We must fight or die.

Imagine a place where strange gods roam, where native peoples struggle against a seemingly invincible force from the sea, and two people who manage to fall in love even as invaders threaten to tear their lands apart. IN DEFENSE OF A NATION tells the little known story of the first governor of Florida, Hernando de Soto of Spain, and his ruthless invasion of north America in 1539. This historical novel tells the story from the view of the native tribes he targeted and killed, as they fight to save their homes and their way of life. Ocute, war chief of the Yupaha people, leads the fight to protect his village of Cofaqui. The battle takes them across the southeast and ends with the death of the ruthless and merciless explorer, De Soto. Along the way, Ocute falls in love with his soulmate, a woman who will prove to be his match in mind and spirit.

D. Clark Copeland spent several years researching early native American cultures in southeastern United States. Being of native American decent, he feels it is important to tell this story from the perspective of the native people who fought against an invading army. Born in Sacramento California and raised in Biloxi Mississippi, D. Clark Copeland currently resides in Athens, Georgia.