Explore Creek Country

In preparation for the upcoming release of the next book in my Creek Country Saga, Warring Spirits, I decided to take a tour of ancient Creek Country and hope you'll jump on the tram. There's plenty of room on the bench, right here, next to me. :-)

Mississippian Period

Alternate Book Covers

COVERS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT

Wounded Spirits Trailer

Fan Mail

"Four hours after starting, I have finished Wounded Spirits.  Which I loved.  I should mention that while I'm an avid reader, I avoid Christian fiction as a whole simply because I find most to be too hokey.  I have found few exceptions over the years and so I never even attempt it anymore, unless my sister manages to sway me with something she's found and declares "hokey-less."  Your book, however, was absolutely delightful and held my attention completely.  Intense and passionate yet staying realistic while keeping Christ as the source of all hope and peace.  I truly loved it.  Wanted to let you know that you did an awesome job and I will wholeheartedly recommend this book to my friends." --Mary


"Started Wounded Spirits yesterday...finished Wounded Spirits yesterday. lol  What a page turner...I couldn't go to bed 'til I knew the outcome!  You did yourself proud, girl!  Ready for the next one which will be out when?"--Diana


"I just finished your book last night and holy crow it's good!  Hurry and finish the next two so I can read them!!!  I'm starting a book club this month and Wounded Spirits will be our first book! You rock lady!"--Tracy


"I bought your book at Gottwalls yesterday. I already finished it!! I really enjoyed it, very hard to put down. Even made me cry a few times. Can't wait for the next one to come out. So you need to get to writing!!!" --Amber


"Loved the book! After the fight begins it's edge of the seat the rest of the time!! I loved their romance..not sappy but steamy and sweet.
Now my only disappointment...it ended too soon!
Seriously...I loved it."--Jessica

Gallery--Fort Hawkins

FORT HAWKINS, present-day Macon, GA

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In Wounded Spirits, Zachariah McGirth travels to the Creek Agency to convince the agent, Benjamin Hawkins, to send aid to a friendly Creek village besieged by the warring Red Sticks. (This was an actual historical event. Hawkins responded to the plea and the village was liberated.) When the USAF moved my family to Robins AFB, I had no idea I'd be living just a few miles from the site of the Creek agency. Today, only a replica of a portion of the agency stands where Hawkins' agency once thrived. It is located one mile from the Ocmulgee National Monument where the ancient Mississippian Peoples built their famous mounds.

Benjamin Hawkins with Creek Indians

Gallery--Red Eagle

CHIEF RED EAGLE aka William Weatherford

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Reluctant leader on the assault of Fort Mims, Red Eagle was of mixed Scottish and Creek descent.

His character appears several times in my novel, Wounded Spirits. More about him can be found in my Deleted Scenes. In December of 2010, I was able to visit his burial site which can be found an hour north of Mobile, AL. Although I don't have the picture posted here, he is buried next to his wife Sehoy Tate.

Red Eagle surrenders to Jackson

Red Eagle's famous leap

Gallery--Fort Mims

Read the award-winning novel, Wounded Spirits, 

by author April W Gardner.

FORT MIMS, Baldwin County, AL

Nothing remains of the actual fort, but in the last decade the site has been thoroughly excavated, artifacts uncovered, and the layout defined.

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Replica of the fort wall

Tensaw Lake, now a part of the Alabama River

Replica well over the location of the excavated fort well and where Zachariah's ax head was found

Plan of the fort found at excavation site

artist's rendition of the massacre

artist's rendition of the massacre

Gallery--Historical Figures

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Wounded Spirits if filled with actual historical figures. I was diligent in my attempt to stay true to every detail recorded about their characters and their appearance, but as "they" say--a picture is worth a thousand words. That being the case, here they are...

Tecumseh, Shawnee Spokesman

General Andrew Jackson

Pushmatahaw, Choctaw Chief

Gallery--Maps of Tensaw

1813 CREEK COUNTRY

Scroll for close-up

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CLOSE-UP OF TENSAW AND BIGBY SETTLEMENTS

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Gallery Index

Over the years, I've had the amazing opportunity to visit some of the sites used in the setting of Wounded Spirits. Now, I'd like to share them with you! Below, you'll also find some other images that will supplement the portraits of Creek Country that I painted in my novel. Don't miss the map of Tensaw which pinpoints locations of the events (both fictional and historical) that took place in the book.

Map of Tensaw

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Fort Mims
Red Eagle

Portraits of Historical Figures

Ocmulgee National Monument

Fort Hawkins, Creek Indian Agency

Alternate Book Covers

Wounded Spirits--Reviews

Reviewer Katie McCurdy at Legacy of a Writer
From the first chapter of this wonderful book, Wounded Spirits kept me turning the page - breathless to find out what would happen to Adela next. A book like that deserves the5 stars I'm giving it! READ MORE 

Reviewer Brenda at WV Stitcher
On a scale of 1 to 5 I would give this book a six, because its just that good!!! READ MORE

Reviewer Michelle Vasquez at Life in Review
I think Wounded Spirits is a wonderful debut novel for April Gardner! I really liked the era and thought the story was beautiful! It is rich with historical detail. And the characters are just fabulous. READ MORE

Reviewer Miriam at My Eyes Have Wheels
I won this book from another web site and I just had to tell you about it. "Wounded Spirits" by April Gardner is another fantastic book. It is an amazingly descriptive novel about life in the early 1800's. READ MORE

Reviewer and author Lisa Lickel at Reflections in Hindsight
Nothing is easy in Aprils' story. Life and loyalty mingle with death and revenge in blurry lines. I find myself replaying events and motivations, reliving the story long after I finished reading. READ MORE

Long and Short of it Reviews
This historic romance and adventure novel brings home a spirit of kindness, and a belief not only in God but in good, and simple goodness, that is sweet and charming, and so much more. You don’t need to be a fan of the inspirational to be left feeling a fuzzy glow from this one – do read READ MORE

Rel Mollet at Relz Reviews
April delves into the trauma of war, the impact of grief and the torment of forbidden love. READ MORE

Endorsements for Wounded Spirits

“Historical fiction, if done right, has the ability to slip a reader into another time and another place. In Wounded Spirits, April Gardner has skillfully blended research with fiction to create a story that entertains and educates. Main character Adela McGirth finds herself straddling two worlds—one as a dutiful daughter, the other as a woman in love with the man who saved her life--a Native American. Wounded Spirits has something for everyone: forbidden love and romance, brutal war scenes, sacrificial love, history of the 19th century, and a faith that triumphs over adversity. This is a debut novel to remember.”

--Suzanne Woods Fisher,

Bestselling Author of The Choice 

“Wounded Spirits is a powerful story of love, loyalty, the effects of war, and faith in God. The writing is vivid and compelling. The characters were so real I felt I knew them, and I was caught up in their lives and compelled to read on. The ending was sweet yet realistic. The story and its characters will stay with me for a long time. I look forward to reading future books by this talented author.”

--Melanie Dickerson,

author The Healer’s Apprentice

This is a solid debut from Ms. Gardner, one that demonstrates not only her skill with words, but her insight into the human condition. The characters will grip your heart, the story will seize your mind, and the hope at the end will leave you with the surety that your God is bigger than any human troubles.

-Rosanna White,

Christian Review of Books

“Wounded Spirits is an extremely well written story about a difficult time in our country. The characters are so well developed I connected with them immediately, and I could easily understand the emotions and fears of the people on both sides of the situation. With gripping conflict, believable dialogue and skillfully written descriptions that grabbed me from the first page, this book will be a treat for any lover of historical fiction. It’s a winner.”

--Barbara Warren,

Freelance Editor, Blue Mountain, Editorial Service

"Wounded Spirits is an epic historical novel about a less explored time and place in American southern history. Author April W. Gardner tells the story from all sides caught up in the Indian wars of 1813 with sympathy and honesty. Her resourceful heroine, Adela, holds the family together in times of love, loss, and forgiveness. I look forward to the continuation of the story in future novels."

- Amanda Flower, 

author of Maid of Murder

“In Wounded Spirits, author April W. Gardner, brings a little-known American historic period and native people to rich imaginative life. Not enough has been written about the noble Creek and their mighty Confederacy. As a writer and college history teacher, I welcome Gardner's contribution and look forward to the other books in this series.”

--Delores Topliff,

Pres. Minnesota Christian Writers Guild and

author Little Big Chief: The Bear Hunt

“April Gardner has written a stunning first novel. The noble characters move right into the reader's heart, and their adventures are so smoothly crafted, the history so wonderfully woven, it's easy to forget that the story and the characters are fiction. A thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to the end.”

--Deanna K. Klingel,

author of Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog

Deleted Scenes--List

Initially, my historical romance, Wounded Spirits, was much heavier on the side of history. My superb editor helped me see that too much history would bore most readers. I was sad to see it cut, but I don't regret it. She was SO right. Now I have the opportunity to share all that amazing history with you. Through these deleted scenes, you'll get a peek into Hester's, Nokose's, and Red Eagle's minds, as well as come away knowing a bit more about Creek Country. Enjoy!

Prologue

Nokose's Nightmare

Nokose Find the Man in his Dreams

Captain Bailey Left in Charge

Hester Flees to the Bastion

Red Eagle Attempts to Stop the Madness

Red Eagle Surrenders

Nokose and Singing Grass at Horseshoe Bend

Jackson Prepares for Assault

Nokose During Battle

Jackson Surveys the Carnage

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Middelesex, England, 1818
It has been five years since Ariana Forsythe married the Paragon, Mr. Phillip Mornay. Now, Ariana’s sister, Miss Beatrice Forsythe, is seventeen and determined to marry advantageously as well.
But the Mornays have disappeared from high society as they raise a family at their country estate. Can Beatrice persuade them to chaperon her in London? And what about her business with the curate, Mr. O’Brien, whom Beatrice has rashly promised to marry years earlier? She is too sophisticated now to settle for a mere clergyman—despite his agreeable countenance and gentle, understanding ways.
When Mr. Tristan Barton becomes tenant of the Manor House, Beatrice’s hopes seem to have found their object. But when Ariana falls gravely ill, secrets come to light, motives are revealed, and pretenses that were easy to keep up in the darkness begin to crumble. As hearts are bared and truths uncovered, a country house courtship like no other cannot be far behind! (back cover copy, “The Country House Courtship”)
“The Country House Courtship” has been aptly coined “Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austin Soul.” Recently, I’ve saturated my mind with PBS’s Masterpiece Classics, and Jane Austin’s novels-turned-movies have been aired one after the other over the last months. At the same time, I picked up author Burkard’s latest regency romance. To my delight, there was no jolting change, no embarrassing attempt at British English, no corny, contrived situations to “compromise” the heroine. Linore Burkard’s use of Austin-era English, customs, and propriety are synonymous with the great English author herself.
The plot is believable and absorbing.. At the end, a burst of action inconsistent with the rest of the sedate (yet intriguing) story line took me by surprise. I’m not sure it was necessary, but it didn’t ruin the book for me. I’d still pick up any other of Linore R. Burkard’s novels in a heartbeat. This was the first of hers I’d read, so I look forward to back-tracking to her two previous novels in the series—“Before the Season Ends” and “The House in Grosvenor Square.”
If you’re in the mood for good quality regency era romance, search no further. You’ve found it!
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The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl—plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?
(back cover copy, “The Choice”)
For Carrie Weaver, it’s all about choices, tough ones. Deciding whether to follow the man she loves or follow the Amish faith is just the beginning. With a hemophiliac father and brother, life for Carrie is spent wondering when the next accident will return them to the emergency room. Will the next wound be the one that won’t stop bleeding? The one to take a precious life?
And what would happen if one of them was to die? How would it change life for her? What choices would she be forced to make then?
Solomon Riehl must also make a choice—pursue a dream career or the woman he loves. The complications? To choose the first, he’d have to renounce the Amish faith. For the second, his selfish nature.
And then there’s Mattie. Sweet Mattie who trusts God so implicitly she’s certain one day she’ll marry the only man she’s ever loved. When everyone else loses hope in him, Mattie’s still there, seeing beyond the flaws straight to his potential…if only he’d see it himself. But there’s another hurdle to jump. Her best friend, Carrie, loves him too.

True to form, author Suzanne W. Fisher has created an outstanding story. It took me several chapters to appreciate it, but once I did, I couldn’t put the book down.
The overriding theme in the novel is choices--little and big. What to do with the orchards this fall, how to meet the tax payment following tragedy. Love, marriage, and faith.
But there’s more.
The choice we all must make at different times in our lives is so subtly woven through the story, the reader isn’t aware of it until all the pieces fall into place. Each character in “The Choice” is struck by tragedy in some form. Each takes a different path in their attempt to cope. Some succeed in putting their lives back together. Others don’t. What’s the deciding factor between their victories and failures?
For those who’ve devotedly followed Ms. Fisher’s flourishing writing career, this latest work will confirm your loyalty. For everyone else, what are you waiting for?!
No matter your taste in fiction, this is a tale you shouldn’t miss.

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Michal: A Novel by Jill Eileen Smith


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Michal--a princess in love with her father’s best captain and worst enemy.
David—a nation’s here pursued by the King to whom he’s devoted his life.
Michal—a married woman forced to marry another man out of spite.
David--an anointed king hiding in caves and waiting on God’s timing for his crown.

It’s one of the most exciting and romantic plots of all time, and it should be. God is the author with Jill E. Smith creatively filling in the missing details for our imaginations to feast on.
1023BC isn’t the best time to be alive. There are giants, crazed kings, and brutal enemies bent on Israel’s destruction, but all Michal wants is a life with the only man her heart has ever wished for--David.
David, on the other hand, has a kingdom to win, a God to please, and a murderer to avoid. He loves Michal, but having a few other wives is convenient too.
In the Bible, Michal and David’s story is spread out over so many years and between so many momentous events it’s hard keep it together on your mind. The author did a fine job of taking all the bits and pieces and tying them together in a neat little package. Michal is written in a clear voice and concise plot which is entertaining and easy to follow.
Michal’s development from bratty younger sister to woman of God was a joy to witness. I’d never fully grasped what a hard and trying life she led. Being the daughter of a crazy king had to have been rough. On top of that, she was forced to relinquish the man she loved. They were reunited years later but Michal had to share him with other wives. Not fun.
Michal is a story of God’s perfect timing, of his moving in and through our lives to carry out his plan on earth.
One of the disadvantages of reading Biblical fiction is the reader probably already knows the plot bringing the surprise level to zero. In this case, the bond the reader develops with the characters is worth the sacrifice of the element of surprise. From now on, when I read 1 Samuel, I’ll look at Michal differently, with a bit more respect and a touch of awe.
I look forward to the next book in the series Abigail, recently released through Revell.

Reviewed by April W Gardner
www.aprilgardner.com
“Wounded Spirits”
November 2010

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