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Troublesome Creek #2

Willow Springs

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The year is 1883 and following a whirlwind courtship, seventeen-year-old Copper Brown finds herself living in the bustling city of Lexington, KY, far away from her beloved mountain home, newly married to a man she barely knows. Having been raised to put her trust in God, Copper sets out to find a purpose for this new life that she'd never imagined.

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2007

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270 people want to read

About the author

Jan Watson

18 books110 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Jan Watson won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for her first novel, Troublesome Creek. Her other awards include a nomination for the Kentucky Literary Award in 2006 and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Willow Springs and Torrent Falls are the sequels to Troublesome Creek. Jan was a registered nurse for 25 years at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She incorporated her nursing experience in the hospital's mother/baby unit into her novels. Jan resides in Kentucky.

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5 stars
383 (50%)
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284 (37%)
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82 (10%)
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11 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Janie  R..
833 reviews6 followers
August 28, 2014
If I could have given this book more than 5 stars, I would have! This author has an awesome writing style that I like very much! Her words just flow so smooth, that you forget what time it is- very hard to put down this book. I love the characters, they are so real and visual! The plot continues easily from Bk.1, and it's even better than Bk.1!
I highly recommend this series by Jan Watson!
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,657 reviews1,227 followers
June 9, 2018
Willow Springs by Jan Watson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: 1883
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Characters:
Copper Brown Corbett: Main character AKA Laura Grace Brown
Simon Corbett: Doctor and Copper’s new husband
Alice Corbett Upchurch: Simon’s rich, stuck up sister

Second book in the Troublesome Creek series. This one is not set in Troublesome Creek, but in Lexington, KY.

At seventeen, Copper is newly married to Dr. Simon Corbett and living so very far away from her beloved mountain home. She’s a fish out of water, but thankful her stepmother had tried to train her as a lady. But her barefoot, possum cooking ways were an embarrassment to her new sister-in-law, Alice. Maintaining her true self while trying to be the acceptable wife of a respected doctor in this big city was a trial and an adventure. As upbeat as Copper is, she makes the best of it by helping people often, and her husband in the office, and dodging stinging barbs from Alice. Eventually she happens upon sad but promising ways to help Alice learn to love her.

In this book we fall in love with many endearing characters Copper picks up along the way. We find out why the next set is called the Copper Brown series.

Clean, sweet with faith elements that fit easily into the pages as a number of characters take their faith seriously, especially Copper, who is an inspiration to many.
Profile Image for Sherri.
1,616 reviews
October 10, 2022
After a whirlwind courtship, 17-year old Copper marries Dr. Simon Corbett in 1883 and finds herself moving to Lexington and leaving her precious mountains behind her.

Times are changing for Copper. Her family is moving to Pennsylvania so her dad can live out his days in town with her stepmom and brothers. Will she ever get back to her beloved mountains? It's no surprise, book 3 says she does.

I found her spirit to be naïve yet so caring and unassuming of the good she did in relationships. Dr. Simon just seemed to care that she was beautiful and spirited? What? Then because she's bored sitting around being pretty, he lets her help him in his clinic and basically becomes the area's midwife. What a great way to show their relationship growing and him showing, teaching, or working with her. But no...you can handle this on your own he says.

A couple of times made me cry as I got invested in Copper and the supporting characters.
Profile Image for Amanda.
56 reviews12 followers
February 6, 2009
This is a Christian novel. Typically I'll pitch these right back on the shelf. They tend to be way too sappy and disconnected from actual Christianity. This book was actually very sweet and kept my attention. It seemed more like short stories about the same family, but it was nicely connected. The reaction to loss was more in keeping with how a person feels loss.
Profile Image for Rita Caldwell.
192 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2021
From the mountains of Kentucky to the city, a wonderful story of true love and a couple from different worlds making a life together. Love, comedy, lifestyle clashes and tragedy all in one wonderful and heartbreaking story!
1,143 reviews7 followers
July 26, 2018
This series is best read in sequence and close together. Read about Copper Brown. Following a quick courtship 17 year old Copper finds herself married and living in Lexington, KY away from her beloved mountain home. Will she be able to adapt to city life? Will she and Simon be able to make their marriage work? Will she become the perfect wife he dreams of? or will she stay true to her heritage? A good read.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,981 reviews
October 28, 2021
This is a very believable novel about a girl from remote Troublesome Creek who falls in love with a doctor and tries to adjust to city life and societal expectations. As the joys and sorrows of life come, Copper and Simon must both make adjustments. This is the second book in the series, but it did not bother me that I had not yet read the first one yet. The other two books in this series are now on my want to read list.
392 reviews6 followers
October 16, 2017
Good clean Christian historical novel

I loved this story of Coppers life, it puts me in mind of the old 60's movies of Tammy. This story is so great because they put Christ first in their lives, even with the hard places and struggles the Lord was glorified. I recommend the book and the most talented author.
Profile Image for Carol.
754 reviews29 followers
August 23, 2019
Troublesome Creek #2, this was a romantic story about a young girl who married a doctor and moved from the hills of Kentucky to Lexington where her husband's sister makes her learn city ways. She is very independent and likes to work and help others. Her husband teaches her midwifery skills and she gradually adjusts.
321 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2022
loved this book

I enjoyed so much reading Willow Springs (Troublesome Creek Book 2) by Jan Watson. Jan Watson writes books that are hard to put down. A very talented author. I have download the next two books and look forward to reading them. I highly recommend this series. You will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Kbarker.
401 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2019
My 2nd book in the series and it was as good as the first. It continues with Cooper's life after her marriage. She has quite a few adjustments to make being away from home but she manages very well. Sad ending. Can't wait to read the conclusion in book 3.
265 reviews
September 13, 2021
This is the second in the Troublesome Creek series by Jan Watson. Although you probably could read them individually, I would recommend starting at book one. I am loving this series and burned through this second book rather quickly. It is a sweet story. I can't wait to get into the third book.
543 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2023
No headline

I truly laughed and cried and sighed... It's just a great book with real characters filling it. Some of them I loved and one in particular I detested. Can't wait for the next!
Profile Image for Jane Combs.
87 reviews
February 19, 2020
Enjoyed the continued story

Intriguing, so much joy and sadness in one book! Copper has such faith, even in her worse time, she was able to share her talents all while honoring God.
Profile Image for Dana McReynolds.
898 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2020
Another fabulous book in the Troublesome Creek series. Can’t wait to continue reading about Copper’s journey in the next book. She is one of my favorite characters.
466 reviews
July 5, 2020
Book two in a three part series... very good story... once I picked it up didn't want to put it down.
Profile Image for Connie K Christian.
5 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2020
Reading between tears, laughing and amazing
Is there another book of Cooper’s life with John?
Loved it..❤️❤️
Profile Image for Karen Campos.
17 reviews2 followers
September 14, 2020
Home sweet home

Love this book and all the people. Their like your favorite friends and you can't wait to see what happens to them next.
58 reviews1 follower
Read
September 14, 2020
Willow Springs

This Erie’s by Jan Watson is wonderful and I look forward to the third book in the series. Jan’s writing style is great and hope I am able to. More of her books.
Profile Image for ANNETTE.
1,120 reviews6 followers
April 12, 2021
This is the 2nd book in series. What a wonderful Christian romance This author knows how to draw a picture of beautiful scenery of historical places. Loved both books.
229 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2023
If you're looking for a happily ever after, pass on this one.
Profile Image for Nicole Ussery.
3 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2025
I love Jan Watson’s books and I am continuing to read the series. I bought the next 3 to read in this series. I love her stories & this era.
Profile Image for henry smith.
386 reviews5 followers
September 3, 2022
This lady is an excellent writer. Her words touch the heart a very good book. Makes a person think of their own lives misfortune and happiness that all come together through faith in God. Her books are very heartfelt. They can make you smile and cry. LIFE. Hardships and happiness.
Profile Image for SJ West.
385 reviews
November 5, 2012
More and more I am enjoying historical fiction stories. The simpler times and high adventure make each story unique and enthralling.
The same is true with Willow Springs. I realized all too late that I had missed the prequel to this novel by Jan Watson telling tales of Troublesome Creek and the fire-y Copper. Even without the introduction I grew to love Copper, with her kind heart and infectious personality.
From the back cover
“Following a whirlwind courtship, seventeen-year-old Copper Brown finds herself living in the bustling city of Lexington, Kentucky, far away from her beloved mountain home, newly married to a man she barely knows. After running free on Troublesome Creek, Copper finds it difficult to adjust to city life and the demands of being a lady. Her new husband, Simon Corbett, is a busy medical doctor with a thriving practice and little time for the young woman he swept away from her home and family. Only when she begins to help Simon with his practice does Copper start to feel at peace with her husband and her new home. But neither of them could predict the tragedy that will change their lives forever…”
With my mind set in the late 1800’s I expected a story of time’s gone by romance. Instead, I found the same modern conflicts woven through Simon and Copper’s young marriage. With pressures of society on his shoulders, Simon’s initial attitude toward his young wife seems judgmental and posh but as he grows to love “Laura Grace” as Copper, for who she really is instead of what he expects of her, their relationship blooms in to one of gentle love and great kindness. Copper, feeling lost and alone, far from home in the city, only finds her place in Lexington as she learns to yield her heart to Simon and those she meets along the way. The lessons found in their rocky beginning are wonderful reminders for the modern marriage.
The author pens Copper as seventeen, but my mind casts her as an older character – closer to 25. It is her gentle spirit that sets Copper apart – a strong desire to serve those around her and an unwavering desire to live in a way pleasing to the Lord.

Their story is one of medical mayhem, midnight adventures, and daily chores. I’d forgotten the back cover as I read, not expecting tragedy, and was startled to find tear stains on my pages. Simon and Copper capture the heart easily and I was sad to see the final chapter so soon.

Find more Christian Fiction Reviews at http://westofnewburystreet.blogspot.com

Profile Image for Natasha.
95 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2017
Willow Springs is the sequel to Troublesome Creek, and was just as wonderfully written! There is something about Jan Watson's writing that is set apart from others... she clearly knows her history.

Anyhow, I really enjoyed this second book to the Troublesome Creek series. Copper truly growing up, and growing to truly love Simon. The stories of all the people Copper meets were very interesting, as were reading about the baby deliveries and all. All the intriguing things this book tells about.

As I said about Troublesome Creek, these books are real. The tragedy... I knew what it was, because I read a spoiler by reading the synopsis of the next book. ;P But it was pretty sad. At one point I could feel the sorrow. I don't think I cried though, maybe because I knew what was coming?

But all in all, it was yet another intriguing read! *SMILES*

I recommend this to ages 15\16+ just for mature things, ya know. ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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