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93rd out of 947 books
—
1,422 voters
Courting Trouble (Trouble #1)
by
Deeanne Gist (Goodreads Author)
Tired of Waiting for a Match-Made-in-Heaven,
She'll Settle for One Made in Texas
Whether it's riding bikes, catching snakes, or sliding down banisters, Essie Spreckelmeyer just can't quite make herself into the ideal woman her hometown--and her mother--expect her to be. It's going to take an extraordinary man to appreciate her joy and spontaneity--or so says her doting oil-...more
She'll Settle for One Made in Texas
Whether it's riding bikes, catching snakes, or sliding down banisters, Essie Spreckelmeyer just can't quite make herself into the ideal woman her hometown--and her mother--expect her to be. It's going to take an extraordinary man to appreciate her joy and spontaneity--or so says her doting oil-...more
Paperback, 330 pages
Published
June 1st 2007
by Bethany House Publishers
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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...more
I love this author! This was a fun, quick read. I can't wait for the next book to come out....
Sep 16, 2008
Jessica
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
16+
Shelves:
christianfiction,
fiction
I actually rather liked this book. The story was at times a bit silly and her rather "un-feminine" (nearly feminist) attitude irked me at times, but there was something that I liked about "Courting Trouble".
The mindset of many Christian girls today is one of, "I must get married or I'll just die", and in "Courting Trouble" Essie goes through the same thing. She's 30. She's lonely. All she wants is a husband and children. She decides if she can just have a husband then she'll be happy and fulfill...more
The mindset of many Christian girls today is one of, "I must get married or I'll just die", and in "Courting Trouble" Essie goes through the same thing. She's 30. She's lonely. All she wants is a husband and children. She decides if she can just have a husband then she'll be happy and fulfill...more
I thought A Measure of a Lady was the greatest book until I read this. Essie was so much more loveable and lived her life to the fullest. She was very easy to relate to as well. I always thought that women always worried about finding a husband (some of them anyway) and that as they aged, they became more desperate and foolish that they forgot the most important things when it comes to finding that perfect relationship. You must love yourself before you can love others. And, God must be first in...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 17, 2012
Emily
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Women
Recommended to Emily by:
Susan Parnell
This is the second Deeanne Gist book that I've read. I previously read A Bride in the Bargain, and absolutely loved it. So, my mother-in-law graciously let me borrow Courting Trouble.
I like this book, but I didn't love it like I did A Bride in the Bargain. However, I still enjoyed the read. I'm a "happily-ever-after" type girl, so when the book left me desiring more, I felt a little let down. By "happily-ever-after" I mean head-over-heels in love with a man. I understand that she needed to give...more
I like this book, but I didn't love it like I did A Bride in the Bargain. However, I still enjoyed the read. I'm a "happily-ever-after" type girl, so when the book left me desiring more, I felt a little let down. By "happily-ever-after" I mean head-over-heels in love with a man. I understand that she needed to give...more
I copied this from another women who said it perfectly.....
"I was totally appalled at the amount of detail included in the romantic encounters in this book. I do realize that some detail was needed to fully convey to the reader the thoughts, feelings, and characters of the female protagonist and male antagonist, but the amount of detail included was totally unnecessary. It is true that the detail included is much less than in secular novels, but I have not read something this explicit in quite a...more
"I was totally appalled at the amount of detail included in the romantic encounters in this book. I do realize that some detail was needed to fully convey to the reader the thoughts, feelings, and characters of the female protagonist and male antagonist, but the amount of detail included was totally unnecessary. It is true that the detail included is much less than in secular novels, but I have not read something this explicit in quite a...more
http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com/2011...
Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist
This book was amazing! It's probably the best book I've read so far in 2011! If you haven't read this book then I think you should go and purchase your copy today!
Essie is an old maid - she's just turned 30 and she wants a husband right now! Her desire for a mate spurns her to do a number of things to catch a man: she keeps a list of all of the town's eligible bachelors along with their positive and negative traits. She of...more
I borrowed this book from a friend after I was pleasantly surprised by Deeanne Gist's first novel, A Bride Most Begrudging. Historical romances aren't my usual fare, but Gist's human characters and thoughtful plotpoints made me curious about more of her work. I think this is one of her strongest narratives.
While I didn't particularly relate to narrator Essie, I could truly see her quirkiness and eagerness; Gist painted a very complete picture of a confused woman who thinks, as many women do, th...more
While I didn't particularly relate to narrator Essie, I could truly see her quirkiness and eagerness; Gist painted a very complete picture of a confused woman who thinks, as many women do, th...more
Rating: Don't waste your time reading this! (1.5 stars)
“What a stupid book!” were the very first words out of my mouth when I finished this. I give you fair warning now this review will probably end up being more of a rant than a review.
WARNING: This review contains MAJOR SPOILERS!
From the beginning this book reads very much like a Bridget Jones’s Diary story set in the 1890s in Texas.
I kept reading believing there would be a worthwhile payoff at the end and she would ‘get the guy’ of her dream...more
“What a stupid book!” were the very first words out of my mouth when I finished this. I give you fair warning now this review will probably end up being more of a rant than a review.
WARNING: This review contains MAJOR SPOILERS!
From the beginning this book reads very much like a Bridget Jones’s Diary story set in the 1890s in Texas.
I kept reading believing there would be a worthwhile payoff at the end and she would ‘get the guy’ of her dream...more
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...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
3 likes · like · see review
COURTING TROUBLE centers around Essie Spreckelmeyer a thirty year-old woman tired of waiting for God to give her a husband. So, she decides to find one of her own. Essie is very unorthodox in her behavior which is her downfall when setting her sights on a man. After losing the man she schemed to hook, she finds herself attracted to a mysterious drifter. Allowing temptation to get the better of her, she soon finds herself once again alone, but this time her behavior could possibly ruin any chance...more
Konusu diğer kitabından farklıydı..
Ama beklediğim bir hikaye değildi diğer kitabı olan Umutsuz Aşkın Gözyaşlarının kurgusu hikayesi daha bir sağlamdı.1890 lı Yıllarda geçen hikayede baş kadın karakter 30 yaşına geldiği halde evlenememiştir.Bunca yıl beklemesine rağmen evde kalmıştır.Acele bir şeyler yapması gerektiğini düşünüp harekete geçer.İlkönce kendince uygun olan erkeklerin listesini çıkarıp harekete geçer.
Ama bunda atladığı bir şey vardır ki o da erkekler kovalanmayı değil,kovalamayı sev...more
Ama beklediğim bir hikaye değildi diğer kitabı olan Umutsuz Aşkın Gözyaşlarının kurgusu hikayesi daha bir sağlamdı.1890 lı Yıllarda geçen hikayede baş kadın karakter 30 yaşına geldiği halde evlenememiştir.Bunca yıl beklemesine rağmen evde kalmıştır.Acele bir şeyler yapması gerektiğini düşünüp harekete geçer.İlkönce kendince uygun olan erkeklerin listesini çıkarıp harekete geçer.
Ama bunda atladığı bir şey vardır ki o da erkekler kovalanmayı değil,kovalamayı sev...more
Deeanne Gist has a gift for creating a very real historical setting, introducing believable characters, telling their story, and kindling a romance among them. I love her books, especially A Bride Most Begrudging.
This one seemed to be a predictable story, and its beginning was a bit dull, so I wasn't expecting to finish at all. But midway the book caught my attention when its good Christian girl (spinster, that is) heroine got into a relationship that led to premarital sex.
I admire the way Gist...more
This one seemed to be a predictable story, and its beginning was a bit dull, so I wasn't expecting to finish at all. But midway the book caught my attention when its good Christian girl (spinster, that is) heroine got into a relationship that led to premarital sex.
I admire the way Gist...more
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was short, but it packed a lot in it and told a great story.
I think this book was good for me personally because I could relate to Essie. Without getting too personal, I can say that I've faced similar issues about marriage and finding a husband. So the way the author approached that subject was very nice.
I also liked that although this is Christian fiction, some of the actions the characters take are not very moral. Yet they are forgiven by the people involved, and...more
I think this book was good for me personally because I could relate to Essie. Without getting too personal, I can say that I've faced similar issues about marriage and finding a husband. So the way the author approached that subject was very nice.
I also liked that although this is Christian fiction, some of the actions the characters take are not very moral. Yet they are forgiven by the people involved, and...more
I've read and enjoyed a couple of other books by Deeanne Gist: A Bride in the Bargain and A Bride Most Begrudging. With these two most recent reads by Gist, I really can't decide quite how I feel about them. I would say this time the Christian aspect of this Christian Historical Fiction novel is a bit more prominent, but once again, not overbearingly so. I can't quite put my finger on what it was that just quite didn't do it for me with these books compared to Gist's other books I've read.
I ten...more
I ten...more
Courting Trouble...not a fan of the bicycle thing, but it was a good book. It did take me a bit longer to get into it than her other two books. But, I like the emphasis in the end that despite the choices she makes she realizes that Jesus is her only man that she needs in her life. Wish most Christian girls and women would see that reality. It's something I teach to my youth girls that I help out with since I know what it's like to look toward men to fulfill you and not God. Really could've done...more
The story of Essie, the town spinster, who at 30 is still unmarried, leaving her unfulfilled of her dreams of being a wife and mother. Essie decides to finally take matters into her own hands, as she begins pursuing marriagable men. Things take an unexpected turn as she gets involved with a cowboy, and soon Essie finds herself facing challenges and heartache she had never before known.
This was not my favorite Deeanne Gist book, as it was missing something that the others had - some spark - and I...more
This was not my favorite Deeanne Gist book, as it was missing something that the others had - some spark - and I...more
I was not sure if I was going to read this or not, because I already read the sequel. I am so gad that I did. I learned so much about judging. After reading about Essie and all that she went through I liked her character so much more. I actually want to go back and read Deep in the Heart of Trouble again. I should probably go back and give that book 5 stars, also. These books went so well together. I also love the religion in this book. The only thing disappointing was that because I read them o...more
I picked this up at the library in a hurry on my way to San Diego along with several others so I'd have plenty to listen to on my trip. When I took a better look at it, I thought that I wasn't going to really like it. But it appeared to be the best of my choices. I found it throughly enjoyable. I'm captivated by the tale of 'spinster' 30 year old Essie and her quest to become a wife in small town America during the late 1800s. The plot and the historical information are great. The people through...more
This is the book that made me fall in love with Christian historical fiction/romance. I had seen this book in the clearance section and kept going back to it multiple times in the hour I was at the bookstore. I decided to buy it and started reading it as soon as I got home, I finished it before I even went to bed!
I went back to the bookstore and bought the sequel as well as all the other Deeanne Gist books they had, and started branching out to other Christian authors as well.
I could easily pu...more
I went back to the bookstore and bought the sequel as well as all the other Deeanne Gist books they had, and started branching out to other Christian authors as well.
I could easily pu...more
I was instantly drawn into this book by the spunky heroine's character. I loved the descriptions of her as a large hat wearing, banister sliding, bicycle riding, ankle bearing woman in 1875. She had a fabulous wit, a great relationship with her parents, her Dad, especially.
I laughed out loud several times during the book as she tries to nab herself a husband. She is determined to say the least, although a bit naive. I was happy that her experiences helped her smarten up some at least.
The ending...more
I laughed out loud several times during the book as she tries to nab herself a husband. She is determined to say the least, although a bit naive. I was happy that her experiences helped her smarten up some at least.
The ending...more
This is the first book in the "Trouble" series by DeeAnne Gist.
I loved this book! So sweet. We learn all about the young Essie and her unconventional ways. She's so lovable! She's the only child, 30 years of age, still living at home and known as the town's "spinster". Let me back up.. this takes place in the 1900s when women wore those huge dress things, they had the strict victorian etiquette rules in place, and everything was everyone's business. The bicycle (machine) was thought of as "sinf...more
I loved this book! So sweet. We learn all about the young Essie and her unconventional ways. She's so lovable! She's the only child, 30 years of age, still living at home and known as the town's "spinster". Let me back up.. this takes place in the 1900s when women wore those huge dress things, they had the strict victorian etiquette rules in place, and everything was everyone's business. The bicycle (machine) was thought of as "sinf...more
I was not impressed with this book. I have read many of her books and they have been on my "wall of fame" bookshelf but this one went on the back shelf of stinkers. This thirty-year-old woman gets it in her head to get married and aggressivly courts eligible men. She makes every blunder and mistake and fails miserably. Then she falls in love with a rogue and gets laid under a willow tree. They get caught by the sheriff and she is ruined. End of book. She wrote two more in the series. I read one,...more
So when I read this book, I was a little surprised, but it was good, nevertheless. I've always liked Deeanne's way of writing and I fell in love with Essie's flamboyant personality.
Okay, everybody who gave this book one star, are you saying that Christians never EVER have sex before getting married? Of course they do! I'm not saying that that's okay and I'm not condeming you Christians that have; what I'm saying is, lying is no worse than having sex before marraige, right? God gave us ten laws;...more
Okay, everybody who gave this book one star, are you saying that Christians never EVER have sex before getting married? Of course they do! I'm not saying that that's okay and I'm not condeming you Christians that have; what I'm saying is, lying is no worse than having sex before marraige, right? God gave us ten laws;...more
This book has a sequel, which I read first. Why did they not mention that anywhere??? Anyways, the second book is much better than the first, esp. since the first book leaves you hanging. However, good read for seeing the consequences of being involved with a gentleman before you are married, and with the second book, seeing the power of the redemption in someone's life and giving another chance.
*Note-Not for the faint of heart-Rather in depth on the part with the gentleman, but can be easily sk...more
*Note-Not for the faint of heart-Rather in depth on the part with the gentleman, but can be easily sk...more
Headstrong, nonconforming Essie Spreckelmeyer is at the heart of this Texas based historical romance-gone-wrong. Her love for the outdoors, wildlife and adventure come second only to her determination to find and secure a husband. Known as the town spinster, thirty-year-old Essie has no time to lose in her pursuit.
Going to great lengths to procure the man she has decided on, Essie’s innocent exuberance for life is more than her pursued can take. Hurt and more than a little put out by his thwarti...more
Going to great lengths to procure the man she has decided on, Essie’s innocent exuberance for life is more than her pursued can take. Hurt and more than a little put out by his thwarti...more
Loved this book! Deeanne Gist has yet to disappoint me. I was intrigued by the blurb, which mentions that thirty year old Essie makes a list of eligible bachelors and randomly chooses one to pursue. This sounded like a romantic comedy-type premise, which it was at first. But I had no idea that her desire for a husband would lead to so much heartache. Due to a part of the plot, a section of this book is likely slightly more graphic than most Christian historical fiction novels are, but it's never...more
2 likes · like · see review
I really found it easy to associate and empathize with Essie. She has some of the same desires and character traits that I have exhibited in my life.
Great quotes:
p.196 "Have you so little appreciation for His (Christ's) sacrifice that you would fling it back in His face by trying to earn your way to Heaven? What good is God's mercy if we never have need of it?"
p. 306 "Forgive my pride, Lord. I'm willing to deny myself of the things I desire most--a man, a marriage, and children.
"...the ramificat...more
Great quotes:
p.196 "Have you so little appreciation for His (Christ's) sacrifice that you would fling it back in His face by trying to earn your way to Heaven? What good is God's mercy if we never have need of it?"
p. 306 "Forgive my pride, Lord. I'm willing to deny myself of the things I desire most--a man, a marriage, and children.
"...the ramificat...more
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Deeanne Gist—known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee—has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captivated readers everywhere with her original historical and contemporary romances. A favorite among readers and reviewers alike, her popular titles include A Bride Most Begrudging, A Bride in the Bargain, and Maid to Match. Her latest book, It Happened at the Fair, is her ninth published novel.
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“Jesus Christ
She formed the letters of His name with careful script.
Points of Merit:
*Will never leave me
* Nothing can separate me from His love
* Took my sins upon himself
* Forgave me
* Turns my darkness into light
* Cares about everything I do, even knows how many hairs are on my head.
Drawbacks:
She took a bite of cheese, then tapped the top of her pencil to her lips.
*Can't see Him, touch Him, or hear Him with my physical body.
Yes, but blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
* Is always right about everything.
True. But if you depend on Me and trust Me, I will take care of you.
* Expects absolute obedience.
I have warned a man that it is better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered woman. It's in Proverbs, in case you've forgotten.
She took another bite of cheese and suppressed a smile.
* Has a droll sense of humor.
A feeling of shared warmth and amusement washed over her. She giggled. Wrapping her arms around herself, she basked in the warmth of His love.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
She formed the letters of His name with careful script.
Points of Merit:
*Will never leave me
* Nothing can separate me from His love
* Took my sins upon himself
* Forgave me
* Turns my darkness into light
* Cares about everything I do, even knows how many hairs are on my head.
Drawbacks:
She took a bite of cheese, then tapped the top of her pencil to her lips.
*Can't see Him, touch Him, or hear Him with my physical body.
Yes, but blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
* Is always right about everything.
True. But if you depend on Me and trust Me, I will take care of you.
* Expects absolute obedience.
I have warned a man that it is better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered woman. It's in Proverbs, in case you've forgotten.
She took another bite of cheese and suppressed a smile.
* Has a droll sense of humor.
A feeling of shared warmth and amusement washed over her. She giggled. Wrapping her arms around herself, she basked in the warmth of His love.”
Oct 21, 2012 01:35pm