A WESTERN CHRISTMAS - Louise M Gouge - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Louise is one of my long-time writer friends, who writes authentic historical novels. Her research is seamlessly woven into the stories, so the readers aren’t aware how much research she really does. It takes a good writer to do that.

Bio: Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical Romances. She received the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in 2005, placed second in 2011; and placed in the Laurel Wreath in 2012. Her indie novel Then Came Love placed second in the 2015 IRCA. When she isn't writing, she and David, her husband of fifty years, enjoy visiting historical sites and museums.

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

Thanks for having me visit your blog, Lena. Here’s the story of my inspiration: My sister lives in a beautiful, real life adobe house beside the Rio Grande, and during my many visits to see her, I have been inspired by the history of the area. I’ve long wanted to write a story set on her land, although I’ve tweaked the descriptions for this story’s sake. After all, it takes place in 1886, and of course life was harder back then. No phones, no television, no running water. Meals were cooked on woodstoves. Many natural and human dangers faced the settlers every day. Still our hardy ancestors managed to survive and build strong communities. They also loved to celebrate Christmas, just as we do today. So when my editor asked me to write a Christmas novella, I knew the time had come to write that New Mexico story. Here's a picture of my sister's hacienda when we spent Christmas there.

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

Oh, dear, this is tough. I don’t read contemporary fiction, so I have no idea whom to invite. Maybe I’d hire a party planner and let her set me up with some great authors! LOL!

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

Lena, I’m a big fan of yours, so you’d be first on my list. I’d also invite MaryLu Tyndall, Laurie Alice Eakes, Ramona Cecil, and Debbie Lynne Costello. I would also invite Renee Ryan, who shares this anthology, A Western Christmas, with me. These ladies are all excellent authors whose works take me away into history. I always learn something new, and I’m inspired to improve my own writing.

Thank you for including me. I love spending time with other authors. 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?

So far my biggest problem has been that I’m a part time college professor, so my writing is interrupted by those days when I have to teach. To solve this problem, I have prayerfully given my notice, and this is my last semester of teaching. Time truly is the main problem, so I expect to be able to write much faster in the future. We’ll see.

That’s exciting news, Louise. Tell us about the featured book.

I had a lot of fun writing Yuletide Reunion, which is published in Harlequin’s Christmas anthology, A Western Christmas. I loved the research and loved developing my characters. Here’s the blurb: Emma Sharp's family needs to rebuild their barn before Christmas. All help is welcome—even if it comes from the handsome neighboring rancher who jilted her two years ago. Can Jared Mattson prove that he wants to build not just a barn with Emma—but a bright future together?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Riverton, New Mexico           

December 1886

At the sound of approaching hoof beats, Emma Sharp didn’t bother to look up from clearing away the charred boards of her family’s burned out barn. No doubt more men were coming to help with the cleanup. The ones who’d come first thing this morning said last night’s blaze had been visible in the clear, black sky from ten miles away, so she expected many good neighbors to show up throughout the day and for days to come. Emma shoved a lock of hair from her forehead with her leather-gloved hand and blew away the fine strands that always lingered to tickle her forehead and cheeks.

The hoof beats stopped nearby and a familiar voice called out in a teasing tone, “My, my, what a pretty sight.”

Emma froze. Jared Mattson. The last person she wanted to see, even at her best. Today, dressed in Pa’s old trousers and faded flannel shirt, she cringed in spite of herself. Even two years after he cruelly played with her affections and then jilted her without any explanation, she still couldn’t bear to be in his presence. She could manage to ignore him in church and at social gatherings, but now, covered from head to toe with soot, she would make an easy target for his teasing wit.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://blog.Louisemgouge.com

Thank you, Louise, for sharing this Christmas collection with us.

Readers, 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

Special announcement!

Today is release day for WARM MULLED KISSES, the novella collection that I featured earlier on the blog. It's a real bargain at the special release price of $.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016B3CRRI?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B016B3CRRI&linkCode=xm2&tag=lenneldoochaw-20