Book Release Celebration: The Rebels of Cordovia

The Stories of Robin Hood is the Inspiration for this Sweet Romance

This tale will entertain those who enjoy bits of adventure, humor, mystery, and a tender love story. The stories of Robin Hood have enchanted readers for years. In our youth, we enjoyed hearing the escapades of Robin Hood and were spellbound by each story and how he cared for the people. How awesome would it be to live during that time period just because of Robin Hood! In The Rebels of Cordovia, a similar story is created but centuries after the legend of Robin Hood. But this time, there are two major groups of rebels fighting for the rights of the people. Daniel, a good-looking rogue, would be the leader of the Freemen. Robin Marie, a young woman, would be the leader of Robin’s Rebels. Each leader is an expert archer and swordsman. With bits of adventure and delectable kisses, this tale will entertain anyone who enjoys a sweet romance.

In The Rebels of Cordovia by Linda Weaver Clarke, the time period is set in the late 1700s. Centuries after the legendary Robin Hood, a group of men and women find themselves fighting for the same cause: for their rights, for freedom of speech, and equality. Robin’s Rebels realize they must fight against the tyranny of a wicked king and help the people survive this oppression. In the small country of Cordovia, groups of rebels begin springing up, but its Robin’s Rebels who get the attention of the king.

In this battle for freedom, a tender love story begins to blossom. Daniel, a rogue and a leader of the Freemen, doesn’t realize that the sweet feminine woman he has met and is falling for happens to be the leader of Robin’s Rebels. Realizing the importance of uniting all the rebel groups, Daniel tries to recruit Robin’s Rebels but they refuse. Now he has to find a way to convince them. When he finds out the leader is actually a woman, what will his reaction be?

Book Review: “What a fun and interesting tale The Rebels of Cordovia is. A very good story to keep you glued all the way to the end. I really enjoyed the romance mingled with the fights. It is a well-paced tale to give you entertainment next to a warm fire in the rain. Linda writes a good, clean, and sweet romance, for young adults and adults alike. You will enjoy the story to the end.” –Author Anna Del C. Dye

Read a sample chapter of The Rebels of Cordovia: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/rebels.html

WHERE TO BUY REBELS OF CORDOVIA:

Soft Cover: $12.95, Ebook: $2.99

Purchase e-book for Nook, Kindle, or Ipad at Smashwords!

Purchase e-book or book at Amazon!
Purchase e-book or book at Barnes and Noble!

Interview with Christian Author Gail Pallotta

Gail Pallotta is an award-winning author, wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s been a Sunday school teacher, a swim-team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her new teen book, Stopped Cold, is a best-seller on All Romance eBooks. Readers can find her blog at http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com. Her Web Site is http://www.gailpallotta.com

Welcome back to my blog, Gail. This book is a Young Adult Mystery. Please tell us about your new book.

It’s a teen sports mystery with suspense, first love and spiritual talk. The theme of the book is: We don’t have to be number one for God to love us.

It’s set in a small town in North Carolina, but things aren’t what they seem in peaceful Mistville.  Here’s what’s going on with Margaret McWhorter and her friends. She enjoys a laid-back Freshman year in high school flirting with Jimmy Willmore, swimming and hanging out with friends—until that day. Her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. Now he’s lying unconscious in a hospital. Margaret’s angry at her dad for pushing Sean to be a great quarterback, but a fire of hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay.

Looking for justice, she takes Jimmy and her best friend, Emily, through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture. A clue sends them deep into the woods behind the school where they overhear drug dealers discuss Sean. Time and time again they walk a treacherous path and come face to face with danger. Even the cop on the case can’t stop them from investigating. All the while Margaret really wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.

I love mysteries. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

First of all, I wanted to write a fun book. As a youngster I loved mysteries, especially when the kids, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, solved the case. My book’s reminiscent of those amateur sleuths. As for the message, over the years I’ve seen instances when not being number one created great pain for a child or young adult. Whether the pressure came from within, peers, siblings or parents, the need to be “better than everyone else” rather than “the best one could be” often hurt and sometimes led to destruction. We don’t have to be number one for God to love us. He’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

That is so true, Gail. What kind of research did you do for this book?

A lot.  Children face a number of problems today, but I wrote about steroids. One reason teens say they take steroids is to enhance athletic performance, which indicates they have a drive to be number one. I read material from library books, the Physicians Desk Reference and the Internet. Also, I interviewed an undercover detective and a narcotics officer as well as an administrative policeman. Even though the use of steroids is going down, according to the latest statistics I could find there are around 125,000 teens who say they’ve used them. Sadly, I imagine there are some who’ve used them, but don’t say they did.

As for swimming, my daughter was a high school and U.S. swimmer, so I had lots of experience as a Team Mom doing everything from timing to serving as a team coordinator. I also went over the technicalities of meets with a coach and a director of summer league swimming.

What intrigues you most about writing Young Adult stories?

Seeing how young people face the challenges in today’s society. Each era brings its own set of unique problems. Currently we live in a world that gives mixed signals about right and wrong, so that makes choices even more difficult for teens than the ones made as recent as thirty years ago. Human nature doesn’t change, even though the times do. Today’s young people must deal with all society throws at them while coping with the same emotions all of us had when we were their ages. There are lots of qualities to admire about today’s teens as they handle these trying circumstances.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I’m having a discussion and give away in the “teen” room at The Book Club Network. Each week for a month I’ll ask a question then choose a winner from the comments. Each winner will get a PDF download of Stopped Cold and one of the following prizes: An Olympic jacket from the 1996 summer Olympic Games, a stuffed cow from a Chic-fil-A football bowl game, a leather purse, or Fancy Nights perfume. The contest is going on now at http://bookfun.org.  Come over to the “teen” room and join us.

Buy Links for Stopped Cold: Smashwords, Front Porch Romance, Amazon, and All Romance Books

Interview with Christian Author Sharon Srock

Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. Sharon has two novels in The Women of Valley View series: Callie released in October 2012, and Terri released in April 2013.

“Terri is a delightful story, the second book in Women of Valley View. The humor is great and the author had me bursting into laughter several times. The romance is delectable and I found myself sighing and rereading the sweet romance scenes between Terri and Steve.” –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

Hello, Sharon. Welcome to my blog. Please tell us about your new novel.

Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.

Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child. She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.

Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?

Your story sounds very intriguing to me. Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

The character of Terri was born out of necessity for the first story. When that one story became a series, I really began to question God about the direction He was taking me. Terri’s journey mirrors mine in a lot of ways. Mostly the being dragged down an uncertain path kicking and screaming part.

Ha, ha! I love how you can identify with this character. What kind of research did you have to do for this novel?

Not a lot. I don’t like research, that’s why I write contemporary novels. I have friends who fostered 3 little girls, so I picked their brains and I talked with a social worker to get the story from their perspective.

Hey, talking to a social worker is great research. What does your family think about your writing?

They are all very supportive. Reading Mom’s books is a way to get my grown daughter’s to read. My husband won’t read, but he doesn’t mind fending for himself in the kitchen if I have to write.

If a husband can fend for himself without complaint, then that’s real support. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I’m a huge Star Trek fan, and I once got James Doohan, the actor who played Scotty in the original series, lost in down town Oklahoma City.

Hey! My mother was a huge Star Trek fan, too. She never missed a show. I think she had a crush on James Kirk. Back then William Shatner was quite good-looking. Thanks for this opportunity of getting to know you and your book.

Interview with Women’s Fiction Author Maria Hoagland

Maria Hoagland has a knack for procrastinating, but somehow, eventually things usually get done. She has three children, a very supportive husband, a job working with English language learners at a local elementary school, and teaches in the women’s organization, called Relief Society, at her church. She’s looking forward to the summer to write the rough draft of her next novel and spend time enjoying the sun and raspberries in her backyard. Maria currently has two published novels, Nourish & Strengthen and Family Size and enjoys editing and formatting for other authors.

Welcome back to my blog, Maria. Please tell us about your new book Family Size.

Thank you, Linda, for hosting this interview! I’m excited about my newest novel, Family Size. I had so much fun writing from three different perspectives in this book—three main characters who experience unique situations dealing with fertility and their individual families and then weaving those stories together: Sloane desperately wants a baby, Jessica needs a break, and Maya could just use someone to lean on. It is a novel about friendships and faith as well as fertility, and one I think any mom can relate to.

Stories that we can relate to makes it more interesting. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

You know when a group of women get together—especially at a book club or play group for the kids—and the conversation so often turn to labor stories? It always gets me to thinking about how we have no idea what’s going on in someone’s life. There was a time in my life when I was saddened by these stories, wondering if I’d ever have one of my own, which is probably why I always felt that adoption stories were a special treat. All of the women’s stories I’ve heard over the years have inspired me, and after mulling over them for years, I formed characters that I felt had interesting family stories to share that I think most women should be able to relate to and feel inspired by.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I love doing research for fiction. Medical issues intrigue me. My ideas usually start with anecdotal information—personal experiences either in my own life or in the life of family and friends. I also do a lot of internet research on blogs to see how people feel and react to specific situations I plan to use in my book. I do as much fact-checking as I can on informational websites, but then where I am especially lacking in experience, I make sure to send the manuscript on to someone who has expertise that I don’t—in this case, with adoption.

You love to write Women’s Fiction. What intrigues you most about writing stories like this?

I started writing women’s fiction because it is my favorite genre to read. Sure, I appreciate a good Harry Potter or The Giver or The Night Circus, but I enjoy realistic fiction that teaches without being overly instructional, lets me experience without leaving my house, and entertains and enlightens. So that’s what I try to do. I figure if I like to read it, someone else probably will, too. At least that’s what I’m hoping!

Thanks, Maria, for this wonderful interview. I really appreciate getting to know you.