Deep in the Heart of Trouble (2008)

So I was getting to a point in the book where the plot was really wrapping up, and there was really only one (big) thing left to have happen... and there were still like 100 pages left, so I'm thinking, "Ummm... what on earth?" And then it was like, BAM! HOLY PLOT TWIST, BATMAN! I was NOT expecting that!

It was AWESOME! It was slow at work, so I was reading (in the back, fortunately—not up front with all the library patrons...) and all of a sudden I was like, "HOLY COW! This is AWESOME! I LOVE a great plot twist!!"

But overall, I loved:

* Seeing Essie finally get the guy at 34-years-old :)
* How happy Essie was BEFORE Tony came along, with her bicycle club and stuff
* The hero, Tony... SO WONDERFUL!
* How well-matched Essie and Tony seemed to be
* Mrs. Lockhart and her crazy romance novels
* The awesome plot twist!

Yep. I thought the book was SOLID. I think this is my favorite of all of Deeanne's books so far. I'm looking forward to reading [b:A Bride in the Bargain|5589775|A Bride in the Bargain|Deeanne Gist|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1227024118s/5589775.jpg|5761120], which is the only one of hers I haven't read yet. Oh, psych! Her newest one, [b:Maid to Match|6973771|Maid to Match|Deeanne Gist|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258611802s/6973771.jpg|7213851] just came out 3 weeks ago... ;) Gotta add that to my TBR... ( )

Loved this book and its prequel! Essie is such fun, and I love that she finally finds what she is looking for :-) My favorite parts about both "Trouble" books is that the author stays away from the typical formula of characters keep secrets which build and build until the end when there is inevitably a blow up and break off of the relationship which in pretty much the last chapter gets tidily resolved. The kind of plot that makes you want to just smack the main character and yell "just tell them already!" In this book the author uses a much more realistic approach to how things would really work out, because people aren't really all that dense in real life. I recommend both of the "Trouble" books, and anything else by Deeanne Gist ( )

I kind of feel the same way about this book that I do about all of Deeanne Gist's books. I enjoy listening to them... but they border on the absurd and soap opera.

She puts her characters in these outlandish situations and then keeps throwing weird twists and plot angles. In themselves, none of this is bad or entirely unbelievable, but thrown altogether it just feels a little... over the top. Nonetheless, her romances are light-hearted and fun. ( )

“My stars and garters!” This was a fun and fluffy little story. A little history about oil wells and bicycles, wrapped up in a romance. A little who-done-it, pertly solved by the lady members of the velocipede club.

The bad-guy is headed to Fort Smith to be tried by “Hanging Judge Isaac Parker”. A distant relative (one-armed!) was the court reporter for Judge Parker, so I enjoy running across the judge in a book now and then.

As to the sense of place, I just happened to drive through Corsicana last weekend, so I know that the author got the setting just right, and it’s a good thing the area is so flat, what with all that bicycling going on.

The main character, Essie Spreckelmeyer, mentions her faith a time or two, though not in a preachy sort of way. But just as a fair warning, know that this book is put out by a Christian publishing house. Don’t let that deter you, though. This is a good, clean, fun little story that any romance reader could enjoy. And I did! ( )

This was a very satisfying book. I loved the development/tension/resolution of the main characters. The supporting characters were interesting and funny. (I loved Mrs. Lockhart!) The plot and setting were also well done. I thought this was a much better book than Gist's A Bride Most Begrudging. ( )