Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren
Last night I finished reading Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren. This is the third, and final installment in the Little Hickman Creek series. Set in 1896, we get to know the firm character of Emma Browning, owner and manager of the local boarding house. Thanks to years of abuse at the hands of her alcoholic father, Emma has built a strong wall around her heart. When the town’s beloved Pastor Jon moves in Emma finds herself changing.
Unpredictable curves and twists take the reader on a great ride, ending with an expected but satisfying conclusion. Characters are so well writen that they become vivid in the readers minds. Even characters with little input into the story stand out as unique individuals.
This story is filled with humor, sadness, spiritual lessons, and even mystery. Far and away, this was my favorite of the three books. The quality of writing increases with each story. Courting Emma could be read alone but I would recommend starting from book one, Loving Liza Jane. If you like historical christian romance, you’ll enjoy the Little Hickman Creek books.