Customer Reviews

Courting Trouble

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

It's not unusual when reading a novel for the author to create characters you'll fall in love with that you hate to see it end. In this case I am thrilled because not only has Ms. Gist written just that, but she is planning a sequel and one can only hope she writes fast!

Essie Spreckelmeyer has got to be one of the more intriguing and lovable characters I've met this year. In 1894 and reaching the age of 30 years old Essie has made up her mind that the Lord has more important things to do than bring her a husband. So Essie must go out and capture one herself. After studying the pros and cons of all the eligible bachelors in Corsicana, Texas, she's ready to begin her campaign; unfortunately Essie is an original who marches to the beat of a different drummer. Essie rides her bike Peg (short for Pegasus), slides down banisters, and catches snakes. It's not just anybody who is going to appreciate Essie's joy and zest for life but someone very special!

Form the very first pages the reader will find this one hard to set down. Essie is -- in a word - spectacular! She is funny, compassionate, caring, and the more you read of her miss-adventures, the more you will love her! In deciding to find a husband she forges full speed ahead. Essie doesn't let anything slow her down once she's got her target in sight and though she may stumble once or twice her faith is unshakable especially when after making a huge error in judgment she learns not only the true meaning of forgiveness but that the Lord just might have a better future in store for her if she just places her trust in Him. Peppering this story with a plethora of endearing secondary characters, from Essie's Uncle Melvin and the young orphan Harley, to name a few, you'll be totally charmed with some laugh out loud scenarios, and shed tears of compassion as well when life's journey hits a few bumps in the road. I was most impressed with this newer author's previous novels A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING and THE MEASURE OF A LADY. But with this latest book positively sparkling with vitality and uplifting entertainment, I can emphatically state Gist has won me over completely. Write fast lady, I can't wait for the promised sequel!



Marilyn Rondeau - Reviewers International Organization (RIO)

Deeanne Gists' first two stand-alone novels were wonderful, and made me regard Gist as one of my favorite authors. I had been anticipating her latest book, "Courting Trouble" for a year, and began reading it the day it hit shelves.

I knew before I began reading this novel that Gist was already writing the sequel, so I understood from the start that it might not end the way I expected. Yet, I was still disappointed with the book as a whole. My problem with the book isn't the ending, and it isn't even the "disgracing" that Essie goes through - those parts of the book are actually authentic and heart-felt, and I applaud Gist for once again writing reality rather than a sugared-up version of it. My issue with the novel... is less tangible than that. I just feel that this character and the world she lives in is less endearing, less intriguing than in Gist's past novels. I didn't feel the hook, the desire to never put the book down. My thoughts didn't wander to the story when I wasn't reading it. It is a good book, it just simply isn't exceptional. And given Gist's track record of writing exceptional Historical Christian Romance, I was thoroughly disappointed with "Courting Trouble" being simply a "good" book.
However, that does not mean that I will not be reading her future works, I still think that Gist is a wonderful author; this novel just isn't my favorite of hers.

Grade: B-

Essie is determined not to become the town spinster. She's made a list of all the eligible men in her town and is set on becoming the Mrs. of one of them. But Essie is not your normal stay at home woman, she's a tomboy who loves riding her bike, picking up snakes, and wearing outlandish hats. The town doesn't know what to do with her. With each prospective husband that Essie meets, she gets into all sorts of adventures. Will Essie get her man or is there something more important than marriage for her?

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.

Deeanne Gist just keeps getting better and better. The heroine of Courting Touble is destined to become of your favorite characters. She's a woman you'd want to know.
Buy this book. No, buy two. You'll want to give one to your best friend.

If you are a hopeless romantic like myself, DO NOT READ this book. Although I did not find this book objectionable, it was a very unhappy story. This book should never have been tagged as a romance. There is not even one moment of true romance in this book. If you are looking for a book about learning life lessons the hard way, and then making peace with God, this is the book for you.

Even though this book was well written, I was mislead on the subject content. Reading the synopsis on the back of the book, I was lead to believe that this was a Romantic comedy with Christian values. There was no romance to speak of. Not only was it not a romance, it left me somewhat depressed. The publisher should have labeled this book under historical fiction not historical romance.

Courting Trouble is a story that explores the very human tendency to want what we want, not what God wants for our lives. Deeanne Gist does a fine job of showing Essie to be a woman who's tired of waiting on God to answer her prayers for a husband and take matters into her own hands. Personally, I could relate- not to her unmarried state, but to her misguided need to be in total control of her life. The message in this book- Trust God, but if you don't and create havoc in your life, He'll still be there for you.

I really liked the idea of this book and hoped that it would be as good as A Bride Most Begrudging and not like A Measure of A Lady. Unfortunately it was even worse than the latter... Essie is a thirty year old single woman who desparately wants a husband and family of her own. She writes a list of all the eligible bachelors in her town and does a pro and con sheet for each. She intends to go one by one and try to "woo" a marriage proposal out of them. (The story appeared so promising at this point- ripe with potential lol moments...) Everything seems to be going according to plan with the first on her list, the local general store owner. But then Adam, a former cowboy and current drifter, waltzes into town and catches Essie's eye. This is where the novel goes downhill and veers into secular romance territory. I was very disappointed that a CHRISTIAN romance novel would include the detail that it did. Even though it is not as graphic as it could be (describes passionate kissing, inappropriate touching, foreplay, etc.) it was still more information and detail than was necessary.

I was extremely disappointed in Essie's character and her desperation that she would go down the path she chose. For a novel to work well, you usually have to like or at least identify with some characteristics of the protagonist. Initially, I liked her spunk, strength of personality, and innocence but I didn't take her for stupid or naive, which would be the qualities that would make her think and act the way she does around Adam. I understand the point in her journey of self-discovery but had hoped it would be done discreetly and in actions not so contrary to her character.

I would not recommend this book to anyone- those looking for a good, quality Christian romance should definitely look elsewhere. Maybe I'm being ultra-sensitive but I'd rather be completely honest in my initial impression than let anyone else be disappointed/shocked/appalled/surprised... Ah well, needless to say I have the best of intentions. If you liked Measure of a Lady, you'll probably like this one but not me. Measure of a Lady was close to being as "open" with details but not quite as blatant.

The premise was promising- but I'm probably being too generous giving it two stars... All I know is that I will not be purchasing or reading anymore of Ms. Gist's books.

The book deals with Essie's very real struggles over a sin that she had committed, and in reality her on-going sin of pride (in that she thought she could help God) throughout the book. It has a very "real" edge, as we all make mistakes and it's about how you deal with it. Proving to be very realistic in regards to how "normal" people might deal with the given circumstances. It's not your typical romance, but in the end Essie chooses God over herself and that alone is cause for celebration.

I agree with Daisy4given in that it was not as captivating as her first two novels, however it was definitely worth the read. Also, be aware that there is a sequel in the works.

The Summary on the back of the book led me to believe the book was about Essie picking a man at random and making him fall in love with her, that lasted about three or four chapters. She proceeds from this point to two other failed relationships, one with a terribly transparent womanizer. I was very disappointed that she let him sleep with her. She was a strong character, gratingly so at times, but I hoped it would be useful to her in that situation. She gave in too easily, and it really bothered me. If you're a romantic like me, the book will leave you unsatisfied, and a little bummed out. I returned my copy the next day and bought a different book.