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Sunday, June 05, 2011

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.

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

26 comments:

  1. I enjoyed the interview with Louise. Louise is a new author to me and I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the chance to do so!

    Judy K from IN

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  2. Thanks for the interview and chance to win this book, Louise and Lena. i would love to win. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com from Peace River Country

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  3. This sounds like a really great book. I love regency stories.

    Krista from Gresham, OR

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  4. please enter me thanks

    I love in ND
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  5. Miss Mona8:20 AM

    Would also love to read this book,hope I am a winner. Thanks
    M. Greer/OH

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  6. Looks very interesting, would love to win a copy of it.
    Abigail Richmond
    Blanch, N.C.

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  7. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win it!

    Courtney from WA state

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  8. Thanks for the chance to win! I can never get enough of wedding books & love stories!!!
    Kari in Oregon

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  9. I have read several of Louise's books and they are great. She is a talented writer. Would love to read The Gentleman Takes a Bride.

    From the Bible Belt

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  10. I really like reading historical romance. I find at time that I should have been born in a different era, the historical era. Please enter me in the drawing for this book.
    Thank you,

    peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

    Katherine from Northern Califonia

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  11. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
    Very grateful,
    Charlotte Kay, Ohio

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  12. Hi Louise,
    What a nice solution, a titled and Christian husband. Just the fantasy for a summer's afternoon of reading.

    Thanks for the opportunty to receive the book.

    A J Hawke
    Texas

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  13. Anonymous6:52 AM

    I would love to win a copy of this book.

    angela
    from
    ky

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  14. I'm from North Carolina and love Regency novels. Since I have never read anything by this author I suppose this is a good time to do so. This plot sounds interesting!

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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  15. I have never read a Regency romance before. I would love to try one. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  16. Grandma Shirley11:41 AM

    would love to be entered in this contest to win this book.
    S.T./IL

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  17. Margie Mijares12:22 PM

    Loved the interview and I look forward to reading this book. I have read several of Louise's books and loved them!! Please enter me for a chance to win The Wedding Season. Thanks!! margie at mijares dot net

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  18. Thans for posting this great interview with Louise, Lena! Sounds like a great book and to hear it was inspired by Revolutionary War characters - well, I can't miss this!

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  19. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to read this book. Thanks again.

    I am from Oklahoma.

    agent_beckster (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  20. Would love to win
    Sarah H
    Oklahoma

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  21. Good interview.This book sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.PA

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  22. Louise's newest books sounds wonderfully romantic. I'd love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks!
    Merry in TX

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  23. This book sounds like it would be fun to read. I live in S. CA.

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  24. Please enter me. Sounds like a great book! Thanks!

    dianalflowers@aol.com

    SC

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've not read any of your stories before, but this one sounds absolutely wonderful. I love the LIH and can't wait to read it.

    coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
    NE

    ReplyDelete
  26. Miss Angela3:50 PM

    Would love to win this book...
    Angela C./Ohio

    ReplyDelete