The Adventures and Romance of Melinda and the Wild West

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"Melinda and the Wild West" was a semi-finalist for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007." Author Linda Weaver Clarke submitted her novel, a historical fiction love story to Reader Views Contest last fall. Irene Watson, managing editor for Reader Views in Austin, Texas, wrote, "We had a huge turnout of entries. It is obvious your book stood out in their minds and was scored as one of the top ten out of hundreds of other books."

Blending fiction with facts and adventure with romance, Author Linda Weaver Clarke invites her readers to step into the early days of the Wild West and be a part of another culture, time, and place.

Lloyd E. Reid, Library Director of Washington County Libraries, wrote, "Linda Weaver Clarke has a writing style which opens the mind in a way that lets us see what her character sees, and allows the reader to feel the thoughts and emotions of the characters. It is impossible to avoid becoming part of the story she so skillfully develops. She writes historical fiction as if she were taking the reader back in time."

"Melinda and the Wild West" takes place in 1896. Melinda is from Boston and has come to Idaho's Bear Lake Valley. The idea of going to the Wild West appeals to her. She wants to do some good in someone´s life and maybe she could do it by teaching school. Intertwining fact and fiction, Melinda is confronted by many obstacles such as a bank robbery by the notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy, a rebellious student that is marked as a trouble maker, an irritable grizzly bear, and a blinding blizzard in the tops of the Rocky Mountains.

Betsy Brannon Green, best-selling mystery author, wrote, "Clarke´s characters are well-developed and her setting is compelling. But what separates this book from others is Clarke´s historical accuracy and meticulous attention to detail. The reader feels transported to another time and place – experiencing bank robberies and skunk oil and even exposure to stinging nettles right along with Melinda. Readers of all ages will enjoy this book from the exciting beginning to the satisfying end."

"Melinda and the Wild West" is not only filled with adventure, but has the tenderness of romance. When Melinda meets a rugged and stubborn rancher, they tend to butt heads and clash with each encounter, but at the same time there seems to be an underlying interest in one another. Why Gilbert is guarding his heart is a mystery to Melinda. In this story, she is desperately trying to help a rebellious student through acceptance and love, and at the same time, she is trying to understand her own heart.

Melynda Gascoyne of the Amherst Bee Newspaper in Buffalo, New York wrote, "Clarke was able to write about love in a soft fashion, not full of the same type of sexual writing of most romance novels. I was impressed with the eloquence in which Clarke spun her story. It was dramatic in some spots and yet contained simply placed bits of humor. I would recommend this to anyone."

Linda Weaver Clarke received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Southern Utah University and received the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award for the College of Performing Arts in 2002. She writes articles for several newspapers and teaches Writing Workshops, encouraging others to write their family history. Linda´s novel is the first of four in a family saga and each novel has already been written and named. Book two, "Edith and the Mysterious Stranger," is with the publisher and should be coming out this fall.

Debra Gaynor, from Reader Views, wrote, "From the first page I was captivated by this book. I had to continue reading, rushing to turn the page, I had to see what next adventure would catch up with Melinda. The plot is interesting: mixing history with fiction, adventure with romance. Melinda is an endearing character and you can´t help but see things through her eyes. This is good Christian fiction. It is a great honor to highly recommend this book to readers of historical fictions and romance. Ms Clarke, this is a piece to be proud of, well done!"

John Weaver, from "Page One Literary Book Review," gave a very nice review when he said: "Melinda and the Wild West" is rich with historical settings and provides as much of a 'historical' education as entertainment. Linda Weaver Clarke displays an easy and excellent style of writing blending adventure/romance/history/humor and courage. "Melinda and the Wild West: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho" is an instant classic and should put this author on the literary map all over the world. A MUST read!

To learn more, visit: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com.