"Back to the Homeplace" is now available!!!

I am proud to announce the release of the first book of a series by William Leverne Smith called "Back to the Homeplace."

The author just happens to be my dad, but I feel this book is an amazing journey about family, that book readers will enjoy taking!! I will be posting my review soon, along with a book giveaway too!! So keep checking my blog!!!

Here is the Press Release for the book:

Press Release - March 31, 2010

Debut Novel, Back to the Homeplace, set in the Southern Missouri Ozarks

Vision to Action Publishing announces the release of Back to the Homeplace, the debut novel of William Leverne Smith, a resident of Hollister, MO, on April 1, 2010.

Hollister, MO, March 31, 2010 -- Back to the Homeplace, the debut novel of William Leverne Smith, will be available to the public on April 1, 2010. The novel is set on a farm and in a nearby fictional community located in the southern Missouri Ozark hills and near a fictional western branch of the Current River. The story revolves around a family dilemma following the death of their matriarch and the unusual will she left to insure the continuity of the farm, which has been in her family for over 150 years, intact.

The year is 1987. The varied background and viewpoints of the adult children coming back to the Homeplace ignite controversy and expose long kept secrets as each family member searches for his or her share of the family legacy. While the older family members stake their claims on land and fortunes, the younger ones search for love and acceptance. Subplots involve AIDS Awareness in 1987 issues and a support group for domestic violence incidents.

At the heart of this family life story is how we do or do not effectively communicate among family members - parents with children, among children and grandchildren and that we must each face the consequences of our individual actions. What happens when they come back to the Homeplace?

See Video Book Trailer at: http://eduscapes.com/v2a/back_to_the_homeplace.html
See Author's Blog at: http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/

About Vision to Action Publishing:
Vision to Action Publishing designs and develops print, e-book, web, and video materials to support life-long learning and leisure activities. It is a family business with offices in Austin, TX, Teasdale, UT, and Hollister, MO, and does not accept author submissions or outside advertising.

ISBN 978-1451560404

"Anasazi Intrigue" by Linda Weaver Clarke !! Press Release!!

I am SO excited to read Linda's new series...I hope you are to!! It looks very interesting. Take a look at the press release about the book below!!!

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“Mystery and Adventure” is Theme of New Novel: Anasazi Intrigue

Stolen artifacts, the Santa Clara/Virgin River flood, a snoopy newspaper reporter, and mysterious events begin to unfold with Anasazi Intrigue.

When a devastating flood wipes out homes in a small town, residents are shocked by the news of a possible poison spill that also kills many of the fish and neighbor's pets. The people don’t know what to think or do, until Julia, the town's newest reporter, jumps into action and begins her investigation. Quickly Julia realizes the story is much bigger and more dangerous than she thought. As information unfolds, Julia and her husband find themselves on the run, trying to save their lives while finishing the story of a lifetime. She never realized that being a reporter could be so dangerous. With artifacts, dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants, John and Julia have their hands full.

In “Anasazi Intrigue” (ISBN: 978-1-58982-587-1), Clarke creates a story based upon an independent, educated, and strong woman character. Suko’s Notebook Reviews said of Clarke’s writing: “Linda Weaver Clarke is outstanding at presenting the characters' thoughts.”

There are two subjects discussed in this novel: The Santa Clara/Virgin River Flood and stolen artifacts. The mystery of the Anasazi Indians boggles the minds of many archaeologists. Ancient dwellings, petroglyphs, and pottery found in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico are fantastic and part of Anasazi history. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to take it apart. Archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year.

The second subject brings out what really happened during the flooding in southern Utah. Lost homes can be replaced, but it’s impossible to replace precious treasures that had no value to anyone but the owner, such as photos and memories of the past. The stories of hope, charity, and little miracles seem to uplift others and have a wonderful effect on people during a crisis such as this. Clarke’s novel brings out what really happened in St George, Utah but the mystery is just beginning.

About the Author

Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching a “Family Legacy Workshop,” encouraging others to write their family history and autobiography. Clarke is the author of the historical fiction series, “A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho,” and the new mystery series, “Anasazi Intrigue: The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.”

“Anasazi Intrigue” (ISBN-13: 978-1-58982-587-1, American Book Publishing, 2010) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com. Publicity contact: www.american-book.com.

Melinda and the Wild West Book Giveaway Results!!!

First...I want to apologize for the delay. This past week just got away from me. Computer was acting up, work..etc etc....but I NOW have the results of the book giveaway....

AND....the winner of the book "Melinda and the Wild West" is....

Tweezle

Congratulations!!! I will be sending you a note to get your address to have the author send you the book!! If I get now reply within 72hrs, I will choose another winner.

I do still have the last book in the series to put up a review for called " Elena, Woman of Courage" so just back tomorrow for that review!!!

Thank you to all of you that read my blog and enter my giveaways!! You are very much appreciated for hanging in there with me!!!

Take care!!

David and the Bear Lake Monster, A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho

Book synopsis:

Deep rooted legends, long family traditions, and a few mysterious events: Bear Lake Valley is a wonderful home to the Roberts Family. Once again the Roberts family is reunited with David trying to solve personal issues and overcome his troubles!! Without meaning to, David quickly becomes one with the town and its folk and finds himself entranced with one very special lady and ends up defending her honor several times. After a few teases, tricks, and mischievous deeds. David begins to overcome his troubles and figures out what he needs to do, but will it be too late for David? Will he lose the one woman he adores?

Review:

The fourth entry in the Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho is just as engaging and fun to read as the last 3 books were!! I love that David returns back to visit with the Roberts Family, after moving away to find himself. He soon realizes that you can find things you're missing in your life without even looking for them.

The author, Linda Weaver Clarke, has a way with showing in her writing the true love and laughter a man and a woman can have for one another. Whether married for years (Melinda and Gilbert) or just meeting one another (David and Sarah), the respect and longing for another person is deep and to the heart in these 2 story-lines. We are introduced us to a strong, educated woman, Sarah, who happens to have a disability. David is smitten with her, but unsure he wants to get involved with someone. The 'romantic friction' between David and Sarah is central to a story that will have you cheering for them to get together!

The fun part of "David and the Bear Lake Monster" is wondering if there is truly a 'monster' in the lake. It makes for an interesting adventure, with a surprising ending to the 'tale' of the monster. I love that the author based the monster on a local folklore of such a monster in that area in Idaho.

"David and the Bear Lake Monster" is heart-warming story of finding that right person to live the rest of your life with. It teaches us that people with disabilities are just like any other person who have dreams for their life. So, if you want to laugh, learn and live in the life of some wonderful characters....read this book and enjoy the journey!!!

Rating: 5/5

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