Sunday, January 8, 2012

Warring Spirits by April W. Gardner review




Product Details

  • Paperback: 286 pages
  • Publisher: Vinspire Publishing, LLC (November 30, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 098341985X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0983419853

Book Description

November 30, 2011
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 take on this book:
"Warring Spirits" transports the reader back to 1816 when owning slaves in the south was normal, but it was also quite normal for those slaves to dream of freedom and risk their life to gain it. Milly was different than most slaves, she could pass as a white woman, except for her hair which was a dead giveaway. The only comfort she ever had during her years as a slave came from her friend Isam, so when she heard the rumor that Isam had been sold they both decide to escape and head for the Negro Fort. Will they achieve the freedom that they long for?
The US Army has been dispatched to join forces with the Creek Indians to overthrow the Negro Fort. Major Phillip Bailey's past wont let go and haunts him daily. The scar he carries on his face is nothing compared to his wounded spirit. When he sees what he thinks is a white woman near the Negro Fort he can't get her out of his mind, and wants to rescue her, but when he learns that Milly is actually a slave will he help her or return her to her master?

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this story doesn't disappoint. The characters in this story really pulled me in. In the beginning pages I was drawn to Milly and Isum and had to know how their stories would work out. Their dream of freedom was tangible, and once they experienced it there was no going back.My heart broke on several occasions for Milly,and I could easily understand why she felt God had left her. Phillip was a true gentleman, something that Milly had never experienced in a white man.The author often allowed us to see Phillip's wonderful character from how he handled his relationship with Totka to the way he treated Enoch. 

This was one of those stories that had my heart breaking on several occasions, but the author provided an ending that had my spirits soaring. 

While "Warring Spirits" is the second book in the Creek County Saga I felt like the author provided enough background information that it could be read as a stand alone work, but honestly it's such a great series your going to want to read both books. 

On a scale of one to five I would rate this series a six because it's just that good!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. 

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