Linda Bilodeau traveled to France three times to do research for her novel.

Several years ago on a bike trip  through France, I found I couldn't keep up with my very athletic husband and had to make frequent stops. While resting, I found myself reading mini stories on war memorials about people who had fought in the French Resistance.  As I continued along, I would start to look for those memorials. 

Curious, particularly about the role that women played in the resistance, I started talking with people and upon my return to the U.S., I read accounts of women in the French Resistance.

My husband and I returned to France two more times for further research. I visited many lovely and inspiring war memorials in southern France and stayed in the small village of Lourmarin, which was occupied during the war. There I lived for three weeks as a french person would, learning the culture and of course doing as much research as possible.

When I returned to the states, my novel, The Olive Branch took shape.  I wanted to give the story intrique and romance and include bits and peices of stories of real resistance workers.

 I am pleased that so many details and little known facts about the resistance were included.

Enjoy the book!