Surrender the Dawn by MaryLu Tyndall

I loved two things about MaryLu Tyndall’s latest book, Surrender the Dawn. First, the scenes on the ships. In those moments, I can feel the wind whipping my hair, taste the salt spray on my lips. I can feel the up and down swell of the waves. I can even here the movie music in my head as two ships engage in a chase or in battle. That is MaryLu’s signature strength--the scenes at sea--and this book delivers again.

But even on land the book does not disappoint. Cassandra and Luke seem to continually find themselves in all kinds of trouble even when their feet are firmly planted on Baltimore soil. And that is the second reason I enjoyed this book: Baltimore. My family has spent time around the harbor and touring Fort McHenry. In fact, I remember watching the Fort McHenry movie and then standing in the fort overlooking the harbor and imagining the scene myself. But MaryLu put me in the battle with Luke and his friend Noah, as well as with Francis Scott Key watching from afar. I love when a historical event and place spring to life in the pages of a book!

If you are up for adventure, you’ll enjoy Surrender the Dawn. If you want to experience a piece of our country’s history often overlooked, this is your book, too. And of course to top it all off, it’s always a pleasure to read MaryLu because she is such a sweet lady!

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher.