Courting Trouble
Deeanne GistHistorical romance
Available from Bethany House
ISBN: 0764202251
June 2007
| The year Essie Spreckelmeyer turned 30, she decided the Lord needed help finding her a husband! There was nothing particularly wrong with her—she just did not fit the expected mold of what was expected of a lady in a small town in Texas. She wanted a husband and children of her own, but she did not want to give up her personality and activities to get one. She did, however, decide to find her own. She made a list and checked it over; then she decided who would be the best candidate. Then she went after him, at his stop, the “Slap Out” (named because when you were “slap out” of something, you had to go buy it at the store! Hamilton Crook needed her for a wife; his had died and left him with a very small daughter who needed a mother.
She was a top-notch salesperson and Hamilton’s business had never been better. She also found time to ride her bicycle, despite the rumors that it was unhealthy for a woman to ride; she caught snakes and had been known to slide down banisters. Still she felt that she and Hamilton would become a couple—until he went out of town and brought back a new wife! Then, she met Adam Currington, a cowboy who was hired to dig water wells; he struck oil and Essie’s father, Judge Spreckelmeyer, hired him to drill for his new venture. Between the judge and Essie’s uncle, the sheriff, that relationship was a secret because Adam did not want to do anything that would lessen the changes of the judge being reelected. This was an amazing book with an incredible plot! The characters were so realistic and the story so engaging that it was refreshing to read. There were many comical activities and Essie seemed to invent new ways to amaze the townspeople! There were also several emotionally touching times when Essie tried to deal with her shortcomings. Ms. Gist has done a great job of telling this tale without confusing the issues and characters. The ending was shocking to me. I highly recommend that you read this book! Kudos to the author!
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Reviewer: Brenda Talley |
