Hi. I'm Louise M. Gouge, and I’ve been writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical imprint
since 2008. My first title, published in 2009, was set during the American
Revolution. I love that era because that’s when our country was “born,” so I
wrote two more stories in that series. Of the three, two take place in America
and one takes place in England. My next series takes place in the Regency era,
so of course it’s set entirely in England. Now I’ve come back home.
My upcoming Four
Stones Ranch series is set in the Wild West. (Hence the “ranch” part of the
series title. You’ll have to read the books to learn about the name Four Stones.)
The first book,
Cowboy to the Rescue, will be
released in September 2014. I do wish I could show you the cover, but it’s not
ready to be revealed. Click on the title for a hot link, where you can learn more about the story.
So why do you suppose I’ve hopped all over the place with my
books? Before writing for LIH, I wrote two historical series set in the United
States during the 1800s. I love that time period. I also greatly enjoy reading
and writing about historical England. I even wrote a novel about my daughter’s
missionary adventures in Africa in 1991!
However, no setting brings me quite the satisfaction as writing
about a place I know well and love: the San Luis Valley of Colorado. I moved
there when I was in high school, and after meeting and marrying my husband in
Denver (married 49 years this June), we lived in the Valley. Our four beautiful
children were born there, and even though we moved to Florida thirty-four years
ago, we all have fond memories of that special area of Colorado.
For the historical writer, the San Luis Valley is loaded
with historical places of interest to spark story ideas. I have pictures my
husband and a friend of mine took of the following landmarks: the Great Sand
Dunes National Monument (left), with Medano Creek running below,
the headwaters of Rio Grande del Norte (this picture is
farther downstream from Creede, where the Rio Grande truly begins), 
the Narrow Gauge Railroad between Chama, New Mexico, and
Antonito, Colorado, 
Mount Blanca (at right) and many others.
Another impressive site is La Garita Natural
Arch in the Rio Grande National Forest (I don’t have permission to post a
picture of this lovely arch, so please check it out at http://www.sanluisvalley.org/?q=node/320
.
If you’re ever planning a trip to Colorado, don’t just think
of Denver, Vail, Breckenridge, or other points north. The San Luis Valley is a
gorgeous area with countless attractions. And if you’re unable to travel there,
visit through my upcoming book, Cowboy
to the Rescue, in September 2014.
Posts
Hi Louise,
ReplyDeleteYour photos of the San Luis Valley make me want to visit. Congratulations on the new series. It must be fun to explore different times and locations through your writing. Do you visit all the places you write about?
Gorgeous photos, Louise!
ReplyDeleteYou are quite the photographer!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Thanks for sharing the Valley with us :)
ReplyDeleteI love the valley, Louise, and living there must be a dream. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLouise, thanks for sharing. That's a place I will put on my list to visit.
ReplyDeleteJust got home, so I'll answer your lovely comments. Christine, I've visited all of my settings so far, but that's becoming less important now that we have the Internet for our research. It's much quicker than a weeklong trip, but of course not as much fun!
ReplyDeleteLeanne, do you know the San Luis Valley? Have you been there? We'll have to talk. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe San Luis Valley sounds like a wonderful place. Your pictures make me want to visit the area. For now I'll have to experience it via your stories.
ReplyDeleteLouise,
ReplyDeleteWe'll be in Durango this summer riding the train and rafting. How close will we be LOL?
Kelli, that's what we all do when reading fiction, isn't it? We can go any place without leaving our home.
ReplyDeletePamela, Durango is over the mountain from the SLV, but not a bad drive over Wolf Creek Pass.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and photos, Louise. Looking forward to reading your upcoming LIH book!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Colorado twice and loved it, but am not familiar with the San Luis Valley, so you've whetted my appetite to learn about the area. ;)
Blessings from Georgia, Patti Jo
I loved your post. I really enjoy looking at different places and read about them, too. I'm so glad you write about them. And it's a lovely photo of you.
ReplyDeleteI loved your post. I really enjoy looking at different places and read about them, too. I'm so glad you write about them. And it's a lovely photo of you.
ReplyDelete