THE CAPTAIN'S LADY - Louise Gouge - Free Book

So good to have you back on my blog, Louise. Tell us about your salvation experience.

Lena, there never was a time in my life when I didn’t know for certain that Jesus was my Savior. I remember going to Sunday school when I was very small, and our sweet teacher told our class about God’s salvation. I believed with the innocence of a child, and from that time on, I loved learning about Jesus. At first, John 3:16 was the verse that I loved the most because it encapsulates all the Truth of salvation. Then I fell in love with Ephesians 1:6, “He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” What a precious truth. Finally, Psalm 47:4 says, “He shall choose our inheritance for us.” I believe that means God has chosen a path for each of us, and to seek and follow that path leads to the greatest joy in life and for eternity.

How did you and your spouse meet?

A blind date on March 21, 1965! Our roommates were dating, and they introduced us. Within a few days, they broke up, and we kept dating. We were married two and a half months later. That was almost 45 years ago, and I’ve never regretted it. Funny story: as a young girl, I vowed never to marry a redheaded man or a man with a “funny” last name. Well, of course David is a redhead, and Gouge is not exactly easy to pronounce. But I just tell folks it rhymes with Scrooge.

James and I were a blind date, and we married almost as quickly as you did. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

In reality, I’d invite my talented critique partners, who are all published authors. We have a great online friendship, but it would be great to brainstorm in person with them. But if I chose authors of the past, I would choose Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, and Lew Wallace. The first three are English authors who really understood human nature, both good and evil, and the tragedy that strict social structures can cause. Wallace wrote Ben Hur after spending several years trying to prove God did not exist. At the end of his journey, he found Jesus, just like his character.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

I tell people the same thing my friend said in 1984 when I told her I wanted to write a book: Go home and write it! So I did. Then, after going back to college and getting my degree in creative writing, I was able to edit that book, and it became my first publishing credit. I always tell people, “If I can do it, you can do it. So go do it!”

Tell us about the featured book?

The Captain’s Lady is my second book for Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historicals, and it’s a sequel to Love Thine Enemy. One secondary character from the first book stormed in and asked for his own book. How could I refuse? In The Captain’s Lady, American Patriot Captain James Templeton is torn between love and duty. He must deny his heart to help win his country's freedom. His orders from General Washington are clear. His target: Lord Bennington, a member of George III's Privy Council. The assignment: find Bennington's war plans. The risks: the future of the East Florida Colony, Jamie's life...and his heart. In spite of the dangers of their hopeless situation, he's fallen in love with Lady Marianne Moberly, Lord Bennington's daughter. Desperate to protect his country, Jamie carries out his orders with a heavy heart. But Marianne's persistence is a challenge he never expected. With love and faith, they must navigate troubled waters to win their future together.

Sounds intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 6:3

March 1776
London, England

Lady Marianne peered down through the peephole into the drawing room while her heart raced. Against her back, the heavy woolen tapestry extolling one of her ancestors’ mighty deeds pushed her into the wall of her father’s bedchamber, nearly choking her with its ancient dust. Yet she would endure anything to observe the entrance of Papa’s guest.

Often in childhood she and her closest brother had evaded the notice of Greyson, Papa’s valet, and crept in here to spy on their parents’ guests, even catching a glimpse of the Prime Minister once when he deigned to call upon Papa, his trusted friend, the earl of Bennington. But no exalted politician captured Marianne’s interest this day.

Her breath caught. Captain James Templeton–Jamie–entered the room with Papa, and warmth filled her heart and flowed up to her cheeks.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.louisemgouge.com/ . I’m also on Facebook and Goodreads.

Thank you, Lena, for having me as your guest!

My pleasure, Louise.

Readers, here's a link where you can order the book.

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