Welcome to my book stop on the #RRBC blog party tour here in sunny (and sometimes foggy!) Santa Cruz, CA.
I will be giving away prizes of a $20 Amazon Gift Card to two lucky winners. All you have to do to be entered in the contest is leave a comment at the end of this blog. And besides, I’d love to hear from you!
I write for kids and teens and currently have four books published, all award winners! Please take a look below at book blurbs, links to trailers, and other information.
Thanks again for stopping by! And please check out these other amazing RRBC authors’ blog party stops.
In 1775 New Spain, on a journey from Mexico to California, 15-year-old Fernanda Marquina, half Spanish and half Pima Indian, will discover not only romance, but truths that will change the way she sees her ancestry, her family, and herself.
Read REVIEWS. View the TRAILER. Read an EXCERPT.
Fernanda is interviewed on the History Imagined blog!
AWARDS: Gold Medal and Seal of Approval from Literary Classics; RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) Honorable Mention in the Young Adult category; Books and Author 2015 Book of the Year for Teens/Historical/Romance category.
Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo, and at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Crossroads Books in Watsonville, CA, Books Inc. in San Francisco, and IndieBound.
What if you were 8, or 11, or 14, and you could race cars at 150 mph, bungee jump, fly, eat all the ice cream and candy you wanted, or become powerful avatars such as Robobug, Kulshedra the dragon, and Altai, the gryphon avatar?
All this and more is possible in the ultimate virtual reality game The Cryptogram Connection created by 14-year-old computer whiz Cody Reynolds and his two classmates, Nicole Nash and Kerry McCorkle. To advance to different levels in the game, players must solve cryptograms, or secret codes. (Readers also get to solve the cryptograms.)
The game becomes every kids’ virtual dream, and Cody, Nicole, and Kerry, besides becoming national celebrities, make more money than they ever imagined. But The Cryptogram Connection turns into “cryptogram chaos” when an evil presence inhabits Zazar, the laser avatar and the most powerful, and takes control of the game. It’s up to the three partners to enter the game and fight Zazar to save the gamers from virtual—and real—disaster.
Read the REVIEWS. Watch the TRAILER. Read an EXCERPT.
AWARDS: Gold Medal and Seal of Approval from Literary Classics.
Purchase from: Amazon , Barnes&Noble, IndieBound, Kobo, and Bookshop Santa Cruz
Book One in The Ghost Whisperer Series
A lonely girl, a desperate ghost boy, a saw-playing street musician, a psychic, and an oddball library page: friendships are formed that will change the lives of all—here and in the hereafter.
12-year-old Pepper’s new friend, Corey, is a ghost, but she doesn’t know it. After leaving her best friend behind in New York City, she and her family move to Santa Cruz, CA, into a run-down Victorian. Pepper discovers Corey hiding out in the backyard shed. He’s waiting to make contact with his grandfather, Boppie, before he crosses over. He tells Pepper he needs to find Boppie before Social Services sends him to a foster home. Pepper agrees to help.
Others help her on her quest: new classmate Ally Cressman, who dresses in an odd-ball, non-mall style; Sawtooth Sam, the mysterious saw-playing street musician; harmonica player Walker Blue; and Madame Mchumba, who performs her psychic readings at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park. Time travel, earthquakes, haunted house rides, poltergeist activity, and crystal ball readings propel her toward the shocking end of her search, and an understanding of what it means to be a true friend.
See REVIEWS here. View the TRAILER here. Read an EXCERPT here.
AWARDS: Silver Medal and Seal of Approval from Literary Classics.
Purchase from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, IndieBound, at Crossroads Books in Watsonville, CA, and Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Book Two in The Ghost Whisperer Series
In the rainy forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the small town of Brookdale, in the long-uninhabited Pebble Brook Lodge…exist four ghosts who stand in the way of Pepper’s search for the truth.
In this sequel to the award-winning book The Castle Blues Quake, Pepper Connelly’s chef parents take Pepper and her little sister Sage on another restaurant venture to renovate the Pebble Brook Lodge.
One of the unique features of the lodge is a creek running through the large dining room. Pepper learns that, in 1966, a thirteen-year-old girl, Karen Hullett, drowned in the creek. Her ten-year-old brother, Willie, was accused of causing her death, and his mother and townspeople still believe he was responsible. Willie, now middle-aged, lives with his mother in a cabin in the woods. Mrs. Hullett has never forgiven Willie for her beloved daughter’s death.
As Pepper secretly becomes acquainted with Willie and sees his gentle nature and his beautiful life-like carvings, she’s convinced he was not responsible for his sister’s death.
With the help of her friend Ally Cressman, Pepper sets out to prove Willie’s innocence. With Ouija board sessions, hauntings by four different ghosts, and time travel to 1939 and 1966, Pepper discovers there’s more to Karen’s death than she—or anyone in Brookdale—would have ever guessed.
Read REVIEWS. Read an EXCERPT. View the TRAILER.
AWARDS: Gold Medal and Seal of Approval from Literary Classics.
Purchase from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, IndieBound, and Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Linda Covella, Author 
Loved your post! I love the fact your books are set in Santa Cruz –or one of my favorite places to visit! Is your Ghost Whisper series based on that haunted hotel I saw on a ghost show and visited years ago? I can’t remember the name right now.I will be adding that book to my kindle. Thanks!.
Thank you, D.L.! It was fun having the setting in Santa Cruz, where I live. And yes, The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge is inspired by the real Brookdale Lodge. I’m sure it’s the one you visited. Do you remember the creek running through it? Also, check out my website for more info on the lodge. Scroll down on this page if you’re interested 🙂 https://lindacovella.com/ghost-whisperer-series/the-ghosts-of-pebble-brook-lodge/
I do remember the creek running through Brookdale Lodge! I will head over and read the information. Thanks, can’t wait to read The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge!
It’s an amazing place! It’s closed now and there are always rumors of it being reopened. I’m watching because I’d love to have a book signing there! 🙂 Thank you, and I hope you enjoy “Ghosts”.
Congrats on your awards, Linda! I’ve added The Castle Hues Quake to my TBR. I know it’s written for children but I loved the blurb and am eager to find out Corey’s story.
Thank you, Michelle. I know other adults have enjoyed the story, so I hope you do! Take care. 🙂
Hi Linda, good to know you! I love the blurbs of your stories, and will definitely check them out. Have a wonderful day, and enjoy your party. 🙂
Thank you, Joy!! Nice to meet you, too, and thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I enjoyed your books The Castle Blues Quake and Ghost of Pebble Quake. Hope there are more coming.
Thank you, Ann! Actually, I’m working on the third Ghost Whisperer story. I don’t have a lot of time to write, so it may be a few months before it’s out. Also, I’m working on some surprises to go along with the third, and final, book in the series. 🙂
Thanks for hosting the party today Linda. The link wasn’t open on RRBC so I found you on Google. I may be a tad early! Your books and covers look amazing. I will pop over to Amazon to add you to my TBR list.
Thanks so much, Lizzie. I guess you *were* early. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and thanks for your support!
What a diverse group of novels! Very interesting 🙂
Yes, I have a lot of ideas and can’t stick to one genre 🙂 Except for writing for kids and teens!
I love Cryptogram Chaos, Linda, and will definitely have to check out your other books! The covers and excerpts are certainly intriguing. Very best wishes with all your endeavours, and I hope you’re having a great time on today’s block party stop! 🙂
Thanks so much, Harmony. Thank you for the wonderful Cryptogram Chaos review! 🙂
Your books sound so interesting. This Book and Blog party is lengthening my to read list and I’ll be adding yours as well. Best wishes!
Hello, Linda! So nice to meet you here on the back to school blog party circuit. Your first book, Yakimali’s gift appealed to me immediately! I love historical fiction and especially when there are deep discoveries and romance. Beautiful trailer, by the way. Hope you enjoy your party today and I shall have to add Yakimali’s Gift to my growing TBR list! 🙂
Thank you, Jan. I’m also a big historical fiction fan. I hope you enjoy Yakimali’s Gift once you have a chance to read it. 🙂
Linda, thanks for sharing. Your writing is RWISA-Ready! Thanks for sharing and have a blast today!
Thank you, Nonnie. And THANK YOU for all you do to support authors!
Wonderful trailers for all your books. I loved the music selections and images. Great job. 🙂
Thanks so much, Rebecca. I’m glad you enjoyed the trailers. 🙂
All your books look and sound fantastic. Best wishes on your party day today
Thank you, John!!
🙂
These sound like great stories. Thanks for telling us about them.
Thank you, and thanks for visiting!
Your books sound really interesting. I am adding Cryptogram Chaos to my list.
Thank you, Brent! I hope you enjoy Cryptogram Chaos. 🙂
Hi Linda! I love when I click on a site and it jumps right out at me. Great looking blog, wonderful header, and interesting book choices! My best to you today! Have a wonderful Party!
Thank you so much, Linda! I appreciate your kind words!
Congratulations on your awards! The trailers are terrific–images, music and all. I’ll be adding a book or two from your list to my ever growing TBR stack.
Thank you, Susan! Yes, my TBR stack is also quite tall. 🙂
What an impressive body of work! I enjoyed reading about your fiction. Wishing you a great party!
Thanks so much, Staci. Thanks for stopping by!
Cryptogram Chaos sounds like something my son would love to read! I have to show it to him! On another note, I sent you an email regarding a prize you won on my site, but I haven’t heard from you. Check your spam mail for something from calleirobooks. 😉
Hi Yvette! I hope your son finds Cryptogram Chaos interesting. 🙂 I will check my spam for your email. Thank you so much!!
If it’s not there, just let me know, and I will try resending it. 🙂
Could you please resend, and I will watch for it. Thank you, Yvette!
I just sent it again! 🙂
Got it. Thank you!!
Hello Linda. Its nice to meet you on this fabulous tour. I see you are really into history. So am I. Good luck on this stop.
Thanks, Shirley. Yes, I love history and historical fiction. Thanks so much for visiting!
Congrats on your successes as a writer, Linda! As a retired History teacher, historical fiction appeals to me – a genre I was totally hooked on when I was in high school. Be sure that I’ll take a closer look at your work. Have a great day on the Block Party!
Thank you, John. Yes, I’m interested in your books as well and need to snag copies! I’v always loved historical fiction as well. It’s not the most popular genre, especially among teens, 🙂 but I really loved writing Yakimali’s Gift.
Hi Linda – YA is a genre that’s growing on me, especially when they have such interesting characters and themes. 😀 I’ve snagged a copy of Yakmali’s Gift as that period of New World history intrigues me.
I loved the Ghost Whisperer trailers! 🙂 The other two were good viewing, but the sudden soundtrack changes were a little too jarring for me (although all the music was fine in itself), but I guess that can be put down to my being so ancient in comparison to the intended audience! LOL 😉
Thank you, Jan. Many adults are reading YA books now. Some are good cross-overs to an adult audience. Thanks for getting a copy of Yakimali’s Gift. I hope you enjoy it! And thank you for your feedback on the trailers. I know the Cryptogram Chaos music is pretty wild, but I’m hoping it appeals to kids. 🙂
I preferred the funky electronic sounds in CC – the main Yakmali theme was so laid back and relaxing that the 2nd melody kind of gave me too much of a jolt… I’m sure you’re right about the YA appeal though 😀
Ah, okay. 🙂 I appreciate your feedback, Jan!
Your books sound great! I’ll add to my TBR list and can’t wait to check them out! I hope you’re enjoying the BB party with RRBC!
thank you, Lincoln! I am enjoying the party. 🙂
Hi Linda,
I adore stories that take place in different eras/time periods. Great site, and I hope the day is great for you!
Thank you, Rob. I, too, love historical fiction. And books that take place in other countries, whether historical or modern. It’s great to have an interesting story while learning about a new country/culture. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh wow Linda!!! You sure have woven three magnificent tales! Your books certainly fit the genre and age level intended. My children’s books fit a much lower age level. I love meeting others who are members of SCBWI! I bought your first book and will read it as soon as I can, I have a long list, and I will give you a review and blog shout out afterwards. Lovely blog. 🙂
Thank you, Mary! And I’m looking forward to reading your books!
🙂
What a fantastic blog post, Linda. I love the way you’ve set this up. I am looking forward to chatting with you on BUY THE BOOK this coming Saturday. Best wishes to you on your block party stop.
Thanks so much, Beem! I, too, am looking forward to our chat this Saturday. 🙂
I love reading about other authors who write for young readers! My daughter and I do a modern day “girl coming to America” series, so we loved browsing the opening of “Yakimali’s Gift” together. We’ll definitely have to check that one out! Happy blog touring today–hope it goes well! 🙂
Thank you! And congrats on your series. I checked out your website. How cool that you work with your daughter. She is adorable, btw. 🙂 Best of luck with your writing adventure!
Awww, thank you so much! We’re having a ball!
I’ll bet!! 🙂
Enjoyed your blog tour stop. So many wonderful books and awards. You have really wet my appetite. The list grows longer than the time to read but, will eventually get to yours also. Thanks.
Thank you, Joann. Yes, so many good books to read! Which is a good thing. 🙂
Hi Linda! Your books sound really interesting and like a fun read. I write YA fiction as well. I’m looking forward to checking out your work
Thanks, Julie! I checked out your site, and your book looks interesting, too! Love your friend, Bear. 🙂
Great post – I love the artwork on your covers, very appealing – as are the story descriptions 🙂
Thank you, Dawn. I’ve been lucky with my covers!
A lovely selection of books! Congratulations on your awards 🙂
Thank you, Nicholas! I appreciate you visiting my blog. 🙂
Great site! These books seem like something a lot of my students would really be interested in. Many of them sound like I would enjoy them too.
Thanks so much, Joe. I appreciate your kind words!
Dear Linda, I think your blog is well presented and will appeal to the younger generation whom you write for. I love the cover of Yakimali’s Gift – clean and unpretentious. I hope you have a great blog tour day. Kind regards
Thank you, Maretha! I love that cover, too. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Is it your own design?
For Yakimali’s Gift, I hired a cover designer. The Ghost Whisperer covers were done by my (then) publisher. They closed their doors, but gave all their authors the cover rights. Cryptogram Chaos was a pre-made cover.
Pingback: Who’s been winning?? #RRBC | Finder's Keepers – Author Tracey Clark
Thanks, Tracey!
excellent… love that you had excerpts, trailers and review… loved the inside look… happy wordage
Thanks so much, Tracey! Tanya Watt does all my trailers. She’s excellent, as you can see. 🙂 I’ll get you her contact info.
Tracey, I’m glad you enjoyed the blog post. Thank you!
where do you get your trailers done??? happy wordage
This is Tanya Watt’s FB page. https://www.facebook.com/tanya.watt.92 Her website isn’t working for me. Maybe it will for you.
thanks I will check it out
You’re welcome.
Tracey, here is Tanya’s new website http://luvmeabook.webs.com/
I’m in awe of folks that write for the YA market. It’s such a delicate line to walk between what is acceptable for teens and pre-teens and what falls into an older age group. You certainly have marvelous empathy and a great insight into this category. Whilst this is not a genre that I normally read, I would have no hesitation recommending it to friends with youngsters in this age group. Bravo! I hope the remainder of your party stop goes well.
Thanks so much, Suzanne! Somehow I can still relate to young people’s world. I can easily recall my feelings from my younger years, though they were a long time ago. LOL Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
Linda, I just love your book covers and the trailers are fabulous! The stories are so captivating and inviting. Congratulations on your many awards and the recognition your work has received. That’s a fine achievement, indeed. Bravo! Thanks for sharing your lovely blog with us. I’m a new follower and fan! Have an awesome party day! 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words, Natalie! I’m very happy with my covers and trailers. 🙂
Hi Linda, I’ve really enjoyed your Blog Party! Your site is lovely, and you provide helpful information about your books (which look fascinating!). Congratulations on all the awards and recognitions!
Thank you, Gwen! I appreciate your kind words.
I enjoyed your post and am so happy to learn about your books, they sound great. I truly love your covers, they are fantastic! Have fun!
Thank you so much! I am very happy with my covers, too. 🙂
Professional and beautiful book covers. Your imagination must be in overdrive to craft such amazing stories.
Thank you, Wendy! I love writing the stories, thinking what will entertain kids. 🙂
Congratulations, Linda, for well deserved awards! Loved the trailers you made. I think they are great visuals, attracting the readers to the books.
Thank you, Carmen! I appreciate you visiting my blog!
All the books sound great!
Thank you, Christian!
You are welcome!
Hello Linda! Nice to “meet you” today. I love Santa Cruz. Fond memories there. Love your trailer for Yakimali’s Gift. The book intrigues me and I’ve added it to my TBR, which is growing beyond expectations. Cheers! S.J. Francis
Hi S.J. Yes, I’ve lived in Santa Cruz for many years and love it! Thanks so much for visiting, and for adding Yakimali’s Gift to your TBR. 🙂
Hello again, I just wanted to say that your book covers are wonderfully done, as are your trailers. You obviously put a great deal of effort into both! Well done! Cheers! S.J. Francis
Thank you, again, S.J.! Very kind of you to say. Cheers to you. 🙂
Linda, I am impressed with each of your trailers, plots of each book, and their covers. Congratulations on your many awards.
Thank you, Karen! I appreciate this!!
Love the poest.
Your books sound interesting will get them when i can.
Thank you, Adam!
Your welcom do you have any links for your books on Amazon.co.uk
Hi Linda! Testing! I see my early morning comment is still awaiting moderation.
I’m sorry! I just saw 23 messages “pending”. I don’t know why I didn’t see them before. So sorry!! Thanks for alerting me. 🙂
LOL! Are there drinks at that party😂!
That’s afun post, & the books look like they would be really good. Have fun on the tour. 😀
Thank you, Rhani!
Hi Linda! Great post; the books look fantastic! Thanks for sharing, take care, and enjoy the rest of your week! 🙂 ~Stephanie
Thank you, Stephanie! I appreciate you stopping by!
Linda, love the covers and trailers. I enjoy reading YA myself–the teen still in me lol. Love your site and background. Good luck with your books. I’ll be checking them out!!
Thank you, Micki! Yes, I obviously have some of the kid and teen in me. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Hi Linda – so sorry to be late to the party but I spent the whole day on the road!
Love your blog site and I believe that your focus on ghost stories is unique and fun – thanks for sharing it on the site. Hope the RRBC Back to school Blog Block Party was grand – MikeL
Thanks so much for stopping by, Mike! I hope you’re having a relaxing evening after a day on the road!!