Courting Trouble

Great Book

I love books that show people with problems and issues and must learn to trust God in those situations.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic Protagonist!

I've read 4 Deeanne Gist novels now, and Courting Trouble and Deep in the Heart of Trouble are my favorites. I like that Essie is spirited and makes misktakes. It's always easier to relate to characters that do.

But my favorite part of the book is when she finally forgives herself - it's really one of those sappy touching moments. I read it all it one go, so I think you can guess how much I liked it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

This is a wonderful read set in Texas in the laste 1890s. Essie is adventuresome, strong-willed, independent, naive, and badly in search of love. She is blindsided by a smooth talker and learns a hard lesson. Essie's strong faith helps her come to terms with her future. The logical follow-up to this book is Deep in the Heart of Trouble, another 5 star Gist book.

Interesting

Interesting, different, kinda predictable. Though I did grow quite fond of Miss Essie.

Loved the main character!!!

Even though the ending of the book is not what one would think, I was thoroughly entertained. I couldn't wait for the sequel.

Ok book

I love books by gist, but didn't care for this book all that much. I liked the se

Great Historical Christian Novel!!!

This book was surprisingly good. Christian novels like this are usually boring but this is something special.

Nothing real great about

Raed it all, but wasnt my fav by this author. Not sure if I liked main character at all, or enough to read next in series.

great story

another of Gist's well written stories. It's hard to find a hood Christian fuction author. I've enjoyed all her books.

A great first read in this genre and by this author!

In thinking back and really reviewing the book, I discovered a little more I saw and have gotten out of it. It took me until the middle of the book to get me hooked to where it was hard to put it down. I saw myself in several character roles throughout this book, some good and some bad. But, by the very end, I saw myself in a character's role I didn't expect, which was also where I received the most revelation from. In my own life, I was seemingly trying to fill certain voids instead of letting God fill those voids when the time is right. It helped me to see that I need to take things in perspective and at one step at a time. God knows my needs and desires even though I want to take things into my own hands and at my pace. I need to step back and trust Him. It's a struggle, but it wasn't intended to be easy. This is a very good book with a very well written and absorbing story. (This was my first from this author and this genre).

Essie reminded me a little bit of Emma Woodhouse from the book, Emma.

The book was a little sad but pretty good. Really wanted to know how the story would end. After she turned thirty, Essie Sprecklemeyer is tired of waiting for a husband. So she picks one from a list and sets out to convince that potential husband. Easier said than done. Throughout the book, I felt a little sorry for Essie. Glad that her family were supportive especially near the end. Ending was good. Nice that Essie has good friends like Mrs. Lockhart and Harley, just to name a few. Not to mention that she loved things like bicycling and wearing different kinds of hats, not caring what other people think. Worth a check if you're a fan of author Deeanne Gist and her other books.

Sadly disappointing

After reading her previous two books, Courting Trouble was such a let down. I really would have been fine with her not falling in love, it is just the whole book as itself. A Bride Most Begrudging was wonderful, and even Measure of A Lady seemed well written. I just was expecting so much more.

A Must Read

This book is an absolute MUST read for anyone who enjoys christian romance. I could not put it down! I have read all of Deanne Gist's books and have found them all to be fabulous! While others have commented on the books being too 'racy', I think they are real and entirely enjoyable! Christian women are not exempt from romantic feelings and emotion and I appreciate an author that is not afraid to be real in her writing! Please keep them coming Deanne!!

Excellent Christian Fiction

This was the first book that I had read by Deeanne Gist and I will be reading many more. Essie, an eccentric and spontaneous thirty-year old, is searching for a husband. Although this novel has many laughable moments, there are serious moments as well. The author provides an excellent portrayal of her main character.

Read her other novels first...

I adored Deanne Gist's first two novels. (As did my mother, mother-in-law, aunts, and sisters-in-law who all borrowed the books from me!) This one, however, was disappointing. I don't think I'll pass it around as I did the first two. I liked the ending very much, but I felt that there was not enough historical background, which I loved in the first two. It seemed that Essie just flounded from suitor to suitor. The ending was very predictable, despite its likability. I also thought some of the sexual scenes were too racy. I'm not offended by erotic fiction, but I didn't expect this to BE erotic fiction! Also, I found Essie annoying and not really as independent as she is described. I hope that the sequel will make Essie a better developed character AND give more historical background on Corsicana. This wasn't a bad read, but it was disappointing compared to the first two books.

Better and better

Essie, the heroine, is destined to become one of your favorite characters. She's sassy, eccentric, and thoroughly likeable. You'll forgive her flaws and rejoice as she comes into her own. While perfectly moral, the book is realistic and inspirational. I love it.

fine late nineteenth century inspirational drama

Courting Trouble Deeanne Gist Bethany House, Jun 2007, $13.99 ISBN: 0764202251 In 1894 in Corsicana, Texas, thirty years old Essie Spreckelmeyer is tired of being a spinster so she decides she will find herself a husband. The eccentric woman selects widower Hamilton Crook, but he refuses to look at a woman who rescues snakes into submission and rides a bike like a man in public. Instead he goes elsewhere for a new wife. Soon after her latest disappointment that massacres her self esteem especially when it comes to attracting a man, Essie meets charming drifter, Adam Currington. They are attracted to one another and he makes it clear she has what it takes, but will he stay with the new and approved Essie when he knows she has better suitors than wanderlusts like him? --- Essie is the key to this late nineteenth century inspirational drama as she learns to accept herself, which leads to confidence and others accepting her beyond being a ¿nut¿ to avoid. The audience will enjoy following the heroine¿s coming of age as Adam teaches her to thine own self be true and the townsfolk begin to see there is more to her than just eccentricity. Deanne Gist provides a strong historical tale starring a likable individual finally understanding that God had not abandoned her to a life all alone and that she should thrive to be all that she can be. --- Harriet Klausner

To Catch a Husband

This was my first Deeanne Gist book that I have read. I have A Bride Most Begrudging sitting on my shelf but I haven't gotten around to it. But now I definitely will have to make room for it in my TBR pile. First things first, this was one of the edgiest Christian fiction books I have ever read. Most other stories just hint about sex but never really talk about it. Wow this one nearly made me blush while reading certain scenes! Of course they are still very tame, but quite risqué compared to other CBA books that are out there. I did like Essie very much. I felt her pain and frustration about not being able to find a husband. She sounds like though that she would be a really great friend to have. She'd be a perfect chick-lit character if placed in a modern setting. I love reading about independent women and Essie definitely was one, with her bike riding and snake handling. I like the characters from the town as they made the story more lively. But oh, how I hate gossipy, jealous, bitter women. They seem to want to make everyone's life miserable. When I got to the ending, I was happy with it because of the way the rest of the story lead up to it. But I do hope very much to read the sequel to this book for more Essie adventures. I cannot wait but until then I'm going back to read Deeanne's other two books. Excellent, unusual romantic story with a spunky heroine.

A reviewer

Courting Trouble is my favorite of Deeanne's three historical novels. The author created a dynamic, quirky, unique characterization in Essie. In fact, I can't recall a single 'cardboard character' in this story. They were all expertly developed. The plot was so unique, that I loved it for that reason alone. Plus the spiritual element was very well done. In fact, I related so well to Essie's struggles that I got a choked up when she had her heart broken or was misunderstood--each and every time. I loved how the author showed that changing who you are for someone else will always leave you empty and frustrated. In short, this story gave me a powerful emotional experience. I feel like I learned something about myself, and I benefited spiritually from reading Courting Trouble. Like I said, it's the best of her three books. I also loved how the ending was not the usual scenario, which kept me reading because I honestly didn't know who Essie would end up with/or what she would do. I love any element in a novel that keeps me guessing. I totally understood Essie's thinking process and I identified with her. In fact, I hope that if the author writes a sequel she will include Essie, because I hated to see the story end. Courting Trouble is probably one of the edgiest historical novels I've read in CBA, yet in my opinion, it never strayed into objectionable matter. The author did tackle some pretty big issues in a genuine way, and I am impressed with how well she crafted it. The author is fabulous at putting physical temptation and realism into her stories. I believe it's her greatest strength and her brand as an author.

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