April Gardner's "Wounded Spirits"

We're happy to have April Gardner with us today talking about her book Wounded Spirits. To learn more about April and her book, read on!

Title: Wounded Spirits
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing, 2010

Cover blurb:On the frontier, Adela McGirth’s life is simple, rugged, and exactly to her liking. Her greatest concern is whether to marry the settlement’s most eligible young officer. When a distant war among the Natives spills over into a nearby skirmish, life takes a perilous turn. Deep in enemy territory Adela must choose between the man she loves and a baby that has yet to be born.
A peace-loving yet loyal Creek warrior, Totka is forced to align with the extremist Red Stick faction whose purpose is to eradicate the Whites from Creek soil. In the midst of battle, Totka is assigned to protect those he is expected to hate–and kill. Life was simpler before his enemy became a beautiful face with a quiet strength and dignity he cannot resist.

1) How did this story come to you?
I came across the lives of the Creek Indians and the McGirths on the pages of history books and felt a burning need to know these people better, to understand how they might have reacted and dealt with the circumstances thrust upon them. There’s a certain mysterious and regal quality to our country’s Natives that lures me. They had nearly perfected the true sense of community, selflessness, and passion. I just needed to live in their moccasins for a while.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I broke my “writing teeth” on book reviews six years ago. Writing and publishing reviews gave me the confidence I needed to put the story of my heart onto paper. But it was a single book review that prompted my relationship with Vinspire, my publishing house. Vinspire author Suzanne Woods Fisher thanked me for a review I’d written of her first book Copper Star (great book, by the way!). For some reason still unknown to me (besides the obvious—that she’s a super-cool gal) she took it upon herself to encourage me to submit my writing to Vinspire. Without her belief in me, I never would have had the confidence to do it. Thanks, Suzanne!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I backed into my husband’s car, crunching the bumpers of both vehicles. Twice. In three months.
I’m a self-proclaimed ditz. (Why deny the obvious, right?)
I collect antiquarian books.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m currently writing Warring Spirits, book two in the Creek Country Saga. Here’s a sneak peak at the working back cover blurb:
In 1816 Georgia, a fort controlled by runaways looms over the white population, threatening everything they hold dear. But to Milly—neither white nor black—it is a refuge. Major Phillip Bailey has orders to subdue the uprising at any cost, but a devastating event drives the price higher than they expected to pay. Neither imagines that where blood is split unexpected love can bloom.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me today! I’m honored to have Wounded Spirits counted among the many wonderful books that have passed through your literary halls.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
www.aprilgardner.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/april.gardner1