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Linda Weaver Clarke

Linda Weaver Clarke

About

Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughoutthe United States, teaching a “Family Legacy Workshop,” encouraging people to writetheir family history. She is happily married and is the mother of six daughtersand has several grandchildren. Clarke is the author of the historical romanceseries, “A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho,” which includes: Melinda and theWild West - asemi-finalist for the “Reviewers Choice Award 2007,” and a new mystery series,“The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.”

The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls

The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls

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Description

<p>Emerging from the long shadow cast by his formidable father, Harold Godwineson showed himself to be a worthy successor to the Earldom of Wessex. In the following twelve years, he became the King's most trusted advisor, practically taking the reins of government into his own hands. And on Edward the Confessor's death, Harold Godwineson mounted the throne—the first king of England not of royal blood. Yet Harold was only a man, and his rise in fortune was not blameless. Like any person aspiring to power, he made choices he wasn't particularly proud of. Unfortunately, those closest to him sometimes paid the price of his fame.<br /><br />This is a story of Godwine's family as told from the viewpoint of Harold and his younger brothers. Queen Editha, known for her Vita Ædwardi Regis, originally commissioned a work to memorialize the deeds of her family, but after the Conquest historians tell us she abandoned this project and concentrated on her husband, the less dangerous subject. In THE SONS OF GODWINE and FATAL RIVALRY, I am telling the story as it might have survived had she collected and passed on the memoirs of her tragic brothers.<br /><br />This book is part two of The Last Great Saxon Earls series. Book one, GODWINE KINGMAKER, depicted the rise and fall of the first Earl of Wessex who came to power under Canute and rose to preeminence at the beginning of Edward the Confessor's reign. Unfortunately, Godwine's misguided efforts to champion his eldest son Swegn recoiled on the whole family, contributing to their outlawry and Queen Editha's disgrace. Their exile only lasted one year and they returned victorious to London, though it was obvious that Harold's career was just beginning as his father's journey was coming to an end.<br /><br />Harold's siblings were all overshadowed by their famous brother; in their memoirs we see remarks tinged sometimes with admiration, sometimes with skepticism, and in Tostig's case, with jealousy. We see a Harold who is ambitious, self-assured, sometimes egocentric, imperfect, yet heroic. His own story is all about Harold, but his brothers see things a little differently. Throughout, their observations are purely subjective, and witnessing events through their eyes gives us an insider’s perspective.<br /><br />Harold was his mother's favorite, confident enough to rise above petty sibling rivalry but Tostig, next in line, was not so lucky. Harold would have been surprised by Tostig's vindictiveness, if he had ever given his brother a second thought. And that was the problem. Tostig's love/hate relationship with Harold would eventually destroy everything they worked for, leaving the country open to foreign conquest. This subplot comes to a crisis in book three of the series, FATAL RIVALRY.</p>

Story Behind The Book

The “Roaring Twenties” was a time of great change, when women raised their hemlines and bobbed their hair. When Elena settles into a strict conservative town as the newest doctor, a slew of problems begin to arise. The town is not ready for a female doctor, let alone one so strong and independent. Elena Yeates, the town’s newest doctor, must struggle to prove herself in this western town, while keeping her composure, poise, and femininity. As she fights to prove herself, the town’s most eligible bachelor finds it a challenge to see if he can win her heart. With the 1920’s rise of women's rights, this novel gives you great insight at the struggles women had to go through, all the while watching a young love blossom!

Media Links

American Chronicle Press Release

🔗 http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/117021

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Reviews

<p class="MsoNormal">Linda Weaver Clarke is an amazing author who writes amazingly visual and descriptive books, without the story getting too wordy!! This story centers around John, middle child of Melinda and Gilbert Roberts, and Elena, the new town doctor. The chemistry between these two can be seen throughout the book by all the joking and kidding around they do with one another. I enjoyed the time frame in history that the story is told, where women's rights were expanding all over the country. Elena's character is challenged by the men in town to prove herself as a 'real' doctor. Even Gilbert, the patriarch, had to overcome his opinion of being 'uncomfortable' in seeing a woman doctor.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">&quot;Elena, Woman of Courage&quot; is an amazing journey of visual reading that will take you to the lands of Idaho and transport you into the surroundings of the story. You feel you are living the life of the characters, who feel like your own family members, as you get to know each character’s flaws and strengths. The love of a man and woman is only as strong as the bond and life they share together! --<strong>Allison King, Allison’s Attic Book Review</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>J</strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">ohn Roberts, son of Melinda and Gilbert Roberts is one of the most eligible bachelors in town but when a relationship becomes serious, John takes off. Melinda just wants to see him happy and settled down. The first time John sees Elena Yeates, he is amazed by her beauty. He feels a flutter in his heart every time he sees her. But Elena wants nothing to do with him. <em>Elena Woman of Courage</em></span> is a wonderful book full of history, passion and romance, as well as a touch of suspense and humor. The characters are matched perfectly and it is sweet to watch romance develop between John and Elena. --<strong>Kim Atchue-Cusella, Book Loons</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The story focuses on the new doctor in town, Elena Yeates. She's seeking acceptance in the conservative western town of Paris, Idaho, in 1925. While Melinda Roberts wishes to switch from her old doctor to the new female doctor, the men folk are quite skeptical of her. That is, except for one. John, a &quot;confirmed bachelor&quot;, is entranced by the new woman in town, who just happens to be the new doctor.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Clarke’s books are enjoyable to read, and although they're wholesome, they're never boring. Linda Weaver Clarke is outstanding at presenting the characters' thoughts, especially when it comes to romance, and she captures the highs and lows of romantic life rather adeptly. The author also pays close attention to historical accuracy, enabling readers to learn about U.S. history in her novels. --<strong>Suko’s Notebook</strong><span style="font-weight:normal;"></span></p>