Courting Emma (Little Hickman Creek Series #3) by Sharlene MacLaren
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Book Reviews of Courting Emma (Little Hickman Creek Series #3)
Book Review: Delightful Love Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Emma Browning's mother died giving birth to her, and her father is the town drunk. She runs a boarding house, and doesn't put up with any rowdy behavior from her borders, but she is ashamed of her father. He's been this way for so long she has given up on ever seeing him change.
Preacher, Jon Atkins, sold his house and donated the money to build a schoolhouse which will double as a church. Emma really doesn't want him in her boarding house, but he has no where else to live. He's been interested in Emma since they were in school together, but she has no use for preachers or for God. However, Jon believes in miracles, and he keeps on trying to win her affections.
Sharlene MacLaren's Little Hickman Creek series just keeps getting better, and in my opinion, this is the best one yet. Heart-wrenching conflict, and a wonderful faith message. Don't miss it.
Book Review: Anything is Possible!
Summary: 4 Stars
Emma Browning runs a boardinghouse for some wild characters but her prudent, orderly nature keeps them in line. Coming into this position after a wild, unhappy past, Emma has one ever-present problem, her drunken, alcoholic father who brooks no sermons or advice to change his embarrassing behavior. But that's about to change - or is it?
For Little Hickman, Kentucky has a new pastor, Jonathan Atkins, a man who sees possibilities in everyone around him and whose infectious, Godly nature just might be the force to change a few minds, hearts and souls in this staid, typical Southern town. He certainly has met his match in Emma, for sure.
Notably known for her stubborn, independent nature, Emma's propensity for work and a few quiet evening hours of reading a good book is turned upside down by Jonathan's brief but disquieting comments, gentle attitude and humorous outlook. Add to that some secretive letters to Emma from Grace Giles, a woman Emma has never seen or known and an upsetting, destructive town event; and the scene has been set for some unpredictable reactions, gossip and outcomes!
For Jonathan and Emma have more similar backgrounds than either had imagined and events conspire to show that with God anything is possible, indeed even probable!
Sharlene MacLaren knows how to fashion a credible, interesting story with dynamic characters who lead readers to mutual thoughts and feelings. The setting and characters may be distant from one's own but the questions, considerations and conclusions are universal ones that are bound to touch any open reader on a deeper spiritual level!
Nicely crafted, interesting story, Ms. MacLaren! Courting Emma is a terrific read!
Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on March 7, 2008
Book Review: Beautiful story of love and forgiveness
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't read anything by Sharlene MacLaren before, but I can hardly wait to read her next book. . .and the next. COURTING EMMA was beautifully written. Best of all, it wasn't predictable. In fact, there were quite a few twists and turns that kept me guessing all the way up to the end. And the writing! Wow! Sharlene has such a great way of saying things. As I read, I paused to ask myself: "Who SAYS things like that?" It's quirky. Cute. Poignant. Funny. Clever. Unpredictable. Deep. Spiritual. These are all words that describe Sharlene's brilliant writing. And the romantic tension. . .wow! I wanted the hero and heroine to end up together, of course, but it was almost as much fun watching them "try" to dislike each other. What fun! And the characters in Emma's boarding house were a nice distraction, too. I particularly loved the mended relationship between Emma and her father (been there, done that in my real life). Sharlene handled that beautifully. Good going, Sharlene. I'm so proud of you and your lovely book. Can't wait to tell others about it!
Book Review: Courting Emma
Summary: 4 Stars
Emma runs a boardinghouse with an eclectic bunch of tenants. The town's new pastor becomes her most challenging one because he threatens the guard she has put up around her heart to protect against the memory of an unhappy childhood.
Letters from a mystery person in Illinois encourages her to read the book of John and has her seeking answers to questions about her life.
When a new tenant moves in the boardinghouse Emma faces the new challenge of caring for her dying father who caused her unhappy childhood.
Courting Emma is a sweet romance with a story of redemption and forgiveness.
I wish I could say I had read the first two books in the Little Hickman Creek Series before reading this one, but it definitely can stand alone.
Book Review: A Well Written Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
A Book Review:
Courting Emma - Third in the Little Hickman Creek Series
By Sharlene MacLaren/Whitaker House
April 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-600374-020-3
ISBN-10: 60374-020-1
Trade $9.97
Beautiful 28-year-old Emma Browning runs a boarding house in Little Hickman, Kentucky, filled with six hooligans who are not unlike her alcoholic father Ezra, the town drunk. She's tough, stubborn and resistant to all advances from potential beaus, including the town's new pastor and a childhood friend, Jon Atkins. He sells his house, donates the proceeds for building a church, and moves into the boarding house. He affects Emma and her boarders with his devout faith and strong convictions. She wants nothing to do with God and hangs onto a lifetime of bitterness toward Ezra until a miracle takes place--the conversion of her abusive father.Letters start arriving from a mysterious person who knows about her and her father's past. At the same time, she's flattered to receive the attentions of both Jon and Billy Wonder, a suave traveling salesman. Jon desperately desires to court Emma, but he wants to obey the commands of the Lord and not marry outside the church. Will Emma ever forgive her father? When will she begin to experience God's transforming power in her life?Ms. MacLaren keeps this third novel in the Little Hickman Creek series appealing, with honest-to-goodness characters and genuine emotions. Humor, romance, and mystery team with Christ's love to make this a positive reading experience for all ages.