Edith and the Mysterious Stranger, by Linda Weaver Clarke

4 STARS!

ABOUT THE BOOK - A Family Saga in Bear Lake #2
With mysterious letters, cattle rustlers, a spunky woman, the liar's fire, Halloween, and young love, there is always something happening. It is 1904 and Melinda is "with child" and threatening to miscarry. Her cousin Edith, a nurse, moves to Paris to care for her. Edith has wonderful qualities but never gives a man a second chance because her expectations are so high. However, all that changes when a mysterious stranger begins to write to her. 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.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching a "Family Legacy Workshop," encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. She is happily married and is the mother of six daughters and has several grandchildren. Clarke is the author of the historical "sweet" romance series, "A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho," which includes the following novels: Melinda and the Wild West - a finalist for the "Reviewers Choice Award," Edith and the Mysterious Stranger, Jenny's Dream, David and the Bear Lake Monster, and Elena, Woman of Courage. A mystery series, "The Adventures of John and Julia Evans," includes the following novels: Anasazi Intrigue, Mayan Intrigue, and Montezuma Intrigue.

Visit her blog - HERE, and her website - HERE 

MY REVIEW -

I loved this one almost as much as the first! What did the first one have that this one didn't? - The school teacher! I love stories about teachers. Now just so you know - this story wasn't missing anything! It was still a great read, I just liked the first one a little better.

Again this story had great character development. There were a lot of characters in this book so there were many people to follow. But Linda does such a great job that you know who everyone is and still get a real feel for them.

What I liked about this book was there were really 3 stories going on at the same time - and, NO it was not confusing! You had the continuing story of Melinda and her husband with the cattle drives. It had a grown-up Jenny (who I adore!) and how she has grown into a woman and is starting to take an interest in... men! And it also introduces Edith "the cousin" who comes to help Melinda and meets a couple of interesting gentlemen along the way.

Once again Linda puts lots of interesting historical facts into this book -

"How about Miss Monaghan? she worked as a gold miner. She was a cowboy and she served on many juries during the past thirty years. She wasn't about to let a man tell her how to live her life."

"How can this be? You know that women are never called on juries, let alone allowed to work in gold mines. Besides that, A woman can't be a cowboy"

"Well Pa, she lived as a man for thirty years without anyone knowing it. she went by the name of Joe Monaghan and has been living in Idaho up until recently."

"Recently?"

"Yes, she died last year."

 Now this is very interesting to me! I would love to read more about this woman. I am going to look her up and see if I can find anything about her. This is what I love about historical fiction. There is so much true history in them, it is so interesting to me. I love following through and learning more using the facts from the books.

I also loved that this book talked a lot about using herbs for healing! I have been into alternative medicine for years. My daughter was raised with herbal healing. We always (until recently) had an herb garden and I made my own tinctures and teas.

Great book, easy quick read. It was clean, romantic, with some suspense and adventure.

Thank you so much Linda Weaver Clarke for giving me this e-book copy to read and review!