WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, July 27, 2020

Louise Gouge and Free Books!

NFL superstar quarterback seeks small town diner waitress; goal, to make amends.

Before we chat with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of Robin Lee Hatcher's split-time Christian novel, How Sweet It Is, is:

joyjournaling@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Louise Gouge, author of the contemporary romance novel, Winning Amber, (independently published, May 2020).

Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes contemporary and historical romance fiction, winning the prestigious IRCA in 2005 and placing as a finalist in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017. She also placed in the Laurel Wreath contest in 2012.

A former college English and humanities professor, Louise is a member of the Christian PEN and has been copyediting for well-known authors for fifteen years.

Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

In 1964, I was backstage at the Beatles’ concert at Red Rocks Theater just outside of Denver, Colorado. Jackie DeShannon was the opening act and debuted her hit song “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.”

You and I touched on that memory last year--your sneaking back there with the help of an usher friend, you wild child, you. Very cool memory. Jackie's song is certainly fitting these days!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Winning Amber.

Winning is all important to him, in the game…and in love.

Single mother Amber works hard to raise her son, Noah, on her wages and tips at a small Colorado diner. With medical bills to pay, they both wear secondhand clothes and do without the modern technology Noah’s classmates have. The last thing Amber ever expected was for Noah’s father to show up and preach at her about his newfound religion, especially since Drew didn’t even know Noah existed. Now will the rich and famous NFL quarterback try to take her son away from her? With no one to defend her, is it time for her to run away…again?

Drew Buxton has always gotten what he wants. Money, girls, a successful career as the NFL’s most popular quarterback, he’s had it all…until a family betrayal and tragedy caused him to rethink his entire life and turn to God. Now he seeks to make amends to the people he’s harmed on his road to success, including the high school classmate who tutored him through his toughest classes. He doesn’t expect her to welcome his visit, nor does he expect the shock of learning he has a son. This changes everything. Now there isn’t anything he won’t do to improve his son’s life, no matter how much Amber resists.

I love this story premise, Louise. Many of us can identify with the need for forgiveness after turning our lives to God. 

What is it about Amber and Drew that will make your readers care about them?

My heroine is a spunky, hard-working single mother who struggles to make ends meet. My hero is a famous superstar football quarterback whose newfound faith leads him to make amends for his past.

What story from the last couple of years would make a good basis for a novel?

I’m fascinated by the new discoveries of Greek and Roman antiquities. Ancient roads and beautiful artwork are being uncovered all over the Mediterranean. Novels could be written about the archeologists and what compels them to search the past. Or historical novels could make today’s discoveries a part of the story.

What a great idea. Sites like this one could provide excellent inspiration: Ancient Greek and Roman Archaeological Discoveries of 2019 

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Erica Vetsch’s The Lost Lieutenant is a Regency romantic suspense that kept me guessing and kept me reading late into the night.

I love that book's tagline: He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

What are you working on now?

Having just published Winning Amber, I’m taking a rest. Then I’m planning to compile several of my short stories into an anthology.

Where else can readers find you online?

Web site at louisemgougeauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook
Twitter: @Louisemgouge


The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, if you would like to read a sample from the book, you can see it HERE, when you click on "Look Inside."

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Are you a sports fan? Do you like to watch professional football? Do you consider sports heroes worthy or compelling heroes for romance novels?

Thanks, Louise, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Louise has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to her question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE

13 comments:

Vie said...

Hi, Louise and Trish.

The blurb hooked me, and I'd love to read WINNING AMBER. Okay, you asked, so here goes: I am not a sports fan. I don't follow teams or know many player names--except when one makes the news for his or her faith (yea!) or for some foible. I'm sure I've stereotyped athletes as self-centered rich guys--but that would enhance the conflict beautifully in a book where the character becomes a believer and wants to make amends for earlier mistakes.
Vie (from PEN)

Pam said...

I do enjoy watching college and professional sports, especially football, basketball, and baseball. I've read several books that have athletes as the romantic hero. That was what made me want to learn more about the book Winning Amber. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of it.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

Louise M. Gouge said...

Thank you for your comments, Vie and Pam. I hope Winning Amber will be an enjoyable pastime for both romance and sports fans.

Alice said...

Oh yes, I want to read this book. If only I could write a hook like yours!
Sports fan? Yes. I am so happy to see baseball played again. Steeler Nation member? Yep.
I think pro sports players face so many more difficulties in their personal lives (crazy fans, various temptations, too much money)so seeing lives that are routed in faith is a blessing.
Everyone can be candidates for a good love story.
Alice
myersalicem@gmail.com

Louise M. Gouge said...

Thanks, Alice. We can see how tempted the wealthy players are. But some come through with shining faith!

Trish Perry said...

I usually only watch sports when someone else in the house wants to watch, but an athlete for the hero is right up my alley! I've enjoyed plenty of movies in which the male lead was an athlete, so I know I'd enjoy a book set that way. As Vie said, it's exciting, knowing your hero seeks to make things right.

Louise M. Gouge said...

Thanks, Trish. I'm like you. I watch if others are watching.

Robbye said...

Hi Louise and Trish!

I'm a huge pro football and college basketball fan.

Before my Dad and baby brother passed away, they worked for the Dallas Cowboys. This was during the Jimmy Johnson Dynasty. I have some great memories of visiting the old stadium and seeing all the faves locker rooms-Aikmen, Smith, Irvin, etc and Johnson's office. Then as a favor to our family, due to our losses, we got to tour the new stadium when it was new. Wonderful, but bittersweet memories, and of course, I'm a die-hard Cowboy fan!

I think most professional athletes are too steeped in the "celebrity with lots of money" status to let go of their ego long enough to let God get hold of them. Having said that, I know there are quite a few Christian athletes, too. So yes, I believe that they can be heroes, or become heroes so a story of that nature would be interesting!

Thank you for the opportunity to win. Good luck to everyone else, too!

Blessings~
Oh, one more thing, my son was able to sneak on stage at Red Rock Theater and play an air guitar!!

Louise M. Gouge said...

Robbye, you sure do have some great memories. Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry for your loss of your father and brother, but what a great legacy they left you.

When I was researching these novels back in the 1980s, I remember watching some of those players. I actually wrote the books back then and in the 1990s published them through Crossway Books. For some time, I wanted to combine them into one story and update them for today's readers. Thus, Once There Was a Way Back Home and The Homecoming became Winning Amber.

Robbye said...

Louise,

Thank you. (We lost my Mom during that time frame, too.) I have some great memories, as do my children, of those days. They ALWAYS looked forward to our too infrequent vacations.

How exciting! I would guess that research was fun. I'm so happy for you that everything came together so well!

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend~:)

Trish Perry said...

Wow, Robbye, you went through a season of great loss. I lost my parents within a month of each other, and I lost my sister, too, but that was years earlier. It's never a good time to say goodbye, but I'm sorry you didn't really get a chance to catch your breath.

I think you're right about how celebrity can interfere with the humility necessary to place God first in one's life. So Louise's story is intriguing!

Robbye said...

Thank you, Trish. It was a very, very rough time because we also lost 6 other relatives during that time frame. My youngest, who was around 11 at the time, said, "We've had too much DEATH!!

I agree the story sounds very intriguing!

Blessings~💖

Robbye said...

Congratulations to the winner!!

 

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