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New Year, New Stories!
- sandykayslawsonWriter
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
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Meet Author April W. Gardner New Year, New Stories!
APRIL W GARDNER is an award-winning author of Christian fiction, an editor and book coach, and the founder of Write Start Fiction Studio. She grew up in Spain as a missionary kid and, as a military spouse, served the Lord in churches all over the world. She now lives in Texas with her husband. April has two grown children and two German shepherds. She dreams of learning a fourth language and visiting all the national parks. New Year, New Stories! Sandy!
Introducing the Yoke of Babylon Series by April W Gardner
—Biblical Fiction Readers Love!
Book 1: A Light Undimmed (available)
Book 2: A Faith Untamed (available)
Book 3: A Love Undimmed (preorder)
Jerusalem has fallen. Babylon rises. And in the shadow of kings and conquerors, one woman and one man are bound by a vow neither can escape.
From the burning of Solomon’s Temple to the glittering throne room of Nebuchadnezzar, The Yoke of Babylon series follows Liora bat Chesed and General Nebuzaradan—the Butcher of Babylon. He is a man feared for his iron will, sworn to his king and his gods. She is a woman scorned by her people yet unyielding in her faith in Yahweh. Thrown together by war, vow, and circumstance, they walk a perilous path between duty and desire, power and surrender, fear and faith. Rich in biblical history, alive with political intrigue, and woven with redemption and forbidden love.
This series is receiving high and well-deserved reviews. And it will make a wonderful addition to any reading collection. Let me know when you've read it. I can't wait to hear what you think. And if you love it as much as I believe you will, leave a review. That's the best way to show your appreciation of an author. New Year, New Stories!
Cowboy Up Cover Reveal New Year, New Stories!
My Christian Historical Romance Cowboy Up, 2025 Second-Place winner in the Sonshine Awards for Short Stories at the Florida Christian Writers Conference, is here! And not just the cover reveal, but the ebook is available today for the first time, as my New Year's gift to you. Grab yours at the link below. New Year, New Stories!
Now, as promised, the cover reveal for *Cowboy Up . . .
What do you think? I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
A Trifle ReviewMeNew Year, New Stories!
In my last newsletter, I shared a recipe for the Traditional English Christmas Trifle. One dessert mentioned in my A Lady of Hope series (a work in progress). Though I didn't get it made for Christmas; I made the trifle for my family's traditional New Year's Eve buffet. And let me tell you, it was a hit. This Olde English favorite was loved by young and old. Not too sweet or heavy, just delicious, and my family tells me it is now a new tradition in our household as well. Success! New Year, New Stories!
If you don't want to wait until Christmas or New Year's to try it, look at last month's newsletter for the recipe. Or download the recipe and save it for the holidays. This treat was totally worth the mess! New Year, New Stories!
A New Year's Note from Sandy New Year, New Stories!New Year's Note from Sandy!
As the year turned from 2025 to 2026, I found myself doing two things—looking back with gratitude and looking ahead with hope.
This past year, my stories began finding their way into the world, my group of writing friends grew, and with it my knowledge of the business of writing. And there were many quiet moments where God reminded me to trust Him with the stories He so graciously placed in my heart. To trust Him with the timing and the outcome. New Year, New Stories!
For every reader who has walked this journey with me, I am grateful. Your encouragement, prayers, and participation mean more than you know.
As I look ahead, my desire is still the same.
—Write stories rooted in faith
—Inspire a love that lingers long after the final page
—Connect with readers who value hope-filled fiction
—And point the lost to the God of all hope, Jesus Christ
I don’t know what this coming year will bring—but I know Who holds it.
Here’s to what God still has in store for our futures; may He be glorified in it all. And may you and yours be blessed with Faith, Hope, and Love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
*Cover created with the help of ChatGPT and Canva New Year, New Stories!
Great newsletter, Sandy--and what a great year you had in 2025.!! ❣️ I'm confident in your listening to God; therefore, I'm confident 2026 will be even more prosperous for you. 😊
Sandy, thank you for featuring my Nebuzaradan and Liora today! Your New Year's note was inspiring. "I don’t know what this coming year will bring—but I know Who holds it." Amen!
The Triffle really was so good!