Welcome, Author Linda Weaver Clarke!

This week is so exciting, with the fantastic author Linda Weaver Clarke visiting "Gina's World of Good"! Not only is she an outstanding, exciting author...she is also a great friend. More excitement: Linda Weaver Clarke is having a Book Giveaway, which will last until Aug 21st: Every visitor will receive 7 EBOOKS FREE if they preorder the Historical Romance: The Fox of Cordovia. For these promotional giveaways, go to:
https://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com

.Here's a little more about Linda:

Author Linda Weaver Clarke grew up among the rugged, majestic mountains of southern Idaho. She is the author of 22 books: historical romances, period romances, a romantic cozy mystery series, a mystery suspense series, a children’s book, and non-fiction. She has also traveled throughout the United States giving lectures on writing techniques. All her books are family friendly. She lives in Color Country, which is located in southern Utah among all the red mountains.

Welcome to my blog, Linda. What is your newest book about?

In this swashbuckling romance, The Fox of Cordovia, a sinister plot has just been uncovered and its up to a former patriot and a young nurse to discover who is behind it. Caroline is engaged to the future mayor of Laketown, a man of influence and greatly respected. But all that changes when she overhears a conspiracy behind closed doors. After being discovered, she runs for her life. Caroline needs to report her findings, but whom can she trust? When she asks Jesse Conover for help, the adventure begins.

Where did you get your inspiration for this series?

All three books in this series are love stories set in the late 1700s. The Rebel Series was inspired by the stories of the American patriots who fought to be free from the dictatorship and tyranny of a king. It’s a theme that is dear to me. Liberty is something that I cherish. It’s a precious gift given to us by those who fought so valiantly. The miracles that happened during that war made me realize that God was watching over us. When I read the stories of the American Revolution, my heart swells with gratitude for those loyal patriots. When I look at our flag and pledge allegiance to it, tears well up in my eyes. When I listen to The Star Spangled Banner or God Bless the U.S.A., I get choked up. Especially when it’s sung by a choir.

I had the idea of a country that had to fight for its liberty and the idea stayed in my mind for a long time until I created this story.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

When I did some research about the “waltz,” I was surprised by what I found. The peasants were the first to dance the waltz. It was such fun that bored noblemen would sneak out and go to the country-dances. The Oxford English Dictionary back then called the waltz “riotous and indecent.”

In a 1771 German novel, someone complains about the “newly-introduced waltz” among the aristocrats and said that it was a “shameless, indecent whirling-dance of the Germans and engaged in a familiarity that broke all the bounds of good breeding.” Haha. It finally became fashionable when the wife of a Russian ambassador endorsed it.

What intrigues you most about writing these stories?

I absolutely love writing stories that are page-turners, which have some mystery and suspense. I love a romance where the man and woman know they are meant for one another and have a strong belief in God. Even though there are trials along the way, they never give up on the other. I also like strong women characters in a story.

Stories set in the 1700s and 1800s are so fascinating to me. It’s during a time when men defended a lady’s honor and treated women with respect. The women, on the other hand, were not pansies by any means. They knew their rights and demanded respect. My great, great grandmother lived back then and she was brave and independent. I love the fact that people fought for what they believed in and wanted to be free.

Tell us a bit about your other books in The Rebel Series.

The Rebels of Cordovia is book one in this series. In this battle for freedom, a love story begins to blossom. Daniel, a rogue and a leader of the Freemen, doesn’t realize that the sweet feminine woman he has met and is falling for happens to be the leader of Robin’s Rebels. Realizing the importance of uniting all the rebel groups, Daniel tries to recruit Robin’s Rebels but they refuse. Now he has to find a way to convince them. When he finds out the leader is actually a woman, what will his reaction be?

The Highwayman of Cordovia is book two. With the help of a bold highwayman and a pastor’s daughter, they try to save their country from being taken over by a power-hungry leader. As they strive to stop the Kingmen and thwart their plans, Christine finds herself falling in love with Austin Knight. The only problem with their relationship is that she thinks he is her knight in shining armor instead of a highwayman. If she finds out his trade, what will her reaction be? As a pastor’s daughter, will love override her values?

How did you get started in this genre?

After writing my ancestors’ biographies, I turned to historical fiction. You could say that my ancestors were the inspiration for getting me started. After writing several historical romances, I wrote some cozy mysteries but came back to period romance after a while. I love writing about days long past.

Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.

The most daring thing I have ever done was to do a road-trip in a mini-van with my four daughters and husband across the U.S., from Utah to New Orleans, Louisiana. It was a daring idea because I would have to be the main driver since my husband has dry eyes and isn’t able to drive long distances. We made several stops along the way that my daughters had previously requested to see. It took us 11 days round trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We even took a swamp tour down the bayou in Louisiana.

To learn more about this author and read sample chapters, visit her website at www.lindaweaverclarke.com. You’ll find all her books at this site.

Visit her “Family Friendly Blog” where she interviews authors and has book giveaways at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com.

Visit her blog at “Author of Sweet Romance and Mystery” at https://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com.

Here are two book trailers to watch, so you can understand what these books are about.

The Rebels of Cordovia

https://youtu.be/eXK1vfSCXYk

The Highwayman of Cordovia

https://youtu.be/fal-oJO4tOY 

To purchase a book, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/purchasebook.html.

Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”, Linda! I wish you many sales!!

Our next guest will be author Karen Frisch, who will visit from August 7-14th. Be sure and check in on her exciting post!

Welcome, Author Debbie Kaiman Tillinghast!

            This week I am so excited and happy to welcome author Debbie Kaiman Tillinghast to "Gina's   World of Good". Debbie is a fellow member of the Association of Rhode Island Authors     (ARIA). Debbie Kaiman Tillinghast began writing as she embarked on a quest to reconnect with her island roots. She has also authored a cookbook for her family, A Gift of Cookies, A Gift of Love. Debbie, a retired teacher and nutrition educator, now devotes her time to volunteering as well as writing, gardening, cooking, biking and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Debbie will award a copy of her memoir The Ferry Home to a lucky visitor this week - leave a comment (with your email address) to be eligible to win.

Welcome to my blog, Debbie. What is your newest book about?

The Ferry Home is a memoir about growing up in the 1950’s on a small island in Narragansett Bay. We lived there year round, my dad ran a store in the summer and my mother was the teacher in the one room school. It is a step back in time to a simpler life, the story of island living, its rhythm, simplicity and the sense of community it fosters. I lived there until I was nine, when a hurricane changed out lives forever, and we moved off the island.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

Prudence Island ultimately provided the inspiration to write about my life there. Ten years ago, after my mother died, I returned to Prudence for a visit in her honor. Childhood memories began to trickle through my mind, and I realized how much I missed the island. It seemed to be calling me back, urging me to remember, and I felt compelled to return again and again. As more memories surfaced, I knew I wanted to preserve them for future generations.

What kind of research did you do for this book? I did research to confirm a few factual dates and times, but most of my research was exploring my own memory. Prudence Island lives and breathes through the book and returning to the island allowed me to recapture my childhood there.

Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?

I never knew what current experience would trigger my memory, it might be a smell, a sound, the change in seasons or a walk on Prudence Island. Each chapter begins and ends with the experience that momentarily sent me wandering back in time. For example, I found an autograph album that belonged to my mother, and one particular entry reminded me of my mom and her relationship with my dad. The discovery inspired me to write the chapter called, “Sol and Mrs. Kaiman.”

How did you decide what stories to include in the book?

I wrote the stories that wanted to be told, they demanded their turn like children waiting for a swing. Sometimes there were several vying for my attention at once and I wrote about each one until it was satisfied.

What intrigued you most about writing these stories?

I didn’t plan what I would write, but the memories that unfolded as I wrote were so vivid the stories told themselves. Once I started writing the events played in my head like a movie, and the details of things I didn’t know I remembered were provided.

Which of your memories is your favorite?

It is difficult to choose since each one was my favorite as I wrote about it. I love “Sleds and Sundays.”

The island was more isolated in the winter, and our family spent more time together. My dad’s store was closed so he worked shorter hours and my sister and I had fewer friends nearby. My winter memories are cozier and more intimate than summer ones.

Sometimes my mother attached the sled ropes to the rear bumper of the car and drove to school while my sister and I rode on our sleds. I watched the snow covered road slide under the runners as I clung tightly to the sled and felt the icy spray sting my face. Where else could you experience this marvelous winter adventure, except on Prudence Island?

How did you get started writing? Thoughts of writing a book about Prudence Island often flitted through my mind; there were so many memories I wanted to save. A few years ago I saw a notice highlighting a memoir writing class held at a local library. It peaked my curiosity, and I decided to attend. I started with thoughts of why I wanted to write about Prudence, and every month I returned with a new Prudence Island story. The leader of the class encouraged me to keep writing until I completed a book. It was serendipity. The desire, opportunity and encouragement to write all occurred simultaneously.

What else have you written? Are you working on another book?

A surprising benefit to writing my memoir was the discovery that I not only enjoy writing, but I also find it deeply satisfying. I continue to write poetry and essays on a variety of topics. My poem, ”Island Summer House” was published in the 2016 Rhode Island Author’s Anthology, Shoreline, and I have also been published in Country Extra magazine. I am currently working on a romance novel.

When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?

My favorite book, one that I have read many times, is A Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I am also fond of Jan Karon and Rosamunde Pilcher. I find their characters engaging and their stories so real you feel like you have opened a door and walked into their lives.

Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.

Last September I hiked the Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park. The trail climbs 1500 ft in 2.7 miles, as it corkscrews across the face of the mountain and descends back along the same steep route.

It was a challenging and thrilling adventure, but not as daring as deciding to write a novel.

Favorite meal? City you would love to visit and why?

I love homemade ice cream, lobster and dark chocolate. I’m happy with any meal that includes one or more of them.

I would like to return to Sedona, Arizona. I have been there once and was captivated by the scenery and the magical color of the sunsets. There were also many incredible places to hike and explore.

To learn more about this author, visit her Facebook page at __https://www.facebook.com/debbiekaimantillinghast/

You’ll find her book at this site:

https://www.amazon.com/Ferry-Home-Debbie-Kaiman-Tillinghast/dp/0996233016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500899319&sr=8-1&keywords=the+ferry+home

Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”, Debbie. Your book is absolutely fascinating. I wish you many sales!!

Be sure to leave a comment (with your email address) to be eligible to win a copy of Debbie's book!

Visit "Gina's World of Good" next week when our guest will be author Linda Weaver Clarke!!