The Stories of Robin Hood is Inspiration for The Rebels of Cordovia

Today's special guest is author Linda Weaver Clarke, whose new release, THE REBELS OF CORDOVIA, celebrates the fight for liberty and equality. Welcome, Linda! Please tell us about your book.

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.

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?

Author Anna Del C. Dye wrote: “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 this story to the end.”

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

The Rebels of Cordovia by Linda Weaver Clarke

Genre: Sweet romance

ISBN: 978-1484147658

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

Price: $12.95, Ebook: $2.99 

What inspired western romance author Kat Flannery to add a dash of paranormal to her new release, Lakota Honor?

Today's special guest is someone I'm very proud of. I've watched her blossom from a debut author into a bestselling author, whose proactive perseverance in learning everything about promoting her books will take her far in this business. Meet Kat Flannery, author of an exciting new paranormal western romance, LAKOTA HONOR, which is on sale for only $0.99 for a limited time...

After the release of my first book, Chasing Clovers, I knew I’d write another book. This was just the beginning of years and years of jotting down short stories, poems and writing articles. I was ready to jump into the author world.

Once the promotion and marketing had settled down with CC I had the itch. Yup, that little annoying poke to start another story. Soon my fingers found the keyboard and I was ready to let loose a fantastic tale full of grand adventures.

Earlier my publisher had suggested I write something paranormal. Paranormal? Me? I don’t think so. I was a historical western writer. I wrote about cowboys, damsels and horses. Not werewolves and vampires. I brushed her comment aside not thinking of it again. I had a great plot and a few awesome subplots. I was ready to write, and I did, about 30,000 words. Then a writer’s worst nightmare happened. My mind went blank. The writing stopped. How could this be? I’d planned everything out. I had a chapter outline. I knew how the story was going to end. I yelled and cursed at my characters for their silence as I stared at a blank computer screen. I’d written the start of a great Historical western romance…and I couldn’t finish it.

Frustration set in and I pushed through the writer’s block, insisting that’s all it was. I’d created a mean, venomous assassin in my antagonist, Otakatay and I wanted to continue his reign of vengeance. But somehow along the way I’d begun to feel sorry for him. You don’t feel sorry for your villain…ever. What had made him so mean? Why had he killed so many? I started to think about what Stephen King had said, “If the reader can have empathy for your killer then you’ve done something right.” Hmmmm. I had empathy for him, but I’d created him. Yet, Otakatay kept pushing me to write his story, to tell his side.

So I got to thinking and I answered my own questions, or Otakatay did. Once I knew why he’d turned out the way he did, I wanted to write his story. He’d been ridiculed—judged—cast aside not because of his actions but the color of his skin. He’d been whipped and beaten, and because of all this…he learned to hate. I needed to balance this out and created Nora. She was a healer, helping those in need. This was where the paranormal came into it. Nora had been run from towns and hunted by people who feared her. She too, had been chastised but instead of hate, she loved no matter what. 

Why were Otakatay and Nora so different? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Once I put the two together the story flowed like lava. I couldn’t type fast enough. Within 2 ½ months I’d finished the book and Otakatay’s story.

What happened to the 30,000 words? They sit in a folder with the other story starters I’ve had.

* * * * * * *

Kat Flannery has loved writing ever since she was a girl. She is often seen jotting her ideas down in a little black book. When not writing, or researching, Kat enjoys snuggling on her couch with a hot chocolate and a great book.

Her first novel, CHASING CLOVERS became an Amazon’s bestseller in Historical and Western romance. This is Kat’s second book, and she is currently hard at work on the third.

When not focusing on her creative passions, Kat is busy with her three boys and doting husband.

Buy LAKOTA HONOR here.

Kat’s website

Kat’s blog

Hysterical amnesia--or is that "historical"

I have to tell you this story...

A young girl read Whale Song a couple of years ago and decided to use it for her school book report. She made the most beautiful collage, with pictures and layers. There were blocks of text describing parts of the story.

In Whale Song, the main character experiences a traumatic event that left her with hysterical amnesia. Hysterical amnesia occurs after traumatic events and is short term memory loss related to that event.

Throughout the collage, this young fan called it "historical" amnesia.

I thought this was hysterical. LOL