What We're Reading

Mary Alford What  I just finished:  
Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl.

What I'm currently reading: 
Buried Memories by Carol J. Post and Mountain Ambush by Hope White. 

What I'm planning to read next:
 Moving Target by Lynette Eason (Can't wait for this one.) 
_________

Barbara Phinney
What I just finished: 
Nothing

What I'm currently reading: 
The Collected Stories of Isaac Besher Singer.  Very interesting.

What I plan to read next: 
The Final Crumpet by Ron and Janet Benrey
__________

Louise M. Gouge

What I just finished:The Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta, third in a suspense series about a young woman whose identity is shrouded in deadly secrets. A gripping saga!

What I'm currently reading:
My Enemy, My Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes, a Regency/War of 1812 set partly on the sea and partly on English soil. Very romantic and reminiscent of the wonderful old high seas adventure movies of the past.

What I plan to read next:
Wed on the Wagon Train by Tracy Blalock, December LIH release. This is Tracy's first LIH, and I'm sure I'll become a fan. 
__________

Deb Kastler
What I just finished: 
Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst  (Audio) This is not a diet book, but a devotional way of life eating book. While I didn't agree with everything she said, she has a lot of great points on making sure our whole focus is on God. Oh--and she's hysterically funny.

What I'm currently reading:
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick.  This is WAY different than the books I usually pick up, but I absolutely love it. I'm enthralled by the strength of character development and the clever plot. 

What I will be reading next: 
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. (Audio) I've been making my way through Ms. Gregory's books. Not sure her historical research is completely accurate, but she is a great storyteller. 
__________

Pamela Tracy:

I just finished reading: Body & Soul.  It's a paranormal YA by Stacey Kade.  I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.  It's third in a series and did not disappoint.

I'm currently reading: 

(book) Never Say No to a Rock Star by Glenn Berger.  It's a memoir of working in the music industry circa 1970s&80s.  I'm only 20 pages in and so far I'm liking it.  Right now, I'm with Paul Simon on a bench and he's struggling started his lone career without Garfunkel (I always missed Garfunkel.  Felt the same way when Brooks and Dunn decided to go solo).

(Audio) The Collector by Nora Roberts.  I'm on the road over an hour a day driving back and forth to work.  About two months ago, I'd had it with audio books that were not keeping my interest, so I grabbed a tried and true.  Nora.  Now I'm listening one every two weeks and she's not disappointing.  What I like best about the collector is the clues she's handing out, that I'm catching (color of shirts, shoes).

Next on my list: 
Not really sure.  I just bought the River of Time series by Lisa Bergen.

_________

Jean C. Gordon

What I just finished: 
Once A Wife (A Mother's Heart Book 2) by Patricia Keelyn. This author and series is new to me. I'll probably read more.

What I'm currently reading: 
Mistletoe and Sage by Lyn Cote. Still whittling down my holiday TBR list. As usual, Lyn doesn't disappoint.

What I plan to read next: 
The Cowboy's Holiday Blessing by Brenda Minton, the next to last holiday book I have left.
__________

Merrillee Whren

What I just finished: 

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

What I'm currently reading: 

Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

Next on my list: 

Hamilton by Ron Chernow  

__________

Danica Favorite

What I just finished: 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (on audio!)

What I am reading now: 

Historical newspapers to research my current book.

What I am reading next: Mending the Doctor’s Heart by Sophia Sasson

Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical August 2016 Releases

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

A Family for the Rancher

by Louise M. Gouge

From Neighbor to Daddy

Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…

After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.

This is the second book in the latest Love Inspired Historical continuity series, Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years.

• • •

Make-Believe Beau

by Keli Gwyn
The Courtship Charade

As a draftswoman in a man's world, Jessica Sinclair causes a stir as her new male colleagues vie for her attention. And the company manager has an ultimatum: fake a courtship with her boss, Flynt Kavanaugh…or lose her job. But pretending to be smitten with the handsome engineer unleashes a real, complicated attraction—and could reveal the past she hoped to keep hidden.

Jessica is certainly the best person for the job. But as their make-believe romance escalates, Flynt knows that's not the only reason he wants her on his team. However, with his past shrouded by a shameful secret, Flynt has always focused his ambitions on building a career, not a family. Now he has designs on Jessica's heart, but can they trust each other with the truth?

Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years Continuity Series

July is fast approaching, and that means the new Love Inspired Historical three-book continuity series, Lone Star League: The Founding Years, will be making its debut.

Stand-In Rancher Daddy

Book 1 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
July 2016 release

by Renee Ryan

Suddenly a Father

Rancher CJ Thorn isn't ready to graduate from uncle to brand-new daddy—but he has no choice. After his widowed brother runs off, a pair of adorable twins have no one but CJ…and lovely neighbor Molly Langley. She's helped with the girls for so long that she's almost part of the family. Almost. CJ knows his family isn't good enough for her. Not when his brother's actions have disgraced the Thorn name yet again.

Watching CJ become a devoted father would soften any woman's heart. Yet Molly must remain immune. CJ deserves more than a woman who can't have children. Held back by fear, it'll take a disaster forcing the community together before they're ready to risk a chance on happiness.

* * *

A Family for the Rancher

Book 2 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
August 2016 release

by Craftie Lady Louise M. Gouge

From Neighbor to Daddy

Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…

After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.

* * *

A Rancher of Convenience

Book 3 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
September 2016 release

by Regina Scott

Fill-In Father…and Husband

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can't believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage…

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by the man's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: A Western Christmas-Yuletide Reunion by Louise M. Gouge

A New Family Makes the Perfect Christmas Gift  

Yuletide Lawman by Renee Ryan 

A Christmas to remember—that's what Ellie Wainwright wants to provide for Sheriff Caleb Voss's little girls. But she can't agree to a marriage of convenience. Ellie wants nothing less than real love. Caleb long ago gave up on love, yet sweet Ellie's kindness to his children could make a believer of him again. 

Yuletide Reunion by 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?

Interview:

How exciting to have Jared Mattson, the hero from Yuletide Reunion from A Western Christmas anthology, written by Louise M. Gouge, an October 2015 release from Love Inspired Historical Romance.

1.  Jared Mattson, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

            First of all, I’d like to thank you for inviting me to chat with you all today. Then I suppose you’ll be interested in knowing I’m the fourth of five sons of a cattle rancher in Riverton, New Mexico. We don’t have any women in our house because our mama couldn’t stand the harsh life and returned back east many years ago. Then my oldest brother’s wife did the same thing. Makes it kind of hard for my brothers and me to know how to treat women. Odd thing is that our youngest brother, Cal, has a way with women and plans to marry one of two sisters on a neighboring ranch. Maybe one day the rest of us Mattson men will have to take lessons from him.

2.  What do you do for fun?

            Life on a ranch involves an awful lot of work, and we don’t have any time to waste. Fun comes in the form of helping out neighbors because it gives us a change of pace. This December, we’re helping our neighbors rebuild their barn before Christmas Eve because they’re hosting the annual Las Posadas celebration, a Spanish Christmas tradition. The new barn will be the only place large enough to hold all the neighbors for a big party, which is meant to bring together the Americanos and Mexican folks who live around Riverton.

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

            This is hard to answer, and it will be hard to do. I owe a big apology to my sweet, pretty neighbor, Miss Emma Sharp. You see, I was courting her a few years ago, but I got cold feet and jilted her. Mind you, I had good reasons. What with my mama and sister-in-law deserting their husbands, I figure women were all alike. But that didn’t make my actions any easier on that sweet little gal.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

            I’m afraid that even if I summon up the courage to apologize, Emma won’t forgive me. Actually, I don’t blame her. Guilt sits on my shoulders like an oversized saddle on a little pony.

5.  What do you want out of life?

            I want a place of my own, a cattle ranch I can build up from scratch. Whether the Lord will grant that prayer, I don’t know. But I know He knows best.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

            Doing God’s will. Only trouble is, sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly what that is. I’m beginning to think I should have prayed more before I started courting Emma. And I sure should have prayed more before I jilted her.

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

            You’re going to think this is pretty strange for a cowboy, but I have a pet cat. She’s one of our many barn cats, and we made friends a few years ago. You’ll have to read my whole story to find out how that happened.

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

            As I mentioned above, our community will be celebrating Las Posadas. Here’s a little bit of history about that celebration: 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 the idealistic, fictional community of Riverton, 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.

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Cowgirl for Keeps by Louise M. Gouge

Lassoing the Cowgirl 

Rosamond Northam's plans of building a high school take an unexpected turn when her father informs her she'll be overseeing construction of a new hotel instead—with Englishman Garrick Wakefield. The newly arrived aristocrat seems to turn his nose up at all she loves about her Colorado hometown. The man is entirely insufferable…yet undoubtedly handsome. 

Garrick wants nothing more than to prove himself to his uncle, who has backed the building of this hotel. But he finds himself ever at odds with his pretty cowgirl partner over the plans. The American West is so different from his British home, but with Rosamond showing him the ropes, maybe he'll commit to Western life…and a Western lass. 

Four Stones Ranch: Love finds a home out West

Interview: 

How exciting to have Garrick Wakefield, the hero from Cowgirl for Keeps, written by Louise M. Gouge and a July 2015 release from Love Inspired Historical Romance.

1.  Garrick Wakefield, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

            Perhaps you Americans will find it interesting that I am a bona fide English aristocrat. Of course that does not mean much because I have neither title (titled aristocrats are call nobility) nor wealth (all the wealth of my uncle, Lord Westbourne, goes to his eldest son). Alas, I now must (shudder) take up a trade. My uncle has done his best to help my future by arranging for me to build a hotel in the American West (another shudder).

2.  What do you do for fun?

            I used to play polo, attend concerts in a Covent Garden theatre, and spend time at White’s, my London club. Now that my uncle has sent me to the American West, goodness knows what paltry amusements might be found. I certainly have no interest in anything cowboys (shudder again) might find amusing.

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

            While I am grateful to Uncle, that is, Lord Westbourne, I cannot imagine why he expects to make money from this hotel venture. Who would actually want to visit this vast Colorado wilderness? Further, having to work with a stubborn, albeit beautiful young lady in this project makes it all the more difficult for me. I would love to procrastinate, but that would lead to failure. See next question.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

            No question about it, I fear the failure I just mentioned. When I lost all my expectations, I knew life would be difficult. Let me explain below.

5.  What do you want out of life?

            When I was a child, I was my childless uncle’s heir. But in his old age, his countess died and he married a new young countess. They were blessed with three darling boys. I adore my young cousins, but their births assured that I would never become Lord Westbourne (heir and a spare and another spare). Nor will I inherit any wealth. Nevertheless, my faith in God assures me that He has a plan for my life. I am uncertain of exactly what I shall be doing, but if I please Him, that is all I hope for.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

            In spite of what may come across as arrogance to you Americans, I am not a pompous windbag. I have a heart that is daily growing fonder of Miss Rosamond Northam, with whom I am building Uncle’s hotel. While she annoys me beyond words for her headstrong ways, she also intrigues me. I now realize that the young ladies at home are far too compliant. Miss Northam challenges me to be a better man, and I believe I am up to that challenge.

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

            If I could be more like my jolly cousin Percy, I would be happy. Percy is related to me on my mother’s side of the family, so he has no connection to Lord Westbourne. He never aspired to title or social position, and he easily finds amusement in whatever situation he finds himself. As such, he is as carefree as any man can be. I can only wish for such a carefree attitude toward life.

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

This is a time of many great inventions. Candles and whale oil lamps have given way to gaslights to illuminate streets and homes. Communication has become faster than one could ever hope for due to the telegraph. Even travel has become so fast that it shocks the imagination as trains are replacing coaches and carriages all over the civilized world.

I would love to give away a print copy of Cowgirl for Keeps to a U. S. resident.

Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired Historicals. She received the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in 2005 and placed in 2011; and place in the Laurel Wreath in 2012. Her indie novel Then Came Love is a finalist for the 2015 IRCA. When she isn't writing or teaching her college classes, she and David, her husband of fifty years, enjoy visiting historical sites and museums. Please visit her Web site at http://blog.Louisemgouge.com

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Cowboy Seeks a Bride by Louise M. Gouge

Courted by a Cowboy 

Marybeth O'Malley 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?

INTERVIEW: 

How exciting to have Marybeth O’Brien, the heroine from Cowboy Seeks a Bride, by Louise M. Gouge, a January 2015 release from Love Inspired Historical Romance.

1.  Marybeth, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Like many people in Boston, I’m an Irish immigrant. My parents, my brother Jimmy, and I all came to American to seek a better life. Unfortunately, our father was a cruel man. Jimmy ran away from home to seek his fortune in the American West. When our parents died, I decided to go to Colorado, from where Jimmy’s last letter had been sent eight years ago. Our sainted mother, Mam, gave Jimmy a silver locket and told him it held the key to a great treasure. I’m going to find my brother and claim my share of that treasure. Unfortunately, the only way I could pay my travel expenses to Colorado was to agree to marry the son of a nice couple from that state whom I met at church. When they described their son, Rand Northam sounded like a good man. Then I found out he was a killer, and I decided he wasn’t for me.

2.  What do you do for fun?

Like most Irish people, I love to sing. Mother helped me learn to play the piano, so that’s another of my enjoyments. And I won’t say no to a nice community get-together.

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

I dread telling Rand Northam that I never planned to marry. My father was cruel, and I don’t want to live like my mother did.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

As I said above, my father was cruel. He beat my mother, my brother, and me. I fear marrying the wrong man and ending up just like Mam. She died of a broken heart, so I’m holding onto my heart so it won’t get broken.

5.  What do you want out of life?

I want to live without fear, to make my own way in life, to have friends who truly care for me as I will care for them.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

Right now the most important thing is finding my brother Jimmy and making him share the treasure from Mam’s locket. That way I can pay back the Northams for my travel expenses and then go on to live a comfortable life without having to marry Rand or anyone else.

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

In the tradition of the Irish, I’m a good storyteller. The bad side of that talent is that sometimes I hedge the truth. I know it’s wrong, and I’m asking the Lord to change me. But what am I supposed to do when I’m alone in a strange town and fearing for my very life?

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

Rand gave me an adorable black and white puppy. I named her Polly. She doesn’t get along too well with my landlady’s cat, Pepper, but I think the two of them have worked out a truce. Which sets a good example for Rand and me as we try to work out our differences. Even though I’m uncertain about marrying him, I do value his friendship.

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

After the Civil War, many people from both the North and the South migrated to the western states and territories. Colorado became a state in 1876 and thus is known as the Centennial State. By the 1880s, many areas of the state were settled and growing rapidly. Because of that rapid growth, lawmen sometimes couldn’t keep up with the bad guys. Stories of the wicked Wild West aren’t exaggerated, so oftentimes, good honest citizens had to band together and deal with outlaws to protect their homes, families, and communities.

On a lighter note, despite being far from the more civilized East, ladies managed to keep up with the fashions of the day. When the railroads made travel and transport of goods faster, people could order whatever they could afford and enjoy luxuries to match their eastern counterparts.