Saturday 4 February 2017

Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clark (Historical romance, Audiobook, 10/10E)

  July 2016, Red Mountain Shadows Publishing, 6 hours and 3 minutes, Audiobook, Review copy 

Content: sweet adult romance, lots of humour 

Book summary
In 1896, Melinda Gamble, a very elegant, very naïve young woman from Boston, decides to give up her life of monotonous comfort for the turbulent uncertainty of the still untamed Wild West. 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

Nayu's thoughts
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 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! 

Find out more on Linda's website.  

Suggested read
Be sure to check out Linda's other books including the Amelia Moore Cozy Mystery series which starts with  A Bali Mystery (10/10E, Audiobook review)
 

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