Monday, February 14, 2011

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

15 comments:

  1. I enjoy reading about this time period and
    the plot of her book sounds fabulous...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  2. I love books such as these! Great interview.

    Count me in.

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  3. Great interview...I can't wait to read it..It sounds wonderful..My mother is a fan of yours

    God Bless
    Heidi
    heidijohnjeff@verizon.net

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  4. Wow, I have/had a wounded spirit. This book is a must for me. My spirit was wounded as a young child and throughout my youth it haunted me, but since finding the Lord as a child, or should I say when I totally committed my life to the Lord, He started healing me. This book might give me some good ideas to help the healing process.
    Juanita W
    whisper97304@yahoo.com

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  5. This book is still on my "to purchase" list. It'd be a blessing to win a copy instead.

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  6. April, I finally gave up trying to win your book! lol I ordered it last night...and I am sooo excited about it! I will let you know how I like it...and perhaps a review on Amazon??

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm a subscriber
    please enter me thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  8. I enjoy reading historical romance novels. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. Having read a bit of April's writing before, I know this one will be a good one. April is a terrific writer. She'll go far in this business!

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  10. I'm so glad you persevered and got your book published. That's quite an accomplishment! Please enter me in this giveaway.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. great interview...please count me in...thanks :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  12. Thank you for writing a historical novel that includes the Indians on the Plains in those days. This makes for great fascination with a book that will be a page turner. I already like the story and I haven't read it yet. Thank you for this great giveaway and for the chance to win it. I hope I do win.

    Sharing His Love,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  13. Hi everyone! Last I looked there were zero comments. Now there are 13! Good to hear from you all. Juanita, praise God for his healing power! Praying his continued healing over you. LOL, Diana! Thanks for ordering. I hope you fall in love with the Creek. Thank you for the sweet comments, Linda and Barb. All glory to God!

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  14. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance. I'm an email subscriber.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete

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