Is there anything better than action, adventure, and romance on the high seas? (Well, maybe a full night’s sleep, but that’s an entry for another time . . .) Those are the key ingredients in MaryLu Tyndall’s latest release, The Blue Enchantress, a book I’m having a hard time putting down.

This won’t be a full review because I’m still in the middle of it, but ahhhhhh. I know when I pick up one of MaryLu’s books that I’m in for some tall ships, some pirates, some spiritual elements that send goosebumps shuddering up my spine, and a love story that will set my heart a-pumping. The Blue Enchantress is the second in the Charles Town Belles trilogy, but it easily stands alone–and stands so well that I’m already looking forward to the next one.

It centers around Hope, a young woman who has always relied on her charm and beauty to get her way. But when bad decisions land her on an auction block in St. Kitts, about to be sold as a slave, she swears she’s going to change. Especially when Nathanial Mason, a man she’s only scoffed at before but who may just be the most gentlemanly man she’s ever met, sells half his belongings to save her. Hope dreams of starting afresh and becoming a true lady–but with the dark shadows haunting her every step, will she ever have the chance?

Thus far, this book has it all. Hurricans, shipwrecks, pirates . . . everybody release a satisfied sigh with me. I was reading it the other night, and my husband started pouting that I wasn’t paying any attention to him. (Guilty.) I replied, “Hold on, they just got stranded on a deserted island. Let me finish this chapter.” And though I did put it down, it was with a huff. “I left the poor guy with a sword at his chin,” I said.

And for the record, last night when I had a rare hour alone (the hubby took the kids to the park) I chose to spend most of it reading this book. That right there speaks to its greatness, because usually I’d be parked in front of my computer the whole time.

Now I’m going to cut this short, because last night I left a sweet character with a pirate. Arg! Have to go read more and see what he wants with her (other than that). So I’ll just leave you with this–miracles and minions, pirates and slave auctions, love and jealousy and some checked-but-searing passion . . . what’s not to like? Check out MaryLu Tyndall’s The Blue Enchantress for a book that will sweep you away.