Heaven In Texas

by Curtiss Ann Matlock

Billie Ballinger was destitute and downhearted when her car broke down outside the tiny West Texas town of Heaven. Her only option seemed the temporary refuge reluctantly offered by Heaven's mayor, Linc Snow. But with four motherless kids on the verge of riot, the soberly sexy, struggling single dad needed Billie permanently--as housekeeper.

Linc was desperate. His new housekeeper couldn't cook, couldn't clean and didn't know a cotton plant from a cornstalk. But with a knack for mending troubled hearts, Billie won over his kids--yes even him!-- like a modern-day Mary Poppins. For a while, home might seem like a paradises but Linc knew from bitter experience that a woman like Billie would eventually flee Heaven....

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

250 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Curtiss Ann Matlock is the author of 40 novels. With over 7 million copies in print worldwide, her books have earned rave reviews, spots on the USA TODAY bestseller list and numerous awards.

Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, into a family of avid readers, Curtiss Ann began reading before entering first grade and was writing vignettes while still in elementary school. Her writing career began in her early thirties, with publication of two small, warm-hearted articles about her life, for which she received a total of $100. She was so enthused at this success that she immediately started writing her first novel. She also enrolled in the professional writing program at the University of Oklahoma, studying under the distinguished writer and teacher Jack Bickham and bestselling mystery novelist, Carolyn Hart. In her second year of study, Curtiss Ann experienced the dream of selling the first novel she ever wrote, a romance, to Harlequin Books.

Told with a strong Southern voice, her insightful stories portray the uncommon valor of everyday people and the humor, heartbreak, and shining graces of small-town life. In 1999,Lost Highways was published by Mira Books. The book was nominated for a RITA Award in women’s fiction and began the warm-hearted and funny series about the lives of the beloved characters in fictional Valentine, Oklahoma. The sixth book of the Valentine series, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, was a 2005 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist.

Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the series, was released May 2009.

Curtiss Ann currently lives with her family and assorted pets in rural south Alabama.

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite two stars.

I know, I know....why did I keep reading.....I have no excuse.

I would have left Linc long before the end of the story. When the moron let his beautiful ex-wife move in for several days and didn't explain himself to Billie...that did it!!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

P156. Setting: West TX where cotton is main crop of hero Linc Snow who farms in this vast flat land.
Lubbock is 50 miles away.
Winds out of SW 50-60 mph ! @Thanksgiving
Yes .. i like the detail :)
She packs lots of plot into this one. A favorite author for many years ….
Billie is heroine.
[c1991 Lacks subtlety and hero was definitely a pain
for much of the book ]

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Wilhelmina who prefers to be called Billie was 28 and driving through Texas when her car broke down in a very small town called Heaven. The closes garage was fifty miles away. It was the week end and not even a bus was would be going there. Billie needed a place to stay for the weekend and the Mayor was called. Linc Snow was the Mayor and voted in because no one wanted the job and he was the only one not at the meeting so he was elected. Linc was 35 had 4 kids and his wife had left him 18 months ago. He was now divorced and had been looking for a house keeper. Linked took Billie to his house gave her the guest room. Needing a house keeper badly he hired this woman that his children did not like at all. Linc had to tell his kids who he had hired and there was such a out burst of un happiness that Billie thought about taking the job herself. By the end of the week end she asked for an interview for the housekeeper job. She got the job. Now she had to learn how to cook which was one of the things she lied about in the interview. Billie said that she was a good cook. The rest of the story you will have to read to find out what happened.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billie Ballinger, a rich girl, finds herself destitute when her accountant absconds with her money. Driving through Texas, her car breaks down near Heaven, Texas. Linc Snow, unofficial mayor of Heaven, Texas, has a meddling uncle in Fred, who coerces him into taking on Billie. Linc has 4 children and needs a nanny/maid to take care of them all while he farms. Billie can't cook but soon she has everyone eating out of her hands.

Great book!

[RomanceIsMyJam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t to terrible. That was surprising really. It’s a little bland in the beginning, but does pick up a little bit. Enough to keep you going. And yes Linc (Lincoln) Snow is insufferable at times, but a book needs drama.

I suppose the highest praise could be that I would give this authors other books a chance. I won’t search for them, but if they cross my path I’ll try them.

[Isriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story with weird situations ,Billie is stuck trying to reach a place with 1955 edition of some classic car.A sweet story of a man married and divorced after 14 years and 4 children who are currently living without a mother and emotionally available father,What started out as a shelter became a permanent shelter as an employment place but all started to go haywire as soon as Linc's wife comes along.But in the end it was the push required for Linc to express his feeling A short romantic book that leaves you with a good feeling in the end .

[NatalyaVqs · Rating 3 out of 5]

heartfelt, emotional, good characters, uncommon setup (guy with 4 kids, farmer in nowhere Texas) slightly simplistic in that its very optimistic, but a good story, keeps you going; more realistic than many romances

[Medz]

thanks for giving this