Shannon here: Louise M. Gouge shares insight in her characters’ romance from her latest Historical Romance, Finding Her Frontier Home. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of a print copy of any of the three books in this series (U. S. only): Yuletide Reunion, Finding Her Frontier Family or Finding Her Frontier Home. Deadline: Aug 26th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Louise:
Hi, Shannon. Thanks for inviting me back to talk about my latest release, Finding Her Frontier Home. We talked about this May 2023 release back in April, but I wanted to give your readers a few more tidbits about this sweet historical romance. This will be the first time I’ve “interviewed” one of my characters, so it’s a fun way to present him.
First, I’ll remind everyone what I shared back in April: My name is Louise M. Gouge, and I’m the author of twenty-nine Christian romance novels. My most recent release, Finding Her Frontier Home, is a sequel to last summer’s Finding Her Frontier Family (which is a Selah Award finalist) and my 2010 novella Yuletied Reunion. In this latest book, we revisit the Mattson family, a New Mexico ranching clan with five marriageable sons who have their individual challenges to finding their perfect bride. Finding Her Frontier Home tells the story of the middle son, Andrew, nicknamed Drew. Could prissy city gal named Lila Rose Duval be the bride for him? Here’s the back cover blurb:
So the obvious question is: What will make Drew irresistible to Lila Rose? Let’s ask the man himself.
- Drew, what’s the most romantic thing you ever did for Lila Rose?
Howdy. Thanks for asking. Now, without giving away too much of the story, let’s just say I try to show her from our first meeting that I’m a gentleman, despite my rustic cowboy ways. I also hope she can see that I’ll protect her from all harm, whether it’s train robbers, dangerous critters, or her own fears. Maybe my protective nature will grow on her. Is that romantic? I sure hope so.
- Where is the most romantic place you and Lila Rose have ever been?
Well, I guess the looong train trip across the United States and western territories might not seem very romantic to some people, but it gives Lila Rose the opportunity to observe my character and generosity. After all, I traveled back to Charleston to fetch my mother back home to the family ranch, and having her companion, Miss Lila Rose, along for the ride was pretty important to both of Mother and me. Along the way, Lila Rose showed her sweetness and mettle, and that deeply impressed me.
- What simple gesture do you do that melts Lila Rose’s heart every time?
Hmm. Let me think a minute. She seems to like it when I watch out for her every time she comes out of the house and walks across the barnyard. I think she kinda expects some critter to jump out and bite her, but I won’t let that happen. If her smiles mean anything, I guess my protectiveness might be melting her heart.
- How soon after meeting Lila Rose did you know she was the one?
Funny thing about that. I didn’t realize I was falling for Lila Rose until several weeks after we met, when the teasing of my family and friends got to me. Then, when we went to the barn dance and I had her in my arms, well, let’s just say, I wanted to repeat that experience again and again. I was coming close to realizing no other gal would do for me.
- Who said, “I love you” first, you or Lila Rose?
Guilty! Without apology! Once I started loving everything about Lila Rose, I couldn’t help but tell her. It took her back a bit, but eventually…well, you just have to read about it in Finding Her Frontier Home.
- Drew, do you have anything else to say about your romance with Lila Rose?
Now that you mention it, all I can add is that I’m one blessed cowboy to have met this beautiful, kind, sweet woman, who’s agreed to be my wife. Now we just have to decide whether we’re going to live here on my family ranch or go back to Charleston to live in the house where I was born. You’ll have to read our story to know how that turns out.
- Thanks for speaking with us, Drew. I know our readers will enjoy reading your story.
You’re more than welcome, ma’am.
Question for Readers: What question would you like to ask Drew?
About Louise: Award-winning Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical and contemporary romance fiction. Married to David Gouge for 54 years, she is now widowed. She is the mother of four amazing adult children and grandmother of nine absolutely perfect grandchildren. With a BA in Creative Writing and a master’s degree in liberal studies, Louise taught composition and humanities at Valencia College in Kissimmee, Florida. Now happily retired from teaching, she writes full time. Learn more & connect:
Louise’s Website Louise’s Facebook Louise’s Bookbub
About the book – Finding Her Frontier Home:
A ranch out West could be the home she’s longed for. Lila Rose Duval has a safe, protected life in Charleston as a lady’s companion for Rebecca Mattson—until the woman’s handsome but disheveled son Drew arrives at her door. Now they’re all traveling to the breathtaking wildness of New Mexico Territory to reunite the entire Mattson clan. But the refined, genteel Lila Rose knows nothing of ranching life beyond etiquette and burning food. Worse still, Drew might just be falling for her. But can love convince this city girl that she belongs in the wild beauty of the West…with him?
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Yuletide Reunion Finding Her Frontier Family
Finding Her Frontier Home Louise’s Books
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It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for being here Louise. I’d like to know if Drew is nervous about taking two women on a lengthy trip? I don’t know how settlers managed back then and I’m really glad I don’t have to 🙂
Thanks, Diana.
Thanks for asking, Shannon. Well, as you will be able to see from Page 1, Drew wasn’t expecting to take two women on the trip, just his mother, if he can persuade her to go. But he’s a Mattson, so he’s up to any challenge. And I’m with you. I can’t imagine how settlers traveled across this country back then. I know my characters were glad for the train to make it relatively easy…for those times.
Thanx for the interview, Louise. My question for Drew is Do you tease Lila Rose like a brother?
Howdy, Jennifer. Thanks for asking. As a cowboy trying to prove I’m a gentleman, I’m real careful about how I tease Miss Lila Rose. But when I do, she seems to take it well, so I might just keep it up.
Any hobbies?
Howdy, BN100. Just so you know, we cowboys don’t really have much time for hobbies, but sometimes I pull out my pocketknife and whittle on an applewood stick.
Sounds like a great book! Does Drew have any pets?
Howdy, Cherie. Pets? I suppose you could consider our cow dogs pets, but they’re working animals like our horses, so we don’t spoil them too much.
I have a winner! Donna Stearns won the drawing. I appreciate Louise for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.