Elusive Hope. I would be drawn in by that title alone if I didnt know anything about the author/book. Having read the title, I would be even more drawn in when I saw the beautiful cover of this book.
I have loved MaryLu Tyndalls books ever since I read The Charles Towne Belles series last summer. I have since then gobbled up all her books and have loved every single one. I own them all and they will be keepers on my shelf forever! Im looking forward to reading them over and over again.
That being sad, Elusive Hope was just as good as all the rest of MaryLu Tyndalls books. Elusive Hope is the second book in the Escape to Paradise trilogy, following Forsaken Dreams. This series follows a group of southerners who are moving to Brazil to start a colony there after the end of the Civil War. Forsaken Dreams was about the journey to Brazil. In Elusive Hope, we find the colony growing and trying to settle into living in the jungle.
Magnolia is the spoiled daughter of an ex-rich plantation owner. She has a drinking problem (though thats not her only problem) and she desires to return home and marry the fiancé she left behind.
Hayden was a stowaway on the ship to Brazil. He is searching for his father, hoping to extract revenge on him for things he has done in the past.
When Hayden leaves the colony in order to search for his father, Magnolia follows him, hoping to find a way back to a ship to take her home to her fiancé. When Hayden discovers his follower, he realizes that Magnolia has something he needs, so instead of sending her back, they both trek through the jungle in order to arrive at their destination.

WOW! If you have loved anything by MaryLu Tyndall, you will LOVE this book just as much. Romance, mystery, spiritual warfare. Theres so much packed into this book and MaryLu does a great job of bringing it all together. I would definitely recommend reading Forsaken Dreams first. Reading that book first will help you understand a lot more of what is going on in this book. I am beyond excited to read the third and final book in the series. MaryLu did a great job of introducing the third book to us. She definitely left us with an eagerness to read on. I always hate cliffhangers but thankfully this cliffhanger is not so bad. I am only disappointed that I have to wait so long to read it! MaryLu has done an amazing job with this book she just keeps getting better and better with each book! One of my favorite things about MaryLu as an author is that her stories are different from anything Ive ever read before. And thats what keeps bringing me back to her books.

I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no compensation for this review nor was I required to write a positive review. All opinions stated are my own.

Leah B.
Must Love Books
mustlovereading.wordpress.com

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In starting this review I have to admit that I can't say enough good things about this novel. I loved it! In Elusive Hope MaryLu Tyndall has topped the previous book in the Escape To Paradise series. There is simply more; more danger, more mystery, more romance, more secrets, more adventure...

I never would have thought that combing historical fiction with spiritual warfare fiction could possibly work but somehow MaryLu Tyndall has managed to do precisely that. Elusive Hope was a welcome break from typical historical fare.

Well written, the story pulled me in and left me breathlessly turning the next page and telling myself Just one more chapter, just one more. I honestly started the book thinking that I would read it over a several-day period, I read the first couple of chapters and I still thought so, but about chapter 3 or 4 I figured out that was not going to happen, and then finished it in about a day pretty much only taking time to sleep. I was pretty glad that I didn't have anything pressing to attend to because it would have all fallen to wayside until I was finished.

In some ways it's kind of funny what I wrote above because at times I didn't particularly like Magnolia or Hayden. They are both very flawed people that have been terribly hurt by the people they should have been able to trust the most. Will they be able to forgive those that hurt them and each other in time for a happy ending?

The spiritual aspect was even stronger in this book. In Forsaken Dreams it was hinted at but in Elusive Hope it is laid out more clearly and the reader starts to get a few answers and also more questions. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, Abandoned Memories. This book is engrossing and at times creepy in the way that readers love. Interwoven with the spiritual realm and some of its affects are important themes of forgiveness and true beauty.

This is an excellent story that will appeal to more than just lovers of historical fiction. So, go out and get yourself a copy but be prepared to stay up all night reading...

(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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