Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with TL Gardner - Author of Protector (Demon Hunter Series)

Urban Reviews: Start by telling our readers about Protector.
TL Gardner: Protector is the story of Elijah Garland, a young man who has suffered most of his life. From the deaths of loved ones to broken hearts, Elijah seems beset by grief. When he finally loses his will to live, he commits suicide, but finds much more than death awaiting him. The age old conflict between good and evil rages still, and although he never figured to be a player of much consequence for either side, he suddenly finds himself a key piece in the Archangel Gabriel's plot to end the war in heaven. Elijah is Nephilim, half angel-half man. He awakens with enhanced strength and is given a simple task... Protect mankind from Lucifer's demons while the good angels focus their attention on the war in Heaven. But Gabriel has overlooked a major character flaw in Elijah. Elijah's faith in God is weak, perhaps non-existent. Gabriel is forced to play upon Elijah's heart and his paramount desire to find true love by sending Ebonee Lane into his life. Ebonee, in Elijah's eyes, is love, happiness, joy and ecstasy all rolled up into one, but she is also an FBI agent assigned to bring him in. Elijah commits to ridding man's world of demonic presences, if only to release the years of built-up rage. But when these evil forces threaten to take from him his new found love, Ebonee Lane, Elijah finds he must put his faith in a god he has never trusted. Will his faith be enough? Will Ebonee fall to the demon's seeking to kill Elijah and all things good in the world?

Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for this novel?
TL Gardner: Well, I watch a lot of movies and The Prophecy was one of my favorites. A lot of the pains we experience in this world leaves us angry, or filled with hate, but this rage and anger has no release. Through Elijah, I have found a way to release that pain.

Urban Reviews: Can you give us a sneak peak of Sacrifice and when we can expect that to be released?
TL Gardner: Sacrifice will be available Spring or early 2008. Hmmmm....a sneak peak? I'll say this much, if you like Ebonee Lane, then you will definitely be upset with me. (HINT- SACRIFICE) =P It's also a bit darker because I felt offended by some of those horror critics who said book one was lame on the 'fright-meter', even though I never intended it to be horror. So be warned, if you read it alone you will be scared. Well, that is, up until Father Holbrook does something stupid. ~LOL~

Urban Reviews: Tell us how you started your literary career.
TL Gardner: I never imagined my name would appear in a book store. I began writing poetry when my Grandmother passed away. The words only seemed to come to me when I was sad or hurt, and they kept coming through heartbreak after heartbreak until I finally decided to stop searching for love and just love myself. When that happened, the pain stopped and so did the words. But I found I still had that desire to create. I saw a horrible Vampire movie and that was the start of my writing career. I knew I could write a better story than that!

Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming projects?
TL Gardner: Several actually. Thinking about giving Ebonee a few titles of her own. I also have a sci-fi project I am working on. Rational Maniacs - a thriller is in the works. And my favorite title, Uncle Tommy's Cabin (horror) are all in the works.

Urban Reviews: What are your goals as a writer ?
TL Gardner: Ahhhh...to entertain of course.

Urban Reviews: What have you learned about the African American book industry so far? Is it what you expected it to be?
TL Gardner: There is not enough room for me to answer this question. Let's just say that I know I will never be 'rich' from writing because I chose to write what I love to write. I do not write what my people are buying the most of. I do not write about the ghetto, nor do I write about sex, drugs or prostitution...if I want to see that I can go outside my front door. I write to escape those very things. And I will have no part in the continued corruption of young minds.

Urban Reviews: Have you gotten any good advice from fellow authors?
TL Gardner: Plenty ~LOL~...Michelle McGriff, my writing buddy, L.A. Banks, all gave me great advice.

Urban Reviews: What do you want the world to know most about you?
TL Gardner: That I am me. I will never be or write like anyone else, for money, or fame.... I AM ME.