The Red Siren: Charles Towne Belle Series, Book 1 (Truly Yours Romance Series #29)

M.L. Tyndall
Barbour Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9781602601567
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (3/09)

Christian romance… It brings to mind slightly dominating, righteous and stern men and simpering, meek maidens, right? A lot of preaching, repenting for sins and salvation, earned through serious penance? While this might well be true for some of them, you better get ready for M.L. Tyndall’s very warm-blooded and oh-so-not-repentant heroine, Faith Westcott.

“The Red Siren” is, simply put, a rollicking good read, liberally sprinkled with daring heroes and heroines, dastardly villains, heaving bosoms and an occasional fainting spell, told in a never preachy, yet faith-inspiring style. The heroine, Faith, has little faith left herself after the early death of her beloved mother. After one of her sisters is forced in a very unhappy marriage, she wows to protect her other two sisters and herself from similar fate. So by day she is this ravishing, luscious lady, much coveted and courted by many men; yet by night she dons her trusty cutlass and becomes a ruthless pirate. She’s hoping to amass a fortune large enough to ensure her independency as well as a chance to take care of her sisters. When she encounters the handsome, utterly dashing and godly Dajon Waite, her world is turned upside down.

Funnily enough, something very similar happens to Dajon himself. Not only is he unable to get rid of a nagging feeling that he’s met the charming Faith before, but his vows to avoid women seem to be severely tested. After Faith’s scorned suitor, Sir Wilhelm Carteret, concocts a plan to incriminate both Dajon and Faith, all too many secrets are revealed. Will Faith’s faith prove to be too little, too late? Will Dajon risk everything for the woman he loves?

I’ve greatly enjoyed M.L. Tyndall’s “The Red Siren,” especially the parts about Faith’s struggle to ensure her independence and her willingness to take matters into her own hands and go for what she desires so strongly. The stunningly believable characters and entertaining story held my interest throughout the book and I am impatiently waiting on the sequel, which should reveal the fate of another of the unconventional Westcott sisters, the very romantic and slightly foolish Hope. 

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