THE WEDDING SEASON: THE GENTLEMAN TAKES A BRIDE - Louise Gouge - Free Book

Welcome back, Louise. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

This is a question I’m delighted to answer. For the first time in my writing career, my publisher asked me to write a book on a particular topic, in this case, a novella about a Regency wedding. I polled some writer friends who write in this era, and they helped me come up with the “interrupted wedding” scenario. I invited characters from my Revolutionary War series to join me on this journey, and they accepted. After all, their children would be coming of age during the Regency period. Add some titled antagonists, a Jane Austen-y picnic, a masquerade ball, a broken marriage contract, and more than a few broken hearts, and you have an exciting time in 1810 England.

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Well, you’re going to think I’m a terrible snob, but I don’t read contemporary fiction at all. You see, I like to live in the past . . . at least in my writing and reading, so I have no idea whom to invite. However, I am open to suggestions. Maybe someone who writes both contemporary and historical?

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Ah, this is a bit easier, but not much. I would invite my friends Ramona Cecil, MaryLu Tyndall, and Laurie Alice Eakes, because each of them writes beautiful, compelling stories that take me on grand journeys into the past. I would invite all of my fellow Love Inspired Historical writers (Is that cheating?) because I love our line and they are all so talented. And how about you, Lena? Would you come? Your historical novels are always a delight.

Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?

Actually, I’m between contracts right now. These are the hardest times for any author because we tend to believe our writing careers are over. We’re such a sensitive bunch. But if I truly believe my life verse, Psalm 47:4, that the Lord will choose our “inheritance” for us, which I believe means He has a plan for my life, then I certainly can trust that He will direct me in the path He wants me to take. My job is to keep writing proposals and keep looking to Him for the future He has chosen for me.

I so agree with you on that. Tell us about the featured book.

The Wedding Season: The Gentleman Takes a Bride (Love Inspired Historical). A Regency miss falls in love with a handsome gentleman despite the fact that he has just destroyed her beloved cousin's happiness. June 2011, Louise M. Gouge

I love the cover of your book. Please give us the first page.

Hampshire, England

June 1810 

“I will not settle for an untitled husband.” Lady Diana Moberly lifted her pretty little nose and sniffed. “I shall find a peer to marry, or I’ll not marry at all.”

     Seated beside her cousin in St. Andrew’s Church, Miss Elizabeth Moberly listened with rapt attention. After all, Di had just returned from her first London Season and knew everything about courtship and marriage. And in a few minutes, the wedding ceremony would begin, and Di’s older sister would marry a handsome gentleman she met at Almack’s only two months ago. An untitled gentleman. Di insisted she would do better.

     Before Elizabeth could voice agreement, her other cousin, Miss Prudence Moberly, squeezed Elizabeth’s hand and leaned around her to address Di.  

     “But what if the Lord wills for you to marry a good Christian gentleman without a title?”

     Elizabeth swung her attention from Pru back to Di.

     Di sniffed again. “La, such a question, Pru, but just what I would expect from you. Haven’t I told you? The Almighty and I have an understanding about such things.” She gazed down her nose at Pru.

     Elizabeth released a quiet sigh. She and her two cousins had been born within months of each other eighteen years ago. The youngest daughters of three brothers, they looked almost like triplets, with blond hair, blue eyes, and ivory complexions. They had enjoyed a merry childhood together, yet these days their views on most everything were different. Di was always ready with an opinion on any topic and brooked no contradiction. Pru was the sweetest soul, but she never backed down from differences with their more influential cousin, especially on spiritual matters. Elizabeth vacillated between the two, but these days she tended to follow Di, who always seemed to have more fun.

     Still, Elizabeth could not deny the peace she felt in this small stone church, which her family had attended for over two centuries. Nor could she guess how many relatives had been baptized here or how many lay buried in the ancient graveyard outside. This building was a place of beginnings and endings and all good things in between. Whenever she came here, it seemed to enfold her in sheltering arms, encouraging her always to seek God’s will, whatever she might undertake in life.

     Perhaps she could take the advice of both cousins. She would ask the Lord to send her a titled Christian husband.

     But this was Sophia’s day, and Elizabeth wished her great happiness with Mr. Whitson. Today, all things seemed to smile upon the bride. The sun shone brightly, and no one in their vast family had succumbed to illness to spoil the celebration. Flowers from Aunt Bennington’s garden and bright green and yellow ribbons bedecked the altar and the pew ends, filling the air with the heady fragrance of roses.

     The rustling of ladies’ gowns and the shuffling of leather shoes on the wooden floor across the aisle caught Elizabeth’s attention, and she glanced over her shoulder. Several people had moved down so a tall young man of perhaps three and twenty years could slide into the pew.

     Goodness, he was handsome, if a bit untidy. His wavy black hair appeared to have been arranged by the wind, and his black coat, while quite the mode, had a leaf caught under one lapel and perhaps a stray burr or two clinging to the sleeves. His lean, strong jaw was clenched, and his blue eyes gleamed with the look of a man set on accomplishing an important task. The gentleman must have ridden posthaste to arrive in such a condition. At the sight of him, Elizabeth’s heart seemed to hiccough.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My blog and website are the same: http://blog.louisemgouge.com . Come on over and visit me.

Thank you, Louise, for the interesting interview.

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