Melinda and the Wild West (A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho Book 1)

Melinda and the Wild West

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If my children had a teacher like her I think I would have to tell her where she could get off. She is a strong woman who stands up for what she believes in. The plot is very good but at times I thought Melinda was a little too much and should step back and be a teacher which she is very good at. She does some bullying of her own. Gilbert is a gentleman but does call her out a time or two when she oversteps herself. I do feel that too much detail was given and more time should have been spent on the romance between them. I thought some things were left out where there was too much of other things.

All in all this was a nice clean wholesome romance with meaning and values. Feb 22, Nayuleska rated it it was amazing. This is a new style of writing for Linda which is as good as her other work! I'm biased because I know the author, but this really is a fun read.

It reminded me in the style of Amish romances that I read, minus Melinda not being Amish. There were still plenty of good morals, manners, and a lot of spunk! Melinda isn't too afraid of taking risks where she thinks they are worth any falling out. I loved seeing her gain the children's interests, dealing with the mischievous pranks that happened from This is a new style of writing for Linda which is as good as her other work!

I loved seeing her gain the children's interests, dealing with the mischievous pranks that happened from time to time, and at times more importantly dealing with their parents. Therein lies the romance part! Only Melinda would attempt to go out in a blizzard, and put herself at risk from frostbite, but thankfully she is found by one of her students' father, who takes her in and keeps her safe until the storm blows over. This was a sweet part of the book, because Melinda is treated by the girl's father with sincerity and modesty.

Her student is delighted to have Melinda, as she is without a mother, and there's a fair amount of regret when the snow storm is over. I promise it has a happy ending! I loved all the characters, there's a real sense of community which I love about the Amish books I read , and Melinda is a bit like me in spirit. I hope there's a book 2! I received an audiobook copy of this in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http: Sep 24, Heather rated it it was amazing Shelves: I enjoyed this sweet and simple Western romance. Melinda is a well educated lady from Boston who moves to Bear Lake, Idaho to be a schoolteacher.

She's an independent woman, spunky and spirited, and longs to make a difference in the world. Once she arrives she gets into a heap of trouble, including a bank robbery, a grizzly bear attack, a blizzard, and a certain attractive rancher who happens to be the father of one of her students.

Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke

I really enjoyed Melinda's personality, she was a strong female I enjoyed this sweet and simple Western romance. I really enjoyed Melinda's personality, she was a strong female lead. I loved that she made a lot of the first moves with Gilbert, she was no shrinking violet! The classroom scenes and the way she drew the students out was sweet to read. I found the historical tidbits scattered throughout the book educational and interesting, they weren't overwhelming or out of place. I grew up in Bear Lake, and I think half the fun reading this book was revisiting the places I miss.

The Paris Tabernacle, Bear Lake, I even participated in the reenactments of the very same bank robbery depicted. I would strongly recommend listening to the audio sample before purchasing. The narrator speaks with a smile in her voice, and her tone is pleasant, but she exaggerates her words. I sped the narration up to 1. I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. May 22, Sandi Hemming rated it really liked it. Good clean story that I would recommend as a YA read that features a strong female role model.

Melinda travels west in to take a job as a school teacher in Paris, Idaho. Being from Idaho, I enjoyed the descriptions of familiar places. This Boston girl, transplanted into the west, experiences an armed robbery by Butch Cassidy, a grizzly bear attack, an Idaho blizzard, and life as a school teacher in a one-room school house.

The book describes other historical information that is interesting, Good clean story that I would recommend as a YA read that features a strong female role model. The book describes other historical information that is interesting, the western states were the first states to allow women the right to vote at this time in history. The book is a romance, not my favorite genre, so I did have to overlook a lot of descriptions of rippling muscles, longing eyes and tender kisses, but there was some substance to the story -Melinda got an education, in a time when that was not the norm for young women and she was a devoted teacher who made a difference through her dedication and love.

Oct 22, Leona rated it it was amazing. Driven by her intense desire to make a difference in the world, Melinda takes a job as a schoolteacher in the small town of Paris, Idaho, where she comes face-to-face with a frightening bank robber, a vicious griz Melinda and the Wild West, A family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho by Linda Weaver Clarke From Amazon. Driven by her intense desire to make a difference in the world, Melinda takes a job as a schoolteacher in the small town of Paris, Idaho, where she comes face-to-face with a frightening bank robber, a vicious grizzly bear, and an intense blizzard that leaves her clinging to her life.

But it is a ruggedly handsome and very mysterious stranger who challenges Melinda with the one thing for which she was least prepared love. The year is and as she told her mother " Mama, it's Women can make choices about their own lives more than ever".

Adventures begin right away as she encounters a band robbery by Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. She meets the father of one of her school children when he finds her wading in the cool stream.

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Gilbert Roberts is a widower and the father of 8 year old Jenny. He is only interested in his daughter and his cattle ranch. Being a schoolteacher is a learning experience for Melinda as well as living in the Wild West when she encounters a grizzly bear, a blizzard and a man who frustrates her. Melinda said with a firm and stubborn tone in her voice.

Melinda taught the school children about why pencils are yellow, who declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, about the history of the area and about the Mormons and the Indians. The reader learns or is reconnected with the readings of Jules Verne and the book, Black Beauty. I loved the stories of the skunk oil in school, the descriptions of the clothing and food, the hardships our first settlers endured and the children school outings when they drink water from the cliff with their tin cups.

This is a sweet and tender romance between two people from different walks of life, East meets West. No violence of bad language. Melinda and the Wild West is dedicated to: God is present in many areas of Melinda and the Wild West. This was composed by a Mormon pioneer from St. Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains: I give it a 5 star for the history, love story and the families that make the story. You may find Linda Weaver Clarke at www. Jun 23, Cheryl Malandrinos rated it it was amazing.

It is , and elegant, naive Melinda Gamble decides to give up the comforts and pleasures of the east to become a schoolteacher in the untamed Wild West. Paris, Idaho is everything that Boston isn't: When she takes Jenny Roberts under her wing, she opens up a world to the child that Jenny's former teachers never cared enough to share. Jenny begins to blossom and Melinda is happy to see she is having such a positive impact on her students It is , and elegant, naive Melinda Gamble decides to give up the comforts and pleasures of the east to become a schoolteacher in the untamed Wild West.

Jenny begins to blossom and Melinda is happy to see she is having such a positive impact on her students. Dealing with Jenny's father, however, frustrates Melinda to no end. Gilbert Roberts has been raising Jenny by himself since his wife died in childbirth. Running his cattle ranch and providing for Jenny have left him too busy to consider courting. And even if he had the time, the secret that has plagued him for years, quells any desire he might have to marry again.

He resents Melinda's initial accusations that he is neglecting his daughter. As they get to know each other better, Melinda's self-willed nature leaves him shaking his head more than once. Can two people who are so different truly have a future together? The strength of this book lies within its well-developed characters. Melinda is self-willed a term she despises , with an elegance one would expect of a well-bred young lady. Melinda certainly doesn't see herself giving up teaching to get married and take care of some man for the rest of her life.

She is frustrated by Gilbert, which makes her attraction to him that much more difficult to bear. Gilbert, on the other hand, has dealt with the loss of his wife alone. He keeps more than busy raising Jenny and operating his cattle ranch. He's not prepared for someone like Melinda, and he certainly can't understand his attraction to her. Melinda's Aunt Martha and Uncle William, who she boards with in Paris, are not complex characters, but the story wouldn't be the same without them.

Martha is the matchmaking half of a couple that has been married for many years and remains as in love now as they were back then. They provide a sense of belonging to Melinda in her new home. They are sweet and funny, and are the perfect surrogate parents for Melinda. Several true experiences from Clarke's family members and ancestors make their way into the book.

She lists them in a note at the end of the book. Clarke also does an excellent job of dropping the reader right into the time period with many historical details.

Memorable characters, an engaging plot, and the heartbeat of the untamed west combine to make "Melinda and the Wild West" a book that historical romance readers will enjoy. Mar 20, Teri rated it it was amazing. Melinda and The Wild West: Melinda Gamble, who has been raised back east in Boston, comes west to take on the wild west and teach in a one room schoolhouse. She meets Gilbert Roberts, a rugged rancher and widower, who is afraid of committment, so is afraid to let his feelings for Melinda be known. She takes Jenny, Gilbert's rebellious 8 year old daughter, under her wing, knowing she just needs a woman's touch to earn her trust and and love.

Linda weaves a down-home country feeling story with some great facts surrounding Bear Lake. We read about a real life bank robbery by Butch Cassidy and his gang, learn how the pencil came to be and share Melinda's harrowing experience with a grizzly. When her Uncle William is injured during a blizzard, she goes for help and winds up in a distressful situation, but Gilbert is there to keep her safe. I really liked the historic facts blending fact and fiction and how Linda weaves the narrative with the setting, making it feel you're right there along side the characters, feeling their emotions.

And, the fact the romance is so refreshing. So, if you enjoy old-fashioned, home-spun stories, you'll love this book. There are four more books in this series, so you'll be in for a treat with excitement, adventure and romance. I received my review copy from Linda. American Book Publishing Date Published: Dec 28 ISBN: Jan 10, Yvonne rated it it was amazing.

Melinda Gamble is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Linda Weaver Clarke has created a beautiful story of love, strength and endurance in this first book of her Bear Lake series. Melinda is a character readers will admire and cheer for. The author does an amazing job of blending fiction with true historical facts.

I loved every minute of this book. The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own. My favorite part of the story is the positive impact that Melinda has on her students. In particular, she takes an unruly young motherless student under her wing who blossoms under her tutelage. For example, she talks the busy rancher into accompanying her on a field trip with her students and she learns a thing or two about prejudging people unfairly.

The slow developing romance between the pair is truly enjoyable. I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest unbiased review. In summary, I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and look forward to other audiobooks in the Bear Lake, Idaho Family saga. Dec 12, Allison rated it it was amazing. 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 w 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.

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She meets a mysterious rancher that she never imagined would some day be a part of her life. I absolutely loved this book. 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. I enjoyed this charming and clean romance audiobook. I really appreciate "clean" stories.

Melinda and the Wild West: A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho

Not having to worry about my young kids hearing while I'm listening is a load off. The story is well-written and entertaining. I love the main character, Melinda's, fiery personality - how she speaks her mind and is independent. Her love and understanding for others is inspirational. I also loved all the historical facts interwoven with the story, like the Butch Cassidy incident.

I listened to the Audible a I enjoyed this charming and clean romance audiobook. I listened to the Audible audio version of this book, but I wasn't "wowed" by the narration by Joanna Riley. While not a bad narration, it wasn't particularly memorable - it was just okay. I think my rating would have been one star higher with either a different narrator or the Kindle version. Granted, narration is a very personal taste, so even though I wasn't wowed, others will love it, and my opinion on the narration should not discourage anyone to listen.

If you like clean romance or are interested in the old west, I highly recommend this book.

Aug 22, Amanda rated it really liked it. A very sweet, innocent romance with a determined, yet sensitive, eastern lady coming to teach in the wild west. Melinda takes to the west and the various adventures and challenges it provides when she agrees to teach school in a small town. A bit of history mixed in with the story made for an interesting read. I enjoyed getting to know Melinda as she struggled to make a positive influence on her students and find her place in the wild west. The widowed father of one student in particular becomes A very sweet, innocent romance with a determined, yet sensitive, eastern lady coming to teach in the wild west.

The widowed father of one student in particular becomes a bit of a challenge as she tries to help the girl fit in at school. At the same time, she finds that the people in this laid-back western community have made a difference in her life as well. This story is set in Paris, Idaho — Founded Sept. The build of Gilbert was like my father, a tall hardworking farmer with bulging muscles.

My dad had the strength to lift a pound sack of grain over and over again until his truck was filled.

Melinda and the wild West : a family saga in Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

Yes, my character took on the personality and build of my dad without me even realizing it. Linda Weaver Clarke was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and have made my home in southern Utah among the beautiful red mountains and desert heat. I have been happily married for 33 years and am the mother of six daughters and have four wonderful grandchildren. After my family began to leave the nest, I decided it was time to finish what I had started long ago.

I decided to go back to college and get a degree. It had been 30 years since I had been to college and it was one of the most frightening things I had ever done.

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