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Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Spotlight on April Gardner and Wounded Spirits

Don't forget the rules of the spotlights here. Please answer the random question associated with this spotlight in the comments.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


APRIL GARDNER has been a military brat, missionary's kid, and military spouse. After 21 years in various countries overseas, April happily resides in Georgia with her USAF husband. A homeschool mom, she fills her mornings talking fractions and phonics with her two sweet kiddos. In her free time, April enjoys reading, gardening, and DIY. In no particular order, she dreams of owning a horse, visiting all the national parks, and speaking Italian.

Librarian, reviewer, and avid reader, April adores anything books. She writes a weekly column for the joint blog, Reflections in Hindsight, and is the founder and senior editor of the website, Clash of the Titles.

WOUNDED SPIRITS
by April Gardner
Published by Vinspire Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

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; will she be strong enough to wait on God's provision?

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.

Having lived a life plagued with death and loss, Zachariah McGirth is a man on a mission - he'll have his revenge or die trying. Blinded by grief, he can't see his way clear of yet another tragedy. Why has God taken everything from him...or has He?

Their lives molded by the course of history, can these Wounded Spirits learn to rely on God's grace during one of the bloodiest conflicts in the South?

Readers, buy your copy of today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Thank you! Debut novel. Wow! Never thought I’d see this day. Yesterday was my Amazon Book Launch. Anyone who bought the book yesterday received tons of e-gifts! Just for readers of this blog and for today (Dec.8) only, I’m extending the offer. Buy the book on Amazon, then follow this link http://tinyurl.com/2u8bbj2 to find out how to receive your e-gifts.

My inspiration is my own family history. It’s believe my family is somehow connected to Chief Red Eagle of the book. A great, great (plus quite a few more) uncle on my dad’s side. Curiosity led me to research his life. Then the writer in me took over and demanded it be put into a novel.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

“Write what you know,” is a tried and true saying. What do I know? Spain. I grew up there. And how wonderful for me that Mobile, Alabama belonged to the Spanish during my novel’s time-period. Inserting a Spanish character (Galena) into the novel was me tipping my hat to my Spanish “heritage.” Galena’s fiery temper, however, is hers and hers alone. :)

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Oh, this is a fun one! Let’s see…Adela McGirth, my heroine, would have to be Ben and Jerry’s Banana Split. From page one, she’s torn, split right down the middle between the enemy and her family. Totka, my Creek warrior hero, would be Ben and Jerry’s Imagine Whirled Peace. He’ll fight the white settlers, because to do otherwise would put him and his sister’s family in danger. But what he’d rather is everyone just get along.

4. Are there any themes in Wounded Spirits that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

War brings suffering in all shapes and sizes. My characters have plenty of it. I pray my readers come away encouraged that their own suffering is important to God. He wants us to lean on him, not turn away. I’ve experienced his comfort in my own tribulations and pray the same for my readers.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

It was no easy task to “think” Native American. Starting out, I wasn’t at all familiar with their culture, and I’m sure I, unwittingly, made mistakes along the way. I hope my Native American readers forgive my blunders! My favorite scenes were the action scenes. Those scenes are never boring!

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Warring Spirits, the sequel is tentatively scheduled for November of next year. Adela’s sister, Lillian, is the heroine in Warring. The war for land might be over, but the battle still rages in her heart.

* * * * *

Thank you, April, for being in the spotlight with us.

April: Thanks for having me today, Tiffany! I love to hear from readers at aprilgardnerwrites@gmail.com.

ENTRY RULES Readers, answer the question associated with the spotlight in the comments. April is unable to do a giveaway, but go back up and read her answer to Question #1 for some other giveaways and prizes related to her book.

Question: Do you have any well-known historical figures in your family tree?

Thanks for stopping by!

6 comments:

Carol N Wong said...

Yes, I do have some historical figures in my family tree. My grandmother's cousin is the person who started the Honeywell Corporation. Also, I am a direct descendant from Stephen Hopkins who came over with his family on the Mayflower. Also have some royal roots too, related to Princess Diana's family, and the links may be a little rusty so I want to research them somemore for a descendant of Eleanor of Acquitiane. Also my grandfather was
related to John Wayne!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

April Gardner said...

Wow, Carol! You have quite an impressive family tree. From pilgrims to movie stars. We're learning about Eleanor of Aquitaine in school. What a gal! And not a name you hear too often. Funny that I've heard it twice in one week. :-)How fun to get to know your family!

Unknown said...

This book sounds so interesting!!

As far as I know, I don't have any well-known historical figures in my family tree...

Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

squiresj said...

I have Queen Elizabeth in my family tree and my Great Grandmother was full blooded Cherokee.
You book sounds like something I would love to read and review.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com

Elaine Marie Cooper said...

Yes. They came on a boat called the Mayflower, and they were written about years later in a famous poem. I am descended from Ruth Alden, daughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. Can't wait to get started on "Wounded Spirits", April!

April Gardner said...

Elaine, you're in that %10 of Americans that can trace their ancestry to the Mayflower. Cool!