PM: When do you find the time to write? Where is your favorite place to write?

AG: Oh, I don’t find near enough! But I usually reserve one day a week strictly for writing. It’s all I can do these days, but I’m thankful for it. My favorite place to write is anywhere quiet that has soft music playing.

PM: I want to thank you for your service as a military wife, i have many relatives who serve or have serviced in the military, and i know it is not easy on the ones left at home. How do you handle the stress of deployment?

AG: You’re so very welcome! It’s our honor, but I don’t do much really. Just support and encourage. We’ve been quite blessed with deployments. He had an extended deployment some years ago, but we are done with that. Yay! He’s put in his time and will retire in four months. It’s been a long, sometimes hard, but always blessed twenty-two years.

PM: What is one thing about you that your readers would be shocked to know?

AG: I just discovered I have a cast phobia. I fractured my ankle 12 weeks ago. They tried to put me in a cast up to my knee, and an hour later, I was freaking out. It felt like the worst claustrophobia, and I needed it OFF. That night, I remembered I was born double clubfooted and spent the first two years of my life with both legs in casts. Apparently, it was painful, and I hated it and beat them against everything. So that’s the cause of my phobia, I’m guessing. Weird, right? Anyway, the doc mercifully removed the cast and gave me a boot instead. He’s now my favorite doctor!

PM: If we were to open you your refrigerator right now, what would we find in it?

AG: -Unsweetened almond milk. I drink about a gallon of it every week. Love that stuff.
-Fresh strawberries. I’m on a strawberries-in-everything kick. Sadly, they’re not tasting as great these days. Looking forward to spring!
-Too many condiment bottles! And shelves that desperately need wiping down…

PM: What was your favorite subject in school?

AG: History! Followed closely by English.

PM: Do you have any family pets that currently own you?

AG: Haha! Oh, yes. Two German Shepherds. One of them is a perfectly normal, happy doggie, but the other one is…special. We rescued Jackson when he was 2.5 years old. His dog-hoarder owner had 500+ German Shepherds. Jackson was practically feral. Had no name. Had never been touched. He was a MESS. Five years later, he’s a real sweetheart, but still a little wacked in the head. We love him all the more for it.

PM: If you could have dinner with anyone from history, other than Jesus, who would it be, and why?

AG: I think I’d want to eat with a member of the Creek Nation who lived during my books’ setting (1813-1817). To really get a feel for the people and the culture.

PM: I am so curious about your mention in your bio of learning a third language – what is your second language?

AG: I grew up in Spain (missionary parents), so I speak Castilian. I plan to tackle Italian next!

PM: If you couldn’t be a writer, what career path do you think you’d choose to be on?

AG: I’ve always wanted to own a little used bookstore. I would put it in an old, refurbished house and have a little coffee nook/reading area.

PM: How can readers keep up with you and your new releases?

AG: Thanks for asking! The best way is through my newsletter. https://www.subscribepage.com/d7f9l0

PM: Finally, coffee or tea? Cream, sugar?

AG: Coffee! No sugar. Just, you guessed it, almond milk! Sometimes PG Tips tea with almond milk, no sugar.

Thanks for having me, Paula Marie!

About April W Gardner