Interview with Linda Weaver Clarke, Author of Her Lost Love

Did you like to read cozy mysteries when you were growing up?

Not really. I read Black Beauty, Little Women, Tom Sawyer, and other classics because that was what my parents had in the bookshelf. We didn’t live near a library. I lived out in the country, so I had to read what the schools gave us or from our own bookshelf.

What was the first story in that genre that you wrote?

The Bali Mystery: Amelia Moore Detective Series. It was so much fun to write and I received so many wonderful reviews that I was encouraged to continue. That is usually expected with mysteries. They are always part of a series.

What is your favorite part of writing in this genre?

Coming up with a plot that no one can figure out. I have fooled most everyone who has read my books.

What do you find most difficult about writing in this genre?

Trying not to let out too much information and ruin the plot. I have to keep my readers guessing.

Is there an author in this genre that you admire most?

I love Hercule Poirot, a Belgian detective, by Agatha Christie. I love the TV series. She’s a genius when it comes to mysteries.

What is up next for you?

I’m excited to announce this mystery series is going to be an audio book. The first book, The Bali Mystery, will be out soon. Diane Lehman is the reader and she portrays Amelia and Rick so perfectly. He is so masculine and she is so feminine and spunky. Love it. The rest of the characters, accents and all, were done very well. She had me laughing out loud in some parts. It was so easy to picture everything in my mind as I listened to her.

Do you have anything to add?

For anyone who loves to read a long-lost-love story, here is what this book is about: Julie Anderson feels a need to find the man she fell deeply in love with during her youth. When Julie went off to college to become a lawyer, she lost contact with her high school sweetheart. She now wants to know what became of Joey and why he stopped writing to her? This is an assignment that intrigues Amelia. The thought of finding a long-lost love seems quite romantic.

You may find sample chapters of my books on my website and it will take you to the links for purchase at Amazon and Smashwords. My website is www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

Book Spotlight: The Mysterious Doll by Linda Weaver Clarke

Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the business is flourishing.

Pauline Jones is confused why her boyfriend took off without telling a soul where he was going. But that isn’t all. Sam Whitaker is accused of stealing a valuable porcelain doll from the museum. His disappearance makes him look guilty, but Pauline is convinced he is innocent. When Amelia finds Sam, she realizes they need to prove his innocence. Where is the antique doll and who has taken it?

Series: Amelia Moore Detective Series
Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 3, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1502929147
ISBN-13: 978-1502929143

Purchase for only $2.99 at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching people to write their family history and autobiography. She has traveled to seventeen states and given over 450 workshops. Clarke is the author of six historical sweet romances, four mystery adventure novels, a children’s book, and a new cozy mystery series. She is also the author of an award-winning sweet romance, Melinda and the Wild West, for the “Reviewers Choice Award.” All her books are family friendly.

Website: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com

First Chapter Review: The Bali Mystery by Linda Weaver Clarke

Linda Weaver Clarke is celebrating the release of the first book in her Amelia Moore Detective Series. This is a cozy mystery.

BLURB:  Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of Rick Bonito, her business is flourishing.

When Mrs. Brody hires Amelia and Rick to find her missing brother, they find themselves in Bali, Indonesia. They are mystified why her brother quit his job, put his home up for sale, and ran off to this mysterious and exotic island without telling a soul.

COVER: Like the covers for her other books, you can see great care went into creating this one. The setting and main characters are captured here in an eye-pleasing color scheme. I like the subtle texture to the background.

FIRST CHAPTER: Amelia has accepted a new case that involves finding Mrs. Brody's missing brother, William. It soon becomes apparent that someone would rather she not investigate William's disappearance. That's when Amelia calls in Rick to give her a hand.

KEEP READING: This looks like it will be another great book by Clarke. Though a short chapter, the reader gets a chance to meet the two main characters, and the author works quickly to set up the conflict. Told alternately from Amelia's and Rick's points of view, both characters' personalities shine through. Rick is a bit unorthodox in his approach, whereas Amelia is a no-nonsense kind of gal. It looks like Clarke might be weaving a romantic element into the plot between the two main characters. Right now it's more like Moonlighting, where the two detectives are determined to be just friends while considering the winning attributes of each other secretly. I'm curious to see where these characters go from here.

Series: Amelia Moore Detective Series
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 29, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1497327156
ISBN-13: 978-1497327153

Purchase at:

Amazon paperback

Amazon Kindle

Barnes and Noble paperback

Barnes and Noble Nook

Smashwords

iTunes

Through April 28th, you have a chance to win a free copy of The Bali Mystery by visiting Linda's blog at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/2014/04/interview-with-mystery-and-sweet.html

I read the first chapter of this novel from the author's website. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.