JOURNEY INTO THE PAST WITH “MELINDA AND THE WILD WEST”

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,” encourages the reader to be a part of history, and feel the tenderness of romance. This story blends fascinating characters with Idaho’s Bear Lake history and is based on several true experiences, published by American Book Publishing, for both adult and young adult alike.

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, a blinding blizzard in the tops of the Rocky Mountains, stinging nettle, and the most rugged and stubborn rancher she has ever met in her life.

Melinda and the Wild West is not only filled with adventure, but has the tenderness of romance. A rugged rancher and a determined schoolteacher from the east 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.”

Betsy Brannon Green, best-selling Suspense Author, wrote, “Linda Weaver Clarke is a fresh new face in the fiction market. Her vivid descriptions, engaging characters and clever word-usage make reading her work a pleasure. I look forward to enjoying her books for many years to come.”

Courtney Littler, Editor for American Book Publishing, wrote, “Linda’s knowledge of and interest in the historic Old West provides a fascinating plunge into the lives of her fictional, yet undeniably real characters. Her adeptness at intertwining fact and fiction allows the past to spring to life with the newness and intrigue of unexplored territory.”

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 online. She teaches Writing Workshops, encouraging others to write their family history. To learn more about Linda and her book, visit: www.lindaweaverclarke.com.