April Gardner is here with a giveaway!
20 December 2010
We had a wonderful weekend around here. On Friday night, we actually went out … with friends … without kids. It was amazing. At the restaurant, we lingered long after we’d finished eating. And then at Starbucks, we just talked and talked and talked until we realized it was the ripe hour of 9:30. Luxury, I tell you. Pure luxury.
Today I’m thrilled to be featuring April Gardner and her book, Wounded Spirits
“Adela shifted her body to allow blood flow to her legs. The mossy ground had long grown hard against her tailbone, and the rough tree trunk dug into her back.”
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?
A typical military spouse, April Gardner has traveled the world. Currently, she home schools her children, while her husband serves a tour in the Middle East. April writes a weekly column for the joint blog Reflections in Hindsight. She is also the founder and senior editor of Clash of the Titles, a website designed to connect authors and readers through fun contests. Her debut novel, Wounded Spirits, released with Vinspire Publishing in November 2010. Click here to connect with April at her blog.
When I asked April our question of the month, December is often a hectic month. What’s something you do to create extra time to write? she said, “It’s amazing what I can accomplish when my husband is deployed. I never would have chosen for him to be in Iraq for six months, but since he’s gotta be there, I’ll take advantage of the free time and write as much as I can. Leaving the light on until midnight is something I rarely do with him here. Now, it’s a habit, and I wonder if I’ll be able to revert when he gets home!”
Since having kids, I’ve learned the value of flexibility. How wonderful that you’re able to be so productive with your time, though I’m sure you’re eager for his safe return!
April, lovely lady that she is, has offered to give away a copy of Wounded Spirits. And I adore her question because I spent time this weekend figuring out our Christmas meal plans! She says, “My family must eat orange rolls every Christmas before opening presents. What about yours? Is there something you traditionally eat on Christmas morning?” Leave a comment below answering April’s question in order to be entered. (US Residents only. Contest closes Friday, December 24th.)
Comments
we eat cinnamon rolls after we open presens at my parents house:)Great memories!
Posted by Sarah on 20 December 2010
We eat leftovers from the Christmas eve party the night before which is usually not the healthiest stuff in the world! Just enough to tide us over til Christmas dinner.
Posted by Diana Flowers on 20 December 2010
We eat some kind of sweet bread – coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, etc. every Christmas morning.
Posted by Cindy Arterburn on 21 December 2010
I’m delighted to feature you, April! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten orange rolls.
How funny that cinnamon rolls are so popular.
For our family dinner (like me, my husband, and our kids) we usually do some kind of seafood. We love it, but it’s expensive, so it’s a good special occasion dish for us.
And, no, I’m not eligible to win April’s book, but I can’t resist talking food!
Posted by Stephanie Morrill on 21 December 2010
I didn’t win your book in Roseanna’s contest, boo hoo. So maybe I will be blessed to win this one. I just so happen to have a can of Pillsbury orange rolls in refrigerator door that I forgot I had…so guess what we’ll be having Christmas morning? That is if they haven’t expired…guess I need to check that. I forgot about them ‘til you mentioned them here. haha
Posted by Diana Flowers on 21 December 2010
Christmas morning at our house means not only a delicous breakfast casarole, but also mouth-watering, homemade recipe for cinnamon rolls! The recipe is old, good, and delectably delicous with a powdered sugar glaze to complete the look and the taste.
Posted by Katie S. on 21 December 2010
I have never had one specific thing that I eat on Christmas morning, but Christmas is one of the few days I actually eat breakfast so I guess for me breakfast is a must on Christmas.
Posted by Sydney Stricklin on 21 December 2010
Homemade cinnamon rolls are on my list! It’s a long tradition.
Posted by Ann on 21 December 2010
Shucks! The orange rolls like you were talking about April were expired. They had been hiding behind the condiments, which is why I forget them. So I agree with these above…cinnamon rolls it shall be…and hot chocolate, of course!
Posted by Diana Flowers on 22 December 2010
Lol, Diana! Sorry about the expired orange rolls. Still haven’t found some around here. Starting to panic!! :-)
Posted by April Gardner on 22 December 2010
I guess we’re going off on a tangent here, but is there a Bilo where you live, April? They have them in a big Pillsbury can by the biscuits. That’s the only place I have ever seen them…if you don’t have a Bilo, Super Wal-Mart may have them. Good luck!!
Posted by Diana F. on 22 December 2010
Orange rolls… Never heard of them, but need to find some! They sound delicious.
We don’t do anything special Christmas morning, but we typically do BBQ for Christmas Eve dinner. My Grandma always made it from scratch when we were at her house. But in KC, we order Gates or OK Joe’s or Jack Stack and eat as a big family! I’m getting super excited! Merry Christmas!
Posted by Kelli on 23 December 2010
I’ve been entering to win this book all over the place! I also featured April on my blog recently and i’d love to win a copy of her book.
Posted by Tracy Krauss on 23 December 2010
I’m sad to say that I don’t have a Christmas breakfast. It sounds like a wonderful idea though and maybe I will start a new tradition. Please sign me up.
Deborah M.
Posted by Deborah Malone on 23 December 2010
Did you find the orange rolls yet, April?
Posted by Diana on 24 December 2010
I found my orange rolls! The holidays may resume. Grin. I don’t know if there’s a Bilo in the area, Diana. I’m visiting family in Tennessee, but Kroger came through for me. Merry Christmas to you, Kroger! ;-)
Posted by April Gardner on 24 December 2010
We always eat yummy cinammon rols right out of the oven! We have to open presents first, of course!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Posted by Nancye Davis on 24 December 2010
YAY! So glad you found your rolls, April! Just got home from family Christmas party and ate so much I have changed my mind…probably won’t be eating anything for breakfast…ugg. Merry Christmas, April!
Posted by Diana on 24 December 2010
I don’t think my last comment went through, so anyway…YAY, April…so glad you found your rolls! Just got home from family Christmas party and ate so much, don’t think I’ll be eating anything for breakfast after all…ugg. Merry Christmas, April!
Posted by Diana on 24 December 2010
The winner is Sarah! Congratulations!
Posted by Stephanie Morrill on 28 December 2010
CONGRATS,SARAH.I KNOW YOU WON AN AWESOME BOOK!!
Posted by Diana Flowers on 28 December 2010
Thanks for having me, Stephanie! I’m so glad you got some time alone with your honey. Talk about recharging your battery, huh? About those orange rolls…I can’t find them in stores! Ahh! The horror of it all! Will we be forced to eat cinnamon rolls??
I’ll be hanging around if anyone has any questions or comments. Merry Christmas everyone!
Posted by April Gardner on 20 December 2010