I just finished reading this book, and have to disagree with some of the other reviewers. This book is not explicit at all - it is a somewhat religious based novel with a romance theme, but not a traditional arch plot.

The families in the book are very rich, all the secondary characters are lush and well drawn. You feel you know the orphan kid, the frowning matron, the jealous young lady, the uncle - a whole small town. You want to root for the heroine in her search for a husband, even when it looks futile in such a closed community with her list of candidates.

I'd recommend this book to teens or older readers, although it may appeal more to older readers with the eye on history and the multiple viewpoints of the older folks in the book observing Essie and her actions/outcomes.

Looking forward to more books from this author!

I just finished “COURTING TROUBLE” by Deeanne Gist. I really liked it. Her is the review.

In this book we meet Essie the main character. She is a girl that is thrilled with an adventure and having fun. She enjoys the little things in life like sliding down the banister in their house, riding her bike through town (which always raised eyebrows), and trying something completely new “wheels” that you tie on your feet (roller skates).

In 1894 the biggest dream of a woman was to find a husband and have children; lots of them. When that dream realized you were complete and fulfilled as a woman.
Well this was the year Essie turned 30; she had “waited” on God long enough. She had to take matters into her own hands (just like Sarah had done for Abraham in the bible).

She had a few ideas on how to get a man. She had waited a man to notice her long enough too. She just had to show a man how much he needed her skills, her smarts. Essie knew that she would also have to make it look like it was the man's idea to court her. This could and would work. She just knew it.

But just like when Sarah tried with all her might to make God's will happen it wasn't smooth sailing. Essie starts to run into "courting trouble" to say the least.
What will Essie do? Will she continue to demand her own way? Will she spend much of her energy to make people like her and be respectable? Or would she commit all her hopes and dreams to her Heavenly Father - put things back into His hands where they belong?

I love how Deeanne Gist weaves "real" facts from history into everyone of her books. I'm so thrilled to learn what was actually real in the author notes at the end of the story. The stories she tells have a way of allowing God to squeeze my heart and touch me with His spirit. It doesn't get any better than that. I loved this book and I look forward to the sequel to come summer 2008. It's called "Deep in the Heart of Trouble". The story of Essie picks up on her next escapade deep in the heart of trouble. I can't wait.

Nora St.Laurent
Book Club Leader

I am very much so looking forward to the sequel of this book! Sometimes there are topics that people who have experience certain things are hurting terribly to tell someone to get opinions and help in a way, but the policies of society closes their mouths and keeps them alone in thought. Essie is a girl that is getting to a spinster age and wants nothing to do with it and seeks out herself a husband. Not only is she becoming an old maid at age 30, but she like hats, and gasp rides a bicycle (This is 1894 in Texas). Her first goal for a husband ends up getting baffled, but not before she moves onto desiring a drifter cowboy. This is where confusion and emotions play apart. I would really recommend this book for every girl and woman to read. Even men really. Sometimes you want something so badly that you are willing to break rules to get it, and do not even realize that the rules that you are breaking will take it completely from your grasp as well as effect the rest of your life. Who would imagine that something private you take part in effects everyone you know and love. The basic tells of this story is not of a spinster who looks and searches for her one true love, although that does happen. It is about a woman who wants to be loved so much, and doesn't realize that she already is. Jesus Christ is the one man who will love all no matter what they do, and the hard part in many peoples lives is how we can overlook that fact and get our lives to a ruining stand point before we realize we do not have to go searching just accept.

I recommend this book for anyone. But especially for those who knew me when I was age 16 and 17. This story will explain a lot to them and perhaps render some understanding into what fools we humans can be, but how we can grow and seek the right kind of love.

Deanne Gist is a good writer. However, her books are far too sexually descriptive. I would not suggest these books, especially for single women and teen girls. They remind me of the Harlequin Romances I, unfortunately, read 25 years ago. If you are looking for something spiritually uplifting I suggest going elsewhere.

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Deeanne Gist is one of the most entertaining writers I have come across in a long time. I love her characters as they are complicated and lighthearted at the same time. She researches the time that she is writing about and brings it across with laughter while still making it seem real. Since reading this book I have purchased everyone that she has written so far and cannot wait for her to write her next one. Try this one on for size!

wasnt't the ending that I was expecting

This was my first book by this author but won't be the last. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. I found it hard to put down as I wanted to find out whom she would eventually marry. It had kind of a surprise ending. I would recommend this book.

Enjoyable book.

I've read Deeanne's previous two books and loved them, I felt this book was a bit of a disappointment. I'd have to say it was well-written and the character development was strong, but there was something about the book from the very beginning that failed to draw me into the heroine's plot. There were occasional can't-put-it-down moments, but not the whole book like Gist's previous books.

I do think that this book was a *bit* more explicit than other Christian novels. You still need your imagination to know exactly what is happening, but not much of one. However, I don't think the plot (and the "lesson" of the book) would have advanced as well without some of this.

Overall, it was a decent book to read when there wasn't much else to do. I expect that the next novel out by Deeanne Gist will be very good and that this was more of a blip...

This book made me laugh, cry and laugh some more. It was a very heartwarming story of the love that God has for his children. How we are supposed to put Him ahead of all things - even our childhood fantasies and longings.

I enjoyed this book very much - the herione, Essie, is someone I could relate to and I rooted for her throughout the entire book. There were good lessons in this book about forgiveness, not only of others but of yourself, and being true to yourself - even when it means that you may not be able to achieve a long cherished dream. Highly recommended.

Okay- I read her first book, "A Bride Most Begruding" and quickly looked for her others. And I was honestly not impressed. In my opinion the first book was great, and this one was a big let down!

I really liked this book. I can't wait for the second one. I did not think this book was sexually explicit at all.

Essie the main character of this book was ahead of alot of woman of her time.

I also wanted her to marry the cowboy! :(

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