My review/endorsement of Warring Spirits by April W. Gardner

I wish I had a cover to post with this endorsement/review, but it doesn't look like one is available yet. When it is, I'll replace this with the cover (if I remember.)

About the book:

Three cultures, one battle. A thousand warring spirits.

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.

My review:

Warring Spirits is just as enthralling--if not moreso--than the first book in the series was, Wounded Spirits. I read it straight through. Gardner knows how to write with conviction so readers can't miss the compassion she has for the people and their struggles in this story. There is heart-felt love and tension written on every page. No opportunity to show God's heart for mankind was wasted. And unlike some stories where the conflict feels almost forced, in this series they are a natural result of the pain and struggles that the characters face. Gardner spares none of her characters from suffering, and as a reader, you really feel that.

Reading this book was like watching a movie in my head. Several times I forgot that I was reading. I could picture each character because they were fleshed out so thoroughly. I felt their anguish. Gardner's writing and plotting was so well done it left me a bit breathless, but also rewarded for sticking with the story to the perfectly orchestrated ending.

Those joyous reunions that her persecuted characters experienced were sigh-worthy and melted my heart. I sensed the relief, the passion, and the overwhelming gratitude the characters experienced when their prayers were answered - though not usually in a way they expected. That made the story even more delightful because it wasn't predictable.

Yes, there was death, carnage, abuse and enough details to give the reader a true sense of the hardships faced, but at the same time there was such a beautiful portrayal of sacrifice. I loved how the story emphasized in a natural way the importance of not only listening to God's voice, but obeying it. It's impossible not to feel the joy gleaned in the midst of the devastation, and to see God's hand moving in spite of everything. Warring Spirits is a wonderful, passionate novel, and one I won't forget anytime soon.

Warring Spirits should release sometime in 2012 by Vinspire publishing. I will post the exact date once I know what it will be.