Press Release Summary = This book was written for both adult and young adult, with
adventure and romance.
Press Release Body = Step into the early days of the Wild West and be a part of
another culture, time, and place. The Historical/fiction novel, “Melinda and the
Wild West,” was released to the bookstores November 14th, 2006. This story
encourages the reader to be a part of history, and feel the tenderness of romance.
Book Reviews about the novel are as follows:
BOOK REVIEW by Melynda Gascoyne for The Amherst Bee Newspaper: Buffalo, New York
For anyone who likes to read classic-styled romance novels that also have a drop of
history, this is the book for you: “Melinda and the Wild West, a Family Saga in Bear
Lake Valley, Idaho.” The story is set back in 1896 in Montpelier and Paris, Idaho,
in the Bear Lake Valley area. Melinda Gamble is the new schoolteacher and has
relocated from Boston to teach in the community where her beloved aunt and uncle
live. Being termed “headstrong” by her parents, she decides to take the job offered
by her relatives in the Western frontier as a way to escape from the city and the
life they have forged for her. This sets about a plan to help others by teaching.
From the start, Melinda learns from her new surroundings. Right at the very
beginning she comes face to face with Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch in a bank
robbery. What a way to start your new life in the wild frontier. From one of her
students coming to class with skunk oil that explodes, to her encounter with a black
bear, there’s always something for the imagination in the book. The characters grow
in their complexity as the story unfolds. From Melinda’s relationship with Jenny,
(the daughter of her widowed neighbor), to Gilbert, Jenny’s father and the gentlemen
who steals Melinda’s heart, it is very easy to picture the scene you are reading.
Clarke blends bits of her family history into this charming tale in the form of the
children at the school. She 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. Melinda is
the first in a four-book series, “A Family Saga in the Bear Lake Valley,” written by
Clarke. I’m hoping that the other stories are just as interesting as this one. Age
range for book: 16 and older.
BOOK REVIEW by Diana Broadhead for the Senior Sampler Newspaper: St. George, Utah
Melinda and the Wild West… despite the wild, untamed nature of the Bear Lake Valley…
Ms. Clarke has succeeded in presenting to her readers the beauty of the area. The
scenery is portrayed so vividly that you can see each and every color. You can feel
the crispness of the air in winter or smell the flowers in the field in spring. You
can feel the peace Melinda feels while walking through the woods or feel her fear
when she comes face to face with a bear. And amidst such a beautiful portrayal of
life, you see a love story unfolding like no other. Melinda’s spirit is fiery, but
her tenderness touches those she meets. Ms. Clarke is a talented author!
BOOK REVIEW by Debra Gaynor for “Reader Views”
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. Gilbert is strong and courageous. I like this book! 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!
To learn more about Linda and her novel, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com or
Publisher Direct Bookstore at
http://www.pdbookstore.com/comfiles/pages/LindaWeaverClarke.shtml.
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