Valentine's Day Book Giveaway!!

Don't forget to enter the book Giveaway!! For the book Melinda and the Wild West!! It really is a great book....here is the post you need to use to enter... HERE !!!


I will have the last 2 books of the series "NEW book reviews" up Friday and Saturday!! So watch for them!!!!

Update: Ok..it is going to have to be Sunday and Monday.

Book Review: Jenny's Dream

Linda Weaver Clarke has captured the essence of reaching for your dreams, no matter what happens to throw you off the path of getting there.

In “Jenny’s Dream,” the third book in A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho series, the oldest daughter Jenny is home from college for the summer. She is feeling trapped in the small town of Paris, Idaho and wants to go out in to the world and accomplish something to show everyone she is more than a pretty girl. Her writing is what keeps her ambition in full drive, until she meets Will. He isn’t the most ‘handsome’ man in town and he is only a farmer, but she becomes close friends with him. Will secretly falls in love with Jenny, but does she feel the same way? Jenny’s past haunts her ability to move forward in her life in love and her dreams of being a writer. She will have to make a decision that might hurt those closest to her, for her dreams to come true.

In the meantime, Jenny’s dad, Gilbert, is helping in the search of an old grizzly bear that is attacking the local sheep and scaring the town folk. He feels the need to be a part of the hunt, even thought his wife, Melinda, is against it. When he comes face to face with the legendary bear, Three Toes, Gilbert must balance the safety of the town with the concern of his family for his life.

I loved this book as much as I did the first two books in the series. I was drawn in to Jenny’s life an wondering what decisions she would make for her future. The amazing details of the family dynamics, descriptions of the beautiful scenery and the historical facts of the time all made the story believable. The ease of the writing made it feel as though I was eavesdropping in on their lives. I didn’t want the story to end (which it won’t since their will be two more books in the series)! The best part of the book was the relationship that grows between Jenny and Will. The author didn’t use the stereotypical ‘handsome’ male for the main character to fall for. This was refreshing to me, since all of us on this earth aren’t as perfect as most book characters are made out to be. This relationship reminds us that getting to know a person from the inside first and being friends, can grow in to something more.

“Jenny’s Dream” is a book for all ages that can wrap you up and make you feel all warm inside with the love and hope that dreams can come true if you believe hard enough.

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Edith and the Mysterious Stranger: The Family Saga In Bear Lake, Idaho

The story begins in 1904, 7 years after the first book ends, with Melinda in the ‘family way’ with her second child. She is having a difficult pregnancy and is told to stay off her feet as much as possible. Her cousin Edith, who is a nurse in Salt Lake City, decides to visit her parents in Idaho and help her cousin Melinda through her pregnancy.
Edith is very independent, opinionated and ‘spunky’, which she dislikes people calling her. She has been unlucky in love and has had a hard time finding the kind of man who fits the ‘list’ of qualities she has for dating. Two men find a way to slowly break through to her, but each is so different in how they lead their lives. Henry is a school administrator, educated and polite, but he believes a woman’s place is in the home. Joseph is a cowhand, self-educated, plays the guitar, but doesn’t even come close to matching Edith’s list. A third ‘mystery’ man enters the picture when Edith begins receiving romantic notes, which sweeps her off her feet. She must now make a decision whether to follow her ‘list’ or follow her heart.
In the meantime, Gilbert, Melinda’s husband, has a cattle drive planned that will take him away from her for days. He hires some new men to help, not aware that two of these men are outlaws and cattle rustlers. One of the men, David, is just starting out as an outlaw and feels he has no other direction for his life to go. He soon finds himself falling for the boss’s 16-year-old daughter and questioning what he is getting himself in to. He feels pulled to the life of an outlaw, but being befriended and cared for by Gilbert’s family, makes him start to think about a better life he could make for himself.
This is the second book in the Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho series. I really enjoyed the first book (Melinda & the Wild West) and was looking forward to reading this new book. The book is such a mix of genres (Wild West, outlaws, romance, independent women, Christian, mystery), that I would say any age of reader would enjoy this book. I can’t wait to read the third book, coming out this summer!
“Edith and the Mysterious Stranger” pulls you in to the lives of the people of Bear Lake, Idaho. Linda Weaver Clarke has created a story with strong characters, love of family, outlaws and mystery that will have you captivated from start to finish.

****Book received and review written for RebeccasReads.com****

Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Melinda and the Wild West: A Family Saga In Bear Lake, Idaho by Linda Weaver Clarke

This is a story of Melinda, an independent and educated woman from Boston who lives comfortably, but feels there is more she can do with her life. She decides to take a chance and moves to the untamed west. She becomes the new teacher in Paris, Idaho, a rugged wilderness area that is filled with dangerous animals, outlaws and weather that can be extreme in all seasons. She struggles to adapt at first, but comes to love the area and people. She meets a mysterious rancher that she never imagined would some day be a part of her life.

I absolutely loved this book. Now, I may be biased that I adore late 1800’s and anything to do with Wild West areas, but this story just amazed me. Creating a story based upon an independent, educated and strong women character, brings to light the type of women that helped make this country what it is today. Melinda learns to keep her guard up when she needs to, but letting it down can bring happiness in to your life. The themes of family, love, communication and friendship can be found throughout the book.

If you want to read a book that makes you smile at the end, this would be one of those books.

Rated: 5/5

Reviewed by Allison King

Valentine's Day Book Giveaway!!!! Melinda and the Wild West

Here we go....my first book giveaway of the year and it coincides with Valentine's Day!! To get you started reading "A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley, Idaho" series, I am giving away the first book in the series that really develops the love and relationships that puts this series together:

Melinda and the Wild West

Contest rules:

1. Just leave a comment about you're favorite Valentine's Day (favorite card, gift, event, etc) and you will get one entry.

2. Sign up to follow my blog and you get another 2 entries.

3. Please include your email address so I am able to contact you if you win.

4. You have from Sunday Feb. 7th 5:00pm CT until Sunday Feb. 14th at 10:00pm CT. to enter!!

5. Winner will be announced on Monday Feb. 15th.


Thank you and good luck!!!

Celebrating the book series "A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley, Idaho"

"A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley, Idaho" Book Series
#1 - Melinda and the Wild West
#2 - Edith and the Mysterious Stranger
#3 - Jenny's Dream (my favorite)
#4 - David and the Bear Lake Monster
#5 - Elena Woman of Courage

All this week I will celebrating one of my all-time favorite book series by Linda Weaver Clarke!! She finished the last book (#5- Elena Woman of Courage) of the series at the end of 2009. I have been lucky enough to read all 5 books and reviewed 3 of the so far. Each day this week I will be re-posting my reviews of the first 3 books and posting new reviews for the "David" and "Elena" books.

This series is a wonderful collection of books about how a family develops and grows from the love and compassion they have for one another. Through tough times, happiness, and celebrations, the Roberts family and their friends work together to get through each day. The stories have romance, laughter, tragedy, sadness, separation, wild west life, girl talk and guy talk. Historical fiction has never been written better than what I have read in these books.

Read an excerpt from each book by clicking below:

Melinda excerpt
Edith excerpt
Jenny excerpt
David excerpt
Elena excerpt


I will be having a BOOK GIVEAWAY too!!! An autographed copy of the first book in the series "Melinda and the Wild West." Make sure and check for another posting today for the giveaway and rules!!!

New Giveaway about to start!!!

Once again I must apologize for being away so long!!! BUT...I do have fun stuff planned for this next coming week....SOOOOOOOO

Keep an eye on my blog...and check back...HOPEFULLY...Saturday..for a new Book Giveaway!! and a week long promotion of one of my most FAVORITE book series!!!!

Take care...stay warm!!!


Allison