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Simply Heaven
Determined to bring his friend's estranged daughter, Raven Ralston, back into her family fold, Steve Maddox is surprised by the half-Tonkawa girl he meets, a woman cast out of her dead mother's family who quickly falls in love with him.
343 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
58 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Hagan
45 books60 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Patricia Hagan
Pat is the published author of over forty books of romantic fiction. Several of her titles have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. One of her books, "Ocean of Dreams", is based on her own shipboard romance when she met her former husband, a Norwegian engineer.
She is also a former Radio/TV Motorsports Journalist, covering NASCAR Grand National Stock Car Racing. Her work has won many awards by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Pat has cruised the eastern and western Caribbean extensively, as well as the Greek Islands, the fjords of Norway all the way to the North Cape, and has made several transatlantic crossings.
She prefers traveling single, because it gives her more opportunities to meet and make new friends. While she admits going solo is not for everyone, she says for her it is perfect, because she is an outgoing person, and, being a writer, enjoys meeting new "characters."
The only thing she does not like about traveling is having to leave behind her best friend and companion, Krysy, a 14-year old Wire-haired fox terrier.
The author also uses the names:
Patricia Hagan Howell
Maggie James (4 spaces)
Please see: Patricia Hagan
Pat is the published author of over forty books of romantic fiction. Several of her titles have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. One of her books, "Ocean of Dreams", is based on her own shipboard romance when she met her former husband, a Norwegian engineer.
She is also a former Radio/TV Motorsports Journalist, covering NASCAR Grand National Stock Car Racing. Her work has won many awards by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Pat has cruised the eastern and western Caribbean extensively, as well as the Greek Islands, the fjords of Norway all the way to the North Cape, and has made several transatlantic crossings.
She prefers traveling single, because it gives her more opportunities to meet and make new friends. While she admits going solo is not for everyone, she says for her it is perfect, because she is an outgoing person, and, being a writer, enjoys meeting new "characters."
The only thing she does not like about traveling is having to leave behind her best friend and companion, Krysy, a 14-year old Wire-haired fox terrier.
The author also uses the names:
Patricia Hagan Howell
Maggie James (4 spaces)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 31, 2013
this book was SO rushed at the end.
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December 27, 2012Free for Kindle today.
October 26, 2022
This book started out really good, with the H, Steve traveling out west to find his ailing employer's estranged half native daughter, (the h, Raven), to try and persuade her to return with him to Alabama and get to know her father while there's still time. Her native mother and white stepfather (a former friend of her father, Ned) have passed away, and Raven's surviving by disguising herself as an army scout at a fort. The best part is when Steve hires the "young man" to help him find Raven, not realizing he's already done that! (Raven's testing him out to determine his character and decide if he's worthy of her trust.) I won't give away details, but their interaction during these gravel scenes is the best part of the novel.
After Raven agrees to at least hear her father out, the book starts its downhill turn. The time Raven spends with Ned is all too short and the amusing instances while she tries to adjust to a new way of life (like when she referred to a canopy bed as a small tepee) were all too few. The conflict between her and her stepbrother and stepsister (Julius and Lisbeth, Ned's late wife's children from her first marriage. A lot of parents croaking in this book!)) didn't have enough to it. There should have been more of an inheritance fight, more tension over Raven's running the ranch, more rivalry between Raven and Lisbeth, as they both shared an interest in Steve. Instead, you get both steps acting like spoiled, petulant children, Lisbeth making clumsy advances toward Steve, Julius drinking too much and needing Raven to come to his rescue in a saloon fight (talk about losing your balls), Lisbeth starting rumors about Steve and a local unwed mother to try and drive Raven away, and yet another rescue by Raven, when Lisbeth is dumb enough to go riding alone in a deserted area, where some troublemakers were known to hang out. (Nobody's that brainless!)
It also got a bit redundant for Raven to constantly be saving the day, like Wonder Woman, showing off her shooting skills. I would have loved for Annie Okley to show up and give her some real competition!
As for her relationship with Steve, aside from sex, it wasn't given a chance to really develop. Most of their time together was spent naked in the hayloft. And then their conflict, as well as the ones between Raven and Lisbeth and Julius, all seemed to be solved at once. Lisbeth does a sudden about face and goes from enemy to friend overnight, Julius grows a pair and actually rescues Raven for a change, Steve quits being marriage shy and everyone's a big happy family in an all too abrupt ending.
Not very plausible. I wish Ms. Hagan had gone back to the western gravel scenes and started over from there and made this a better story. It's only because I liked those scenes that I gave this book an extra star.
After Raven agrees to at least hear her father out, the book starts its downhill turn. The time Raven spends with Ned is all too short and the amusing instances while she tries to adjust to a new way of life (like when she referred to a canopy bed as a small tepee) were all too few. The conflict between her and her stepbrother and stepsister (Julius and Lisbeth, Ned's late wife's children from her first marriage. A lot of parents croaking in this book!)) didn't have enough to it. There should have been more of an inheritance fight, more tension over Raven's running the ranch, more rivalry between Raven and Lisbeth, as they both shared an interest in Steve. Instead, you get both steps acting like spoiled, petulant children, Lisbeth making clumsy advances toward Steve, Julius drinking too much and needing Raven to come to his rescue in a saloon fight (talk about losing your balls), Lisbeth starting rumors about Steve and a local unwed mother to try and drive Raven away, and yet another rescue by Raven, when Lisbeth is dumb enough to go riding alone in a deserted area, where some troublemakers were known to hang out. (Nobody's that brainless!)
It also got a bit redundant for Raven to constantly be saving the day, like Wonder Woman, showing off her shooting skills. I would have loved for Annie Okley to show up and give her some real competition!
As for her relationship with Steve, aside from sex, it wasn't given a chance to really develop. Most of their time together was spent naked in the hayloft. And then their conflict, as well as the ones between Raven and Lisbeth and Julius, all seemed to be solved at once. Lisbeth does a sudden about face and goes from enemy to friend overnight, Julius grows a pair and actually rescues Raven for a change, Steve quits being marriage shy and everyone's a big happy family in an all too abrupt ending.
Not very plausible. I wish Ms. Hagan had gone back to the western gravel scenes and started over from there and made this a better story. It's only because I liked those scenes that I gave this book an extra star.
April 2, 2021
Raven was half white and half Tonkawa. Her mother and step father have both passed on she is having to fend for herself in the world. Where she lives in Texas since she is both races neither group of people is sure what to do with her, leaving her somewhat of an outcast and seen as only fit as a few jobs that she does not want. Raven is a very educated person thanks to her step father. People automatically assume she is dumb which ends up getting themselves in trouble for underestimating her.
Steve Maddox was orphaned at a young age and had to work hard to get to the plantation that he worked on for Ned Ralston. Ned has two spoiled step children and sends Steve on a mission to go find Raven his daughter. This is where the adventure back to Alabama begins, where they learn about each other’s worlds, and see what happens once they arrive.
I liked Raven and Steve they were both pretty strong characters except for where each other was concerned. They were both used to taking care of themselves and were toughened by the world. I did enjoy the ending. While I guessed a few things that were going to happen I still did not want to put the book down I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on. The only thing I felt sad about was we saw the ending but not some more details that would have been great to see. I would have kept reading. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I got this book for free to review from ebook discovery in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
Steve Maddox was orphaned at a young age and had to work hard to get to the plantation that he worked on for Ned Ralston. Ned has two spoiled step children and sends Steve on a mission to go find Raven his daughter. This is where the adventure back to Alabama begins, where they learn about each other’s worlds, and see what happens once they arrive.
I liked Raven and Steve they were both pretty strong characters except for where each other was concerned. They were both used to taking care of themselves and were toughened by the world. I did enjoy the ending. While I guessed a few things that were going to happen I still did not want to put the book down I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on. The only thing I felt sad about was we saw the ending but not some more details that would have been great to see. I would have kept reading. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I got this book for free to review from ebook discovery in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
March 31, 2021
Awesome book! Steve is the only one the plantation owner Ned trusts to look for his long lost daughter. The half Indian girl called Raven has only hate for the man who abandoned her and her mother before she was born. When the ranch hand Steve comes looking for Ned's daughter, she is hiding in plain sight, posing as a boy Indian guide for the fort and the army. She volunteers to guide the man in the wild territory, so she can find out what he wants with her. It's quite an adventure, as she leads him in circles and gets more information from him. Apparently, the girl's father wants to see her before he dies and make amends. Raven does not like the idea. Anyway, it isn't long before Steve figures out the Indian is not really a boy. The story is an compelling one, as Steve convinces Raven to go back with him to meet her father. There are some major obstacles in their way, as the plantation is coveted by the step children of the owner, and they will stop at nothing to keep this illegitimate girl from inheriting their home. It's a great book, and highly recommended. Thanks to eBook Discovery for the complimentary copy, and I'm happy to review it, because I enjoyed the story a lot.
December 8, 2019
Raven half Indian and half White thought that her father had abandoned her mother when years earlier he promised to return for her but didn't.
Now she had no one her mother died First then Shirley after the man who had brought Raven up and looked after them both was also dead.
Steve who worked for Ned her father was sent to bring her home before he died, he had never stopped loving her mother but couldn't because of circumstances beyond his control.
Ned had married since and had two stepchildren to bring up and they thought all his money and property would belong to them but now know if Steve came back with Raven she would get everything.
A great read and really enjoyable from start to finish with plots to get rid of Raven.
I received this book from ebook discovery. I voluntary review this book. This is my honest review
Now she had no one her mother died First then Shirley after the man who had brought Raven up and looked after them both was also dead.
Steve who worked for Ned her father was sent to bring her home before he died, he had never stopped loving her mother but couldn't because of circumstances beyond his control.
Ned had married since and had two stepchildren to bring up and they thought all his money and property would belong to them but now know if Steve came back with Raven she would get everything.
A great read and really enjoyable from start to finish with plots to get rid of Raven.
I received this book from ebook discovery. I voluntary review this book. This is my honest review
March 17, 2021
Interesting book.
This book was good and so unexpected. A half-white half-Indian girl believes her father had not cared for her that is until Steve showed up to find her. Steve had not expected what he found. Wow, this book is first-rate. It looks into the issues of greed but also envy and prejudice. Masson was just evil but Steve and Raven were great. The only thing I can say that I did not like was the very ending it just kind of stopped but overall it was a very good story. I did receive a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery and voluntarily chose to review it.
This book was good and so unexpected. A half-white half-Indian girl believes her father had not cared for her that is until Steve showed up to find her. Steve had not expected what he found. Wow, this book is first-rate. It looks into the issues of greed but also envy and prejudice. Masson was just evil but Steve and Raven were great. The only thing I can say that I did not like was the very ending it just kind of stopped but overall it was a very good story. I did receive a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery and voluntarily chose to review it.
December 7, 2019
Simply Heaven's storyline is simple enough, but I have learned that a good author brings the life into the story, and Ms. Hagan did it. The story flows smoothly to take you into an emotional journey about love, passion, family and friendships. Not forgetting how the challenges of racism, envy and lies would affect people's lives. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
December 9, 2019
Simply Heaven is an impressive historical romance with a strong female lead character. The story is about a half Indian girl whose real father, while on his deathbed, sends someone to find her so he can make peace with his past. There is a lot of action in the book as well as a hot romance and a fair amount of humor.
Contains graphic sex scenes.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
Contains graphic sex scenes.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
March 7, 2021
This is an interesting historical romance. It seems that the ending is rather hurried and abrupt. I would recommend this book to adults only, as it has explicit sex scenes. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. this is my honest review.
September 9, 2022
great story
The action of this story is simply amazing. There are a lot of twists and turns which only adds to the almost addictive reading sequel- because you can’t stop reading u til you know - how it ends.
The action of this story is simply amazing. There are a lot of twists and turns which only adds to the almost addictive reading sequel- because you can’t stop reading u til you know - how it ends.
September 1, 2018
What can you say when you don’t want to put the book down
March 21, 2019
Simply Heaven
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books. I look forward to reading more of her books. KATTIE.
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books. I look forward to reading more of her books. KATTIE.
June 24, 2020
Simply Heaven A Historical Western Romance
A very good story about love and family and friends that accept each other and finding love and happiness with the person you love
A very good story about love and family and friends that accept each other and finding love and happiness with the person you love
January 4, 2024
Simply Heaven
It was an okay book,but a little slow and story line was a little boring. I have read better before from this author..
It was an okay book,but a little slow and story line was a little boring. I have read better before from this author..
December 5, 2019
This is a suspenseful drama, set in an era of prejudice and intolerance. As Steve travels across the country to find his boss' half-breed daughter, there are those who are not at all happy about the unfolding events. I found the book to be emotionally draining although it does come to a successful conclusion. Finding Raven, one could understand Steve's fascination with her, but I could also sympathise with Raven in her reluctance to return with him to her father's home. Certainly, she is no stranger to rejection and the malicious intolerance that she faces gives her cause to reconsider her decisions. Although the story is well written with complex characters, I found it a little disturbing. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
January 1, 2013
I enjoyed this book until the ending which seemed rushed. The story took its time developing, then suddenly in just a few pages, everything changes, all the sub-plots climax at once, and bam, bam, bam, all the insurmountable problems are just packaged with a neat little bow. The author did a fairly good job of writing a cohesive story with an interesting plot, well-crafted story development, and good character development, so in summary, I would say that this book is a poorly constructed ending, but with a very enjoyable, engrossing story getting there.
April 30, 2015
Simply Heaven has several love stories woven around the main love story set in a plantation in Alabama with a trip to Texas. The characters are interesting in this developing love story with a strong supporting cast of supporting characters adding support and conflict to make a wonderful story from Patricia Hagan. I loved that Raven could defend herself and showed so much resourcefulness compared to the helpless Southern bells. Simply Heaven was a great historical romance with a little spicy sex.
December 13, 2019
A wonderful story with unexpected plot twists that have you believing in the old adage, that home is where the heart is! Raven and Steve find that the love of a place, an affinity for horses, and their undeniable passion for each other can overcome just about any barrier to their happiness, especially their own doubts. I received this book for free from ebook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review.
February 19, 2025
Good book
It was good reading not a dull moment.About a half bred girl her Dad searching for her.G gets his trainer to find her.There is hate and jealousy in this book Love and passion.Danger lieing
It was good reading not a dull moment.About a half bred girl her Dad searching for her.G gets his trainer to find her.There is hate and jealousy in this book Love and passion.Danger lieing
January 31, 2013
Is a great book to read
March 5, 2014
It was so happily ever after it made me sick. I did like the characters. But the ending was rushed and didn't feel like something the characters would say or do.
March 9, 2023
That is seriously the most abrupt ending I've ever read in a book like this. Quite a disappointment! I did like the main characters though, especially Raven.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews