Author and lover of all things Utopia (Texas, that is!)
Linda Weber
Linda Jones Weber is the
granddaughter of William Echols Jones (Will) and Maizelle Clark (Maidee) principle characters
in the novel. She is the daughter of “Little Dubbya’ E., their second born child.
Linda writes Historical Fiction and Memoir. Her personal non-fiction essay, “Katherine,” based on an interview with Katherine Redden in 1997, won first place in the Writers of the Purple Sage writing contest in 2010.
She is retired and lives in Sisters, OR with her husband,
Dennis, their dog, Toosie, and cats Silas and Shadow.
Written by Jones Weber, Linda
Product details
Publisher : Amazon Kdp; 2nd Finding Utopia Second ed. edition (November 27, 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 394 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8991819466
- Item Weight : 1.64 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1 x 9 inches
Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars Read Reviews
Linda Weber is an author of historical fiction and an award-winning essayist. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon with degrees in Speech: Rhetoric and Public Address and Journalism and completed her Master of Public Administration work at Portland State University.
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Book Reviews
Glowing Reviews
"Finding Utopia"
Gripping and Powerful Wow! That’s the first word that came to mind when I sat down to pen this review of “Finding Utopia” by Linda Weber. Once I got started, I could not put this book down. This is a gripping tale of two young people in the early 1900s and Utopia, the small town in Texas that is the backdrop of their story. Expertly told, Weber sprinkles her tale with wonderful details about life a hundred years ago, but it never feels heavy-handed as she weaves the threads of her story together in a seamless way. I felt as though I walked those dusty streets beside the characters. As with any good story, the main characters are well fleshed out and elicit empathy, and the supporting cast rounds out the book nicely with villains and those people in the “gray areas” that are human and wholly relatable. Weber pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the powerful, emotional conclusion … and not even then! The story of Will and Maidee will stay with me for a long, long time. I highly recommend “Finding Utopia” and look forward to more by this talented authorDaydream Believer
AMAZON
"Surviving Utopia"
This book is a page turner. The writing is clear and the emotion is felt in every page. Weber manages to portray her family in an enlightening way, describing the angst of loss paired with the Great Depression. Her writing style is brilliant and heartfelt. It is a must read for anyone who read her first book, Finding Utopia. The family trauma is immense: hunger, abuse, illness, loss, addiction, separation but supported with underlying love. It is a must read!Ellen Shefi
AMAZON
"Finding Utopia"
Finding Utopia swept me away right from the start. Its endearing characters and richly drawn setting come together in a story that is both heartwarming and haunting. Drawing on her own family’s history, Linda Weber weaves a tale of love and sorrow, of dreams cut short and dreams that endure. One of those rare books that stay with you long after the end, Finding Utopia is a remarkable debut!Amanda Skenandore
AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR
"Surviving Utopia"
My pet turtle’s latest recommendation is Surviving Utopia by Linda Jones Weber. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, this moving tale follows Will Jones, a single father of five, as he struggles to keep a promise to his late wife to care for the children. As Will battles grief, alcoholism, and poverty, we witness his heart-wrenching decisions to part from his children, placing them with family or—in times of true desperation—in orphanages. What makes this story truly unique is its narrator—the spirit of Will's deceased wife, who watches over her family from a place between life and death. Through her eyes, we explore the depths of maternal love, the challenges of the Great Depression, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Though this is technically the second book in a series, don't let that stop you from diving right in. The story, based on real historical events and people, stands perfectly well on its own. What touched Lenore most was how the author transformed this piece of history into a tale that's both heartbreaking and uplifting. Published in History with Heart Newsletter www.amandaskenandore.comLenore’s
Recommended Read
"Finding Utopia"
Awesome Book This is such a great book! Hard to put down. The writer does a great job of keeping you engaged, interested and has a wonderful writing style. I am a very picky reader and bore easily. This is not one of those books, and it's not overly descriptive like some books, which drive me nuts. It's the perfect balance. Doesn't hurt that the story is beautiful, heart wrenching, scary at times...hits on so many personal notes, and yet you have to remember it's set in the early 1900's and times were very different. I like that she kept the story in line with the times and didn't alter it to adjust to today's standards. While hard to swallow at times, our history is important to understand where we come from and how far we've traveled as people. I can't wait to read the next books in the series to see how this family comes through their turmoil. Absolutely recommend to anyone and everyone.Stacy
Book Baby
"Finding Utopia"
After I finished reading “Finding Utopia” by Linda Jones Weber, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next to the author’s grandfather and family. How would Will Jones manage to carry on without his beloved Maizelle, who’d been brutally murdered? How would he find work and manage with their five young children, including one nearly blind, and another sick with TB? It was all too much for one person to endure. It wasn't until “Surviving Utopia“ was released that my existential musings were calmed by the gentle Spirit of the deceased mother Maizelle, who continued to watch over her family and tell the story of how Will devoted his life to making sure their children not only survived Utopia, but overcame tremendous obstacles while traveling together in an old automobile from Texas to California to Oregon in the late 1920s. It was hard to put the book down while cheering Will on, and encouraging Maizell to give him the strength to keep fighting for the sake of their family. I can’t wait for book three to find out how they survived in the Pacific Northwest.💐❤️ Diane Goble
"Finding Utopia"
I really enjoyed this book, as it is such a well-written and captivating story of love, family and tragedy, based on true events and actual people. I found myself wiping tears away quite frequently, and then smiling or laughing a page or two later. The characters are very well-developed and as you get to know them, and become entangled in their small-town, rural Texas lives, you can’t help but want them to realize the happiness of living a simple life and raising their family. But there are other forces and personalities that are bound to interfere with that dream. The story really grips you and it is the type of read that takes you to another place and time, very familiar in the genre of Nicholas Sparks and other good romantic story tellersGordon C.
GOODREADS
"Finding Utopia"
Inspired by actual events, Finding Utopia is a poignant and moving tribute to a life cut short by tragedy. Beautifully crafted and moving, the perfect book for fans of historical fiction.Jenny Ballif
SCIENCE MOM
Surviving Utopia
Death cannot bury a mother's love.
Maizelle Jones’s ghost looms large, hovering over her five children as they grapple with the trauma of watching her gunned down by a demented stalker in the small town of Utopia, Texas.
Product details
Publisher : Amazon Kdp (December 5, 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 262 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8991819442
- Item Weight : 1.23 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
- Customer Reviews: 4.5
