Interview with Sweet Romance Author Karey White

Karey grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. Karey enjoys a good love story, so her second novel, For What It's Worth, is a wonderful read. She loves to travel, read, cook, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four talented and wonderful children. Find out more about Karey at www.kareywhite.com.

Welcome back to my blog, Karey. Please tell us about your new sweet romance.

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

Wow! I love this concept of “re-evaluating” what she loved about Darcy. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

The best inspiration there is--Mr. Darcy. My daughters and I love watching Pride and Prejudice. Sometimes we’ll watch the whole thing. Sometimes we may forward through to our favorite parts. And of course, sometimes we just fast forward to the meadow scene and watch Mr. Darcy walk across the meadow and profess his love.

I know exactly what you’re talking about. I have six daughters and we just love watching that movie with Colin Firth. And yes! That meadow scene is awesome. What kind of research did you do for this book?

First of all, I watched the movie a few times as I was writing. I wanted to use allusions to the movie whenever I could. Second, I visited Portland, the city where Lizzie, Matt and Chad live. We ate at Pok Pok and Salt and Straw and found inspiration for Meg’s high-rise apartment and the Pink Salamander. There was also a fair amount of research online.

You love to write clean sweet romances. What intrigues you most about writing love stories?

In the book, Lizzie has to defend her love of romance books and movies in this conversation:

“I love classics like old Audrey Hepburn movies and I like period pieces like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.”

“Ah, romances.” Did he have to sound so patronizing?

“There’s nothing wrong with romances.”

Matt held up his hands in surrender. “I didn’t say there was,” he said, but his mouth was pulling into that little smirk I was starting to recognize as condescending.

“But you think there is, don’t you?”

“I just think there are more important things to think about than whether a man and woman are going to end up together.”

“I happen to think it’s one of the most important questions in the world.”

“Do you mean that?” Matt asked.

“If men and women don’t end up together, it will mean the end of civilization.”

I agree with her. And honestly, love and romance are interesting and exciting.

Very true! Love and romance are part of life. And it's very exciting to read a clean romantic love story. Thank you, Karey, for this great interview.

Interview with Sweet Romance Author Larry Hammersley

Larry has been married to Sue for fifty years and they have two children, Eric and Lisa, and five grandchildren. He graduated from Purdue with a B.S. in chemistry and from Indiana University with an M.S. in chemistry. He has five short romance stories, a contemporary short story. Due out in October is a science fiction novel. He is still trying to find a home for some of his many short science fiction stories.

Hello, Larry. Please tell us about your romance, A Change of Heart.

Leroy and Jody have had unhappy experiences in grade and high school. They both resolve to avoid further relationships when they get to college. Leroy scraps that idea when he meets Jody but she refuses to let him into her life as he wants. She insists that her college and work career leave no room for a man in her life. Leroy pursues her for four years in college and two years in the work place where Jody is his supervisor. As the cover shows, Jody’s heart is iced over. She finally wakes up, but is it in time? Leroy has quit his job and left.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book? Do you get any ideas from real life experiences?

The novel is based on my first accepted short story on the Internet entitled Lab Partners. I used the characters Leroy and Jody from that story and expanded it into a novel. Although I had no lasting romances in college, I used experiences from my chemistry major studies at Purdue to write some of the lab and study scenes. I did actually hook up with three guys to study physical chemistry such as in the novel but we didn’t discuss women. The ice skating rink incident where Leroy was hurt actually happened to me at the ice rink at Purdue. A girl helped me off the rink and checked on my well-being a time or two but no romance occurred as a result. Sigh! I have a free-read short story called Ice Rink Romance on the Internet.

What kind of research did you have to do for this novel?

The chemistry end of the novel I already knew. I had to check the internet to see if Purdue students had a place to go for milk shakes and it turns out they do. I use the actual name for that Sweet Shop. I had to do that because editors have given me a hard time and insisted its Starbucks now and going for a milk shake isn’t done anymore. I learned the intricacies of the Lutz maneuver in ice skating from the internet. Jody does a double Lutz near the end of the novel.

You write science fiction. Was it hard to change genres and begin writing romance?

Actually, I still write science fiction (SF please and not sci-fi) and have my first accepted SF novel coming out this October called The Higher Mission. The transition, if there was one, was easy for writing romance stories because I almost always had romance in my SF novels and short stories.

That’s awesome. In other words, it just came naturally for you. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I enjoy listening to classical music, mainly Beethoven’s piano sonatas. Youtubes are great for that. Ten years ago I competed an International Foxhunting Championship which was based in Ohio. Mind you this isn’t the furry creature but refers to hidden transmitter hunting, in this case in the deep woods of Ohio and Indiana. The rules were strict and walking through the woods netted me two falls. The briars were vicious. For one of the frequencies I borrowed a Russian receiver to carry. I earned four bronze medals, which included International and U.S.

I enjoy amateur radio and use Morse Code to talk to foreign countries. I’ve been jogging since 1975 and compete in weekend road races although I’ve slowed so much at age 75 that a couple of competitive men walkers beat me now. I am active in church as a song leader (vocal music) and teacher. On rare occasions I may preach.

Wow! Now that’s really a fun list of things. Thanks, Larry, for this wonderful interview. I hope my followers will check out your books.

Interview with Fantasy Author Sean Walton

Sean Walton has published ten books of fiction including Linux Socket Programming. “I really wrote these for my children,” Walton said. “At times I pick up what they're reading to see what they are putting in their heads; I concluded that there was too little 'good stuff' out there, so I wrote these books to show that you have great stories with solid plots without all the 'yuck.'” Walton is happily married and has six children, which he dedicates his books to. When asked about what “clean fiction” means to him, he said, “My goal is to produce something that you're not embarrassed to read aloud to your children.”

Hello, Sean. I love what you said in your bio, that your goal is to produce something that you’re not embarrassed to read aloud to your children. That is so awesome. Please tell us about your fantasy, Elixir Quest.

It started really with the Split between Worlds series, which a boy, Sam Westecher, gets entangled in the world of dragons. He eventually becomes their king. The question was: “How did Sam gain the power, authority, and bloodline to merit such an honor?” That's when Elixir Quest materialized (note that each series is distinct).

Imagine a fictional island southwest of the British Isles which is home to humans and dragons. The island is literally divided in half with a very deep ravine to keep the two races apart, and the human kingdom sends knights to monitor the border, slaying dragons that attempt to encroach to quench their lust for human flesh. Sir Joseph of Tredin is the one knight of King Paol III's court who has successfully taken out almost three times as many “worms” (another name for “dragon”) as any other knight. However, everything changed when three metallic dragons appear demanding sworn fealty from King Paol.

Dragons in my series come in two compatible races, chromatic with a skin of various colors and metallic with skins of finely burnished metal. Chromatic are considered barbaric, whereas metallic are more peaceful. However, a dragon is dragon; leaving us humans trying to understand their culture. This is what happens to Sir Joseph.

King Paol III becomes deathly ill. Joseph has to go to the dragons' lands and recover an elixir to heal the king, but the metallics had ulterior motives, for there was a prophecy declaring that Joseph would be able to save the metallic dragon line and give Sam Westecher the power, authority, and bloodline he needed. The metallic dragons turned Joseph into the very thing he hated and frequently killed: a dragon.

Unlike many other stories that mentions some magic potion that would cure all ills, this one does not actually center on the elixir; instead, it focuses on Joseph's transformation from human to dragon...and all that goes with it! I recommend this book to more mature audiences, because children would struggle with understanding the depth of transformation Joseph faced. Nonetheless, all my children say that they loved it.

True to the staging of the story, this was a very religious time, so the reader will find many religious references. Naturally, Joseph, a devout christian, believes that dragons are cursed of God for tempting the First Parents. At one point he laments:

“God,” his eyes pricked with tears, “I have always been a good believer in thee. I ne'er once complained in thine ears, though trials so many times before have crossed my path. But, my Lord, my God, I struggle now with my vow of patience. Behold me: I am a beast, a monster, an ally to the evil one. Please forgive my impertinence, but why hast thou dealt me so? Was it because I let my friends die or neglected my Jane? Forgive me; please, forgive me.”

The skies remained silent.

“I am alone; even my God has forsaken me, a being accursed from the Fall,” he turned his muzzle to the side and moaned. “Please, God, don't forget me.” He howled, roared, and moaned, while the mountains echoed their own voices with each mournful cry.

Joseph's transformation is at the very core of everyone seeking to understand themselves. And a necessary part of understanding oneself is understanding one's heritage. So I did a lot of research into 11^th century England and added notes to the end of each book to put events in historical context. For added measure, nearly every name, both dragon and human, has a significance and was fun to research as well.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

My spiritual journey is reflected in many of Joseph's. I've felt the feelings of being forlorn and abandoned, only to discover that God was there all along. Kstluan, Joseph's dragon-mate, stated it best in the second book:

“Nay,” he replied looking down. “I desire to reach the heavens more, but I feel further away.” He leaned his head against her flank. “I know that my God has not forgotten me, but I don't know how to reach Him.”

She chuckled.

“What, my mate?” He asked perplexed.

“Typical human thought,” she purred. “You believe that there is a cause to this. Perhaps, my beloved knight, the Light is letting you grow a bit, like a sire allows his hatchling to wander out of the weir.” She turned her muzzle and looked at him slyly. “You need to explore, feel the rock under your pads, stretch and flap your wings, hear the clicking of your talons on the stone. If the sire were to interfere, the hatchling would be robbed of the experiences it needs to become a full dragon.”

As I wrote and developed the stories, I felt myself be part of Joseph, and in fact, Kstluan is much like my beloved wife, Susan. All of my books reflect some aspect of my life making them, in part, the best gift I could give to my kids.

Joseph, an eleventh century dragon-slaying English knight, “discovers he must become what he hates.” Is there a lesson your readers will learn from this novel?

I'm glad you asked that question. Every story I've written, after finishing the work, I reread and try to glean some truth to it, because I feel that a story is worth nothing unless it has some eternal truth to it. I summarize such truth in the dedication to my children. Elixir Quest's is: May you remember that a destiny is something you choose, not something that's imposed. The message simply is: changes will happen, and we must be willing to face them and own them, because the Lord really guides the lives of those who love Him.

What a wonderful message. I love it. What does your family think about your writing?

At times, my wife dislikes it, because I get grumpy when the plot is not quite right or when I get interrupted too frequently, but she knows that I'm doing this mostly for my sanity and as a gift of legacy. My children really love it, but each has their own desires, naturally. Rachel loves romance (yuck!), and Elizabeth gravitates towards Manga (double yuck!), but all in all they are encouraging.

Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I am a man... a man who's trying to do what's right and right for the family. God has blessed me with so very much that I struggle even to begin a top-10 list. I try to encourage others, serve where and when I can, and be a good example despite all the flaws I carry. I take comfort in what a beloved friend once told me, “Like lenses that conduct and focus Light, each of us will have our own hue. But as long as our lens is clear and unoccluded, the transversed Light will still flare in others true and bright, because it never was our light, it's His.”

Thank you so much for this awesome interview. I know those who read your books will be entertained and learn from your bits of wisdom.

Friendship, The Footprints In Your Heart

Reflections of the Heart

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – Anais Nin (1903-1977)

Friendship is a most precious gift that will endure the eternities. Cicero (106-43 BC) said, “Life is nothing without friendship.” To have a friend that you can share your innermost thoughts with is worth more than wealth or material objects. To have a friend that you can laugh and cry with, to have someone make us feel wanted and accepted for who we are…this makes life worth living.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962) expressed her feelings about friendship in a completely differently way when she said: “Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”

Friends can cheer us on when we need encouragement and help us when we’re depressed. They can embrace us when we weep and laugh at a lame joke that we’ve told. We should uplift one another. We should be able to say, because of our association with one another, “I’m a better person having known you.”

Elizabeth Mauske told a story about an unusual and sweet friendship between her mother and an old native Indian woman from Central America. The Indian woman would visit their home often. With each visit, she would give her mother some partridge eggs and berries as a gift. The lovely colorful clothing and coin necklaces the woman wore fascinated Elizabeth. She noticed her copper bracelets as they softly jingled on her arm and her sweet sincere smile.

The Indian woman only spoke Araucanian and her mother only spoke Spanish. Their conversation was minimal, but they would sit at the table, drinking tea and eating cake together with a smile and a laugh. They enjoyed one another’s company.

Elizabeth noticed each time the Indian woman would rise to leave that she would say the exact same words. With great curiosity, Elizabeth and her sisters memorized the phrase and quickly found someone who could translate Araucanian for them. When she found out what the Indian woman had said, she was greatly touched and said it was one of the nicest compliments anyone could have given her mother.

The Indian woman would rise from the table with a smile and say: “I shall come again, for I like myself when I am near you.”

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could say this about our friendships? After spending the day with a dear friend, we could actually say, “I can’t wait until our next visit because you make me feel good about myself.”

Sydney Smith (1771-1845) said, “Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.”

Have you had a friend that made a difference in your life? Have you had a friend who left footprints in your heart?

Reflections of the Heart has 13 chapters of inspirational writings such as: The secret of Happiness, Laughter is the Best Medicine, Parenthood – A Great Responsibility, Equal Partners in Marriage, Developing Your Spirituality, and Music Soothes the Soul.

Interview with Christian/Romance Author Regina Andrews

Award-winning author Regina Andrews, a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, grew up in the nearby seaside village of Barrington. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master's Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. Her hobbies include travel, museums, theater, music, singing and gardening as well as reading.

Hello, Regina. Light of the Heart is the first book in The Sterling Lake Series. Please tell us about this Christian/Romance.

Sterling Lakes is a fictitious town in New England filled with natural beauty but also a cloudy past. In Book One, Light of the Heart, Cascade Preston, a successful stained-glass artist, returns to her hometown to work on the renovations at St. Luke's Church. However, she does so with a resentful heart, since this town pretended not to know that her mother was being abused by Cascade's father. She wonders how people can call themselves Christians and not reach out to help their brothers and sisters.

What a wonderful message! Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

I grew up in a beautiful small town that had its share of personalities! There was opportunity for character study around every corner. None of the characters in “Light” are based on folks from my childhood, though. The inspiration for the series grew from my growing understanding of human nature and my awe at God's love for us despite our imperfections as I matured.

Cascade is a stained-glass artist. Did you have to do much research about this subject for your novel?

Yes, I did, Linda. I fell in love with stained glass on my first trip to Paris, France, where I visited Sainte Chappelle in the center of the city and Chartres Cathedral outside of Paris. For this book, I read a lot and took a stained glass class. Let's just say I am a klutz! Fortunately, I live right near the Rhode Island School of Design, a great art University, and was able to do reference there.

What does your family think about your writing?

Another great question! My parents were really proud and happy and supportive, even though I was published after I lost them. Actually in the same year I was published, 2009, it was three different publishers who accepted four different manuscripts of mine and I felt like things were opening up. The first acceptance occurred on my parents wedding anniversary, I'll never forget it. It was like my parents were there with me. Now my husband, sister, in-laws and friends are really happy and proud. But they still can't understand why I have to work at my day job all week and then write on the weekends sometimes, instead of hanging out with them. lol!

Yes, authors tend to do that, huh. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

Not to get heavy, because this has such a happy ending - but when I just started law school, my father suddenly became critically ill one day and he passed away the next day on the operating table. My mother at the time was gaining ground from a medical challenge 1 1/2 yrs earlier, and was not well. Now Dad was gone and she was alone. So of course I stayed home with my mother - for six years. I hope people remember this story as a parable for listening to what God wants for us in our lives, even if it might be really different from what we had planned. That trust is what I hope my books convey and reinforce.

What a wonderful lesson! Thank you so much for this lovely interview. I hope my followers will check out your book.

Interview with Suspense Romance Author Charissa Stastny

Charissa Stastny was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada...but she has never gambled and can’t shuffle cards to save her life. She is married, has four kids, and loves writing, reading, hiking, and imitating monkeys (although when she tried it at the zoo, one of the monkeys spit at her). She currently lives in Idaho, where she doesn’t have to be embarrassed by her poor card shuffling skills nor worry about being attacked by monkeys. Secret Keepers is her 2^nd book available in the Eyes of Light trilogy.

Welcome back to my blog, Charissa. This book is the second in a series. Please tell us about your new book.

Secret Keepers has lots of suspense, clean romance, and gripping action as the past, with its powerful secrets, collides with the present, threatening to destroy all Suvi, James and Austan hold dear. Suvi flees to Israel, the land of her youth, to lure threatening forces away from James, and to seek help from her estranged father. James crosses an ocean to find her, but his discoveries may jeopardize his life and love. Austan returns as self-appointed guardian of Suvi when evil forces combine to destroy her. From Idaho to Israel, and with madmen, ruthless drug cartels, and Mossad assassins as key forces, the fight for light that began in Book 1, Eyes of Light, continues as perilous events lead Suvi to reevaluate her feelings and choose between the two men who love her.

My husband read your first book and loved it. He’s excited to read the second one now. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

My inspiration for this story started with a door-to-door salesperson. An Israeli girl named Suvi with a nose ring and a vivacious personality knocked, charmed me into buying one of her oil paintings, and then talked to my daughters and me for an hour. After she left, a story started to form around her in my mind. As I wrote my imagined story for Suvi, I wanted to help my own daughters be aware of hidden secrets people carry so that they would be more merciful in their judgment of others. We never know what awful circumstances and experiences have led someone to act in certain ways.

What a wonderful lesson! What kind of research did you do for this book?

I researched the NCS (National Clandestine Service—CIA), and the Mossad’s kidon (assassins). The workings of the Mossad (Israel’s version of the CIA) fascinate me. There are some great stories out there as I read up on it. I didn’t get to use much of the information in this book, but great books could be written about it, and I would love to read anything on this subject (although it would probably be quite brutal). 

You love to write suspenseful romances. What intrigues you most about writing these stories?

I love reading romance (if it’s clean), and writing it is even better. My Eyes of Light series is intense and drags my characters through some very rough waters to test their faith and resilience. The most intriguing aspect of writing these books has been to watch my characters grow. I am always wondering what I would do in the same situations, and I feel that helps me grow as well to have to make choices in my mind as my characters make them on the written pages.   

Thank you, Charissa, for this wonderful interview. My husband was so impressed with your first book. I know this one will be equally as good.

Interview with Romance/Suspense Author Jordan McCollum

An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. She holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

“I love how Jordan McCollum blends the best of both Canada and the U.S. in her debut novel. With plenty of polite humor, cloak and dagger mystery and fun romance, there are great characters from both sides of the border, and a case that had me turning pages quicker than I could say, ‘poutine.’ This Canadian author gives I, Spy two thumbs up!” — Author Julie Coulter Bellon

Hello, Jordan. I read your spy novel and absolutely loved it. It was great. Please tell my readers about your romantic suspense novel.

Canada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets—and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there’s one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too--until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn’t the only thing suffering. Now to save her secrets and her country, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.

Read an excerpt from the book: http://jordanmccollum.com/books/excerpt-i-spy

You have written this book in first person. The woman acts like a spy, thinks like a spy, and is extra cautious like a spy. Since she knows Russian, the CIA decides to use her in that capacity. Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

The first idea sprang into my mind while shopping for valentines at Dollar Tree. True story. An old favorite came on the Muzak, and I started wondering about the story behind the song: a guy who should be with the girl he loves, but she’s somewhere else. And I wondered, what could keep her away?

Then I added my favorite what-if question when plotting: what if she were a spy?

Sadly, I can’t say I’m drawing on my vast experience as a spy for this novel. But in my day job, I coerce people to do things they don’t want to, elicit information and generally manipulate the people I love most—I’m a mom.

Hahaha! Yup! That’s about right. I’m a mom of six daughters and understand completely. What kind of research did you have to do for this novel?

I was lucky enough to go to Ottawa on a business trip with my father when I was 15. While he was in meetings, I had free rein of the capital. (Can you imagine letting a teenager wander the streets of DC in the late ’90s?!) I also read a dozen CIA memoirs and reference books to get an idea of the training and daily life of a spy, as well as the cool capers they’ve pulled in real life.

What does your family think about your writing?

They’re very supportive. My son, 7, constantly asks to read my books. My parents both helped with I, Spy: my dad as a beta reader & technical advisor and my mom as a proofreader (she has a BA in English & was an English teacher for years—and both my parents helped to refine my writing throughout my school years!). My husband is the most supportive of all: for years he’s done the dishes so I can have those few extra minutes to write. Now that’s love!

Oh my gosh! What a fantastic man you married. Okay, now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

As a teenager, I went on a short crime spree with my best friend which included vandalizing our family members’ yards with plastic flower lawn ornaments, parking in a no parking zone, and whistling underwater, which is allegedly illegal in North Carolina.

Hahaha. Vandalization? Disobeying the laws? Underwater crimes? Wow! You were meant to write spy stories. Thanks for this awesome interview, Jordan.

Sweet Romance Novel: The Rebels of Cordovia

We celebrate Independence Day, remembering the freedom we fought for centuries ago. Many patriots had to pay for this freedom with their lives and we are grateful to those who fought for our liberty. In this new novel, you get a glimpse of what another country had to fight for, as well. The freedom of speech, the freedom of equality, and the freedom to worship as we please! No one could have a greater gift than this.

The Stories of Robin Hood is Inspiration for Sweet Romance: The Rebels of Cordovia

“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

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?

"This sweet romance set in the kingdom of Cordovia was a fun vacation read. This creative take on a Robin Hood-like story is charming and touching, and teaches some great morals about agency and choice. It reminded me of childhood fairytales of good versus evil, with a nice romance weaved into it. Yea!" --Author Charissa Stastny

"This book was a fun read with a strong plot and fast paced action, but gentle and happy characters. Linda Weaver Clarke has a storyteller's talent for enchanting and mesmerizing the audience. She weaves her key topics of love and respect through The Rebels of Cordovia as poverty and its devastating side effects are overcome by Robin and her band of merry men...and women. Robin is a strong female character with morals and an innocence that readers will appreciate. There are also some exciting surprises and twists that will delight the heart. A very timely subject set in a gilt frame, definitely a must read!" --Cindi Clubbs, Reviewer

Read a sample chapter here: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/rebels.html

Purchase Book Link: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/purchasebook.html

Price: $12.95, Ebook: $2.99

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.