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?
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.
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.
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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
