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 oilman father. Sadly such a man doesn’t appear to reside in Corsicana, Texas. It’s 1894, the year of Essie’s thirtieth birthday, and she decides the Lord has more important things to do than provide her a husband. If she wants one, she needs to catch him herself. So she writes down the names of all the eligible bachelors in her small Texas town, makes a list of their attributes and drawbacks, closes her eyes, twirls her finger, and...picks one. But convincing the lucky “husband-to-be” will be a bit more of a problem. Join Deeanne Gist for another unforgettable tale and find out whether Essie's plan to catch a husband succeeds or if she's just courting trouble!
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"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 out of order I already knew some of what was going to happen. It had me wondering if when I first read about Adam if I would have liked him or if I would have known he was a good for nothing, skirt chasing, philanderer. I guess I'll never know."
— Jennybug (5 out of 5 stars)
" It's been a while since I read this one and the sequel, but I remember being pleasantly surprised with how well-written it was. The story actually had some meat to it. It was more than the typical Christian romance. I'd have to read it again to do a better review, but I'd definitely say it is my favorite of Gist's novels. The others were fun, but kind of predictable. "
— Beth, 2/16/2014" Ugh, this book was really good,all except for the characters poor decisions! Good read just be prepared to get mad! :) "
— Shaina, 1/12/2014" A little cheesy at times, but overall a fun, light read & a good "escape". "
— Amy, 1/11/2014" Love the woman who can be fallible and perfect all at the same time "
— Nessa, 1/10/2014" I thought this was a really good book....I was a little disappointed in the end. She wanted to get married and have a family so badly that I wanted her to end up with those things and not a single woman. I did like how she proved herself successful in the end "
— Shannon, 12/20/2013" I so enjoyed this book that I devoured it in less than 24 hours! Essie, the main character, is someone even a woman in today's age can relate to. I especially love how Gist involves Christian beliefs and prayer elements in the story. The last few chapters are especially uplifting in this regard. For those of us struggling to live a Christian life in today's society, this book is an entertaining and hopeful guide. "
— Amanda, 12/6/2013" Glad Essie story will continue :) "
— Jamiegirl, 12/1/2013" I was disappointed in this book. The other two books I read by Deanne Gist were much better. "
— Kari, 11/27/2013" Yuck. So many things in this book bothered me. And the ending sucked. "
— Sheri, 11/21/2013" funny...and still shows that sometime a girl doesn't always get her man but life goes on. "
— Sherri, 9/13/2013" This character was just a little too independent for me. I like a good romance but this was more about a single girl finding her calling in life--which wasn't enough of an escape for me, lol. "
— Patti, 9/12/2013" I really like this author, but this book was super disappointing. I like a nice, tidy little Christian romance. This has 2 disappointments and then just leaves it there. So, do I read the next one to find out what happens and have some closure? Not sure it's worth it. "
— Sarah, 7/1/2013" Very enjoyable but kind of preachy. "
— Raina, 5/31/2013" Set in the late 1800's, a woman sets out to find a man. She doesn't want to be an old maid. She sets her sights on a man who was recently widowed. She is a charming woman who didn't fit in the mold for how women were to behave back then. "
— Margie, 12/18/2012" Not my favorite by Deeanne Gist... "
— Adrianna, 12/6/2012" Just couldn't finish this one... "
— Laura, 11/8/2012" Christian romance. Not really my thing. "
— Kristen, 10/27/2012" I really didn't like this book very much. I got about half way through when it started going a direction I wasn't really comfortable with. I was really surprised. This author is usually so great, but not this time. In the end the book ended up being ok, but I would not recommend it. "
— Kirsten, 7/25/2012" Essie is my kind of "get 'er done" Texas style girl. "
— Jennywren1965, 10/21/2011" It was a brilliant book!!! Loved every minute of it! "
— Andranae, 9/19/2011" Was not a big fan on how this one ended. "
— Prudence, 9/12/2011" I'm really enjoying Deeanne Girst Bride Series,would recommend this to anyone that like to read good books that don't depend on sex to hold your interest. "
— Sheila, 6/11/2011" So good! Love Essie's escapades! :-) "
— Heather, 6/7/2011" Deanne Gist is continuing her streak as my new preferred (although I use that work loosely) cheesy Christian romance novel author. She does a better job of portraying life (and malicious gossip!) more realistically. "
— Carolyn, 6/4/2011" Was not a big fan on how this one ended. "
— Prudence, 5/17/2011" Fun, moved constantly, they were actually intimate in this book, but she had natural consequences, and it was never sexually explicit. Some twists and turns. Very funny. I loved it. "
— Nellie, 5/2/2011" What I liked about this book is that it broke the trend and the main character did not end up getting married and that was ok. It was not as predictable as all other books. "
— Melissa, 3/28/2011" Themes I liked about this book include repentance, love of God, and being yourself. "
— Carol, 3/20/2011Brooke Sanford Heldman can be heard as Vicki Byrne in the audio series Left Behind, The Kids, as well as various other audio spots with Left Behind, The Series, Focus on the Family, and WYLL. Brooke trained as an actress with Illinois Wesleyan University, The Audition Studio, Wheaton College, and various Meisner instructors. She is the drama director of Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church.
Deeanne Gist is a bestselling historical and contemporary romance author. She has received four Rita Award nominations and two consecutive Christy Awards. Some of her works include Love on the Line, Maid to Match, Beguiled, Deep in the Heart of Trouble, and others. Before becoming a novelist, Gist worked in elementary education, ran an antiques business, and was a freelance journalist, writing for publications such as People, Parenting, Family Fun, the Houston Chronicle, and the Orlando Sentinel. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and their border collie.
Brooke Sanford Heldman can be heard as Vicki Byrne in the audio series Left Behind, The Kids, as well as various other audio spots with Left Behind, The Series, Focus on the Family, and WYLL. Brooke trained as an actress with Illinois Wesleyan University, The Audition Studio, Wheaton College, and various Meisner instructors. She is the drama director of Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church.