Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the first blog in the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway, which runs July 15-22, 2022, (contest closes at 8 p.m. Eastern on 7/22). At the bottom of each author's blog post, you will find the name of a Christmas song. Write them all down and provide all song titles (26 in total) on this Google form. See below for a list with links of all participating authors!

Note: You must grab all the song titles from every author in the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway to be eligible to win the grand prize of a $520 Amazon gift card, plus a copy of each participating author's book OR first place prize of a copy of each participating author's book. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (26 authors in all).

Today, I’m promoting my 2015 Christmas novella, Yuletide Reunion, which is part of A Western Christmas anthology. Why am I promoting a book from seven years ago? Well, in this lovely little story, I established a fictional family with five brothers. After telling the story of two brothers, I wanted to write about the other three. My brand new release is Finding Her Frontier Family, and continues the story of the bold, brave, and handsome Mattson brothers and their cattle ranch along the Rio Grande. But first we need to lay the groundwork for the older brothers by telling you more about the younger ones. See more about that story below this blog entry.

 

Yuletide Reunion is set on a fictional ranch beside the Rio Grande near the fictional town of Riverton, New Mexico. My late sister lived in a beautiful, real life adobe house beside the river, and during my many visits to see her, I was 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.

(This picture is copyrighted by Louise M. Gouge.) Our family has many traditions that we enjoy at this time of the year. Perhaps your family does, too. One of the traditions that takes place in New Mexico each year is Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration of Navidad, which is Spanish for Christmas. When learning about the difficulties of past generations, I’m also struck by the attempts of some people to get along with their neighbors. I was inspired to write about two such groups within my fictional community.

For hundreds of years, Mexicans had settled in the land we now call New Mexico, then known as New Mexico Territory. After the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, new boundaries were drawn, giving the territory to the United States. The Mexicans living there were given the opportunity to move to Mexico or remain on their land. Numerous families remained. At this time, many “Americanos” moved into the area, and animosities sprang up between the two groups. In my idealistic community, the pastors of two different local denominations decide to set the example and bring their congregations together, concentrating on their common belief in Jesus Christ instead of their differences.

Yuletide Reunion, part of the A Western Christmas anthology, available at Amazon.com or Harlequin.com: A Western Christmas.

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?

Question for readers

I’d love to hear about some unique Christmas tradition you may have, from special stockings to special recipes to community celebrations. Have you ever heard about Las Posadas? Tell me in the blog comments.

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Here’s MY CHRISTMAS SONG TITLE: “We Need a Little Christmas”

Save the holiday song titles from each blog stop, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the song titles on this form for a chance to win the grand prize of a $400 Amazon gift card and a copy of each participating author’s featured book OR first prize of a copy of each participating author’s featured book.

Save the holiday song titles from each of the 26 blog stops, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the song titles on this form for a chance to win the grand prize of a $520 Amazon gift card and a copy of each participating author's featured book OR first prize of a copy of each participating author's featured book.

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Katy Lee and her Christmas book is Holiday Suspect Pursuit. You can find it at this link. Remember, the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway ends July 22 at 8 PM EST!

Top of Form

 

Here's the latest on my upcoming June 2022 Love Inspired Historical release. The cover, of course! So beautifully designed by the artists at Harlequin. 

Then a link to the trailer designed by Shannon Redmon!  Book Trailer for Finding her Frontier Family

Here's the story: Helping a little girl could give her the 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?

Last, a link where you can pre-order this book I had so much fun writing. 

Pre-order today at Finding Her Frontier Family: Gouge, Louise M.: 9781335418951: Amazon.com: Books

Today, I'm excited to announce my fourth Love Inspired Historical REPRINT!!! Yea! Thank you, Harlequin for this honor.

My July 27, 2021, rerelease is my 2015 historical romance, Cowboy Seeks a Bride,  the second of six books in my Four Stones Ranch series about a Colorado ranching family. In this reprint, it is paired with Sherri Shackelford’s The Engagement Bargain. 

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?

These reprints are still available at Harlequin.com. Please check them out! 

Here is my first western novel, first published in 2014.

Cowboy to the Rescue

From 2014: Love finds a home out West. 

Though Georgia belle Susanna Anders agrees to accompany her father on a silver prospecting trip to Colorado, her heart belongs to the South. Then charming cowboy Nate Northam saves her father's life and gives them shelter at his ranch. Feeling gratitude is only natural, but falling for a Yankee? Both of their families would be outraged. 

While Susanna's father recovers at the Northams' home, Nate can't help being drawn to the sweet Southern beauty…and wishing he were free to think of courtship. That is until shocking revelations compel both Nate and Susanna to choose where their loyalties lie—fettered to the past or to the promise of a bold new love…. 

And my second Revolutionary War novel, The Captain's Lady, first published in 2010. (See my first Revolutionary War novel below this post.)

Torn between love and duty...

Captain James Templeton's orders from General Washington are clear. His target: Lord Bennington, a member of George III's Privy Council. The assignment: find Bennington's war plans. The risks: the future of the East Florida Colony, Jamie's life...and his heart. Because, in spite of the dangers, he's fallen in love with Lady Marianne Moberly--Lord Bennington's daughter.

Desperate to protect his country in its struggle for independence, Jamie carries out his orders with a heavy heart. But Marianne's persistence is a challenge he never expected.

With love and faith, they must navigate dangerous and troubled waters to win their future together.

Two novels in one!

I'm a little late in posting about my newest novel release, but it's not too late for you to purchase it here: Two great novels in one!

In July, Harlequin rereleased two books in one, so you can enjoy two stories of faith, strength, and hope in days gone by.

The Outlaw’s Lady by Laurie Kingery

Rebellious rancher's daughter Tess Hennessy seeks adventure—and that's what she gets when she's abducted to chronicle the Delgado gang's exploits! Yet her kidnapper, gang member Sandoval Parrish, isn't what she expected. There's more to the mysterious outlaw than he shows—signs of gentleness and devotion that soften Tess's heart. Sandoval has one goal: retribution for the sister Delgado ruined. He hasn't the time to fall for the stubborn, beautiful photographer whose pictures he needs as evidence. But what can Sandoval do when his plan puts Tess in danger? Torn between the drive for revenge and a newfound love, Sandoval will need his renewed faith to resolve the past…and claim his future.

And my story:

Love Thine Enemy by Louise M. Gouge

Love Thine Enemy takes place during the American Revolution in, of all places, Florida! Did you know East Florida and West Florida were British colonies that very well could have joined the revolution when our original thirteen colonies broke with England to form the United States of America? Not only that, but East Florida—St. Augustine in particular—was a haven for countless colonists who remained loyal to the Crown? When I learned that tidbit of history, I knew I had to write about it. Being a romance writer who’s always looking for character conflicts, I also knew my hero and heroine had to be on different sides in the war. That’s when the fun began. Here’s the back-cover copy. 

The tropics of colonial Florida are far removed from America’s Revolution. Still, Rachel Folger’s loyalties remain with Boston’s patriots. Handsome plantation owner Frederick Moberly’s faithfulness to the Crown is as certain as his admiration for Rachel—but for the sake of harmony, he’ll keep his sympathies hidden. After all, the war is too far distant to truly touch them…isn’t it? A betrayal of Rachel’s trust divides the pair, leaving Frederick to question the true meaning of faith in God and in country. Inspired by Rachel to see life, liberty, and love through His eyes, Frederick must harness his faith and courage to claim the woman he loves before war tears them apart.

My Newest Release

This is my newest release, or should I say, re-release. The Regency novella formerly knows as The Gentleman Takes a Bride and published by Harlequin in a 2011 anthology is now a stand-alone book. If you love stories about June brides, interrupted weddings, titled Englishmen, and pretty young misses, and a heavy dose of drama that may or may not work out for our hero and heroine, this is the story for you. You can find The Gentleman's Proposal by clicking on this title. Happy reading!                                                                                                                  

Elizabeth Moberly, wellborn daughter of a decorated captain of His Majesty’s royal navy, is determined to marry a titled nobleman, for the only wealth and privileges of a peer of the realm will provide sufficiently for her future children. When Philip Lindsey, an untitled stranger, puts a stop to her beloved cousin’s wedding, Elizabeth resents him for intruding even as she finds herself attracted to the handsome gentleman’s fine manners and strong faith.

Philip Lindsey cannot permit his beloved sister’s fiancé to run off with the dowry she kindly gave him before the wedding and then marry another bride. Surprised to find an ally in the bride’s uncle, Philip accepts the naval captain’s invitation to stay in his home until the legalities of the matter can be sorted out. While there, Philip struggles against his growing attraction to the captain’s lovely, charming daughter Elizabeth. After all, the young lady has made it clear that she plans to marry a peer. Although the grandson of an earl, Philip has no title. Should he take on the challenge of trying to persuade lovely Elizabeth to be content with the title of Mrs. Lindsay, beloved wife?

Here's my latest publicity photo. It was taken by a family friend who's practicing her photography skills on her way to becoming a professional. She did such a great job, don't you think? Thanks, Regan!

As you may have heard, my former publisher, Harlequin, has closed their Love Inspired Historical line. The last books will be released this coming June. I loved writing for LIH and will miss my association with the company.

I'm working on a few new projects to offer to other publishers. My agent advises that I should return to my Regency stories. I love that era as much as I love cowboys of the Old West. What do you think I should write?

Stay tuned to hear about the next steps in my writing career!

My Brand New Release!

As promised, on October 31, I'm giving away one copy of Cowboy Lawman's Christmas Reunion to one U. S. Resident. If you would like to be entered in my free drawing, please leave a comment or question below. And if you'd like to know more about my writing life, please sign up for my newsletter in the box to the right. I promise not to overload your inbox!

One more caveat about the drawing. To make this work, I need ten different people to comment on this post, so be sure to invite your friends to enter, too.

I'm both thrilled and nostalgic as I announce the release of Cowboy Lawman's Christmas Reunion
This is the sixth and final book in my Four Stones Ranch series AND my final Love Inspired Historical. Sad to say, Harlequin is shutting down the LIH line next June. I've had the pleasure of seeing fifteen of my novels published by this prestigious company!

Although I'm sad to see the line end, a new release is always a cause for celebration, and I couldn't be prouder of this story.

Sheriff Justice Gareau can make outlaws quake in their boots…yet coming face-to-face with Evangeline Benoit once again takes away all his composure. She broke their engagement, and his heart, to marry a wealthy older man. Despite his reluctance, Justice can't avoid the widowed single mother of two when they're collaborating on a Christmas village for the town's children.  

The loving boy Evangeline once knew has become an unyielding lawman. Forced to flee New Orleans over false allegations, Evie doubts Justice will take her side when the past follows her to Colorado. Especially when he and her troublesome son butt heads. But perhaps the spirit of Christmas will soften his heart and give them a second chance at love.

Copyright © 2017 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited, Cover art and cover copy text used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises. ® and ™ Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.

At the end of October, I'll be giving away one copy of Cowboy Lawman's Christmas Reunion to a U. S. resident. To enter my drawing, please leave a comment below. Also, if you would like to know more about my writing life, please sign up for my newsletter in the box to the right.