And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Linda Broday is our Mystery Author this round. Her life is an interesting one, one that must provide plenty of inspiration for her writing. As a matter of fact, Linda's first book, Knight on the Texas Plains, was inspired by experiences in her childhood that she talks more about below.

After reading her interview, as well as articles and comments at her website, I understand why her characters are strong and honorable, self-reliable and loyal to those they care about. I believe much of what she writes reflects her own life and upbringing.

She was born in New Mexico, where is sounds like she experienced first hand what I have only read or heard second-hand from my parents about the depression years and the times that followed. Linda now lives in northern Texas with her husband. When she married him, it must have been a bit like the Brady Bunch with the two of them each bringing three children into the marriage.

Somehow, I'll bet these parents weren't quite as spineless as Mike and Carol were!

Linda tells a bit about her family, writing and struggle with the disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her thoughts, especially the article at her website I mention, makes me realize that the husband leaving his socks on the floor or the kids not doing their chores isn't as awful as I make it out to be at times - still annoying, but something I can cope with after all.

I hope you all enjoy what she has to say and take the time to visit Linda at her website:

http://www.lindabroday.com/

1. In the bio at your website, you mention being "...a girl born in a tent in western New Mexico...". That certainly sounds like one of those 'stories to tell the grandchildren'. Would you mind sharing the story with us? I can't begin to imagine giving birth in a tent!

My parents lived through the worst part of the Great Depression. As did so many during that period, they struggled for even the most basic things for survival. The tent was actually a godsend for them. Before they saved enough to buy that, they lived under bridges or camped beside rivers and creeks. I was the fourth of five children and came along in 1948. It's no small miracle we all lived. My mother had a relative (usually her mother) to assist in childbirth. Or if they had earned enough money picking cotton or fruit, they managed to get a doctor to come. My mother learned to make do with whatever she had. One of the things I admired was her extreme determination to overcome all odds. (Maybe that rubbed off on me to some degree.) Living in a tent had certain drawbacks, one of which was that in the winter ice formed in sheets on the inside. Sort of like living in an igloo. My mother said I was sick the entire first year of my life. My dad did build a wooden floor and that made it a little homier. Kids in school made fun of us. That didn't matter though, we counted our blessings in having a roof over our heads. Children today don't know how lucky they are to have food and shelter.

2. Speaking of children and grandchildren, I read of you and your husband that "Between them they have six children and grandchildren". I know you have 3 children, so I guess that makes 3 grandchildren? Can you tell us a little about them? What is the best part of being a grandmother for you?

I had one son and two daughters by a previous marriage and my husband had three daughters when we decided to blend our families together. It wasn't the easiest thing but it worked. As for grandchildren, I need to update my bio because we've had additions. Currently, we have nine with one more on the way - five grandsons and four granddaughters. We've never had them all visit at the same time, thank goodness. I think I would probably go berserk. They play soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football. So far, none have taken up baseball or hockey or we'd have all the bases covered. The best part of being a grandmother is listening to them talk. They reveal so much without even knowing it. Such interesting tidbits come out.

3. Aside from the obvious reason of being born and raised in the southwest, is there a reason you chose to write historical western romances?

I love cowboys. They have a strength that's different from other men. They seem to know secrets about the earth, animals and people that others don't. My heroines show the same kind of grittiness. Maybe my upbringing created a mold for these characters. I don't know. But I used to go to my aunt's house (she owned a television, which I thought was the greatest luxury on earth) and became glued to Gunsmoke, Rawhide, and all the westerns. That's when I truly fell in love with cowboys and the West.

4. I understand your first book, KNIGHT ON THE TEXAS PLAINS, was based on what you learned about a friend of yours when you were still a child. What exactly is the story behind that?

A man, woman, and little girl lived beside us. The girl was my playmate. She was a few years older but we built a wonderful friendship. Through her (and later confirmed by my mother) I learned the man and woman weren't really her parents. The man had won her in a poker game down in Mexico. They were unable to have children so they raised her. Although the woman loved her dearly, the man treated her badly. It left her with deep psychological scars. The story stayed with me all these years. I knew I'd write a book about the incident one day because I wanted to give the girl a happy ending.

5. I was wondering, also, if you are still in touch with that friend and/or if she ever knew of the impact her situation had on you?