It is a joy and an honor to welcome the fantastic author
Linda Weaver Clarke to 'Gina's World of Good'. Let's hear
from this inspiring, prolific writer all about her
Historical Romance Series: Bear Lake Family Saga.
Welcome, Linda!
"Hi Regina! I would love to have an ebook giveaway and an Audible audiobook giveaway. Those wanting to enter the giveaway can tell us why they like to read historical romance by the 23rd of July."
Who is Author Linda Weaver Clarke?
I was raised among the Rocky Mountains of southern Idaho and live in Color Country in southern Utah. I am the author of 23 books. I have several genres that I write in—a Historical Romance series: Bear Lake Family Saga, a Mystery Suspense series: The Adventures of John and Julia Evans, a Cozy Mystery series: Amelia Moore Detective Series, and a Period/Adventure Romance: The Rebel Series. I am also a missionary at the Family Search Center. I help people find their ancestors and learn about their heritage.
What draws readers to this historical romance series: Bear Lake Family Saga?
This series has strong female characters who have a destiny to fulfill. Each woman wants to make a difference in someone’s life. No matter the trial that comes her way, she is ready to fight for what she believes. I love the male characters. Even though they are strong and masculine, they have their tender moments that can melt your heart. Bear Lake Family Saga has plenty of adventure along with a tender love story.
What was the inspiration for this series?
My ancestors were my inspiration. I was writing their histories so my children would learn to appreciate their heritage. Their stories were intriguing and full of adventure. When I was done, I decided to write a historical romance series and give these true experiences to my fictional characters.
Give us a brief description of each story in this series?
Melinda and the Wild West (Book 1): Melinda is a schoolteacher. She has many challenges but it’s a rugged rancher who challenges Melinda with the one thing for which she was least prepared—love.
Edith and the Mysterious Stranger (Book 2): Edith is a nurse. When a mysterious stranger starts writing to Edith, she gets to know a man's inner soul before making any harsh judgments. Whoever he is, this man is a mystery but is he as wonderful in person as he is in his letters?
Jenny’s Dream (Book 3): Jenny is an aspiring author. She has a dream to fulfill, but the only thing standing in her way is an unpleasant memory, which has haunted her since childhood. She must learn to forgive before she can follow her dream.
Sarah’s Special Gift (Book 4): Sarah is a beautiful and successful dance teacher but she is not an average young woman. Sarah is deaf, but this does not stop her from living life to its fullest. And it does not stop her from falling in love with a man who needs her help.
Elena, Woman of Courage (Book 5): The Roaring Twenties was a time of great change, when women raised their hemlines and bobbed their hair. As Elena fights to prove herself as the town’s first female doctor, the town’s most eligible bachelor finds it a challenge to see if he can win her heart.
Are your books in audiobook form?
Yes. I have a narrator who is narrating them for Audible. I have one narrator for Melinda and the Wild West, and then changed to a different narrator for the next four. Carolyn Kashner actually sings in Edith and the Mysterious Stranger, and she has such a lovely voice.
Who is the most intriguing character in this series?
I love all my female characters, but I feel that Elena from Elena Woman of Courage is the most interesting. She has to endure a lot of prejudice from the town bully who feels that women doctors have no right to practice medicine. But that isn’t all. This story takes place during the roaring twenties, and Elena has decided to be a part of this new generation by bobbing her hair and raising her hemlines. That takes a lot of courage. Of course, the town’s most eligible bachelor finds her most intriguing. He actually admires her tenacity. I admire Elena, as well.
(For history buffs: Bobbed hair caused a lot of commotion. A teacher in Jersey City was ordered to grow her hair back by the school board or she would be fired. Women with bobbed hair were fired from prestigious department stores without any warning. A preacher pounded the pulpit, saying that a “bobbed woman was a disgraced woman.” The raising of hemlines had its problems, as well.)
They developed a new vocabulary during the roaring twenties. What were some of the words you discovered while writing this story?
This was the fun part of writing Elena Woman of Courage. During this time period, they spoke a language foreign to their parents. Here are some examples.
If you were excited about something, you say: Cat’s pajamas!
If you didn’t agree with someone, you say: Ah, horsefeathers!
If you were a feisty woman, you were referred to as: a bearcat.
If you were an attractive woman, you were referred to as: a doll.
Women were also referred to as: a tomato.
When John wanted to “spoon” with Elena, she said: The bank’s closed.
A woman’s body was referred to as a chassis and her legs were gams.
Where can readers find you?
My Audible Page: https://www.audible.com/author/Linda-Weaver-Clarke/B004P47EWO
My Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZA-z2ckme8w
My Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZA-z2ckme8w
Remember to leave a comment by July 23rd about why you like to read historical romance to be eligible for Linda's generous ebook and audio book giveaways! And author Larry Hammersley joins us next on the blog, discussing his new release, a novella titled "Motorcycle Woman".
Welcome, Linda, I am so happy that you are here. We are going to have such a great time while you visit! Your series sounds so interesting! You write mysteries, historicals---such a broad range, I'm wondering do you have a favorite? Thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Gina. Yes, I do have a favorite. I love historical romances that have adventure.
DeleteOooooh, I love those, too! You can really lose yourself in a good historical romance filled with adventure!
DeleteHi Linda and Regina, Thanks for the interesting interview. I'm old enough to recall people using some of those old time words. I recall members of my mother's family saying horsefeathers and cat's pajamas.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your series, Linda. I've read some of Linda's books and know they are fun and inspirational.
Hi Gail. I know what you mean. When I did my research for the roaring twenties time period, I was so surprised because I remember my mother using a few of those expressions, too. I remember her saying "Cat's Pajamas!" I remember laughing when she would say it.
DeleteLove being carried away to another time and place through the books I read. It makes our history more real Congrats on your new book grandmabkr at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment, Brenda. I, too, love being carried away into another time period. It's such fun.
DeleteHi Linda and Gina: What an interesting interview. I've read two of your books, Linda and enjoyed them. I'm impressed by your output and variety of characters and timeline. I enjoy historical novels because it is a learning experience about those old times. Going back farther than my birth year of 1938 fills in an important gap for me. I wish you continued success of your books and I too am interested in my roots and ancestors. Thanks, Gina for having Linda on your site.
ReplyDeleteHi Larry. That's how I feel, too. It's a learning experience to read historical fiction. Of course, it has to have a nice romance to round it off. Haha.
DeleteDear Larry, Brenda and Gail--thank you so much for commenting! This is such a great week, having Linda Weaver Clarke here on the blog with us. What questions do you have for her, dear friends and readers??
ReplyDeleteI like historical romance because it gives a fuller look at history than just a standard history book. A well researched historical romance can really open up the daily life of a given period. Linda is a wonderful author that you can trust to be true to history.
ReplyDeletestraitfromthehive(at)gmail(dot)com
I would prefer an ebook.
DeleteI understand completely, Shirley. As I wrote this series, I got to see what it was like during my grandmother's time period and what kind of life she lived. As I wrote each of these books, I thought of my grandmother.
DeleteThank you so much for all your comments,
ReplyDeleteBecause it is so important to remember what out predecessors went through and it is SUPER important that our children and future generations understand and know what our ancestors and forbearers went through. Great job in raising this awareness, Linda, thank you! And thank you, readers and all who have commented.
I enjoy this kind of historical stuff. I do a lot of genealogy type things and this kind of info is great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for your wonderful comments. I enjoyed reading each one. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to reward everyone with an ebook of their own. Thank you, Regina, for having me on your blog. May God bless you and your efforts.
ReplyDeleteLinda, it is always a joy to welcome you. Your talent and refershing spirit inspire us all! Please visit again soon. Blessings always.
ReplyDeleteWho is up next, you ask? Well, I'll tell you!
ReplyDeleteReaders, be sure to stop in and read Larry Hammersley's visit on the blog now. He is giving away a Kindle version of "Motorcycle Woman" to two lucky readers!
http://worldofgood-gina.blogspot.com/2018/07/welcome-author-larry-hammersley.html