FINDING HER FRONTIER FAMILY - Louise M Gouge - One Free Book

Welcome back, Louise. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

My late sister lived in a small New Mexico ranchita beside the Rio Grande. I loved the setting and my sister encouraged me to write a story set there. So I wrote a Christmas novella, A Yuletide Reunion (published in the anthology A Western Christmas), and wanted to write more stories in that setting. Much of what my sister told me of the area influenced every part of my story. In that story, the youngest two brothers (in a family of five Mattson brothers) found their true loves.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar? I used to teach English and humanities in my local college, but these days I prefer to spend my time writing and sharing life with my grown children and grandchildren.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why? It’s taken me several days to think of an answer for this question. As it turns out, I have moved over thirty times in my life! Born in mid-America (Missouri), I’ve lived in the sunny South (several states), sunny California, sunny beachside Virginia, beautiful but cold Colorado, and wild and lovely Wyoming. For the past 42 years, I’ve lived in sunny Florida and can’t say I’d like to go back to freezing winters. Frankly, I’m tired of moving and will probably stay put. LOL!

And I have missed seeing you since you moved from near me in Texas to Florida. If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be? Keep studying your craft and never give up your dream!

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related]) I would invite Bill Gaither to bring his Homecoming friends for a good, old-fashioned Gospel sing. I think he’s actually done these. Can’t think of a better way to enjoy a cruise.

James and I have wished we could go on one of the Gaither cruises, but we weren’t able to. Tell us about the featured book? This is a sequel to A Yuletide Reunion and tells the story of the oldest Mattson brother from that book.

Helping a little girl could give her that family she needs
Tasked with escorting her late cousin’s daughter to New Mexico Territory, spinster Viola Brinson intends to bring Lavinia to her father’s ranch and immediately return to the city. But after one look at the living conditions, she’s hesitant to leave the little girl with Robert Mattson. When Viola settles in to clean the place and make sure he can safely care for his daughter, Robert is determined to keep his distance. His heart was broken by a society woman once before—and he won’t make the same mistake twice. But Viola surprises him at every turn. Might she be exactly what his family needs?

You know I have read Finding Her Frontier Family and loved it. Please give us the first page of the book for my blog readers.

Riverton, New Mexico Territory

Spring 1887

No. No. Not that man, please, Lord.

Standing on the train platform, Viola Brinson clutched the hand of her tiny charge and searched the crowd for the rancher who was to meet her. Of the dozen or so men who milled about collecting baggage and greeting other newly arrived passengers, only one stared at her with any sense of purpose. Dusty from the crown of his battered, wide-brimmed hat to the poorly mended shirt and trousers to the toes of his badly scuffed boots, he had the look of an outlaw, not a successful rancher. Beside him stood a young boy, just as unkempt, another indication that this was the person to whom she had brought Lavinia.

Thumb stuck in her mouth, eyes round with fear, the dear little four-year-old even now tried to lose herself in Viola’s skirts, knocking her bonnet askew in the process. Viola forbade herself to tremble so as not to further alarm the child.

“Shh. It is all right.” The words tried to stick in her throat, but she forced them out. “That is your papa.” After righting the bonnet, Viola lifted her own chin and stared back at the man who held Lavinia’s future in his hands.

Beside her, Lavinia shivered.

Removing his hat, the man strode toward her. His young companion copied the gesture and followed. The gentlemanly gesture inspired a slightly improved opinion of him.

“Viola Brinson?” He spoke her name almost like an accusation. Her good opinion vanished.

Where can we find you on the Internet?

Web site at https://louisemgougeauthor.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouiseMGougeAuthor

Follow me on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/louise-m-gouge

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

http://ow.ly/8ubZ50Kg2lL

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