Customer Reviews

Deep in the Heart of Trouble

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Essie Spreckelmeyer is somewhat of a legend in her hometown of Corsicana, Texas. As the founder of the Corsicana Velocipede Club and running her father's oil business, Essie's outrageous costumes for bike riding, as well as her often eccentric behavior no longer surprised the townspeople. After a disastrous affair of the heart, Essie had long lost her dream of a husband and babies and embraced Christ and spinsterhood instead.

Tony Morgan was the second son of the Morgan Oil company baron. Upon his father's death, Tony was disinherited and ordered to leave his family home by his older step-brother who was left everything. Tony took his mother's maiden name of Bryant, shaved mustache and beard, and traveled to Corsicana to find a job at Spreckelmeyer's - Sullivan oil company. Starting at the bottom, he knew if given a chance he could work his way up the ladder and restore both his name and eventually his fortune. Only one thing stood in his way - Essie Spreckelmeyer who seemed to have taken an instant dislike to the handsome drifter. The lines were drawn, the sparks were flying, and the battle of wills was on!

*** Ms. Gist's characters, are well-defined, generally very wise and almost always having a great sense of humor. While ranked as being `inspirational' her books are not at all preachy and she does not use numerous quotes from the bible to impart Christian beliefs. Instead, her characters (most of them) embrace the lessons allowing the story itself to give food for thought.

Essie is smart, independent and born way ahead of her time as far as standing up for women's rights, and opinionated - I'd liken her to the Gloria Steinam of her generation. Essie had once dreamed of marriage and babies to a handsome fellow, but unfortunately when she had fallen in love, the object of her affection turned out to be a cad. Consequently, while Tony was definitely attractive, she was gun shy and could or would not never ever want to trust her heart again.

Tony was frustrated, he'd never tried so hard to win another's trust and while around Essie he just couldn't seem to do anything right to please her. Their battles, whether over checkers, racing, or any number of physical/mental activities ended up being just that - battles. But when the real battle came for saving Tony from the hangman's noose for a murder he was framed for came about, he couldn't have asked for a better supporter, than Essie.

The supporting characters were plentiful as well as colorful, and added much to the richness of the tale which included scheming, vileness, sweet romance, and a lot of laughs. I especially loved Mrs. Lockhart, who recognized and kept Tony's secret identity as she coached him how to romance Essie by having him read plots in her romance novels. The underlying message of forgiveness and trust was a lesson that both Tony and Essie needed to be learn.

Purely a stand-alone though a follow-up to Ms. Gist's COURTING TROUBLE, this continuation of Essie's life is a most satisfying and lovely conclusion. Having considered myself lucky to have discovered this author from the very beginning with A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING, I have eagerly awaited the publication of her novels. Ms. Gist has since proved herself to be a consummate story teller using well-researched backgrounds, and blending in her fiction admirably along with actual events. A word to the wise - Ms. Gist is a talent you must discover for yourselves and any one of her books, which are all stand-alone would be a perfect start!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

I am a big fan of Deeanne Gist's writing, but I was sorely disappointed by her third book, "Courting Trouble." I still can't quite exactly put my finger on why; it had a wonderfully unique plot with vivid descriptions of the time period, and lively characters. I think my problem with the novel may have been that I wasn't wild about the main character, Essie. Despite her outgoing personality and her attitude that she can do most anything she wants even though she's a woman, I found her to be a bit too simpering and naïve and she just grated on my nerves. I could have just chalked it up to the time period Essie was set in, but I know that Gist has never let that stop her from creating beautifully multi-dimensional and memorable characters before.

I picked up "Deep in the Heart of Trouble", Gist's fourth novel and the sequel to "Courting Trouble" simply because I believe in Gist as an author, and I didn't want to let the little fact that I am not a fan of her character keep me from enjoying her latest work. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that in the four years that had passed in the storyline between the two books, Essie grew up and became a character that I quickly fell in love with! She had learned a few lessons from her past and became a better, more well-rounded woman for it. I also loved that Gist added a little mysterious twist to the book, which brought along excitement and adventure... I don't want to give away too much, so I won't say anything more about that.

"Deep in the Heart of Trouble" is another wonderful example of how Gist bucks the traditional storyline for Christian Fiction, thus making her novels enjoyable to all readers regardless of their faith. While her characters are still conveying good Christian morals and a redeeming message of God's constant love and benevolence, her works, this book included, fail to be sappy or preachy. They tell tales of love and heartache and humor and joy that just about everyone can relate to and enjoy. This is not your typical novel from a Christian publisher, and I think most of us can whole-heartedly agree that that is a GOOD thing!

Grade: A+

This is my third Deeanne Gist novel, and I have to say, she's such a touch-and-go author. I want to like this book. So badly. I keep switching between enjoyment and bitter disappointment.

First, why is it so common these days for publishing companies NOT to tell readers when something is a sequel? I found out this book is a sequel when I was two-thirds through the book. Maybe some readers think that's a great thing - the book is so good on its own, I never even realized I missed an entire back story! - but I think it's awful. If the book was amazing, I could forgive it and still be interested in Courting Trouble, but the book fails. Why would I want to go back and read the first story now? What a waste. If they had been clear that this was a sequel to begin with, I would've put the book down, picked up Courting Trouble, and read that first. Doesn't it make publishing sense to be clear about it? Now I have no desire to read it, and even less a desire to continue reading Bethany House books.

Now, regarding the actual story:

The plot starts off well, the suspense is intricate. Many of the historical facts are accurate and interesting. I enjoyed the tension of the unknown with regard to both Essie's and Tony's secrets. But then Gist does something incredible: she resolves the two main conflicts and introduces new ones! New conflicts which, I'll add, are far too boring and predictable to be interesting. As a result, the first half of the book is great and the second half is blegh.

Harley is one of the best characters in the novel, and his storyline is dropped without resolution. Not to mention the entire encounter with Mae is just so weird...was there supposed to be some childish love triangle between Harley, Mae, and Brianna?

I must take a break from reading so much Christian fiction. The whole "I gave my life to Jesus and now magically everything turns out okay" meme is starting to wax mundane.

Essie is a shining light. Her character is quirky, energetic, interesting. I related much to her - a former tomboy trying to reconcile a growing femininity. Tony is pretty well drawn also. He's a stand up guy, someone I felt Essie belonged with.

I suppose Gist wins me over with her writing. Her dialogue is impeccable. It feels real, it practically reads itself. In the end, I'm all about dialogue. I can forgive a book lacking an interesting plot if it's got good conversations. This one does.

Essie is one of those heroines you never forget. When we first met her in Courting Trouble, we could hardly wait to see her again, and Gist does not disappoint us.

Essie has matured and learned to forgive herself. At peace now, she has devoted herself to God and the people of Corsicana, but she's still the independent, headstrong, and funloving woman we love to read about.

The conflict between Essie and Tony, an experienced oil man in his own right, appears insurmountable. However, nature has other ideas, and fight it as they may, some people belong together.

Deep in the Heart of Trouble is a stand-alone book, but I highly recommend reading Courting Trouble just for the fun it. In fact, I recommend any book by Christie award winning Deeanne Gist.

Yay! I really enjoyed this book. In fact, it's quite a bit better than the book to which it's a sequel, Courting Trouble, and ranks up there with my other favorite Deeanne Gist book, The Measure of a Lady. It's really too bad that Ms. Gist generally publishes one book per year. I would enjoy reading more!

I know I'm reading a good book when I simply hate to put it down - when I'm reading every moment I can, in the car, before bed, between chores - I know this book is special. Deep in the Heart of Trouble did not disappoint! I've read some of Deeanne Gist's other stories, and like the others, Deep in the Heart of Trouble drew me in and didn't let go until the last page. Gist has a real gift for creating a sense of belonging to the time period in which her story takes place, and every character just adds layers of color and texture to the point that you are truly transported! Now that is the kind of writing I love!

"Essie Spreckelmeyer didn't have a man, nor did she need one." (p. 11) From the very first sentence in this book, Essie is the most eccentric, independent, unusual lady to grace the pages of fiction. I absolutely adored her, and by the end of the book I was cheering her in her newest venture! Gist brilliantly sets Tony Morgan - a disinherited oilman - in the opposite corner of this tale, and the story that grows between them is one of frustrating tension, tender forgiveness and breathtaking passion! Each of the characters in this saga, even the minor characters, add so much to the plot and action within the story that Essie and Tony's relationship becomes real in your mind. No wonder Mrs. Lockhart kept referring to the characters in her books! (I love her!!)

I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves adventure and romance set in the late 1800's during the Texas oil boom days. This is a well-written, well-paced story that will keep you up at night trying to finish just one more chapter! I loved it, and I certainly look forward to the next story coming out next year! Bravo, Deeanne!! Bravo!!

What a wonderful book to escape into!!! I just loved
Essie!! I think that reading Courting Trouble is important to getting the whole picture though. I highly recommend this book. The previous reviews do a detailed job so i won't add more. Get this one for the beach......great read!!

I read "Courting Trouble" in 2007 and though I did not really like the book when I recently realized that a second book was published continuing the story of Essie Spreckelmeyer. In the first book(spoiler alert) Essie fall's for a man who takes her virginity and then is run out of town. Essie turns to God and commits her life to her faith. In this book we are introduced to Tony Morgan who is also a child of an oil baron. His father dies and leaves everything to his oldest son and nothing to Tony. Tony's brother (half-brother) then sets it up for Tony's sister to marry a man who is old enough to be her father. Tony decides that he has to take action to save his sister so ends up working at Sullivan Oil for Essie under the name Tony Bryant. The two become friends and then they fall in love. They both have their secrets though and each have to come to terms with them. Again what I did not like about this book was the strong undertones of sex throughout this book. I was also disappointed with the moments when faith was forced into the story. After all that Essie had been though and the fact that was going to dedicate her life to God I found her reliance on God to be non-existent. Essie relied on her family and her bicycle club, but rarely on God. Tony was the same way relying on friends or romance novels. This is the third Deeanne Gist novel that I have been disappointed with and not sure if I will read another.

Read additional reviews of Christian Fiction books at my blog:
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In the first 100 pages of this story, we see the heroine, Essie Spreckelmeyer, win a national fashion contest, incite a riot,successfully run Texas's 2nd largest oil company, found and take charge of a ladies bicycle organization, teach classes on how to properly shoot guns and play soccer (not at the same time, thank heavens), She's saved the life of a young girl bit by a rattlesnake and cooked up an award winning dinner. She's Wonder Woman!!! In fact the only thing keeping her from total perfection is a hidden secret from long ago - one which has shaped her very life but when uncovered is brushed over so lightly, we are never allowed to even understand the circumstances. IF those two things don't annoy you to distraction, this book is a lively, fun, enjoyable romp.

This is the second book by Deeanne Gist that I have read all the way through. I think she has the gift of writing fun, catchy, Christian light romances. They flow well, keep your attention, have enough historical detail, and are mostly believable. And then I saw that one of her editors is Julie Klassen, and I really like her books, so I wonder how much influence she has on the books she edits?

Essie is part owner of a large oil company in Corsicana, Texas with her father. She's a bit spoiled with the freedom of time and resources so she also can be in charge of her velocipede (bicycle) club and other hobbies. She's spread a little thin and is over-confident with the running of the company. Tony Morgan's father was the owner of a Texas oil competitor until he died and left all his possessions to his eldest son who, like the father, does not get along well with Tony. Discouraged and disinherited, Tony heads over to Corsicana to find an oil job and earn his way up the ranks. He wasn't planning on having a head-strong female boss that doesn't want to listen to his ideas. She frustrates and intrigues him, as he does her. And so begins their relationship...

When I started reading, I didn't know there was a previous book with the character Essie. But I didn't feel lost reading this book without having read the first one; It felt complete by itself.