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Deep in the Heart of Trouble

August 27, 2008 by 5 Minutes for Books

I’ll admit, all things being equal, historical fiction is not my first choice among genres. Lyn Austin’s Refiner’s Fire series and Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series (both favorites of mine) notwithstanding, it seems that most historical romances either contain too much history rendering the characters flat and uninteresting, or too much romance making the history nothing more than an implausible backdrop.

Not so with Deanne Gist’s Deep in the Heart of Trouble, the story of Essie Spreckelmeyer, the independent, outspoken spinster of Corsicana, Texas more concerned with bicycles and bloomers than men and romance. Tony Morgan is the disinherited son of a rival oilman who finds a job with Essie’s father’s oil company, a company Essie herself manages. While Essie is a free spirit determined to do things her way, Tom finds himself intrigued, bewildered, and even angered by Essie’s fierce independence.

I don’t have to tell you that Essie and Tom fall in love–such is the nature of romantic fiction! However, their story lacks the usual predictability and tells an engaging and delightful tale. Essie is a quirky, refreshing and extremely likeable heroine who struggles with an unsavory past. Though this is certainly a love story set in Texas at the turn of the twentieth century, it is also a story of forgiveness and redemption. Through Essie and Tom, Gist reminds us of the true nature of grace and the faithfulness of God’s provision. I completely enjoyed this novel!

Interested in reading Essie’s story for yourself? Check out an excerpt here.

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….

Would you like to win a copy of Deep in the Heart of Trouble? Please leave a comment, and we’ll announce the winner on September 3.

Filed Under: Christian, Fiction, Historical, Lisa

« What’s on Your Nightstand — August
Wednesday’s Winners »

Comments

  1. Jennifer Hedden says

    August 31, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    enter me

  2. Tonya Froemel says

    August 31, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    love to win this

  3. Monica Garcia says

    August 31, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    I would love to win this book!! [email protected]

  4. Anita Yancey says

    August 31, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    This book sounds like such a good one. I would love to read it. Please enter me, and thanks!

  5. Vicki Wurgler says

    August 31, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    I’d love to win , I enjoy reading historical fiction

  6. Frank T. says

    August 31, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    super! ! !

  7. Michelle Hohertz says

    August 31, 2008 at 11:33 pm

    I’d love to win this! Just the cover alone would be enough to get me to pick it up.

  8. Julie Donahue says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:10 am

    Pick me! (Please)

  9. Erica G says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:23 am

    Please pick me! I love a good book!

  10. Audrey Okaneko says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:35 am

    This book sounds really good. Thanks!

  11. Ann Marie Walker says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:54 am

    Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

  12. william causey says

    September 1, 2008 at 1:52 am

    please count me in

  13. Alicia T says

    September 1, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Thanks for the giveaway

  14. Elizabeth M. says

    September 1, 2008 at 4:30 am

    It’s not my first choice either but I have opened myself up to the genre lately and I’ve been surprised by some wonderful books. Thanks for the giveaway.

  15. Erma says

    September 1, 2008 at 9:02 am

    Sounds like a good book.

  16. Marion B says

    September 1, 2008 at 9:16 am

    Looks like a good book!!

  17. LisaK says

    September 1, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Sounds like a good book! I’d love to try for it!

  18. Catherine Gildea says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    The title reminds me of the song Deep in the Heart of Texas.

  19. Denise says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    I wouldn’t mind checking this out.

  20. Paula H says

    September 1, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    I would love a new book.

  21. christal e says

    September 1, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    Sign me up!

  22. shawna says

    September 1, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    This sounds like a really great book! Would love to read it

  23. Sue Farrell says

    September 1, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    I have always liked historical fiction, especially ones set in the south, so I think I might really enjoy this book.

  24. Gloria Dornin says

    September 1, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    I love almost all types of fiction. I would love this

  25. Kobi Hendrix says

    September 1, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the contest

  26. Kayce C says

    September 1, 2008 at 10:55 pm

    Count me in.

  27. Leslie Davis says

    September 1, 2008 at 11:20 pm

    Would love to win. It sounds great. 🙂

  28. Tamara Burks says

    September 2, 2008 at 12:28 am

    Sounds like a book I’d love!

  29. Tamara Merritt says

    September 2, 2008 at 12:45 am

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  30. Chrysa says

    September 2, 2008 at 1:06 am

    Looks like a good read!

  31. Sharon Fairclough says

    September 2, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for the giveaway

  32. kathleen Yohanna says

    September 2, 2008 at 3:22 am

    I love historical fiction but sometimes the characters are hard to relate to. This sounds like a wonderful book and I would really like to win a copy.

  33. kathy pease says

    September 2, 2008 at 8:53 am

    PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY 🙂

  34. Roseann Kies says

    September 2, 2008 at 9:58 am

    I LOVE THESE TYPE OF BOOKS! THANKS FOR THE CONTEST!

  35. Frances Watson says

    September 2, 2008 at 10:00 am

    looks like a good read count me in

  36. Angie P says

    September 2, 2008 at 10:53 am

    I’d love to win a copy. The book sounds interesting. Thanks!

  37. Desiree says

    September 2, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Love historical romances…the only way I can read a romance book 😉

  38. Becky says

    September 2, 2008 at 10:58 am

    I love books..I would love to win one.

  39. Kathy Conley says

    September 2, 2008 at 11:26 am

    What a great end-of-summer read!

  40. Darlene Wetzel says

    September 2, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Sounds interesting.

  41. Susanne Troop says

    September 2, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    I’m always looking for a good book to read!

  42. Brenda S. says

    September 2, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    I would love to read and win this book

  43. sarah b says

    September 2, 2008 at 2:52 pm

    looks like a great story i would love to read!

  44. Janet says

    September 2, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    I would love to be entered. Thanks!

  45. Jennifer Schroeder says

    September 2, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    This sounds like a good read! Thank you for the contest!

  46. CHERYL A FRANCISCO says

    September 2, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Commenting for entry :0
    [email protected]

  47. john pratt says

    September 2, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    i would love to read this book. thanks in advance if if win and i hope all of your days are blessed.

  48. Zipporah Sandler says

    September 2, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    I sure could use a good romantic read to take me away.

  49. Ed Nemmers says

    September 2, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Sweet niblets!

  50. Sheila Pepe says

    September 2, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    I would love to win and read this book!

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