Day 2 with Louise M. Gouge

Welcome back for day 2 of our interview with Love Inspired author Louise M. Gouge. In addition to numerous other awards, Louise is the recipient of the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award for her 2005 novel, Hannah Rose. She will be giving away a copy of  her latest novel, A Proper Companion, to one of our U.S. visitors this week who answers this question: What are some of the things you like about books set in England’s Regency era? Leave your response as a comment, and we’ll choose a winner if we have at least 5 qualifying entries.

What is your favorite way to research a novel, Louise?

I love to read books written especially for research in a particular era, but I also love to read straight histories. I’m currently reading Shakespeare’s Wife by Germaine Greer. It presents a fascinating and exhaustive look at how women lived and survived in Elizabethan England. Despite my admiration for the lavish clothing styles and elegant mansions of that era, I am so glad to live in modern times!

How do you make sure you portray historical characters, whether real or fictional, accurately for the time they lived in while still captivating modern readers?

This is a constant challenge. We admire strong heroines who go against the restrictive rules of their times, but in truth, throughout history, women have been persecuted or even executed for what was considered inappropriate behavior. I usually create heroines who follow the “rules” yet still manage to show some spunk while realizing their dreams.

Are your books available as ebooks? Do you see that a good or bad thing?

I am delighted to say that all of my Love Inspired Historicals are available as e-books. The more readers we have, the better!

Do you participate in author book signings or events? Where can readers find you?

I do enjoy book signings, but haven’t done many in recent years. My Web site is http://blog.Louisemgouge.com.

What are you currently reading?

Other than Greer’s wonderful book, I’ve recently finished Laurie Alice Eakes’ Heart’s Safe Passage, MaryLu Tyndall’s Veil of Pearls, and Ramona Cecil’s A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana.

What can we expect from you next?

I’m pleased to say that my next book is A Suitable Wife, the second book in my Ladies in Waiting series. This is the story of my first hero’s older brother, Viscount Grenville, and the lady he tries very hard not to love. It will be released in December 2012.

Thanks again for joining us, Louise – it’s always nice to have you spend time with us.

Visitors, remember to answer Louise’s question in a comment to be eligible to win a copy of A Perfect Companion: What are some of the things you like about books set in England’s Regency era?

Include your email (spelling out ‘at’ and ‘dot’ to help cut down on spam) with your comment. If we have enough entries, the drawing will be held at 8 a.m. EST Friday. 

Looking ahead: Come back tomorrow for a review of Shakespeare's Lady by Alexa Schnee, and next week for an interview with author Jocelyn Green. See you then!