Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical October 2015 Releases

Listed below are the upcoming releases from our talented Love Inspired Historical writers here at Craftie Ladies of Romance.  To purchase any of these wonderful books, just click on the book covers.  And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

Yuletide Reunion (part of A Western Christmas anthology)
Louise M. Gouge

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?

A Lady of Quality Interview

How exciting to have Catherine Hart, the heroine from A Lady of Quality, written by Louise M. Gouge, a July 2013 release from Love Inspired Historical Romance.

1.  Miss Hart, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Thank you so much for inviting me. Ordinarily, I do not like to call attention to myself, but you have been so gracious that I cannot resist answering your questions. I suppose the most interesting thing about me is my unusual upbringing. As the eldest daughter of a French Comte and English lady, I am very protective of my family. So when a brash young baron accuses my father of conspiracy to murder the exiled French king, I plan to bring him down. Coming out of my lifelong seclusion in the English countryside, I have moved to London and now work undercover as a companion to a countess, Lady Blakemore, whose husband is a friend of the man I seek to expose as the actual conspirator.

2.  What do you do for fun?

In an age (Regency) when young ladies are taught all the delicate arts, my favorite pastime is fencing. This will come in handy as I plot my revenge against Lord Winston.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Working as Lady Blakemore’s companion, I have seen what good, honest people she and her husband are. I would so much like to confide in them, but then I would expose my own dishonesty about my identity. I can only hope they will understand my motives and forgive me when this is all over.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

I am terrified that my dear, noble father will be found in his hiding place and condemned for treason. He escaped the Reign of Terror in France, so it would be beyond tragic if he were hanged for a planned crime he had no part of.

5.  What do you want out of life?

Until this terrible tragedy happened to my family, I hoped to marry a gentleman who shared my interests so we could raise a nice family in the country. London holds no attraction for me, so this gentleman must not be politically ambitious, like Lord Winston.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

Family is the most important thing in life to me. My parents are wonderful people who have raised my sister, brother, and me in a strong Christian home. I can think of no happier life than to build a home and family just like the one in which I grew up.

7.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I suppose it would be my unusual height. I’m half a head taller than the perfect young ladies of the Regency period. Fortunately, the gentleman I am interested in is several inches taller than I am.

8.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

I adore cats and have several of them at home. Now that I must reside in London in order to complete my revenge, I must find my pet enjoyment in Lord Winston’s adorable Crumpet, a beautiful, fluffy, golden creature who seems to like me as well.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

In regard to the Regency period, we hear a great deal about Napoleon and the wars he fought with all of Europe, but there is so much rich French history after he was defeated. First of all, the exiled king, Louis XVIII, came to the throne. He had been in exile in both Russia and England, accepting the hospitality of the royal houses in these two countries. Louis was quite old and didn’t make the best ruler, but his ascension restored the monarchy that had been snuffed out when his elder brother Louis XVI was guillotined and XVI’s poor little ten-year-old son, Louis XVII, died in prison. It’s a fascinating history!

A Proper Companion Interview

How exciting to have Major Edmond Grenville, the hero from A Proper Companion written by Louise M. Gouge and a June 2012 release from Love Inspired Historical Romance.

1. Major Grenville, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Good afternoon, madam. Before I speak of myself, permit me to thank you for the opportunity to speak to your lovely assembly. As a younger (and third!) son, I do not generally receive such invitations, for most young ladies are more interested in my titled oldest brother, Viscount Lord Greystone. My second older brother, a newly married and newly ordained vicar, also receives numerous invitations from friends in London. However, you may find this a bit interesting: I have just returned home to Shropshire, England, after fighting the Americans. Wounded in battle, I was sent home to recover. Of course, my mother, the Dowager Countess Greystone, is eager to see me back with my regiment, for she is certain this is the only way for me to earn essential prestige for the family and wealth to secure my own future.

2. What do you do for fun?

An interesting question, madam. I find no enjoyment is the usual pastimes of my fellow dragoons, for my conversion a few years ago revealed the folly of such activities. During my convalescence, I am finding great enjoyment in teaching my mother’s pretty young companion to ride a horse. Dear girl. She meets the challenge admirably, despite her fears.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I suppose people of your time would have trouble understanding my dilemma, but I shall endeavor to explain. In my time, a gentleman of my aristocratic standing cannot get along in life without parental and Society’s approval. My father, the former Viscount Greystone, died when I was an infant, so my mother has controlled my entire life (and those of my brothers). Because her ambitions for me differ from my own, I dread the day when I must tell her I will not return to my regiment. Have I mentioned that the Dowager Lady Greystone is a formidable, influential woman? When she is crossed, things do not go well for the offender.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

My greatest fear is not for myself but, rather, for my mother’s dear little companion. If Mother becomes displeased with Miss Newfield (Mother is rarely pleased with anyone or anything), she will cast the poor girl out into the coldest winter England has seen in centuries. An intelligent gentleman could manage under such circumstances, but Miss Newfield would no doubt perish. You see, there are few resources for the penniless in our society.

5. What do you want out of life?

I have a secret passion for a certain career far removed from the military. Please do not misunderstand. I am proud to have served my king and my country. However, I believe my favored career will serve an equally important purpose. At this point, I hesitate to tell you exactly what it is, but let me say simply that it will provide a stable income for both myself and, should I be so fortunate as to marry, for my wife.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Ah, now you cut close to my heart. But I discern that you ladies are discreet and will not mention this to anyone, especially my mother. The most important thing to me is making certain Miss Newfield will never be destitute. I cannot in all good conscience offer marriage to her, for I would not be able to provide for her. But I can endeavor to secure her position with Mother by treating the young lady with polite indifference. For, you see, Mother’s threats to cast her out are constant.

7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Another clever question! Many younger sons of my time might say they would change their birth order and inherit the title and wealth. But I do not covet Greystone’s position or his responsibilities in Parliament. No, I suppose if I could change one thing about myself, it is my reticence to confront my mother about my future. But does the Scripture not caution a man to count the cost of any endeavor? If I refuse to go back to my regiment, I can only guess what she will do to prevent any other future for me.

8. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

Sadly, I have no pet. However, I consider my gallant steed, Brutus, a friend, as all dragoons regard their horses. After all, our lives depend upon them.

9. Can you tell us a little interesting tidbit about the time period you live in?

Other than the things I have already mentioned, one matter is of concern to all. Everyone in my family, including Mother, believes that education is essential for all classes of people, including the poorest of the poor. In my time, more and more Englishmen are subscribing to Hannah More’s view that all English children, whatever their social status, should be taught to read the Bible. Therefore, they have established the National Society for Promoting Education for the Poor. I am proud to say my family has established our own school in our village, and every child in the parish is required to attend. Would that every member of the nobility and aristocracy would follow this example. What a difference it would make for our country!