April W Gardner
Featuring Beneath the
Blackberry Moon
Kindle and Paperback:
http://tinyurl.com/h6vxwuy
Welcome back, April. What
writing news do you have?
I’m happy to announce that my latest historical romance, Beneath
the Blackberry Moon, is FREE to subscribers! My newsletter is for new
release announcements only, so your inbox won’t be flooded. Enjoy this gift
from me!
INSTANTLY RECEIVE YOUR FREE COPY HERE: http://tinyurl.com/pbse7u6
Kindle and Paperback: http://tinyurl.com/h6vxwuy
God has really been
moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
Indeed He has! My horizon has several new books on it. Better than Fiction releases in a few
weeks, and it’s also going to available for free to subscribers. You can sign
up here! http://eepurl.com/bB7fvT
Tell us a little
about your family.
My husband is the best the United State Air Force has to
offer. Eighteen years of service and counting. Couldn’t be more proud of my
airman! I also have two amazing kids (son 14 and daughter 12) whom I
homeschool. Our two German Shepherds complete the family. They keep up hopping
and happy!
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Oh my goodness, yes. I read tons of nonfiction books for
historical research, and I love every minute of it. I also am more critical of
fiction, which isn’t necessarily a good thing...
What are you working
on right now?
Right now, I’m writing the next in the Creek Country Saga
called Drawn by the Frost Moon. Can’t
wait to share this amazing story! It’s taken straight from the pages of history
and is deeply romantic.
What outside
interests do you have?
You mean there is a world away from my laptop?? LOL My
outside world includes my church family and any activities my kids have going
on in the youth group.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Mainly, I dig around in history books for interesting and
little-known events that happened during the early 1800s in the Southeastern U.S. and involved the Muscogee Indians. Then
I base my plot around that event.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I wish I had known it’s a skill that takes many, many years
to learn. Yes, it requires natural ability, but it’s also a learned process
that requires patience and humility.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
He’s reminded me lately just how faithful He is!
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Start compiling an email list! I wish, wish, wish I had
started fourteen years ago instead of one year ago, LOL
Don’t become a pest by annoying your friends and family.
Reach outside of that circle. Find new readers.
Have fun! Don’t sweat the small stuff. J
Tell us about the
featured book.
Beneath the Blackberry Moon is the story of my heart. It’s
really one book under three separate titles. The first is the one I give away
free to subscribers.
It is set during the Creek War of 1813-14 and is a sweeping
romance that absconds with the reader, taking her to a Native American world
most Americans don’t know even existed.
Here’s a little about it:
Adela McGirth has never feared her neighbors, the Creek
Indians, but a suspicious encounter with a steely eyed warrior shakes her
confidence. Her dread soon becomes reality, but no fort is strong enough to
hold off a party of warriors who fear nothing but the loss of their ancient
ways.
Big Warrior Totka Hadjo, a Red Stick bound by honor to
preserve his heritage, enters his toughest battles yet—the fight for love, the
invasion of fear, and the inescapable ashes of each. The war was simpler before
his enemy became a beautiful face with a gentle warrior’s spirit he cannot
resist.
War, captivity, hunger that will not be denied. And a
blackberry moon with enough pull to endure the test of time.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Tensaw Settlements,
present-day Alabama
Blackberry Moon (June) 1813
From
inside the cool, shadowy wood, Totka Lawe squinted into a bright meadow. Its
broad sea of undulating bromegrass lay empty. Deceptive. He tuned his senses to
the cold fingers of foreboding walking up his spine. His own fingers clenched
both the wooden war club tucked into his belt and the lead rope of the
packhorse snuffling at his ear.
Go
through, or around?
Eight
other warriors deliberated beside him, but it was his sister’s husband, Nokose,
who would have the final say. Grandmother Sun neared the end of her trek,
bringing to a close the delegation’s first day on the return trail to their talwa,
Kossati, their Upper Creek village. One more sleep in land occupied by whites,
followed by another two in Creek country. Then home.
He
swatted a mosquito from his ear and waited for Nokose to speak. Sweat coursed a
line from his roached hair over the bare side of his head and down his neck. He
shifted his weight to hide his impatience.
With
each passing day, their mission grew more burdensome, their cargo more
loathsome. The old wound in Totka’s leg throbbed, but he pushed beyond it and
centered the load more squarely across his packhorse’s flank. The scents of
horseflesh and leather failed to soothe him as he flicked glances through the
trees.
This
was white man’s land. For a little while longer. Soon, the Red Sticks would
engage in war and then the land would be theirs once again.
At
a stirring behind them, Totka stroked the sleek upper limb of his unstrung bow.
No smelly, cumbersome musket for him. He peered into the murky shrubs. The
darkness that descended held more than night. It seethed with intolerance and
distrust so thick it could be measured in every narrowed gaze, in every
unspoken word.
Totka
no longer questioned whether he’d chosen the correct faction. For better or
worse, he’d staked his claim with the Red Sticks. The scarlet feather tied to
his hair had sealed it.
All
he lacked was another battle, another feat of courage or extraordinary
achievement, or another few scalps—white or red—to adorn the red pole in
Kossati’s council square. Any one of those would bring his name before the
council and, if the spirits wished, earn him higher rank.
The
mare tossed her head and sidestepped, shoving him into a thorny bush, then
swung back in the opposite direction. Feeding off his nervous handling most
likely.
As
he extricated himself from the shrub, the hem of his long-shirt snagged on a
briar and ripped. Singing Grass, his elder sister, would have choice words for
him.
“Ho,
ho,” he cooed, shadowing the horse’s steps. He stroked her sweaty, quivering
shoulder, but she stretched and strained against the tether. Head high, she
rolled her eyes, revealing the whites, but Totka held firm.
The
animal had tested his patience from sunup, and he anticipated hobbling her and
brushing the day’s dust from his leggings.
Interesting. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
Website: www.aprilgardner.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/AprilGardnerBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AprilWGardner
Thank you, April, for sharing this new book series with us.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the second book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
21 comments:
Thank you for having me again, Lena! I'm exciting to see who will win the book!
Sounds like a great, intriguing story. I love these kind of stories.
Beth in Montana
This sounds good. I'd love to win it!
J.C. -Indiana-
Thanks for stopping by Beth and J.C.! And for your interest in the story. The first is FREE for everyone. So grab your copy before you leave! Best wishes on the giveaway for book 2!
It's my pleasure, Connie! Enjoy!!
This book sounds intriguing and I appreciate that you are giving us a chance to read the first one free. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for giving away the first part! Sounds like an interesting story!
-Melissa M. in TN
You're welcome, Melissa! Thanks for picking it up. :-)
I am intrigued and would love to read this one. Thank you for the opportunity to be a winner.
Melanie Backus, TX
A wonderful first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Thank you for giving us the first book for free, and for the chance to win the second book as well!
I love the cover!
Lientjie
Qld, Australia
I would love to read this! I'm so excited about these books b/c I know what an awesome author you are, April! I read a couple of your debut books and for some reason we lost contact on FB. (frowning) I thought you had quit writing and am delighted to see that you haven't! Thank you for the free gift!
Diana in SC
Wonderful! Thank You for the interview and giveaway!
Karen, Melanie, Mary, thank you for entering the drawing! Glad you enjoyed that first page. Three-hundred and seventy-five to go! LOL
Lientjie, you sure make a long trek to visit here today. All the way from Australia. Cool! Thanks for entering and for snagging your free book. You're welcome, and enjoy!!
Diana!! Great to touch base with you again! I'll catch you on Facebook, ok?
I enjoyed the interview and am looking forward to reading these books. Great first page and must read more. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
Hey there, Brenda and Sharon! So glad you entered. Enjoy the novel and best wishes on your entry!
I am really excited to start this series. You are doing a bang up job promoting it. Many blessing for its success.
Terrill - WA
I loved the first page and pretty cover too!
Beth from IA
That's great rubynreba! Make sure you get your free copy by following the link above. :-) Thanks for the kudos on the cover!
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