader on an emotional journey that lingers long after the last page. The Raven Saint is a gripping and fitting finale that chronicles the story of the third sister, Grace Westcott, a beautiful woman bent on serving God and others. Kidnapped by a dangerously handsome French mercenary, Grace embarks upon an adventure that not only puts her heart at risk with the roguish Captain Rafe Dubois, but also her pride when she discovers her own failings as a Christian. Clearly another winner for MaryLu Tyndall—bring on the next one, please!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Debbie Lynne Costello (Clover, SC), January 31, 2010
ML Tyndall has to be one of the best Christian writers out there. Her characters come alive and are three dimensional. The places she takes you are so well described you feel like you are there. And the story line keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat. I needed to put the book down so I could breath but couldn't because I HAD to know what happened next. If you are looking for a book that never slows down but entertains you the whole way through, one that you feel like you are living the story, one that makes you fall in love with the characters, THE RAVEN SAINT is a must read.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Amy Schmid (Landisville, PA), January 28, 2010
Excellent read. I have enjoyed this whole series. I look forward to more from Mary Lou. I have read other books by her and would recommend them too.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Penny Hardaway (Alpine, TX), January 27, 2010
What a finish to a wonderful series. Although the other 2 sisters didn't appear in this book as in the previous 2, I didn't miss them. Grace's adventure was both exciting and poignant with the back and forth emotions of the captain and his hostage.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cathi Hassan (Cincinnati, OH), January 16, 2010
Grace Westcott, the extremely pious youngest daughter of Admiral Westcott, suddenly and unceremoniously found herself "between the devil and the deep blue sea" when a French mercenary, Captain Rafe Dubois, kidnapped her while she was doing good works. Immediately his men took her away to their ship and set sail for the Caribbean. As she was taken far away from her Carolina home, Grace constantly asked God why this was happening to her. Was she supposed to minister to the heathen on this ship? Or something else?
As with all her books so far, MaryLu Tyndall's writing exquisitely creates the world of her story, bringing to life all the stench and grimy underbelly of life on the ocean as well as the opulence of the Caribbean plantation. The steamy jungle of Colombia is palpable (and not unwelcome on a snowy January evening). Her words involve all five senses to a greater degree than nearly any other books I have ever read.
Hypocrisy, greed, prejudices, slavery, deception, pride, revenge, and immorality are all dealt with as the story unfolds, and the Biblical standards are projected as a natural progression, not as little sermonettes (although Grace, in keeping with her character, does deliver a certain number of sermonettes and dicta along the way. Few of those take root.) The real fruit of the Holy Spirit is exalted, yet the characters remain real.
Do I recommend The Raven Saint? Absolument, oui! er, Absolutely, yes! It's definitely an adult book, but I know older teens will enjoy it just as well. Even guys may like it, with all the gritty seamen and reality involved.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dina Sleiman (Virginia Beach, VA), January 11, 2010
MaryLu Tyndall has done it again. The Raven Saint is yet another awesome pirate romance. Fun and adventure on the high seas. This is the third book of Mary Lu’s Charles Town Belles series. It features a whole different sort of heroine. Grace Westcott is as uptight and prudish as Hope was flighty and sin-ridden and Faith was proud and driven. What a study in contrasts. And as you may imagine, Grace has much to learn in order to overcome her judgmental and legalistic attitude if she is ever going to come to grips with her feelings for the roguish pirate with a heart of gold, Rafe Dubois.
As usual, MaryLu provides great characters, stunning backdrops, comedy, heart-stopping romance, and plenty of excitement along with strong spiritual messages. For this book she also offers a fun cast of minor characters including Nicole, the charitable prostitute, Father Alers, the backslidden pirate priest, and Annette, a mixed-race slave girl. Annette especially caught my attention. She is bitter from being rejected by both the whites and blacks. For this reason, she delves into ancient ritualistic religion, bringing an interesting dark spiritual contrast to this otherwise light and uplifting book and supplying unexpected scope and depth. I applaud MaryLu for tackling some tough subjects, as Grace is challenged at every turn to examine her motives, her heart, and the nature of true Christianity.
This book concludes the Charleston Belles series with a rousing happily-ever-after and the reunion of the seafaring sisters. If you love romance, history, and pirates, you simply must read it!
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Delia Latham (Okmulgee OK), January 10, 2010
Grace Westcott has spent a lifetime caring for the poor, the sick, the less fortunate. She’s the epitome of righteous living. Kidnapped by the mercenary French sea captain, Rafe Dubois, she begins to search out God’s reason for allowing such atrocities.
Perhaps she’s there to bring salvation to the captain and his disreputable crew; or to reach Nicole, the unwed mother and surprisingly caring woman of the night who helps Grace when no one else will; maybe she’s been sent to save the captain’s abused young stepmother. So many possibilities…so few answers.
The only thing certain is her ridiculous attraction to Captain Dubois. He kidnapped her, subjected her to the leers and bawdy comments of his ungodly crew, and intends to sell her to a Spanish don. Yet something about Rafe Dubois draws her. Despite his uncaring facade, Grace catches glimpses of a softer, more tender man.
Rafe holds a personal grudge against Grace’s father. Selling the Admiral’s youngest daughter into slavery seems just and fitting, given what the man took from him. Rafe's past is scarred by his hypocritical father’s cruelty…the violent death of a beloved mother… betrayal by the woman he loved. He has no use for religious Pharisees and trusts no woman.
Then he forces Grace Westcott aboard his ship, and even his own heart proves traitorous.
After looking in every possible direction in search of a reason for her abduction, Grace discovers the answer within her own soul. Will the captain risk his heart, his ship, and all that is dear to him to save his beautiful, captive saint?
This third book in the Charles Towne Belles series does not disappoint. Every page adds something new and unexpected, holding the reader captive until no page is left to turn. Packed with pathos, adventure, humor, and an intricately woven spiritual message, it leaves one longing for more. Don’t miss The Raven Saint.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kathleen L. Maher (Breesport, NY), January 09, 2010
The Raven Saint by MaryLu Tyndall
The third book in the Charles Town Bell series, The Raven Saint brings all of the Caribbean sea-faring adventure that we've come to expect from these romances, combined with the superb writing of a master phrase-ologist, plus characters with all the chemistry of an Estee Lauder perfume factory.
Grace is the God-fearing daughter of Admiral Westcott, the charitable one, the pious one. She finds herself aboard a mercenary's vessel, where a rogue Frenchman, Captain Rafe Dubois, has kidnapped her and intends to sell her into white slavery in Colombia.
The Captain has his reasons for such an atrocious act; he seeks revenge against Admiral Westcott, and intends to use the money she would bring for the benefit of charity. A conflicted man with father-issues and a heart that has been broken by the woman he once loved, he has disavowed any religious faith. Until the divine Miss Westcott exerts her subtle influence on him.
Surprises and subterfuge abound. The plot is unpredictable, riveting and fast-paced, and even as things seem to resolve in the final few chapters, the revelations continue. Each character furthers the message of redemption and grace in a unique way that intertwines as each has a lesson to learn of God's redemptive power, including the pious Miss Grace. Very well-crafted book.
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