Thursday, March 24, 2011

AT THE CAPTAIN'S COMMAND - Louise Gouge - Free Boon

So glad to welcome you back to my blog, dear friend. 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.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Because I write historical fiction, I would love to sit down with authors of the past whose work I admire and who have influenced me. 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. These authors could tell me what life was truly like in their time periods, and with that knowledge, I could write more realistic stories.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

I do have a speaking ministry, but it’s not the typical kind. I teach Composition and Humanities at a community college, and I begin each class with a “thought for the day.” Sometimes these are Bible verses or quotations from great Bible teachers, other times they are words of wisdom from secular sources that reflect biblical truths. In my course work, I assign stories that honor God. In classroom discussions, I try to draw out Christian students and give them the opportunity to share their faith. While I can’t preach to my students, I do try to be a light for the Lord in my fairness and (I hope) kindness to each student.

Sounds like a delightful class. 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.

At the Captain’s Command is the third book in my Revolutionary War series with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical line. Loyal to the British Crown, orphaned Dinah Templeton has vowed never to marry a seafaring man, for her father died at sea and her merchant captain brother is always away. But when Captain Thomas Moberly sails into St. Augustine to defend the East Florida shores from American pirates, Dinah finds that her heart may overrule her head regarding this seafarer. Captain Thomas Moberly, captain of HMS Dauntless, has been assigned to capture the notorious American pirate Nighthawk, who plagues the Atlantic coast of East Florida. War-weary and hoping for a refreshing visit with his brother and sister, who live near St. Augustine, Thomas never expects to find love. But how can he resist the lovely Miss Templeton, even though she is what his father, Lord Bennington, would call a common American?

An intriguing story idea. Please give us the first page of the book.

May 1780
St. Augustine, East Florida Colony

The instant Dinah saw the three naval officers, she ducked into the mercantile and hid among the stacks of goods. To her relief, the men, grandly uniformed in indigo wool, gold braid, and black bicorne hats, continued up St. George Street. Yet she could not help but notice the well-formed profile of the captain among them. A strong jaw. High cheekbones. Jet-black hair tied back in a queue. She wondered what color his eyes were.

What was she thinking? She quickly turned her attention to a display of awls and knives laid out on a shelf.

"How may I help you, Miss Templeton?" The rotund, middle-aged proprietor approached her, admiration gleaming in his dark eyes. "Some silk for a new gown, perhaps? My latest shipment of lace has arrived and—"

"No, thank you." Dinah lifted her basket of lavender flowers from her arm and held it like a shield as the widower moved closer. Coming in here had been a mistake.

"I do not require anything." Tension tightening in her chest, she hurried toward the door.

He reached it first, and his eyebrows arched. "I have tea from China and…"

Dinah drew herself up to her full height and lifted her chin. "Please allow me to pass, Mr. Waterston."

I can hardly wait to read it, and my copy arrived today. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://blog.louisemgouge.com/. I’m also on Goodreads.

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

My pleasure, Louise. Come back anytime.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

28 comments:

Patsy said...

I really enjoy Louise's writings. I know this book will be great. Would love to read it.
From the Bible Belt

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Coolestmommy said...

Louise, I really enjoy the LIH line. But I'm intrigued by your choice of where in history to set the story. I think revolutionary war is a unique location.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Louise M. Gouge said...

Thank you, Patsy and Robyn. I always try to give my readers an enjoyable adventure.

Anonymous said...

I love Loise's stories and this cover is AWESOME! Thanks for the chance :-)

Molly in NC

Michelle said...

This one looks wonderful. Would love to read it.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net


Kentucky

Anonymous said...

I had a lot of fun writing this story because it introduced me to some parts of American history that I didn't know before. Thanks for your comments. Louise

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me in this giveaway:) Thanks so much!!

Nauvoo, IL
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Diana Flowers said...

Please enter me as well...love historical fiction and I live in a very historical state, South Carolina.

dianalflowers@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I would love the chance to win this book. ~~Angela~~ from KY

Louise M. Gouge said...

Thank you all for taking an interest in my book. Lena is the greatest promoter of other authors that I know. Thanks for having me, Lena! Blessings, Louise M. Gouge

windycindy said...

I am ready to read this Book #3
in her series!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Illinois

grannyvon said...

Louise Gouge sounds like a wonderful, fulfilled person and I would like to win her book. She will go on my Must Read Author List. ybutler(at)oppcatv(dot)com

I live in Alabama

Judy B said...

I haven't read anything by Louise Gouge yet but boy does this book sound intriging. I love to read and I love to find Authors that I haven't read yet. God Bless you Louise!

Judy from Indiana

Unknown said...

Not sure how i missed this post yesterday. i would love to read Louise Gouge's At the Captain's Command...please enter me in the draw. Thanks for the great interview and chance to win the book. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
Marianne from Arizona

karenk said...

please count me in...thanks :P)

karenk (from pa)
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Looking forward to reading this book also, what a great author you are.....hope I win this one....

Mona from Ohio

apple blossom said...

Love the love inspired books please count me in on this drawing thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

oops forgot again. live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Lorna Faith said...

I love your attention to detail Louise:) You are a talented writer!

Would love to be entered for a chance to win your book:)

Lorna from Alberta
lornafaith at gmail dot com

Rachel Rossano said...

This looks like a great read.

anavrea(at)yahoo(dot)com

Diana Flowers said...

I have read a book by Louise Gouge before and it was very good, but I can't remember the title and it's nagging me. I think it had a flag on the cover; may have been Civil War era...gonna go search it. It's bugging me! Anyway I do know that Louise is a good author!

dianalflowers@aol.com
SC

Diana Flowers said...

Yay! I found it...now I can relax. It was called Then Came Faith and ya'll need to read that if you haven't already!:)

dianalflowers@aol.com
SC

scottsgal said...

This is a new author to me - would love to read this
Illinois
msboatgal at aol.com

Linda Cacaci said...

Great post! I would love to win this book!
Linda Cacaci
LinCaca3@aol.com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway!

Judylynn in East Tennessee

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Merry said...

I love the Early American setting, please include me for At the Captain's Command. Thanks!
Merry in TX

Bakersdozen said...

I love historical fiction. I want to read this. I live in Southern CA.