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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

It's Talk Like A Pirate Day and Me Birthday! Guest Post With MaryLu Tyndall Plus Giveaway!!


Ahoy, ye mateys! Today be "Talk Like a Pirate" day and me birthday! Me be very honored that MaryLu Tyndall will be joinin' us today with a guest post and giveaway! Aye, me pirate talk needs a lot of work. Arrrgh! Will have to work on it, aye?

So here's MaryLu, the queen of Talk Like a Pirate Day! :)


Lady Pirate, soldier, gambler, queen, and leader of men!
By MaryLu Tyndall



In honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day, I thought I’d entertain you with a true tale of one of the most fierce lady pirates who ever lived!   Her name was Grace O’Malley but she was also known as “Queen of the West” and “The Great Sea Pirate”    She is said to have buried more than 9 tons of treasure, protected by a curse that is said to have killed treasure hunters up to the present century!

Born in Ireland in 1530 to seafaring parents, her father Owen “Black Oak” O’Malley was the elected chieftain of the Barony of Murrisk, but he also owned several castles and fortresses as well as several ships by which he carried out both legitimate trading and piracy.

As a young girl, Grace’s interest in the sea was evident. She repeatedly begged her father to take her on one of his voyages, but her mother resisted, saying it was no life for a young lady, so one day Grace cut off her long red hair, dressed herself as a boy, and joined the crew anyway. After she proved her worth as a sailor, she told her father who she was and he was happy to take her along on his trips from then on.

Despite a younger brother, Grace was her father’s heir and after his death, took command of the O’Malley fleets and castles. From the many inlets off the coast of Ireland, Grace pirated and waged a war against English ships. While in root to and from Spain and Portugal, she would lie in wait off the coast and swoop down on the slow merchant ships, making them pay tribute for safe passage. If they disagreed, she plundered everything they had on board. She was so effective, Queen Elizabeth put a price on her head of 500 pounds for her capture. She even sent troops to attack Grace’s castle, but they were unsuccessful 

Grace married twice and bore numerous children. However when rebellion raged in Ireland she soon got caught up in tribal wars as well as battles against Englishmen dead set on conquering all of Ireland for the crown. Sir Richard Bingham, an English governor, took a particular interest in Grace and began arresting her family. Besieged on all fronts, in 1593 Grace finally wrote to the ultimate authority, Queen Elizabeth I. The letter, which survives, harps on about injustice and Grace's own advanced age but ends up requesting the Queen, 

"to grant unto your said subject under your most gracious hand of signet, free liberty during her life to invade with sword and fire all your highness enemies, wheresoever they are or shall be, without any interruption of any person or persons whatsoever." Not exactly your usual frail little old lady 

When she didn't receive a reply in time, she sailed to England herself. It was a daring move, not many Irish lords would dare set foot on English soil for fear of imprisonment or execution.


No one knows why Elizabeth agreed to see Grace, but they met in September of 1593. Grace was fluent in Latin and she and the Queen were able to converse freely. Grace explained to the Queen that her acts were not of rebellion but merely acts of self defense as Bingham had taken upon himself to destroy her and all of Ireland. She asked for the release of her brother and son and agreed to use her prowess at sea to help the Queen defeat her enemies.
Grace was very out of place in the English Court. A story is told about the meeting: Grace had sneezed in the presence of the Queen and court members. A member of the court handed her a very expensive handkerchief of lace and delicate embroidery, a costly item indeed. Grace proceeded to blow her nose into the hankie quite loudly and then tossed it into the fire. The court was aghast at her rudeness, but The Queen gently chided her and told her she should have put it into her pocket instead. Grace replied that the Irish did not put soiled articles into their pockets and therefore must have a higher sense of cleanliness.

The court was amazed that the Queen didn't have her arrested on the spot. A nervous chord of laughter began which turned into a loud roar of amusement. The Queen laughed and all was forgotten.

Queen Elizabeth finally agreed to Grace's offer of services and wrote Bingham commanding him to release Grace's family and restore her possessions. Bingham released her son and brother but never did give her back her lands and wealth. She continued to struggle against him for many years while still pirating the seas.

A nineteenth century biographer William O’Brien described Grace as a “gracious and charming lady with “healthy transparent cheeks” and a certain twinkle in . . . merry grey-blue eyes.

When she was over 60 she won her greatest victory off Shark Island against the Spanish. She came on deck in her nightgown, her gray hair flying loose down her back, the scars on her face livid, brandishing a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. Her appearance was so alarming the Spaniards dropped their weapons believing she as a demon! 


Grace eventually retired to Rockfleet Castle where it is thought she died in 1603, the same year as her Queen.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Check out MaryLu's book, The Redemption!



About the book:

Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a desert island. Near starvation, she is rescued by a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Clarisse win her struggle against the seductive lure of this pirate captain? While battling his attraction to this winsome lady, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest-until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean. Can Edmund win this lady's love while shielding her from his lecherous crew and working to bring her father to justice?

Giveaway!

Avast! Here be ye chance to plunder MaryLu's book "The Redemption" (Legacy of the King's Pirates #1). If ye win and be from the US ye'll have the choice betwixt a print or eBook copy, but if ye be from somewheres else ye'll git an eBook copy. Open to all the seas!

Enter via the Rafflecopter below. Ye must leave a comment on this here blog post, or else walk the plank. After that, enter the others at will. Savvy?

Just for fun, in yer comment, talk like a pirate! Y'all are probably way better than this here pirate! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

86 comments:

  1. T'be sure, I wouldn't mind meetin' Grace O'Malley, a fine Irish lass with plenty of spunk and a spirit fit to threaten the might of England! :) Wonderful tale - many thanks for sharing!

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    1. Ya know how to talk like a pirate, Gillian! Well done! :) Me hopes ya have a wonderful day! :D

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  2. Ahoy, matey! Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!
    TAMMY FORD CUEVAS

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  3. Sounds like a most delightful book! :)

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  4. Thank you so much for a fantastic book giveaway, that i would love to have the oportunity of reading!

    Bu' me must go now as sails ar down n' anchors up, so ship ahoy me matey!

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  5. Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day. Looks like me little girl with wear her pirate dress today!
    Amy Campbell

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  6. Sounds like an awesome book..

    ronnkelly3@aol.com

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  7. Wow. Grace was a very interesting person. I would really love to read Redemption

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  8. Ahoy Matey, Me be not a vera good pirate, but tis fun to listen to all the pirate talk.

    Thank ye for for the chance to plunder tis book, tis a good one me thinks.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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    1. Aye, me agree - it's fun ta hear pirate talk. :)

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  9. SHIVER ME TIMBERS ... and NOBODY does it better -- shivers or sighs -- better than my good friend, MaryLu Tyndall. As a romance writer myself, when I read for pleasure, MK is at the very top of my list, ALWAYS!!!

    Hey, girls, FUN post!!!

    HUGS,
    Julie

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    1. Ahoy, Julie! Me totally agree - MaryLu be the best at pirate talk! :) Thank ya for stoppin' by! :)

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  10. Argh! This sounds like a great book. Happy Birthday. julierupert@gmail.com

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  11. Ahoy MaryLu, Aye and I'm thinkin "Happy Birthday to the queen of nautical terms" no swabbing decks today...
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  12. Ahoy Melanie! Happy Birthday and happy Talk Like a Pirate day! Hope that both are full of celebration! I enjoyed the story of Grace O'Malley! Thanks to MaryLu Tyndall for sharing it with us today.

    Julie@My Favorite Pastime

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    1. Julie! Thank ya so much for the birthday wishes! :) Glad ya enjoyed the story! :)

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  13. ARG Maties I'm there! I've always wanted a chance to speak pirate without worrying about being put in a straight jacket! AWWHAHAHA!!!

    :) LOL! Happy Birthday!!!

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez

    Acts 16:31 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)

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  15. Grace O'Malley sounds like a lass after me own heart. And many happy felicitations on your natal day, Mistress Melanie. Arg!

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    1. Wow, Regina! Ya definitely know how to talk like a pirate!! Well done!

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  16. Ahoy me Maties Melanie and Marylu
    Today be a fine day fer talkin' 'bout me favorite subject...PIRATES!
    MaryLu be a fine spinner of pirate tales so that be the reason I be a wantin' to win of one of her treasured books! And I be a thankin' ye ever so much for the chance to do so! Here's a hopin' both ye lassies be havin' a fine Talk Like a Pirate day!

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    1. Another lass that be great at talkin' like a pirate! Hope yer have a great day too! :)

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  17. sounds and looks interesting!! ;)

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  18. Ahoy!! Don't know much pirate talk. That was a FUN and savvy story ye wrote. I've never read one of ML Tyndall's books but I thought this one sounded great so I entered!! Fair sailing me mateys!! Me hopes our ships cross paths ag'in!!!

    Jacinta Swindell
    magenta321mysteryreader@gmail.com

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  19. I love MaryLu's books and never got to read this one and review it. I only do print.
    jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  20. I saw where Lady Killigrew was very famous pirate as far back as 1530-1570, wow long ago....
    this nautical stuff could get addicting.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  21. Ahoy! Matey wonderful story on the high seas. Me think Very delight. thanks for de post. me not a good pirate talker either so we be in same company. love to win Mary Lu's book thanks.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  22. Shiver me timbers, quite a tale indeed! The Redemption is one of my favorite stories.

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  23. Blimey and shiver me timbers this sounds like a book even Captain Hook would like! Would love to read it curled up in me cot aboard the USS Halfmoon.

    Loraine
    Lpertelt@aol.com

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  24. A most joyous birthday to ye!
    The tale of yer pirate maid was heartnen' to me soul.
    Ye have me gratitude.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ye arrrr most welcome! Thank ye for the birthday wishes, Rebekah! :D

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  25. What a fun post! Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day and Happy Birthday, Melanie! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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    1. Thank ya, Crystal! Glad yer liked the post and hope ya have a great talk like a pirate day! :)

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  26. AArrghh!! A most intr'ing post ahoy, yer matey! Me loves Miz O'Malley, a right fine ma'am yer have there! She skirted the fine Queen that day, fer sure!

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  27. I love MaryLu's writing. She is one of my favorites.

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  28. Hmm... wonder if I could talk like a pirate? Haha.
    <3 the giveaway!

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  29. Ahoy, thank ye for the informative post and the chance to win your book.

    arieljo12 @ hotmail dot com

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  30. Hey Melanie! Great post, how creative! Please don't enter me, just had to send you birthday wishes :)
    Ahoy and Happy Birthday wishes to me blogging friend and fellow book lover, go Mel!!! You're such a blessing and I trust you'll have a fantastic celebration with lots of fun, joy, family, and good books to surround you :) Yo ho ho, a pirate's day birthday for Mel!!
    I'm not much for pirate talk, but thanks for being such a diligent blogger and for all you do :)
    Hugs and blessings, Mel!!

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    1. Thank ye, Kara, for tis great here comment! I plan on reading MaryLu's book, The Red Siren, and watching the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie today, so it is sure to be a pirate filled day! :D

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  31. Avast ye blubbering scalawags! I be a might proud o' all of ye speakin' pirate so well on this fine day! Thanks from the bottom of me pirate's heart for stoppin' by t' read me article (love Grace O'Malley--a woman after me own heart) an' for enterin' Motely Melanie's contest fer my pirate tale. Wavin' at me old friends! An' wavin' at me new ones! Have a grog-filled, booty-loaded day!!

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    1. Ahoy, MaryLu! As me said, ye are the QUEEN of talk like a pirate day! Yer comment made me laugh SO hard because of all the pirate talk! :)

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    2. I forgot to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! and thanks for having me on your blog!

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    3. Thank ye, MaryLu! It's me honor ta have ya on this here blog. :) Thank YOU for doin' this here guest post. :D

      Delete
  32. It's always fun to get the first book in a series, thanks for the giveaway!

    Patty

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  33. Sounds really good!! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  34. Yo Ho, Yo Ho A Pirate's life for me! This sounds like a great book!

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    1. I love that song! It reminds me of the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean"! :D

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  35. I'd be likin' to win matey! Argh! and Happy birthday!

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  36. Wow, this was very neat! I love learning new things! Thank you for taking the time to write this! God Bless!

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  37. By hook or by crook I did make it. This book sounds like a fantastic read for a pirate lover and I must add it to my shelf of pirate books on goodreads. Arrrr!

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  38. Ahoy, Matey... I learned something new today and I would love to win this book:)

    Argh! Happy Birthday!!

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  39. Argh! Ahoy! and Happy Birthday, Matey! Hope ye have a grand year.

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  40. Der Lass~ What a fetching post today.Matey, Me loved the Grace O' Malley tale.I 'vite ye to Tampa Town for a reel' meein' with Our Grace O' Malley Crew at Gasperilla in January 2013. Arrr You can practice your pirate speak!I would luv to read this awesome book. Happy Talk-like-a -Pirate Day and Lass, Happy Birthday:)
    Cyndee Thomas
    cyndee(dot)thomas0(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for commenting! You speak great pirate talk! :)

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  41. Enter me this book sounds like a great read!!

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  42. Hi! I love these giveaways! It helps the budget it one wins!
    Please enter me in the Redemption. I love historical romances
    and who doesn't enjoy a good pirate story?
    I am Lu on Goodreads site.
    my email is worley.la@gmail.com

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  43. Argh, but that be a mighty good story there, Melanie! And a very happy birthday to you, too :) I would love to win a copy of Redemption because it sounds like a really good book and one I would enjoy reading!
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  44. Yer book Redemption is a fine tale of a lass upon the high seas and it would be a fine booty to have upon my voyages. Ok, I'm not the greatest pirate but I would love to win this and thanks so much for the giveaway.
    fast.linda@yahoo.ca

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for entering and you did great at talking like a pirate! :)

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  45. I missed the talk like a pirate day, but I love pirat estories, so add me to the list for this giveaway! Thanks!
    Rebecca
    rrgreene62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. Historic and about pirates, sounds great ! I can't wait to check out this book ! Thanks for the giveaway !

    songo_ac@hotmail.com

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  47. i've heard great things about her books, and i love the pirate theme

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  48. Thank fer the opportunity to win this here book!
    Angela Hartness
    awhartness@yahoo.com

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  49. wow you have great giveway and i love to read arc or regular book i blog on them all over the net and then i will u tube the books now that the authors are asking
    to tube it and then i have over 10 site i put it on

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  50. This is a great give away and I love pirate stories. would love to have my own copy

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  51. I would love to win!!
    Sarah Richmond
    sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com

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  52. My sister just got some of her books! Look good!
    E.Kate

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  53. Happy Birthday, Melanie and what a fun day to have a birthday. Wow, I loved the guest post about Grace O'Malley sounds like she was a quite a woman!

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  54. It's the pirate life for me. I would love to win this one.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  55. Wow, Grace O'Malley's life sounds as fascinating as one of MaryLu Tyndall's novels! Thanks for the chance to win!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  56. An Irish gal after my own heart! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  57. I just finished reading Veil of Pearls by MaryLu and loved it. It was that first book I ever read by her. I would love to win this book!

    ~Melissa

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  58. LuV MaryLu ! thx for your great giveaway offers...

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  59. Sounds very i nteresting. Please enter me. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  60. Sounds like a wonderful book. Looks very interesting.
    marypopmom@yahoo.com
    Maryann

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  61. Aye...ye best be givin' me a chance at that thar book or ye might be a walkin' the plank tonight. I like the lass on the cover...she is a winsome and feisty lookin' gal, she is.

    Thanks matey,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56(at)aol(dot)com

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  62. I love learning about pirates!! Especially girl pirates!

    And even more.. I love ML Tyndall's books!

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  63. Love this giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Jennifer M.

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