Bragging about our LIH books!

Louise M. Gouge here, wondering what interesting thing I can say to our Craftyladies readers. As I’ve thought about various topics, one thing stands out: Not only am I a writer of Love Inspired Historical novels, I’m also a fan of historical fiction. I try to read every LIH book that comes out, buying them at my local Walmart. That is, if I can get there before other fans. Sometimes the LIH spots are empty! But I can hardly complain about that. Beside, all of our books are available through Harlequin’s Reader Service and other online bookstores, so if you missed them at Walmart, just click the link and you’ll find them there. You can choose print or e-books.

 

Realizing it’s impossible to praise every one of our excellent books in today’s short blog, I had to choose just a few to recommend to you. My fellow LIH authors, please don’t feel left out. I also must confess that I’m a bit behind. Right now I’ve just begun reading the May 2014 books, so all of these are earlier releases.

 

My first book to bring to your attention is Kerry Mountain’s Wyoming Promises (April 2014). I love this book because the hero, Bridger Jamison, is a damaged but courageous and decent man with a secret that threatens to destroy everything he cares about. The heroine, Lola Martin, has a job that will surprise you, not only because she’s a career woman in the 1870s, but her career is one that very few women choose even today. Lola is a brave, worthy heroine, the perfect match for Bridger, even though it takes the two of them a life-threatening situation to realize it. You won’t be disappointed by this enthralling story.

 

Naomi Rawlings’ The Soldier’s Secret (April 2014) drew me in from the first page. Most of us know the story of Les Miserables because of the musical Les Miz. That story takes place in the 1840s or so. But have you ever wondered about the lives of ordinary provincial French people during and after the French Revolution (1790s)? I knew very little about this historical time, so Naomi’s book was a real eye-opener. Not only does she give us some wonderful history, seamlessly woven into the story, but she takes us on a great adventure. A widowed heroine who risks everything to save and protect her children. A guilt-ridden hero who finds a new reason to live. What more could you want?

 

I love stories that take place after the American Civil War, when millions of Americans struggled to put their lives back together after that horrific conflict. In Lyn Cote’s Heartland Courtship (February 2014), Rachel Woolsey leaves her familiar Pennsylvania home for the wilderness town of Pepin, Wisconsin, where she plans to establish a bakery. As the riverboat docks at her new home, another passenger, who is desperately ill, is put off the boat. Rachel’s Quaker faith makes her path clear: whatever it costs her, she must help the dying man. Desperately ill Brennan Merriday can’t escape his past. A southerner who fought for the North, he has enemies on both sides. A hero near death; a compassionate heroine. This heart-rending story reminds us of our real purpose in life: to follow God’s will and not our own.

 

As in all of our LIH stories, each of these books contains a major element of faith. The main characters go through many trials, but they discover that faith in Jesus Christ is the ultimate path to peace. These stories will move you and reinforce your faith.

 

In September, I’ll be telling you about my upcoming LIH, Cowboy to the Rescue. This is my first western, so I’m pretty excited about its release. See you then!

Award-winning Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired imprint. In addition to numerous other awards, Louise is the recipient of the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award for her 2005 historical novel, Hannah Rose (first place) and her 2011 Regency novella,

The Gentleman Takes a Bride, (second place). Please visit her Web site at

http://blog.Louisemgouge.com