Thank you for inviting me back to Pistols and Petticoats. Seems like it was just yesterday when I visited to promote my first contemporary Love Inspired book, Safe Haven Ranch. Actually that was all the way back to last June, and I’m delighted to visit with you again. It’s always a treat to talk to you about our favorite genre: western romances. As I said last time, we love to cheer for our heroes and heroines as they work through adversities and earn their happily-ever-after. Today I want to talk about my brand new release, A Faithful Guardian, a sequel to Safe Haven Ranch.
Just a reminder: My first book in my New Mexico series was a novella, Yuletide Reunion (LIH 2010).
Inspired by the little ranch where my late sister retired, I set my story beside the Rio Grande in New Mexico Territory and created the Mattson family of five brothers, each of whom deserved his own story. In the end, each brother found his happily-ever-after with the perfect heroine for his personality. I’m honored to say Finding Her Frontier Family and Finding Her Frontier Home were both finalists for the prestigious Selah Award. These stories were so much fun write, and I was sad to leave this family behind. With the Love Inspired Historical line coming to an end, I was doubly sad, because I love to write historicals. By the way, you can find my complete Booklist and more info about my writing at my website: https://louisemgougeauthor.blogspot.com/
Loving all my heroes in any of the genres in which I’ve written, I couldn’t forget about those Mattson brothers. So I began to write about their many descendants, each with a story worth telling! My editor at Love Inspired loved the idea, and now I’m excited to announce that I signed a three-book contract for more Mattson descendant stories. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My newest release, A Faithful Guardian, is my first book to feature a dog. As a cat mama, I don’t really know that much about dogs, but I had plenty of help from friends who are experts and who kept me on the right track. Specifically, Lady, my border collie is supposed to herd cattle, but this little gal has a mind of her own. She’d much rather be with her brand new friend, Zoey, a fifteen-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who needs a canine companion. That doesn’t sit too well with the dog’s owner, who’s convinced Zoey’s mom, Lauren, stole Lady. Of course, conflict ensues as the hero and heroine wend their way toward their happily-ever-after. Here’s the back cover blurb:
An unexpected canine friendship could bring their families together. After her teen daughter, Zoey, bonds with a stray dog, the last thing Lauren Parker anticipates is the owner accusing her of stealing it. The prominent rancher and widowed father, Robert Mattson, doesn’t believe Lauren’s innocence, but even he can see the special understanding his dog, Lady, has for Zoey’s medical needs. When Robert’s twins become fast friends with Zoey, his prickly interactions with Lauren soon give way to something more. As Lady brings them all closer together, Robert can’t harden his heart any longer…but is he too late to win Lauren’s love?
I’m delighted to give away one print copy of A Faithful Guardian to a U. S. resident. Please leave a comment below and answer one of these questions: Do you prefer cats or dogs, and why? Do you have or know of a K-9 companion dog, and how do they help their human friend? Full sentences, please.
South Carolina author Louise M. Gouge writes contemporary and historical romance fiction, winning the prestigious IRCA in 2006 and placing as a finalist in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017. She was also a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Awards in 2005, 2007, and 2008, and placed in the Laurel Wreath contest in 2012. Most recently, she was a finalist in the 2023 Selah Awards and is a current finalist for the 2024 Selah Awards. A former college English and humanities professor, Louise is a member of the Christian PEN and has been copyediting for well-known authors for fifteen years. Married for fifty-four happy years to her beloved husband, David, Louise is now widowed and spends her days researching and writing her next novel.
Web site at https://louisemgougeauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouiseMGougeAuthor
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I prefer dogs. I was around them more as a kid.
That makes sense. We all tend to go for the familiar.
I love both, but I prefer dogs. They are more loyal and show their love more readily. Cats, as a whole, are more independent and willful.
This is so true. I see how much people love their dogs. Someday, I may adopt one, if my cats let me do it. LOL!
I like both cats and dogs, though I like cats more. I do NOT have a cat as I don’t like cleaning out litter boxes. I don’t have a dog, because I don’t want one in the house, and it’s too hot in FL to leave one outside! I know a few people who have had K-9 service dogs. A girl at church has a golden named Garth Brooks. When Garth is working, all commands have to be given as Garth Brooks. When not “working” it’s Garth.
What a clever way to signal to a companion dog! I’m with you about the cleanup. I have to stay on top of the cat box, or our house would be pretty stinky.
Good morning and welcome back. Congrats on your books. I grew up on a farm so, yes we have always had cats and dogs. When I got married my husband was allergic to cats so we got a dog and then birds and other pets. Our Penelope dog (Keeshond) was such a wonderful family dog. She loved our two kiddos and protected them fiercely. To watch them, I knew there was a special bond between them. Today after 41 years of marriage we have two cats. We found a non allergic cat that dear husband is not allergic to. A Russian Blue. They are very slim and sleek, gray/white, super intelligent, with a heart of gold and very playful and energetic.
I love that you found a non allergic cat! That really helps me. My dear grandson, who grew up loving our cats, is dating a lovely girl who’s allergic. I’ll have to mention the Russian Blue to them.
I have and love both cats and dogs, but secretly prefer dogs! Years ago I met a very lovely woman where I worked. She was sitting in the lobby of our building with her guide dog, a beautiful Golden Retriever who was wagging his tail at me. Since I had volunteered at the New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped in Alamogordo when my husband was stationed there, I knew that one does not just approach a service dog and start petting it, so I sat down across from her, introduced myself and asked if it was okay to pet her dog. She said absolutely it was okay and we sat and chatted until her ride came. She worked in the building also and we became friends, visiting each other often and going out to dinner together. I learned a lot about guide dogs through my friendship with her and her dog.
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing.
I like both but I have a cat. With a cat you can just set up a litter box and not have to take them outside all the time. Although you do have to put up with a lot of cat hair because they shed all the time.
Tell me about it! LOL! Our cats are white andlong-haired, so we use a lot of rollers to get the hair off of our clothes.
don’t know of a K-9 companion dog
Not everyone does. I only know of one because of a blind friend.
I grew up on a farm and cats were always out in the barn. So, I am more familiar with dogs.
I have owned all kinds of dogs-each have their own personality and each were loved and appreciated.
What fun to have a dog for a close companion!
This story sounds amazing. Love the cover and border collies. When our son was a year old we drove to Tennessee to purchase a border collie puppy for his birthday. My husband had one when he was young and believes them to be the best dogs ever. We got the puppy and named her Lady. She was a wonderful dog and very attached to our son. She made every step he made and would get between him and anyone that came into our yard. She was never aggressive, didn’t even growl or anything, just got between them. I have so many stories I could tell you of things that happened with her but that would be a book. lol She was stolen one time when we lived in Georgia and made her way back after weeks. We could tell she had been tied, rope marks across her nose. We all cried and loved on her. Still miss Lady. She was the best dog we ever had. Would love to read your book.
What a sweet story, Sarah. I’m so glad she came back to you. And you should write that book!
I prefer dogs. Probably because I had a cat when I was younger that was mean. Often would bite you for no known reason. I also like guinea pigs and featured some in one of my books. 🙂
Great to have you here, Louise.
Thanks, Jodie. It’s good to be here.
Hi, Louise. I love the cover. We had an Eskimo Spitz named Lady when I was growing up. I like both cats and dogs. As a pet owner, I prefer cats because they suit my busy life more than a dog does. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book.
Vickie, I was so pleased with the cover. Thanks for the comment.
I prefer cats because of their independence.
That’s a great reason.
I prefer dogs, they can be trained easier.
That’s true. Generally speaking, cats don’t know the meaning of the word “trained.”
I prefer dogs to cats. We just lost Ziva, our youngest son’s dog this week. They are so loyal and accepting of you.
It’s so hard to lose our furry friends. My heart goes out to you and your son.
I like Both but Dogs are my favorite No I don’t know anyone who has a K-9 Companion but I sure do love reading about their great work in a lot of the LI stories they are wonderful Companion’s And Your Book sounds amazing! Have a Blessed weekend!
Thanks, Sarah. I’m glad you love these stories.
Good afternoon. I think both dogs and cats are amazing animals. I have a dog and grew up having dogs My husband grew up having cats. We have never had a cat together because when our daughter was very young we would go visit my in laws and they always had a cat, well our daughter is very, very allergic to cats , so we have never owned one ourselves and we won’t either. Our daughter and her little family have 5 dogs, (they live in our same town) our son has 3 dogs and 4 cats and they live 6 hours away. Our pup is a very good boy, he is 11 yrs old and he makes me smile and laugh every day. My husband and I take him on our morning walk every day. Our pup makes our life even greater. Have a great weekend. Your books sound like Great reads, I love family sagas.
It sounds like you and your family really enjoy your pets! Such fun!
Your stories sound wonderful. I like reading a series and then the next series that has descendants from the first. Those are my favorite.
I’m a cat person. My Emma will be 19 in April!!!! I grew up with dogs but never had one as an adult. I just don’t like to be licked all the time with that slobbery tongue. lol My cat has a delicate lick until she decides you taste good and she bites!
I know we have K-9’s here but have never met one personally. I think they are a wonderful addition to any department or military unit.
Yes, I love my kitty’s “kisses,” too. And I deeply admire all the ways dogs can be trained to help their people.
I enjoy both cats and dogs. I love them both so it is hard to pick just one. I do not know any K-9 dogs. I do know of a few support animals though. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Support animals are so special!
We like both cats and dogs because we have had both through the years.
Cherie, you have a wealth of animal love going on there.
I prefer dogs. I like cats but prefer dogs because you can walk them and play fetch and things like that. I like that you know when someone comes up that they don’t know and will bark to let you know it. They will also protect you .
I love that about dogs, too. They’re such great protectors.
I prefer dogs 100%!!! I have always had at least one dog and at one time we had 6 dogs at once! I can’t imagine life without a dog! I don’t have anything against cats personally, it’s just an allergy thing so they didn’t stand a chance.
I don’t know any K-9 companions personally but I feel like every dog has the ability whether they were trained for it or not. I know that our dogs seem to favor one of us in the house when we are not feeling well or feeling worse than usual. The get especially clingy to my mom when her blood pressure turns out to be high or low(she ends up taking it after they keep coming to her).
That’s remarkable, Joannie. Bravo to the dogs who can sense our infirmities!
I love both Cat and dogs but prefer Cats because they’re easier to take care of and they’re loyal
I love dogs. I’ve always had a dog since I was a kid so that’s a big reason I’m partial to them. Cats can be cool, my aunt had a sweet one, but I’ve never had one.
Thanks to everyone who made comments today. I’m off to bed here in Eastern Standard Time. Sleep well.
Blessings!
We have had both cats and dogs. Cats are easier if you are a busy person because they are so self contained and independent. As long as you keep them fed and clean their litter boxes, they’ll put up with you. Dogs on the other hand need more attention and time. Our dogs have always been members of the family with their own personalities. They take more care and often demand more of your time. I like them both, but we seem to favor dogs at this house. I don’t know if it is because they need us or if it is the emotional feedback we get from them. We have had 4 cats over the years and are on dog number 15. In stories, I think dogs fit well because they can be used in more capacities than cats.
We volunteer at the local VA hospital and know quite a few people who have service and therapy dogs. We have two friends that have therapy dogs they bring in to visit with patients. One has wolfhounds and one has Weimaraners. We have friends that have service dogs. One is for someone with PTSD to calm and comfort them when they have an episode. One who can sense when his owner who is diabetic has blood sugar level issues.
Your new book sounds like one I’d enjoy reading; thanks for offering the giveaway.
I grew up with cats (as one of 10 siblings, I think my folks found them more economical) and prefer them. Two young women at my college were blind and had companion dogs. Both of them found the dogs to be great assets and loving companions. As an adult I met a woman in our community who brings her therapy dog to the library so children with reading problems can read to non-judgmental listeners (think the program was called “Barks to Books”). I’ve also read that some animal shelters do similar programs, letting children visit and read to the dogs (maybe cats, too) waiting to be adopted.
Dogs… I grew up on a farm & my dog was my faithful companion … I have no direct experience with K-9 companion dogs but I can appreciate the value that a dog can offer to someone.
I absolutely love both cats and dogs as an owner of them both. Love them more then anything besides my twin sister. They’re so loving and the just a hoot to be around with all there silly antics, very mischievous at times and keep you on your toes that’s for sure. I have no one that I know with k-9 companion.