DEEP IN THE HEART OF TROUBLE
Author: Deeanne Gist ISBN: 076420226X 6/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE
Time Period: 1898 Texas
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A Texas-Sized Tale of Unexpected Love
Essie Spreckelmeyer is the last woman anyone in Corsicana, Texas, expected to see with a man on her arm. Independent and outspoken, she's known more for riding bicycles in outrageous bloomers than for catching a man’s eye.
And the last man who seems willing to give her a second glance is Tony Morgan, newly hired at Spreckelmeyer's oil company. The disinherited son of an oil baron, Tony wants most to restore his name and regain his lost fortune—not lose his heart to this headstrong blonde. She confounds, contradicts, and confuses him. Sometimes he doesn’t know if she's driving him toward the aisle or the end of his rope.
That's how life is…Deep in the Heart of Trouble
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 RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TROUBLE begins on a high note and, luckily for the reader, it continues along on that same vein until the very last page. I was completely caught up in the romance of one of the most unlikely couples I've ever had the pleasure to meet on the pages. This is a heartwarming tale of love and faith—and the power that comes with letting go, sitting back and enjoying life's ride.
Essie Spreckelmeyer isn't the typical romance heroine. She's independent and outspoken, and has no need at all for a man in her life. Anyway, that's what she thinks. We first meet Essie when she wins the New York Herald's Best Bicycle Costume award. Her bloomers, and her right to wear them, start a brawl that foreshadows the events yet to come for daring, headstrong Essie.
When Tony Morgan hears his father's will and learns he'd been disinherited almost from birth, he wastes no time feeling sorry for himself. He needs a job—fast—and considers working the oil fields for Spreckelmeyer Oil just might be the perfect solution for his situation, as well as the balm for his bruised soul. He's toiled as bookkeeper at Morgan Oil for years, hoping to win his father's approval. Now, working for the competition sounds like exactly what Tony wants to do. Even if it does mean he may eventually run into the "bloomer gal" who caused such a ruckus in New York City.
Ms. Gist writes wonderfully human, realistic characters whose emotions are so understandable, they touch the reader's heart from every page. There is no shortage of conflict between Tony and Essie and that is a big part of their charm, both as a couple and separately. Their willingness to find resolution to their issues, even in unconventional ways, makes them each more endearing. I love that when they're "unofficially courting," Essie wants Tony to continue with his bicycle training, despite her father's desire to have him attend family gatherings. Things like icebox cookies bring the reader back in time to the drawing room while Essie's faith, and her desire to confess, pulls the reader right into her soul. The Velocipede Club, with its colorful, compassionate members, is interesting enough to have their own story!
All in all, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TROUBLE is one of those heart-stopping, soul-searching historical romances that readers will remember—with a smile—long after the book is on the shelf collecting dust. Wonderfully well done!
Kay James |
