Dear Readers, Louise’s
story is about parents choosing a bride for their son, who is ready to get
married. It almost has a feel of a mail-order bride story, and I love it. We
featured the first book in this series. Both are set in Colorado , and I also love stories set there.
The time period is late 1800’s, and you know I love that time period. The
characters quickly pulled me into their story and didn’t let go until it was
finished. I know you won’t want to miss this one.
Bio: Florida author Louise M.
Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired Historicals. She received
the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice in 2005 and 2011 and the Laurel
Wreath in 2012. When she isn't writing or teaching her college classes, she and
David, her husband of fifty years, enjoy visiting historical sites and museums.
Welcome back, Louise.
Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was saved when I was very young through the testimony of
my Sunday school teacher. It was so long ago that I don’t remember her name,
but I do remember trusting Jesus as my Savior. Since that time, I’ve never
doubted that the promise of John 3:16 is for me: God so loved Louise that He
sent His only begotten Son, that if Louise believes in Him, she will not perish
but have everlasting life. In good times and bad, that verse has been my
comfort and joy.
You’re planning a
writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be
and why?
I don’t mean to flatter you, Lena ,
but I would love for you to be there. You’re such an inspiration to others, and
you selflessly mentor new writers. I’d also like to have Charlotte Bronte
because her Jane Eyre is my favorite novel. I’d like to take lessons in witty
social commentary from Jane Austen. And I’d love for Agatha Christie to teach
me how to write suspense. How’s that for a mix?
Oh, my goodness. We would
have so much fun. Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
Although I don’t have a speaking ministry as such, I do
teach college English and humanities. I make it clear to my students that I’m a
Christian and explain why. Then I try to show them God’s love though the
reading material for our classes.
That’s wonderful,
Louise. I took one class where the professor made us read such trashy books to
get a good grade.
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 always tell them to go home and start writing! In fact,
that’s how I got started. My friend and I were having lunch together and
discussing what we would do in our soon-coming empty nest years. I told her
about my imaginary life and how I wanted to be a writer. She told me to go home
and start writing that story right away. I did, and she held me accountable!
That book turned out to be my first published book. If people can learn from my
example, then I wish them well.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Cowboy Seeks a Bride is the second book in my Four Stones Ranch
series, set in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Here’s the blurb:
Marybeth O'Brien is everything rancher Randall Northam seeks
in a wife … if she'd only say "I do." Although his family paid for
her train ticket West with the understanding the two would marry, Rand won't pressure her to set a date. Especially since
he suspects she's learned about his reckless past. Who would want to marry an
untamed cowboy like him? Marybeth won't marry until she locates her
long-lost brother. And when Rand agrees to
help her with her search, she can't deny her surprisingly warm feelings toward
her prospective groom. Could this honorable cowboy show her he's the husband
she never knew she wanted?
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
July 1881
Randall Northam is a
gambler. Randall Northam is a killer.
The words pulsed through Marybeth O’Brien’s head, keeping
time with the clatter of the iron wheels on the railroad track as the train
propelled her inescapably toward her prospective husband. Until a few moments
ago she’d thought his most notable quality was being the second son of a
wealthy Colorado
ranching family. But the lively young woman seated across from her had just
imparted a vital bit of information Randall Northam’s parents had left out when
they’d arranged this marriage. And from the enthusiasm brightening Maisie
Henshaw’s face, Marybeth could see her story wasn’t finished.
“Yep, he shot that thieving varmint right in the heart. Why,
Rand can outdraw anybody.” The red-haired girl
elbowed her handsome young husband in the ribs. “Even me.”
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please visit my website at http://blog.Louisemgouge.com
Thank you, Louise, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I did.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Cowboy Seeks a Bride - Christianbook.comCowboy Seeks a Bride (Love Inspired Historical\Four Stones Ran) - Amazon
Cowboy Seeks a Bride (Four Stones Ranch) - Kindle
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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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
Lena, thank you for having Louise on your blog this morning. I love her books, and enjoyed the interview. We need more teachers like her. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMarianne
Arizona
This looks/sounds like my kind of book! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteWendy from FL
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteSusan in Texas
Thanks for stopping by, ladies. Marianne, I'm so pleased to know you like my books. I've had lots of fun writing westerns because my hearts always been in the Wild West.
ReplyDeleteLove westerns and cowboy romances - count me in!
ReplyDeleteCheryl in IL
I love Romance books like this. I would love to read this.
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
Escondido, California
Delete
ReplyDeleteHello Lena. Thanks for having Louis here today. I love cowboy books so please put my name for a chance to be the winner.
Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com >
I am from Texas near Houston.
would love to win Angela in KY
ReplyDeleteWhat an intriguing opening. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I love LI Historicals. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
Cowboy, love, and 1800's. (Good stuff there!)
ReplyDeletesusanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan in NC
I'm so glad to see all of you ladies here. Thanks for your interest in my books. I think westerns are in the American emotional and cultural DNA. We all still instinctinvely love John Wayne.
ReplyDeleteI love cowboy romances! Sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteBeth in Montana
I do enjoy this type of arranged marriage western story..
ReplyDeleteDeanna in Ne brrrr aska...
Wow, looks and sounds interesting, I love romance books as long as they are Christian Romance, and I love horses so I think I would really enjoy this book!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and God Bless you!!!
ReplyDeleteSarah Richmond
North Carolina
Thanks for introducing me to Louise
ReplyDeleteLyndie in Tx
Best wishes to all of you! I hope if you don't win that you'll still look for Cowboy Seeks a Bride in your local Walmart or online at amazon.com. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the love inspired books. This one sounds great. thanks for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Enter me for this awesome book!!
ReplyDeleteConway, SC.
Sounds like a fun story line. :) And, scary for the mail order bride!
ReplyDeleteDoreen
Lancaster County, PA
Colorado is a beautiful setting for a book. We vacationed there this fall and enjoyed the beauty of the state.
ReplyDeleteBeth from IA
I love the "going west to be a bride" stories! What brave women. :) I really enjoy Louise's books, please add me.
ReplyDeleteMerry in MN