"Mysterious Letters and Romance" is Subject for New Historical Fiction Novel: Edith and the Mysterious Stranger

Clarke draws the reader into a world full of color and intrigue right from the first page. Her characters have faults that you want to see them overcome as you laugh, cry and cheer at just how genuine and vivid they are. They could easily be the neighbor next door. It's refreshing to be able to read a story that can make you run the full range of emotions. The end is uplifting while making you wonder what could happen in the next addition. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would highly recommend "Edith and the Mysterious Stranger" to anyone looking for a novel that is easy to read and just makes you feel good.

It is 1904. Edith has wonderful qualities but her expectations are so high that she never gives a man a second chance. She used to sing professionally but has now settled down and serves others through her nursing abilities. During her stay in Idaho, Edith meets two men. Henry, the superintendent of schools, seems to be arrogant, flirtatious, and quite impressed with her talents. Joseph, a farmer and ranch hand, is just the opposite. He acts completely disinterested in her and unimpressed. At first, both men tend to get on her nerves until she decides it's about time to not be so judgmental.

Lisa Haselton, Allbooks Reviews, wrote: "Clarke's passion for her historical subject matter is apparent in the solid writing, which transports the reader back in time effortlessly. Her multi-layered characters are unique individuals who evoke empathy. The experiences, challenges, dialogue, and dress are realistic for the time period and the descriptions are so vivid the reader is more a participant in the events than a pageturner. Edith and the Mysterious Stranger is a highly recommended read. It's a great adventure story with strong values; great for the entire family."

After Edith's arrival to Idaho, a mysterious stranger begins to write to her, which changes her outlook on life for the better. For the first time, she gets to know a man's inner soul before making any harsh judgments. Whoever he is, this man is a mystery and the best thing that has ever happened to her. The question that puzzles her is whether or not he's as wonderful in person as he is in his letters.

Wendy Cleveland, Reader Views, wrote: "The Power of the Written Word -- this is the life lesson I took away from Linda Weaver Clarke's book Edith and the Mysterious Stranger. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in a good inspirational read from beginning to end. You won't be disappointed. I'm definitely a fan and will be looking for another installment in the Roberts family saga."

The inspiration behind this book was the courtship of my parents. They didn't meet the ordinary way. They met through letters, set up by a mutual friend. My mother told me that she fell in love with the "soul" of my father. They never exchanged photos but she knew that he was the one for her. Thus, the story was set for my book: Edith and the Mysterious Stranger

What was it like to meet a man through correspondence? Today, we have online dating and email, but the art of letter writing is lost. In the Wild West, a good letter written by a good man could steal a woman's heart, even if the writer were anonymous.

Return to the time when love and life were simple-when lovers courting chose words carefully in their letters rather than sending off yet another quick text message. When a young woman in the Wild West begins to receive anonymous letters, she falls in love with a man she's never met in Linda Weaver Clarke's "Edith and the Mysterious Stranger" (ISBN 9781589824690, American Book Publishing, 2008).

Melinda and Gilbert live in the Wild West of Bear Lake, Idaho. When Melinda must be bedridden through the end of her pregnancy, her cousin, Edith, comes to help. Soon Melinda and Gilbert decide to play matchmaker and introduce Edith to the local young men. Edith, however, constantly finds fault with each man she meets until her marriage prospects begin to seem unlikely.

Then Edith's mother gives her a letter from an anonymous man and tells her, "We truly don't know men until we're married because we never know the inner person." However, by writing letters without trying to impress each other in person, Edith and her Mysterious Stranger come to know each other's hearts and souls. Soon Edith finds herself falling in love with a man she has never met.

Clarke juxtaposes Edith's Mysterious Stranger against David, a young ranch hand who falls in love with Gilbert's daughter, Jenny. Unknown to Jenny, David is a "wanna-be outlaw." Jenny does not suspect David's true character and overlooks the hints at his wildness. She is completely clueless that David came to her father's ranch intent on rustling their cattle. Will Jenny find out the truth about David before it's too late? And will Edith's Mysterious Stranger turn out to be the man she believes him to be?

Linda Weaver Clarke perfectly captures the Old West in her descriptions and tone. She does not focus on the sensational elements of gunfights only, but also the everyday lives of ordinary people. "Edith and the Mysterious Stranger" stands alone, but it is also part of a five novel series about the Roberts family. Clarke uses her own parents' romance as the basis for Edith and the Mysterious Stranger's letters. Clarke's readers will find themselves longing for old-fashioned romance in their own lives.

"Edith and the Mysterious Stranger" (ISBN 9781589824690, American Book Publishing, 2008) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com. Publicity contact: www.ReaderViews.com.

I love to educate at the same time entertain my reader. It's easier to learn about history in story form. I love the late 1800s and early 1900s. It seems that more things were invented at that time, such as automobiles, the telephone, radio, and yellow pencils. Women began fighting for their rights to vote and go to college. It was quite an interesting time in history! Leon Garfield said, "The historian, if honest, gives us a photograph; the storyteller gives us a painting."

I am the author of several historical fiction novels including Melinda and the Wild West, a semi-finalist for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007." The historical fiction series, A Family Saga in Bear Lake, include the following novels: Melinda and the Wild West (2006), Edith and the Mysterious Stranger (2008), Jenny's Dream (2009), David and the Bear Lake Monster (2009), and Elena, Woman of Courage (2009). Each story has adventure and tender romance.

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 into 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. -- Review by Allison King

Edith and the Mysterious Stranger is filled with romance, intrigue and history. Readers will love all that is rolled into this story, which brings back characters from Melinda and the Wild West. Edith seems like a difficult girl but in the end she softens when love lands at her door. It's fun to watch secondary characters David and Jenny as young love blossoms, but then they are hit with a situation that could ruin their relationship. Linda Weaver Clarke has created a hit with this A Family Saga series set in the Bear Lake Valley, and I can't wait for the next story, Jenny's Dream. -- Reviewed by Kim Atchue-Cusella

A stressful life on top of a child that is due into one's life soon - it could be a breaking point. "Edith and the Mysterious Stranger" is Edith's story, as she moves across the globe to care for Melinda who is with child - a child who might not make it. But letters start to arrive from the far west - where Edith once called home. The stranger's thoughts intrigue Edith in this deftly written historical fiction novel with a blend of romance. "Edith and The Mysterious Stranger" is well deserving of a place in community library historical fiction collections. -- Reviewed by James A. Cox

This multi-layered romantic novel brims with historical detail and colorful characters, making perfect summer reading. -- Reviewed by Larry Cox, Book Editor