The Liberty Bride by Marylu Tyndall

About the book:

Emeline Baratt has been caring for others ever since she could walk. First her younger brothers and then, after she learned doctoring from her physician uncle in Maryland, everyone else in need, including her great aunt in England. But America and England are at war, and with her aunt's death, Emeline finds herself trapped behind enemy lines with no means of support – a terrifying prospect. Traveling home from England on one of her father's privateers seems no less frightening.

When the HMS Marauder overtakes the American ship, First Lieutenant Owen Masters is shocked to find a beautiful woman aboard and even more shocked when she announces her loyalty to England and begins tending the wounded – both British and American – with equal care. If she is a traitor to her country, Owen wants nothing to do with her.

Hiding her true allegiances on a ship where her nursing skills are desperately needed is fairly easy – until Emeline starts to have feelings for the first lieutenant who becomes her protector. However, when the captain sends her and Owen on land to spy for the British, they both are forced to choose between love for each other or love for country.

My thoughts:

The Liberty Bride is the sixth installment in The Daughters of the Mayflower series, but it is completely fine to read as a stand-alone. I was immediately interested as I started reading, but after a few chapters, I was seriously hooked. (The kind of hooked where I would sneak away into my bedroom and read a chapter when my children were occupied with something else.) The plot never dragged thanks to the constant danger, emotional conflicts, and romantic tension between Emeline and Owen.

Beyond the adventure, suspense, and romantic moments, a beautiful theme of spiritual liberty arched throughout the story. Emeline deeply struggles with being a proper lady in order to please her father and earn God's favor. She vacillates between different perspectives, sometimes very quickly, as she tries to conform to the constraints of society and religion. Ultimately, Emeline and Owen learn that a personal relationship with Jesus is more important than rules doled out by fallible humans. 

The Liberty Bride is the first full-length novel I've read by Marylu Tyndall and it made me want to read more of her work. It's also my favorite of the four books that I've read from The Daughters of the Mayflower series. I recommend to readers looking for a tale of adventure, faith, and romance.

Learn more about the Daughters of the Mayflower series which includes The Mayflower Bride, The Pirate Bride, The Captured Bride, The Patriot Bride and The Cumberland Bride in addition to The Liberty Bride.

My review for The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep can be found here.

My review for The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear can be found here.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.