April Gardner's "Warring Spirits"

Title: Warring Spirits
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing

Cover blurb: In 1816 Georgia, escaped slaves control the land just beyond the American border in Las Floridas. Lost somewhere between white and black worlds, Milly follows hope to the only place that can offer her refuge—the place Georgians are calling Negro Fort. The first, sweet taste of freedom convinces Milly that surrender is not an option. Death would be more welcome.

Major Phillip Bailey has orders to subdue the uprising and return the runaways to their masters. Forced to fight alongside Creek warriors—the same who etched the scars into his mind and flesh—Phillip primes himself for battle. But inside, a war already rages—return for the woman he thought lost to him or concede her to the enemy she loves; follow orders or follow his heart.

1) How did this story come to you?
When I finished Wounded Spirits, the first book in the Creek Country Saga, I started out writing Warring Spirits with a different story and with different main characters. But there was something about it that just didn’t sit right with me. It didn’t highlight a little known historical event, which is what I want my writing to be known for. So I went back to my research books and dug around until I stumbled upon Negro Fort and the devastation that happened there. By the end of that day, the Lord had given me the plot for Warring Spirits.

2) What kind of research is involved in writing historical novels?
Massive amounts!! I have an entire book shelf full of research books. I’ve been researching ancient Creek Country (part of present-day Alabama and Georgia) for the last decade and there’s still so much to discover.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m dyslexic and because it was so difficult, hated reading until I was about 12.
If I didn’t have a computer, I wouldn’t write. My handwriting and spelling is that bad.
I can solve a rubix cube. Takes me ten minutes, but I can do it!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
At this exact moment? Nothing. With two books having released in November, I’m focusing on marketing, but come January, I’m going to pick back up with a novel I’m co-writing with writer Michelle Massaro. Can’t wait to jump back into it!

5) Parting comments?
It’s always a pleasure to be featured here. Thank you for the opportunity to chat about my novels!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Readers can learn more about my books on my website and blog. I love to interact on Facebook!
http://www.aprilgardner.com/
http://www.aprilwgardner.com/

Teryl Cartwright's "Courting Constance"

We're happy to have Teryl Cartwright with us today talking about her book Courting Constance. To learn more about Teryl and her book, read on!

Title: Courting Constance
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing LLC

Cover blurb: “I will make him love me again.” With this vow, Constance Alford, realizing she may have lost the only love of her life, pursues her former fiancé relentlessly. She isn't surprised to discover Sir Geoffrey isn't at all interested his not so “secret” admirer. And when her creative attempts to win him back fail, Constance began to think that her best, most daring plan of all still won't be enough.
Still suffering from the sting of Constance's earlier rejection, Sir Geoffrey also has a plan for the resourceful Miss Alford, although his ideas revolve more around revenge. She would pay for trifling with the love he once offered her. He would make her truly love him and then walk away from her, finally and forever. But his heart gets in the way of his ideas and he soon finds himself at the mercy of his own plans.

1) How did this story come to you?
When I started dating and even after I married, I got very creative in my gift giving to my husband. I had accordion player serenade him, got him an autographed book by his favorite coach, wrote poetry and set up scavenger hunts, etc.—you name it. The story of Courting Constance came when I asked myself what would happen if something went wrong every time a creative gift idea was tried out? What if the serenade was more earsplitting than romantic? What if the recipient was allergic to the food? So you can imagine the fun I had writing this book for a very persistent, creative heroine and her victim (I mean the hero) who learns to have a sense of humor and a bit of patience.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Like my first book, Courting Constance was a “Nano-book”, a fifty thousand word first draft that was written in a month in a Nanowrimo.org contest a few years ago. I then had to do a lot of research to make sure the Regency was accurate for Bath, England which helped add another 20 thousand words. This research meant going to the internet for pictures and even having a librarian from Bath help me find books with maps and more history. When I submitted the revised manuscript to Vinspire Publishing and got accepted I went through several edits. Although I had been through two and a half with one editor, when another took over, I had to go through a few more since each editor is different in their preferences and editing style. It took around two years from first draft to its publication.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I was crazy enough to go to Hollywood to pitch my first book for movie producers—and I’ll be back when better prepared!
2. I’ve written stories in many genres from sci-fi to satire, but have only been published in romance, drama and curriculum thus far.
3. I like to sneak inside jokes into my books—such as picking on stereotypes and putting in favorite author names as well as some street names where I live. I’ve even tucked in a reference to an actor I admire just for fun.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on a historical romance is called Scottish Made which is about what happens when a girl has amnesia and doesn’t know who to trust with this secret in an intrigue filled society of highland and lowland Scots. The other book I've started is nonfiction, Dramatic Sunday School for Adults, which focuses on how to use drama in class as an special way to experience scripture.

5) Parting comments?
God is at work in so many wonderful ways; we just have to be looking, asking for and recognizing these blessings. While we writers inspire each other, you, as a reader, do this too. You'd be surprised how much a comment can make someone's day, because we really do appreciate the connections that are made. Writing is not a solo endeavor, there are editors, researchers, mentors and readers involved. Thanks for reading--you make our books stay alive!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
www.terylcartwright.com