Welcome, Author Linda Weaver Clark! New Release and Giveaway!

Today is it a joy to welcome author Linda Weaver Clark to Gina's World of Good. It is very exciting to have Linda visit here and discuss her new release, The Shamrock Case. 

Linda is going to give an e-book away to those who comment about this interview in exchange for a review of her book.

Hi Linda, it's nice to have you on my blog today. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I teach people how to write their family history and autobiography. I have been to 17 states and taught over 450 workshops. I believe it’s very important to teach our children their heritage. Our children need to be proud of their ancestors. It’s up to us to write these experiences down. I’m also an author of 6 historical romances, 4 mystery/adventure novels, a children’s book, and 2 cozy mysteries.

How long have you been writing? What's the most rewarding aspect of it?

I’ve always loved writing, but I’ve only been an author since 2005. I love using my imagination and creating characters that I learn to love so much. It’s fun to feel a part of a story that comes alive on paper. All my books are clean for both adults and young adults.

                                                         

You have a new release.  For those who haven't read your book yet, would you tell us a little about it?

It’s a cozy mystery called The Shamrock Case. For those who don’t know much about cozies, they are a G-rated story with no swearing, gore, or sex. A cozy mystery focuses on the plot and characters, and the main character is usually an intelligent woman. In The Shamrock Case, Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the business is flourishing.

When Amelia is hired to search for her client’s grandparents, the case takes them to Ireland. Kate must learn about her heritage. Who are her grandparents and could they still be alive after all these years? Why did her parents leave Ireland suddenly and move to America? Is there more to this case than meets the eye? This is the second book in this series.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

I believe it’s important to know our heritage and find out about the lives of our grandparents and great grandparents. Well, my great grandfather was born in Ireland. His mother disowned him because he joined another church. Religion is a big thing in Ireland and it upset her a great deal. So Daniel Gamble moved to the states without saying a word and never saw his family again. This was the inspiration behind my book.

That's so interesting! Could you tell us what to expect in any other books in this series?

In each book in the Amelia Moore Detective Series, I introduce a new mystery that has to do with “missing persons.” For example, book one is called The Bali Mystery. When Mrs. Brody hires Amelia and Rick to find her missing brother, they find themselves in Bali, Indonesia. They are mystified why her brother quit his job, put his home up for sale, and ran off to this mysterious and exotic island without telling a soul.

In book 3, The Missing Heir, Amelia has to find the heir to a fortune in order to save a couple of orphanages in Mexico. So each book has to do with a missing person.

Do you plot your stories in advance, or just start writing and see where the story goes?

It depends on which genre I’m writing. For a mystery, I always plot my stories in advance. For a romance, I just see where the story leads me. But I will write a few things down that I want to happen or where my characters will visit.

Does your faith affect your writing? If so, how?

Most Definitely! My faith plays a big part in my writing. All my good guys are faithful church-going people. While in Ireland, Amelia and Rick find out why the Irish are so strong in their Christian beliefs and why a shamrock is an influence on their faith. Even I was impressed with their beliefs.

Do you put yourself in your books?

Well, actually, one time I wrote myself into a novel. Matthew, in Desert Intrigue, was explaining how an explorer named Paul Weaver scratched his name in a rock below a tall spire in Phoenix, Arizona. Ever since it was discovered, its new name became Weaver’s Needle. This is the conversation he has with April.

“Weaver’s Needle?” asked April with uplifted brows. “Hmmm. Why does that sound so familiar?” She snapped her fingers and smiled. “I’ve got it.”

“Wow! I’m impressed,” said Matthew. “You’ve heard of Weaver’s Needle?”

“Of course not. I know an author by that name. She writes historical sweet romances and mystery novels. Her name’s… uh… Let’s see. It’s on the edge of my tongue. Oh yes! It’s Linda Weaver… uh… something or other.”

Matthew stared at his sweetheart with humor lacing his eyes. It took all his control to not laugh out loud. She seemed to get distracted so easily and had a way of getting off the subject. He cleared his throat and said patiently, “Now are you more interested in this ditzy author or this fabulous story?”

What role does the geographical location play in your storylines?

It plays a big part. For example, in Desert Intrigue I take my readers to Phoenix and they talk about the mysteries of Superstition Mountain and the history surrounding it. In The Bali Mystery I take my readers to the island of Bali and my characters get to hike in the Rain Forest and swim with the dolphins. In The Shamrock Case I take my readers to Ireland and Amelia gets to kiss the Blarney Stone and see a couple of ancient castles.

Who is your favorite author and why?

Serena Clarke is a fantasy/romance author and I absolutely love her work. She makes me feel like I’m actually there and experiencing the story on my own. Her books are clean with action, romance, and adventure. My favorite book is called The Alliance of Isian. It’s about an arranged marriage. Isian sends a proposal, offering their daughter to the prince, in order to ensure an alliance. Princess Gabrielle and Prince Alec must learn to work together and trust each other. Even though there’s plenty of adventure in this story, I love how the two have to learn to get along. It’s a sweet romance.

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Linda.  Good luck with your releases and please come back again soon!

Read a review of The Shamrock Case:

“Amelia and Rick have the makings of being a lasting couple that readers will adore and root for. The Shamrock Case moves along quickly. It goes by way too fast and I’m already missing the characters.

“The author paints a vivid picture of the beauty of Ireland. I feel as if I just returned from a trip to Ireland myself. I could easily see the greenery and magnificence of the country. With each book, Clarke introduces us to another exotic location.  She definitely does her homework before she writes about these places.  Clarke knows both her characters and locations well and it shines through each word she writes.” –Socrates Book Review

To read a sample chapter of The Shamrock Case, visit Linda’s website at http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/shamrock.html

To visit Linda’s blog where she interviews authors and has regular book giveaways, visit http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com

To purchase a hard copy of The Shamrock Case, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/purchasebook.html

To purchase an eBook, visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lindaweaverclarke

Thank you for spending time at Gina’s World of Good!  Best wishes for your success. 

Thank you! Please visit with me again soon!