The U.S. economy, and most everything else, has collapsed when a trade war shuts off all U.S. imports. Everything east of the Mississippi River has fallen under the control of ruthless leaders who plans to start their own country. Money has no value but cash crops can be traded for guns. People are forced into labor camps and those at risk scramble to find a place to hide. All Michael wanted to do when he moved into the north Georgia woods was to hide until he could rejoin his family when it was safe. Then a young girl wanders into his campsite, the first of many to find their way to his camp. She stole his heart and his dog as she made everyone in the camp her friend and in the process became the catalyst that changed every thing. When the camp is discovered Michael promises to move the camp to safety. The only way out is west. He must not only risk his life but the lives of many others to keep his promise. There are friendships, betrayals, sacrifice and survival as the camp moves west in search of safety. This novel chronicles this journey, and introduces you to some remarkable people who made the trip.
About the Author: Michael Gardner (1954- ) was born in Metropolis, Illinois, to a preacher from the Church of Christ and his homemaker wife. Early in life, his family moved about every three years to states from Mississippi to Kansas. Michael turned 18 in Ghana, West Africa. He attended Freed-Hardeman University, and graduated with a degree in Accounting. For the next twenty years he practiced in Public Accounting. For the last 16 of those he had his own firm in South Arkansas. For the next seven years he worked in private accounting in Alabama and North Carolina before returning to Public Accounting in Georgia. After college, Michael continued to travel as a part-time missionary in Belarus and Russia. He is conversational in the Russian language. His first book, "Season of Change," was briefly released in 2011 before being re-edited and released again in September of 2012 for Kindle only. In December, 2012, "Seasons of Change" was also released in paperback. His first book is part of a triolgy, and book two is currently being written. Michael has numerous articles on religious topics and has been published in a national magazine for his article on Income Taxes for Preachers. Born in Metropolis, IL, Michael has lived all over the south from Arkansas to Georgia. In addition, he has lived in West Africa and has traveled extensively in Poland, Belarus and Russia.