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Odio en el Paraíso
Schyler Crandall, hija adoptiva del poderoso propietario de un imperio de explotación forestal en Luisiana, abandona el hogar al sufrir la mayor humillación de su vida: su hermana anuncia en público que está esperando un hijo del novio de Schyler. Seis años después, la joven regresa y se ve envuelta en una maraña de intrigas provocadas por la cotidicia de su hermana y por las deudas de juego de su ex novio. Sin embargo, la presencia de Cash, un enigmático cajun de temperamento rudo y apasionado, dará un vuelco inesperado a su vida.
574 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
1236 people are currently reading
5115 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Brown
343 books19.3k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 566 reviews
February 23, 2019
4.5 Stars
Wow. Did Sandra Brown really write this?
It's so different from her other books. It reminded me of Linda Howard’s After the Night. It's not the same story, not even close. It’s just giving off the same vibe, I guess. And it's equally gripping.
It has that melodramatic soap opera feel to it. Family secrets, false accusations, forbidden love, eccentric behavior, ultimate betrayal... I'm usually not crazy about this type of books but this one was juicy and delicious.
The heroine is a strong, annoyingly proud and stubborn woman and the hero …
Cash. Even his name sounds dirty and hot as hell. Long hair, old jeans, boots, hard-working arms and hands. Crude, crass, rough, unapologetic. A hard man, a take-it-or-leave-it man. He might behave like an ass but he is who he is. I loved him.
You have no idea how hard it is to find a picture of a man on the internet that would fit the mental image of the hero I have in my head. They all look like mamma’s boys who probably haven't seen a tree in their lives, let alone worked in a logging camp. All oiled up, smooth skin, hairless chests, massively inflated legs and arms, manicured hands…
So no pictures, sorry.
Speaking of soap operas, want to take a short walk down memory lane?
LOL
Anyhow, I loved Cash and Schyler’s complicated love-hate slow burn. I loved their stubbornness and pride. Their chemistry is dirty, passionate, rough and explosive. It isn’t cheesy. It’s hot as a whore house on dollar day. Pardon my French.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Storyline: 4/5
Hero: 4/5
Heroine: 4/5
Secondary characters: 5/5
Hotness/steam: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Angst: 3.5/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2/5
Depth of the book: 5/5
POV: multiple, third person
Triggers:
The only thing that pissed me off was when
Wow. Did Sandra Brown really write this?
It's so different from her other books. It reminded me of Linda Howard’s After the Night. It's not the same story, not even close. It’s just giving off the same vibe, I guess. And it's equally gripping.
It has that melodramatic soap opera feel to it. Family secrets, false accusations, forbidden love, eccentric behavior, ultimate betrayal... I'm usually not crazy about this type of books but this one was juicy and delicious.
The heroine is a strong, annoyingly proud and stubborn woman and the hero …
Cash. Even his name sounds dirty and hot as hell. Long hair, old jeans, boots, hard-working arms and hands. Crude, crass, rough, unapologetic. A hard man, a take-it-or-leave-it man. He might behave like an ass but he is who he is. I loved him.
You have no idea how hard it is to find a picture of a man on the internet that would fit the mental image of the hero I have in my head. They all look like mamma’s boys who probably haven't seen a tree in their lives, let alone worked in a logging camp. All oiled up, smooth skin, hairless chests, massively inflated legs and arms, manicured hands…
So no pictures, sorry.
Speaking of soap operas, want to take a short walk down memory lane?
LOL
Anyhow, I loved Cash and Schyler’s complicated love-hate slow burn. I loved their stubbornness and pride. Their chemistry is dirty, passionate, rough and explosive. It isn’t cheesy. It’s hot as a whore house on dollar day. Pardon my French.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Storyline: 4/5
Hero: 4/5
Heroine: 4/5
Secondary characters: 5/5
Hotness/steam: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Angst: 3.5/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2/5
Depth of the book: 5/5
POV: multiple, third person
Triggers:
The only thing that pissed me off was when
August 5, 2015
I had to edit my review as all my pictures had disappeared. I asked for the update not to be added to my feed, so apologies if this "old" review shows up on your feed.
Decided to read this one after reading Geri’s review. It was written over 25 years ago but I had a hankering for something like this. It was back in the day when men were Real Men, wore jeans and boots, had hairy chests and stubbled jaws, they smoked, they fucked, they drank, they didn’t care what folks thought of them… but now and again one of them could be brought to their knees by a beautiful woman. First time reading this author. I think her writing style/genre might have changed a bit over the years – will check some of her other books out. This was not even available on Kindle in my neck of the woods but I wanted to read it so bad that I got the paperback, an OLD paperback edition.
What a Bitch the sister is – hope she gets her come-uppance!
Not sure some of the words used in the book would go down too well in this day and age … but I am sure there are still prejudices like that in plenty of corners of the world.
Smooth fucking talker is our Cash.
And what about Daddy …
… and Daddy's prejudices aren't much better - now we can see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Then again, he might have some words of wisdom for her …
Jigger Flynn …
Cash, I don't know what to make of you …
And to be honest, I seriously did not know who was the Bad Guy(?) – was on tenderhooks towards the end of the book but of course, I got my HEA.
Decided to read this one after reading Geri’s review. It was written over 25 years ago but I had a hankering for something like this. It was back in the day when men were Real Men, wore jeans and boots, had hairy chests and stubbled jaws, they smoked, they fucked, they drank, they didn’t care what folks thought of them… but now and again one of them could be brought to their knees by a beautiful woman. First time reading this author. I think her writing style/genre might have changed a bit over the years – will check some of her other books out. This was not even available on Kindle in my neck of the woods but I wanted to read it so bad that I got the paperback, an OLD paperback edition.
If her swift calculations were correct, Cash Boudreaux was approaching forty, so he should have known better to say something so flippant about an seriously ill man. His manners hadn’t improved with maturity. He was as coarse, as rude, as undisciplined as he’d been in his youth. His mother had exercised absolutely no control over him whatsoever. She had let him run wild. He was constantly into mischief that had ceased to be cute by the time he reached junior high school, where he fast became the scourge of the public school system. Heaven, Louisiana had never spawned such a hell-raiser as Cash Boudreaux.
"I’m never kind to a woman."
His walk, all his movements were masculine…. His lips closed around the filtered tip. He struck a match on the doorjamb, then cupped his hands around the flame while he lit the cigarette.
"Just what I thought," he said roughly.
"You put on all those ladylike airs but you’re just like a firecracker on the Fourth of July, ready to ignite, ready to explode." … He jerked her forward and rubbed against her. "Feel that? I’ve got just the match to light your fuse."
She slapped him hard.
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What’s the matter, not used to ---"
"Filth, Mr. Boudreaux. No I’m not used to filth. "
What a Bitch the sister is – hope she gets her come-uppance!
Not sure some of the words used in the book would go down too well in this day and age … but I am sure there are still prejudices like that in plenty of corners of the world.
"Stop," she moaned.
"You want this as much as I do."
"No."
"Yes," he flicked her earlobe with his tongue.
"How long has it been since you got fucked real good?"/b>
Smooth fucking talker is our Cash.
And what about Daddy …
… and Daddy's prejudices aren't much better - now we can see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
"He's a queer …In my day if one of those crossed our paths, we'd beat the hell out of him."
"You want to talk about it, I suppose?"
"About what? Fucking you?"
"Sure, why not? Let’s talk about it."
"Alright."
She drew a deep breath to show him how bored she was with the subject.
"It was a mistake to go to bed with you. I regret it. It happened. I wish it hadn’t but it did. I take full responsibility for my actions, but I intend to forget the whole thing. I expect you to as well."
"You do?"
"Yes, I do."
His whiskey flavored breath was as balmy as the night air when he laughed into her stormy face. He leaned forward, aligning his body against hers.
"Not bloody likely. Do you know what it means to a poor white trash bastard kid like me to make Miss Schyler Crandall come?"
Then again, he might have some words of wisdom for her …
"Be careful that your benevolence doesn't work against you, Schyler …Vast experience has taught me that folks dearly love to bite the hand that feeds them. It gives them a perverse satisfaction that's just plain human nature. You can't change that … Make sure nobody mistakes your love and charity for weakness. Folks claim they admire saints. But fact is they despise them. They gloat in seeing them stumble and fall flat on their asses"
Jigger Flynn …
Cash, I don't know what to make of you …
"I warned you that I was never kind to women. Don't expect me to be an different with you."
My God, what she had just done was unthinkable. Yet, it had happened. She wasn't sorry, only deeply disturbed, because while he'd been holding her she'd been inundated with him. She had forgotten her problems. She had forgotten everything including Belle Terre.<
"You cannot trust him. Do, and we’re doomed. He’ll do anything, say anything to bring us down. Don’t doubt that for a single instant."
And to be honest, I seriously did not know who was the Bad Guy(?) – was on tenderhooks towards the end of the book but of course, I got my HEA.
July 15, 2017
Fantastic!! It was crude, full of deceit, and overly dramatic, I loved it!! I think it's officially my second favorite Sandra Brown book, ever!!! Lol. And that cover??!!!
July 2, 2023
Slow Heat in Heaven has been recommended to me a few years ago, but I hesitated to start it for a number of (mostly ridiculous) reasons. It took a trip to New Orleans for me to finally consider picking it up, due to the book's rural Louisiana setting. Yes, I totally counted it as research.
That said, for a while A Confederacy of Dunces had been a serious competitor, but let's face it: when it comes to holiday reading, the frivolous always wins out.
For those of you dreading the soap opera feels... you're completely justified! There's a rich family with a big house, and vast expanses of land. There's an ailing father on the brink of death, so naturally the feuding sisters are not far off either. There's lots of intrigue, along with a hefty dose of misunderstanding, generally solved by someone finally saying "Oh no, I had no idea you thought that! You should know I would NEVER EVER do *insert dramatically heinous act*!".
And of course, there's a hot romance to be had between the gorgeous but utterly broken Schyler Crandall, and the mysterious, hotter-than-the-Louisiana-sun-at-noon, Cash Boudreaux. Yes, I greatly enjoyed every single spark of that chemistry... when I wasn't busy cursing their many will-they-won't-they dances.
The setting on the other hand, that was just masterfully done. As far as I'm concerned, the book's biggest assets were the amazing descriptions of rural Louisiana, with its sweltering heat, dangerous swamps, and treacherous bayous. So glad I managed to finish it before I got to the swamp tour! I totally spent that hour and a half picturing Schyler and Cash, frolicking amidst the Cajun country wilderness.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
If you enjoy your lurid soap operas in prose format, I would definitely not miss a single page of this book. If you're not the biggest romance fan, but feel you can stomach some syrup for the promise of an amazing journey through rural Louisiana, deep breath and take the plunge. Otherwise, you can look forward to spending a few hours complaining about soap opera cliches in general.
That said, for a while A Confederacy of Dunces had been a serious competitor, but let's face it: when it comes to holiday reading, the frivolous always wins out.
For those of you dreading the soap opera feels... you're completely justified! There's a rich family with a big house, and vast expanses of land. There's an ailing father on the brink of death, so naturally the feuding sisters are not far off either. There's lots of intrigue, along with a hefty dose of misunderstanding, generally solved by someone finally saying "Oh no, I had no idea you thought that! You should know I would NEVER EVER do *insert dramatically heinous act*!".
And of course, there's a hot romance to be had between the gorgeous but utterly broken Schyler Crandall, and the mysterious, hotter-than-the-Louisiana-sun-at-noon, Cash Boudreaux. Yes, I greatly enjoyed every single spark of that chemistry... when I wasn't busy cursing their many will-they-won't-they dances.
The setting on the other hand, that was just masterfully done. As far as I'm concerned, the book's biggest assets were the amazing descriptions of rural Louisiana, with its sweltering heat, dangerous swamps, and treacherous bayous. So glad I managed to finish it before I got to the swamp tour! I totally spent that hour and a half picturing Schyler and Cash, frolicking amidst the Cajun country wilderness.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
If you enjoy your lurid soap operas in prose format, I would definitely not miss a single page of this book. If you're not the biggest romance fan, but feel you can stomach some syrup for the promise of an amazing journey through rural Louisiana, deep breath and take the plunge. Otherwise, you can look forward to spending a few hours complaining about soap opera cliches in general.
February 6, 2015
10++++STARS!
PERFECTION. SHEER PERFECTION!
I can't stress how much I LOVED THIS! It was the BEST SB book I've read to date, the best! It reminded me of After The night, by Linda Howard, a book I consider one of the best I've ever read. Don't ask me why this book made me think of that book, maybe it was the atmosphere, the return of a character meant to finish something, the beauty of the surroundings...not sure, but in my mind I saw similarities.
I loved everything here, EVERY. SINGLE. THING. Schyler, whose name I kept pronouncing phonetically not how it was meant to be, S-k-y-l-e-r. She was a wonderful character who couldn't help falling for the rough and complicated Cash Boudreaux. I loved Schyler, I admired her strength, patience, resolve and kindness.
Tricia...seriously, this woman was a shrewd and vindictive snake! I hope she suffers endlessly. Ken Howell, what a weak and pathetic excuse for a man.
Cash Boudreaux...I loved him, loved him, loved him. He wasn't perfect. Far from it. He could be an arrogant asshole who used perversity as a defense mechanism. If it wasn't for the intense empathy I felt for him, I wouldn't have come to love him as much as I did. The pain and heartache from always knowing you didn't belong, weren't meant to belong was excruciating. I think he suffered so much and endured more than his share. His feelings were always hidden behind animosity and cruelty, but I felt him, and believed him to be the man meant for Schyler. His characterization was incredibly sexy and unpolished, I can't say enough about him except that I LOVED him! And can SB write a sexy time scene?! Filled with sensuality and raw emotion, these are some of the best and most beautifully written sex scenes I've read.
Up until this point, I've read more recent stuff by SB, but this was the best so far. It was filled with stereotypes, racism, class divisions and some pretty backwards thinking folks, I tell you! But it was accurate and I wouldn't be surprised to find people like that still walking around. But it gave this book authenticity and a thick and believable plot. I can't recommend this enough, it's going onto my favorites pile, loved it!
PERFECTION. SHEER PERFECTION!
I can't stress how much I LOVED THIS! It was the BEST SB book I've read to date, the best! It reminded me of After The night, by Linda Howard, a book I consider one of the best I've ever read. Don't ask me why this book made me think of that book, maybe it was the atmosphere, the return of a character meant to finish something, the beauty of the surroundings...not sure, but in my mind I saw similarities.
I loved everything here, EVERY. SINGLE. THING. Schyler, whose name I kept pronouncing phonetically not how it was meant to be, S-k-y-l-e-r. She was a wonderful character who couldn't help falling for the rough and complicated Cash Boudreaux. I loved Schyler, I admired her strength, patience, resolve and kindness.
Tricia...seriously, this woman was a shrewd and vindictive snake! I hope she suffers endlessly. Ken Howell, what a weak and pathetic excuse for a man.
Cash Boudreaux...I loved him, loved him, loved him. He wasn't perfect. Far from it. He could be an arrogant asshole who used perversity as a defense mechanism. If it wasn't for the intense empathy I felt for him, I wouldn't have come to love him as much as I did. The pain and heartache from always knowing you didn't belong, weren't meant to belong was excruciating. I think he suffered so much and endured more than his share. His feelings were always hidden behind animosity and cruelty, but I felt him, and believed him to be the man meant for Schyler. His characterization was incredibly sexy and unpolished, I can't say enough about him except that I LOVED him! And can SB write a sexy time scene?! Filled with sensuality and raw emotion, these are some of the best and most beautifully written sex scenes I've read.
Up until this point, I've read more recent stuff by SB, but this was the best so far. It was filled with stereotypes, racism, class divisions and some pretty backwards thinking folks, I tell you! But it was accurate and I wouldn't be surprised to find people like that still walking around. But it gave this book authenticity and a thick and believable plot. I can't recommend this enough, it's going onto my favorites pile, loved it!
August 28, 2013
I think this book was way ahead of its time. I've read this way back, and I mean way back and it's safe to say, Cash Bordreaux popped my bad boy cherry. This was written way back when the word 'Fuck" wasn't used in romance and heroes are supposed to be good and kind. Cash was none of those things. He says fuck a lot and man-whored his way into my heart. Romance readers nowadays wouldn't bat an eyelash at Cash's behavior nowadays but back then, many readers were scandalized. I just loved it.
The story wasn't all that but I find the characters fascinating, all of them and it's nice to read books that really breaks the mold. Another wonderful reread for me! ♥
The story wasn't all that but I find the characters fascinating, all of them and it's nice to read books that really breaks the mold. Another wonderful reread for me! ♥
December 19, 2014
This one will be short and sweet.
Another freaking great book by Sandra Brown. I just love her books!! But I think you all already know that right. :)
I have to say in this one the suspense and romance rolls were reversed. Well in my opinion anyways. There was a bit of mystery and suspense but it wasn't that on the edge of your seat stuff. It was good, don't get me wrong, but the romance and sex (Cash style) was FABULOUS!
Cash Boudreaux....
I loved Mr. Cash Boudreaux. He was a dirty talking son of a bitch but you will end up loving every single inch of him. Schyler Crandall couldn't be more different and that is what made everything so fucking HOT and AMAZING between these two.
SB threw quite the cast of side characters at you too. You have the BITCH of a sister Tricia, the asshole brother-in-law Ken, crass but lovable Cotton (Daddy), crazy ass Jigger who made my skin crawl and a few others.
The suspense was there and SB throws twists and turns at you but I did piece some things together and had an idea of how things were going to end.
This is another highly recommend read from me if your a Sandra Brown fan!!
Another freaking great book by Sandra Brown. I just love her books!! But I think you all already know that right. :)
I have to say in this one the suspense and romance rolls were reversed. Well in my opinion anyways. There was a bit of mystery and suspense but it wasn't that on the edge of your seat stuff. It was good, don't get me wrong, but the romance and sex (Cash style) was FABULOUS!
Cash Boudreaux....
I loved Mr. Cash Boudreaux. He was a dirty talking son of a bitch but you will end up loving every single inch of him. Schyler Crandall couldn't be more different and that is what made everything so fucking HOT and AMAZING between these two.
SB threw quite the cast of side characters at you too. You have the BITCH of a sister Tricia, the asshole brother-in-law Ken, crass but lovable Cotton (Daddy), crazy ass Jigger who made my skin crawl and a few others.
The suspense was there and SB throws twists and turns at you but I did piece some things together and had an idea of how things were going to end.
This is another highly recommend read from me if your a Sandra Brown fan!!
September 9, 2015
Written June 29, 2015
4.2 Stars - A solid good heart wrenching family drama with heat and steam.... - Nearly 30 years but still worth your time
I finished the audiobook of this quite old SB novel from 1988 yesterday. It was 15:30 really great romances hours superbly well narrated by Dick Hill (in that traditional nice theatrical style).
I liked and enjoyed.
Slow Heat in Heaven is bit dark contemporary southern family-story with heat. Hot sweaty heat. Oh yeah, this hero and heroine steamed with emotions, strong feelings and did an classic enemy to lovers journey in those dark and dangerous Southern Louisiana woods.
Recommended if you, as me, are a bit nostalgic and once again want to visit the 80:s. Nothing really surprising or new under the sun but an addictive listening-yearning audiobook edition. ~ Applause to Mr Hill!
*********************************************************
Schyler Crandall is back in Heaven, Louisiana, her beloved hometown she left six years ago when her younger sister, Tricia and Ken Howell, now her sisters husband - back then Schylers fiancé, betrayed her. Schyler and Tricia are two adopted daughters of the most powerful man in town, Cotton Crandall. Now an old sick man in hospital after a serious heart stroke.
...they are all again together in the old grand mansion —Belle Terre— as our strong heroine Schyler loves.
There in those steaming hot south woods is also Cash Boudreaux, the mysterious wet dream for the local females with all his anger, angst and hard nagging words. Cash is the former poor boy who in years has yearned for the blond beautiful girl in the "big" house. — But here is also Jigger, the nasty dangerous 'pimp' with those evil fighting dogs which scares, and actually treats, Schyler and here safety..
...“Family crisis has brought her home from her London life to a family in conflict, a logging empire on the brink of disaster, and seething secrets that make Heaven hotter than hell.”
*********************************************************
Well, well here I got another...
Sandra Brown is, in my experience this past six months, a good guarantee for well-made (steamy enough) romantic thriller novels. It is usually kind of black and white, good or very evil characters, but thankfully always understandable human characters. There are often something in the story, or the plot, that point to social injustices and that some misfortunate people lives under miserable and very sad circumstances. I like that aspect (but cries with them...)
I have a weak heart for testosterone-filled (in this book from the 80:s still even smoking) traditional manly heroes. You know them; Horny sexy men with chest-hair and often a blunt language. Luckily is the female main character usually a strong, successful, intelligent woman. ~ ...That's what I usually get in those SB novels and so also in Slow Heat in Heaven.
I'm once again pleased and look forward to my next SB reading (or listening) experience.
*********************************************************
I LIKE - even slightly outdated stories by Ms Brown
4.2 Stars - A solid good heart wrenching family drama with heat and steam.... - Nearly 30 years but still worth your time
I finished the audiobook of this quite old SB novel from 1988 yesterday. It was 15:30 really great romances hours superbly well narrated by Dick Hill (in that traditional nice theatrical style).
I liked and enjoyed.
Slow Heat in Heaven is bit dark contemporary southern family-story with heat. Hot sweaty heat. Oh yeah, this hero and heroine steamed with emotions, strong feelings and did an classic enemy to lovers journey in those dark and dangerous Southern Louisiana woods.
Recommended if you, as me, are a bit nostalgic and once again want to visit the 80:s. Nothing really surprising or new under the sun but an addictive listening-yearning audiobook edition. ~ Applause to Mr Hill!
*********************************************************
Schyler Crandall is back in Heaven, Louisiana, her beloved hometown she left six years ago when her younger sister, Tricia and Ken Howell, now her sisters husband - back then Schylers fiancé, betrayed her. Schyler and Tricia are two adopted daughters of the most powerful man in town, Cotton Crandall. Now an old sick man in hospital after a serious heart stroke.
...they are all again together in the old grand mansion —Belle Terre— as our strong heroine Schyler loves.
‘Before she did, Cash Boudreaux raised his hand to her neck and brushed away a mosquito that was looking for a sumptuous spot to have dinner.
The backs of Cash’s fingers were rough, but their touch was delicate as they whisked across her exposed throat and down her chest. He looked for her reaction with frank interest. His gaze was sexual. He knew exactly what he was doing. He had brazenly committed the unpardonable. Cash Boudreaux had touched Schyler Crandall… and was daring her to complain about it.’
There in those steaming hot south woods is also Cash Boudreaux, the mysterious wet dream for the local females with all his anger, angst and hard nagging words. Cash is the former poor boy who in years has yearned for the blond beautiful girl in the "big" house. — But here is also Jigger, the nasty dangerous 'pimp' with those evil fighting dogs which scares, and actually treats, Schyler and here safety..
...“Family crisis has brought her home from her London life to a family in conflict, a logging empire on the brink of disaster, and seething secrets that make Heaven hotter than hell.”
*********************************************************
“I’m not going to place Belle Terre above everything else. It’s not what I want most. I knew what I wanted most when I saw you asleep under that tree.”
Well, well here I got another...
Sandra Brown is, in my experience this past six months, a good guarantee for well-made (steamy enough) romantic thriller novels. It is usually kind of black and white, good or very evil characters, but thankfully always understandable human characters. There are often something in the story, or the plot, that point to social injustices and that some misfortunate people lives under miserable and very sad circumstances. I like that aspect (but cries with them...)
I have a weak heart for testosterone-filled (in this book from the 80:s still even smoking) traditional manly heroes. You know them; Horny sexy men with chest-hair and often a blunt language. Luckily is the female main character usually a strong, successful, intelligent woman. ~ ...That's what I usually get in those SB novels and so also in Slow Heat in Heaven.
I'm once again pleased and look forward to my next SB reading (or listening) experience.
*********************************************************
I LIKE - even slightly outdated stories by Ms Brown
August 3, 2016
A dynastic, dark melodrama. Yikes. With a sis like Trish, who needs hatchet killers? Lizzy Borden might be an improvement.
Written in 1988, it's dated (Cash is a chauvinist, fought in Vietnam, smokes cigarettes. Language includes the racist N word and homophobic slurs -- but not by the lead couple). I may have enjoyed this more 25 years ago, but cannot recall reading it.
Some folks love this story, but ugh. I began to hate it. Too unpleasant. Depressing. I didn't laugh. Not even a smile. Just lots of unsavory characters doing lots of unsavory things. I like some of SB's books -- especially Lethal -- but with a book this long, I needed more light moments and upbeat characters to balance the dark. After reading 450+ pages of mistrust and misery, I get one or two optimistic, loving pages at the end?
Beware, vague spoilers follow, but the big plot surprises are secret.
About three rape scenes (m/f, and m/m, and gang rape) and plenty of sex, yet not one single love scene?? Sex, yes. Lovemaking? No loving tenderness between Cash and Schyler (Skyler) until nearly the last page. And I did not care to voyeuristically sit in on slutty Rhoda, first with Cash, then with Dale, then with Cash, then...
My favorite character is Cash, but that's not saying much. He's a mean one, and sleeps around like a slut, but does right by others, in his own way. I sympathize with him. I liked his healing abilities, too. He clearly loved Schyler, even though he wouldn't admit it.
I sometimes liked Schyler, but she bugged me, killing those poor creatures, letting Ken kiss her a few times and feel her up, and never trusting Cash. Right up until the end, never believing in him. After all he did for her? The scene when Cash showed her that ___ was robbing the company?? She said what? Did that? But I liked how she treated Gayla, and how she handled Mrs. Graves. She definitely had guts.
SETTING: The Louisiana setting is vividly described -- a plantation home called Belle Terre (yup, like Tara, and Schyler is Scarlet, trying to save the farm), located just outside a corrupt town (the sheriff) with the unlikely name of Heaven. Sandra Brown pens strong descriptions of the forest, the bayou, the huge rattlesnake, the malevolent and ugly Jigger Flynn, and the horrible pit bull fight.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS: Sister Trish is purely psycho. The sweetest moment in the book involved Gayla and Jimmy Don. I also liked seeing Jigger get his comeuppance. That was sweet. Old patriarchal Cotton bugged me, the way he treated Cash. What an idiot, to make such a promise to his coldhearted wife, Macy. How unfair to keep his promise at the expense of the living, long after Macy died.
SUSPENSE: Someone was in cahoots with the Duh. It was obvious. Also, why didn't anyone suspect that ___ killed ___? It seems obvious. The timing is a dead give-away, right? There is clear motive. This is a small town, but the investigation was immediately closed for lack of suspects.
Wanted a slightly different ending. It was okay, but abrupt. Needed an epilogue.
CONTENTS: Racial slurs (the N word), explicit sex (about nine scenes, different couples), swearing, religious profanity, vicious dog fight scene, rape, gang rape.
Written in 1988, it's dated (Cash is a chauvinist, fought in Vietnam, smokes cigarettes. Language includes the racist N word and homophobic slurs -- but not by the lead couple). I may have enjoyed this more 25 years ago, but cannot recall reading it.
Some folks love this story, but ugh. I began to hate it. Too unpleasant. Depressing. I didn't laugh. Not even a smile. Just lots of unsavory characters doing lots of unsavory things. I like some of SB's books -- especially Lethal -- but with a book this long, I needed more light moments and upbeat characters to balance the dark. After reading 450+ pages of mistrust and misery, I get one or two optimistic, loving pages at the end?
Beware, vague spoilers follow, but the big plot surprises are secret.
About three rape scenes (m/f, and m/m, and gang rape) and plenty of sex, yet not one single love scene?? Sex, yes. Lovemaking? No loving tenderness between Cash and Schyler (Skyler) until nearly the last page. And I did not care to voyeuristically sit in on slutty Rhoda, first with Cash, then with Dale, then with Cash, then...
My favorite character is Cash, but that's not saying much. He's a mean one, and sleeps around like a slut, but does right by others, in his own way. I sympathize with him. I liked his healing abilities, too. He clearly loved Schyler, even though he wouldn't admit it.
I sometimes liked Schyler, but she bugged me, killing those poor creatures, letting Ken kiss her a few times and feel her up, and never trusting Cash. Right up until the end, never believing in him. After all he did for her? The scene when Cash showed her that ___ was robbing the company?? She said what? Did that? But I liked how she treated Gayla, and how she handled Mrs. Graves. She definitely had guts.
SETTING: The Louisiana setting is vividly described -- a plantation home called Belle Terre (yup, like Tara, and Schyler is Scarlet, trying to save the farm), located just outside a corrupt town (the sheriff) with the unlikely name of Heaven. Sandra Brown pens strong descriptions of the forest, the bayou, the huge rattlesnake, the malevolent and ugly Jigger Flynn, and the horrible pit bull fight.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS: Sister Trish is purely psycho. The sweetest moment in the book involved Gayla and Jimmy Don. I also liked seeing Jigger get his comeuppance. That was sweet. Old patriarchal Cotton bugged me, the way he treated Cash. What an idiot, to make such a promise to his coldhearted wife, Macy. How unfair to keep his promise at the expense of the living, long after Macy died.
SUSPENSE: Someone was in cahoots with the Duh. It was obvious. Also, why didn't anyone suspect that ___ killed ___? It seems obvious. The timing is a dead give-away, right? There is clear motive. This is a small town, but the investigation was immediately closed for lack of suspects.
Wanted a slightly different ending. It was okay, but abrupt. Needed an epilogue.
CONTENTS: Racial slurs (the N word), explicit sex (about nine scenes, different couples), swearing, religious profanity, vicious dog fight scene, rape, gang rape.
July 20, 2018
Por fin he podido terminar de leer el libro.
Me ha encantado, nunca había leído nada de esta autora y tenía este libro para leer desde hace siglos, había leído muy buenas críticas y sabía que me iba a gustar muchísimo y no me equivocado. Tiene de todo y te tiene enganchada hasta el final.
El personaje de Sky al principio estaba dudosa si me iba a terminar de gustar, por que había algo que no me terminaba de encajar con ella pero he descubierto un gran personaje y con Cash más o menos igual. Se le ve a leguas que es uno de esos personajes que son "duros" de principio a fín y eso es lo que más me gusta de él que no ha cambiado su forma de ser y se ha mantenido así hasta el final. me ha parecido una gran lectura, la he disfrutado y seguiré leyendo libros de esta autora #retorita2 #ritabrown
Me ha encantado, nunca había leído nada de esta autora y tenía este libro para leer desde hace siglos, había leído muy buenas críticas y sabía que me iba a gustar muchísimo y no me equivocado. Tiene de todo y te tiene enganchada hasta el final.
El personaje de Sky al principio estaba dudosa si me iba a terminar de gustar, por que había algo que no me terminaba de encajar con ella pero he descubierto un gran personaje y con Cash más o menos igual. Se le ve a leguas que es uno de esos personajes que son "duros" de principio a fín y eso es lo que más me gusta de él que no ha cambiado su forma de ser y se ha mantenido así hasta el final. me ha parecido una gran lectura, la he disfrutado y seguiré leyendo libros de esta autora #retorita2 #ritabrown
August 30, 2022
⭐️⭐️ two stars -
Two sad stars for this uncomfortably old school read from Sandra Brown. I’m getting off this train at 28% and am shelving this one to my DNF shelf.
What happened? Besides the fact that I ignored all the one and two star reviews that reiterate a few reasons why I hated this one? Well, I’ll tell you why in a few concise bullet points here:
* this story was published in 1988, and it reads like it. Too many examples occur time and again that don’t let this novel move into the twenty first century. You haven’t read any other reviews and need examples? How about this: cliched class structure, misogynistic attitudes, racist caricatures. It all makes for uncomfortably narrow minded reading in 2022 💁♀️.
* Brown seems to love to include trashy characters in her novels. She’s new to me, as I’ve only read a couple of her stories now, but each book I’ve read from her includes characters that fall under my own definition of trash. For me, that’s loose morals, poor education, and unlikable character traits. Here in “Slow Heat In Heaven”, she’s made this trashy character her Hero. Yes, you read that correctly. The Hero 🙄.
* this next point has to do with the animal cruelty included here. I did see this plot point mentioned here on Goodreads in other reviews, but I chose to read this novel anyway (even though anyone that follows my reviews knows how I feel about brutality toward animals). The scene with our heroine, a shotgun, and a pen full of abused pit bulls is way beyond the pale for me. I have a hard time believing that even though it’s 1988, our heroine thinks it’s copasetic for her to take it upon herself to inhumanely murder an animal suffering from abuse. Here’s a hint: it’s never going to be ok with me. This scene was repugnant, but I continued reading…
* the straw that finally broke this camel’s back is the prison scene that starts at Chapter Eighteen (where I stopped at 28%). I read the first sentence here, “Hey, Boy!” then “Every muscle in Jimmy Don’s athletic body tensed”; then I just shut this train down, closed up this book on my Kindle, and I said, “nope, I’m out.”
So, there you have it. I went in expecting a romantic suspense with hot sexy times, and I got a Hero I personally never would’ve given the time of day to, no matter how “hot” he is, cause uneducated slovenliness is not sexy in my book.
This reader is out because there are just way too many other good books out there to read, than to have to force myself to soldier my way uncomfortably through this nonsense.
I highly encourage you to read the other one and two starred reviews here on Goodreads when you’re trying to decide whether or not to read this novel, and believe them. This dated mess is not enjoyable nor pleasant to read.
Pass and spend your money elsewhere.
Two uncomfortable, not able to light them on the first try, stars.
Two sad stars for this uncomfortably old school read from Sandra Brown. I’m getting off this train at 28% and am shelving this one to my DNF shelf.
What happened? Besides the fact that I ignored all the one and two star reviews that reiterate a few reasons why I hated this one? Well, I’ll tell you why in a few concise bullet points here:
* this story was published in 1988, and it reads like it. Too many examples occur time and again that don’t let this novel move into the twenty first century. You haven’t read any other reviews and need examples? How about this: cliched class structure, misogynistic attitudes, racist caricatures. It all makes for uncomfortably narrow minded reading in 2022 💁♀️.
* Brown seems to love to include trashy characters in her novels. She’s new to me, as I’ve only read a couple of her stories now, but each book I’ve read from her includes characters that fall under my own definition of trash. For me, that’s loose morals, poor education, and unlikable character traits. Here in “Slow Heat In Heaven”, she’s made this trashy character her Hero. Yes, you read that correctly. The Hero 🙄.
* this next point has to do with the animal cruelty included here. I did see this plot point mentioned here on Goodreads in other reviews, but I chose to read this novel anyway (even though anyone that follows my reviews knows how I feel about brutality toward animals). The scene with our heroine, a shotgun, and a pen full of abused pit bulls is way beyond the pale for me. I have a hard time believing that even though it’s 1988, our heroine thinks it’s copasetic for her to take it upon herself to inhumanely murder an animal suffering from abuse. Here’s a hint: it’s never going to be ok with me. This scene was repugnant, but I continued reading…
* the straw that finally broke this camel’s back is the prison scene that starts at Chapter Eighteen (where I stopped at 28%). I read the first sentence here, “Hey, Boy!” then “Every muscle in Jimmy Don’s athletic body tensed”; then I just shut this train down, closed up this book on my Kindle, and I said, “nope, I’m out.”
So, there you have it. I went in expecting a romantic suspense with hot sexy times, and I got a Hero I personally never would’ve given the time of day to, no matter how “hot” he is, cause uneducated slovenliness is not sexy in my book.
This reader is out because there are just way too many other good books out there to read, than to have to force myself to soldier my way uncomfortably through this nonsense.
I highly encourage you to read the other one and two starred reviews here on Goodreads when you’re trying to decide whether or not to read this novel, and believe them. This dated mess is not enjoyable nor pleasant to read.
Pass and spend your money elsewhere.
Two uncomfortable, not able to light them on the first try, stars.
July 23, 2019
El final se ha cargado la novela😰. Que desinfle, por favor. Iba avisada pero os juro que he pensado que a mi libro le faltaban unas páginas.. pero no
El romance ni fu ni fa, la verdad. No he entendido ese amor de ninguna manera. Él es un borde y ni al final lo arregla con lo cual sigo dándole vueltas al porqué se enamora ella de él, si no es por ese tema del semental, macho alfa, tipo duro buenorro, algo que no me gusta
Con ella, sí.. lo de él lo puedo entender mejor, no solo esa idea de lo inalcanzable sino porque, al igual que la mayoría de protagonistas de esta autora, Schyler es una mujer decidida, valiente y con arrojo, sin llegar a traspasar esa línea ochentil que tiene toda la novela. Ella me ha gustado mucho.
Pero Cash me ha encantado como personaje masculino sureño y ochentero. Pasión y borderio a partes iguales.
La novela engancha. Mucho. Y aunque hay partes muy predecibles, casi desde el principio porque sino hay cosas que no tienen ningún sentido, la autora consigue crear una trama que atrapa y que te invita a seguir leyendo, más que nada para verificar que lo que piensas va a ocurrir, y la gran parte de veces, ocurre.
Y esa forma de atraparme le da las 4 estrellas... una novela de intrigas, traiciones que creo que retrara muy bien esa parte del pais... al mas puro «La gata sobre el tejado de zinc» guardando muuuucho las distancias y sin ser el mismo argumento.
La recomiendo? Sí... pese a ese final previsible y de sopetón que hasta te cabrea, pero si queréis una novela romántica, escoged otra
El romance ni fu ni fa, la verdad. No he entendido ese amor de ninguna manera. Él es un borde y ni al final lo arregla con lo cual sigo dándole vueltas al porqué se enamora ella de él, si no es por ese tema del semental, macho alfa, tipo duro buenorro, algo que no me gusta
Con ella, sí.. lo de él lo puedo entender mejor, no solo esa idea de lo inalcanzable sino porque, al igual que la mayoría de protagonistas de esta autora, Schyler es una mujer decidida, valiente y con arrojo, sin llegar a traspasar esa línea ochentil que tiene toda la novela. Ella me ha gustado mucho.
Pero Cash me ha encantado como personaje masculino sureño y ochentero. Pasión y borderio a partes iguales.
La novela engancha. Mucho. Y aunque hay partes muy predecibles, casi desde el principio porque sino hay cosas que no tienen ningún sentido, la autora consigue crear una trama que atrapa y que te invita a seguir leyendo, más que nada para verificar que lo que piensas va a ocurrir, y la gran parte de veces, ocurre.
Y esa forma de atraparme le da las 4 estrellas... una novela de intrigas, traiciones que creo que retrara muy bien esa parte del pais... al mas puro «La gata sobre el tejado de zinc» guardando muuuucho las distancias y sin ser el mismo argumento.
La recomiendo? Sí... pese a ese final previsible y de sopetón que hasta te cabrea, pero si queréis una novela romántica, escoged otra
July 7, 2018
4.5 ☆
Me ha encantado.
Soy consciente de que el personaje de Cash tiene ciertas peculiaridades que a lo mejor podrían chocar un poco, pero es que tiene una personalidad tan arrolladora que sinceramente, a mi no me han importado para nada. Schyler también es un personaje femenino bastante redondo y con ella también he conectado muy bien.
Además, me ha gustado mucho el estilo de Sandra Brown. Es una novela "de las de antes" en la que los líos y secretos familiares se entremezclan en la relación amorosa de los protagonistas.
No le doy las cinco quizás porque el final me ha parecido algo brusco y me hubiera gustado que la autora hubiese alargado algo más esa escena final tan bonita. Por lo demás, lo he disfrutado muchísimo.
Me ha encantado.
Soy consciente de que el personaje de Cash tiene ciertas peculiaridades que a lo mejor podrían chocar un poco, pero es que tiene una personalidad tan arrolladora que sinceramente, a mi no me han importado para nada. Schyler también es un personaje femenino bastante redondo y con ella también he conectado muy bien.
Además, me ha gustado mucho el estilo de Sandra Brown. Es una novela "de las de antes" en la que los líos y secretos familiares se entremezclan en la relación amorosa de los protagonistas.
No le doy las cinco quizás porque el final me ha parecido algo brusco y me hubiera gustado que la autora hubiese alargado algo más esa escena final tan bonita. Por lo demás, lo he disfrutado muchísimo.
January 23, 2014
The story was like an 80's southern soap opera, full of interesting characters and crazy drama. My main issues were that the romance wasn't believable, they barely seemed to like each other beyond screwing before some random I Love You's at the end. Also, there really wasn't a character to root for, they all did some pretty nasty stuff. The hero, Cash, was a sexy Cajun but he also was a man-whore who came off pretty harsh during parts and it was hard to see him liking the heroine for more than sex and her home. I needed a little more tenderness shown to her from him. The heroine was ok but came off as snobby and making snap judgements too much. She killed two dogs for basically no reason, it was a cruel and stupid thing to do. The dogs were fighting dogs and one had attacked her but what she did was not a solution and it was hard to forgive. She came off as judgmental and quick to think the worst of Cash no matter what, even though he was a hard worker and figured out who was stealing from them, she treated him like crap for no reason. Her sister and her BIL were left to run roughshod over too many things with no consequences, Schyler just forgave everything.
I listened to this on audio and I think that might have made some of the sexist and racist language harder to deal with, I think that stuff is harder to hear than read. I liked the hero's Cajun accent on audio.
Overall, an interesting drama-filled southern story but the romance wasn't believable and most of the characters were not likable. But the hero was kind of sexy.
I listened to this on audio and I think that might have made some of the sexist and racist language harder to deal with, I think that stuff is harder to hear than read. I liked the hero's Cajun accent on audio.
Overall, an interesting drama-filled southern story but the romance wasn't believable and most of the characters were not likable. But the hero was kind of sexy.
April 28, 2020
This book was not for me. From the first couple of chapters I could tell I didn't like it, but forcing myself through it was really hard. Seriously, it was really hard. I can easily admit that I'm not the right audience for this book.
It is an older book, first and foremost. This is a reprint of Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown.
I found that this book had the creepiest of starts - there's a man watching Schyler in the bayou. He has creepy Edward Cullen vibes and that continues through most of the book for me. Cash Boudreaux, this creeping man, is described as undisciplined, not well liked, rude, cruel and mischievous. And, of course, he's the romantic love interest! Let's make out with the creepy, cruel man! That makes so much sense.
Then there's all of the side characters. Schyler's sister Tricia is mean and cruel and is an absolute cow. I can't find one thing I like about her, and it frustrates me. I dislike characters who have no human trait or good thing about them. Everyone can be likable in some sense or have human qualities about them. This woman is not! Calling her sister white trash was the final straw for me.
Ken, Tricia's husband and Schyler's ex, seems nice enough but still makes me feel sick. I just don't like him.
And Schyler and Tricia's Father is named Cotton. Plus there's Jigger and his dog fighting. It's just too much.
There's so many racist and sexist comments in this that I just couldn't. It was really hard to find things I liked about this book. I'm sure there are going to be readers who like it, but it's not for me. One hundred and fifty percent not my kind of book. I finished it to give it the due respect it deserves, but I don't want to read anymore books like this. I might give Sandra Brown another chance, but the two books I've read of her I haven't exactly enjoyed.
One out of five stars.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
It is an older book, first and foremost. This is a reprint of Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown.
I found that this book had the creepiest of starts - there's a man watching Schyler in the bayou. He has creepy Edward Cullen vibes and that continues through most of the book for me. Cash Boudreaux, this creeping man, is described as undisciplined, not well liked, rude, cruel and mischievous. And, of course, he's the romantic love interest! Let's make out with the creepy, cruel man! That makes so much sense.
Then there's all of the side characters. Schyler's sister Tricia is mean and cruel and is an absolute cow. I can't find one thing I like about her, and it frustrates me. I dislike characters who have no human trait or good thing about them. Everyone can be likable in some sense or have human qualities about them. This woman is not! Calling her sister white trash was the final straw for me.
Ken, Tricia's husband and Schyler's ex, seems nice enough but still makes me feel sick. I just don't like him.
And Schyler and Tricia's Father is named Cotton. Plus there's Jigger and his dog fighting. It's just too much.
There's so many racist and sexist comments in this that I just couldn't. It was really hard to find things I liked about this book. I'm sure there are going to be readers who like it, but it's not for me. One hundred and fifty percent not my kind of book. I finished it to give it the due respect it deserves, but I don't want to read anymore books like this. I might give Sandra Brown another chance, but the two books I've read of her I haven't exactly enjoyed.
One out of five stars.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
September 26, 2016
5 'Belle Terre' STARS
I really enjoy SB's stories. They're engrossing, with a cast of interesting and diverse characters, several story lines that in some way or another manage to intertwine and always a good mystery to solve. I have to say this one is my favourite, so far.
Like Heaven, Louisiana, on the banks of the Bayou, where this story takes place, this tale is dark, languid and captivating. I listened to this novel and the voice of Dick Hill was wonderfully alluring with his variety of accents from Cash Boudreaux's Cajun drawl to Schuyler Crandall's proper southern lilt to Mark's Boston twang. I loved every minute and while I know Cash was an arrogant, skirt chaser who could be one mean bastard, I adored him! Every scene with him was priceless!
I also couldn't help myself from smiling each and every time I heard one of those innocuously simple phrases revolving around Heaven, like "I can't wait to get out of Heaven" or "Take me to Heaven." The double entendres were divine and just added to the depth and temptation of this tale.
I highly recommend this book for all SB fans, or readers who love a rich, compelling tale with a real good mystery and sensuality!
I really enjoy SB's stories. They're engrossing, with a cast of interesting and diverse characters, several story lines that in some way or another manage to intertwine and always a good mystery to solve. I have to say this one is my favourite, so far.
Like Heaven, Louisiana, on the banks of the Bayou, where this story takes place, this tale is dark, languid and captivating. I listened to this novel and the voice of Dick Hill was wonderfully alluring with his variety of accents from Cash Boudreaux's Cajun drawl to Schuyler Crandall's proper southern lilt to Mark's Boston twang. I loved every minute and while I know Cash was an arrogant, skirt chaser who could be one mean bastard, I adored him! Every scene with him was priceless!
I also couldn't help myself from smiling each and every time I heard one of those innocuously simple phrases revolving around Heaven, like "I can't wait to get out of Heaven" or "Take me to Heaven." The double entendres were divine and just added to the depth and temptation of this tale.
I highly recommend this book for all SB fans, or readers who love a rich, compelling tale with a real good mystery and sensuality!
July 17, 2018
#RetoBrown 3,5*
He tardado en leerlo más de lo que imaginaba. Al principio me costaba mucho empatizar con los dos protagonistas, por su terquedad y a veces sus malos modos. Sin embargo cuando empiezan las conspiraciones, las intrigas y los engaños para mí ha ganado mucho. Todos los personajes tiene su porqué y todos están implicados de una forma u otra en lo que sucede dando cada uno su toque personal. Schyler y Cash me han gustado un poco más casi en la parte final que al principio, su evolución es evidente pero me ha costado ver en ellos algo más que atracción sexual. El final es rápido, pero a mi entender es acorde con el personaje de Cash y su manera de actuar durante todo el libro.
Al final lo he disfrutado que es lo que de verdad importa.
Seguiré leyendo a la autora.
He tardado en leerlo más de lo que imaginaba. Al principio me costaba mucho empatizar con los dos protagonistas, por su terquedad y a veces sus malos modos. Sin embargo cuando empiezan las conspiraciones, las intrigas y los engaños para mí ha ganado mucho. Todos los personajes tiene su porqué y todos están implicados de una forma u otra en lo que sucede dando cada uno su toque personal. Schyler y Cash me han gustado un poco más casi en la parte final que al principio, su evolución es evidente pero me ha costado ver en ellos algo más que atracción sexual. El final es rápido, pero a mi entender es acorde con el personaje de Cash y su manera de actuar durante todo el libro.
Al final lo he disfrutado que es lo que de verdad importa.
Seguiré leyendo a la autora.
July 15, 2018
#RitaBrown Odio en el paraíso es uno de esos viejunismos contemporáneos lleno de pistos que cada vez se hacen más grandes. Cash es un protagonista muy peculiar un macho de pelo en pecho y con las ideas bien claras, pero esa boquita le pierde y por eso es posible que mucha gente no lo pueda ver delante.
El estilo de la autora me gusta, sin duda este será el primero de muchos ^^
El estilo de la autora me gusta, sin duda este será el primero de muchos ^^
September 1, 2022
4.5 stars
Books like Night in Eden, Cry No More, Pieces of Sky, these country books have expressive, emotional and inspiring atmosphere. Best nature of these books including Slow Heat in Heaven is they are neither historical nor too modern but somewhere in between.
Schyler rushes home to Belle Terre, after hearing her daddy had a heart attack. Years earlier she was the most favoured and loved daughter but for some reason her daddy hated her. Schyler picks up family conflicts, her evil sister who took her ex, all the wonderful people she knew were scattered or dead and most of all she finds her home Belle Terre was put up as collateral by her father. Schyler depicts the struggle over saving Belle Terre and trying to gain back her daddy's trust. Amist comes Cash the bad boy womanizer. He is full of hate, anger and bitterness and it is those things that guide him to be the way he is. Cash and Schyler keeps us very interested. Their scenes are steamy full of hate sex. Though he is outspoken and a hellraiser of the town he is yet mysterious.
The book's defining moments is the recurrent theme of a person who invested his whole life for Belle Terre which leads to choosing respectability over happiness. Cash is a dirty talking pig and I like every inch of him and he is the perfect man to break in Schyler's uppity nature.
The suspence was wonderful, the mystery around it had me guessing: domestic problems of Belle Terre, slutty Rhonda, evil sister and jealous people who wants Belle Terre. There is no romance in the book but angry sex and shooting metaphorical arrows to each other, until the end of the book they express their feelings for each other.
Warning: there is race misfit, bullying, rape, abuse and killing of animals
Books like Night in Eden, Cry No More, Pieces of Sky, these country books have expressive, emotional and inspiring atmosphere. Best nature of these books including Slow Heat in Heaven is they are neither historical nor too modern but somewhere in between.
Schyler rushes home to Belle Terre, after hearing her daddy had a heart attack. Years earlier she was the most favoured and loved daughter but for some reason her daddy hated her. Schyler picks up family conflicts, her evil sister who took her ex, all the wonderful people she knew were scattered or dead and most of all she finds her home Belle Terre was put up as collateral by her father. Schyler depicts the struggle over saving Belle Terre and trying to gain back her daddy's trust. Amist comes Cash the bad boy womanizer. He is full of hate, anger and bitterness and it is those things that guide him to be the way he is. Cash and Schyler keeps us very interested. Their scenes are steamy full of hate sex. Though he is outspoken and a hellraiser of the town he is yet mysterious.
The book's defining moments is the recurrent theme of a person who invested his whole life for Belle Terre which leads to choosing respectability over happiness. Cash is a dirty talking pig and I like every inch of him and he is the perfect man to break in Schyler's uppity nature.
The suspence was wonderful, the mystery around it had me guessing: domestic problems of Belle Terre, slutty Rhonda, evil sister and jealous people who wants Belle Terre. There is no romance in the book but angry sex and shooting metaphorical arrows to each other, until the end of the book they express their feelings for each other.
Warning: there is race misfit, bullying, rape, abuse and killing of animals
January 5, 2015
Not everyone's idea of a hero, but man did this book make my pulse pound.
December 23, 2017
***THREE STARS***
This story was a great little mystery, with all the characters having their own selfish agendas. It was impossible to guess what would happen next as the story played out and all the selfish, manipulative, back stabbing characters showed their true colors.
I love asshole heroes, and Cash was Asshole Perfection. And Smokin' HOT too.
The only issue I had with this story was Schyler completely rubbed me the wrong way in this story. From her heartlessly murdering dogs, to her judgmental bitchiness towards Cash through the whole story, I just never warmed up to her.
This story would have been a solid 4 Stars for me if Schyler had been a little more likable in it. That being said, rest of the story was fantastic!
July 16, 2018
A pesar de que el protagonista de esta novela Cash Boudreaux, es un bruto y grosero, no puedo evitar decir que me ha gustado mucho, la historia está muy bien escrita, tiene mucha intriga, odio, suspenso, te mantiene en vilo sin saber que pasará, el único pero que le pongo es el final, me hubiera gustado que sea un poquito más largo, #RetoRita2
April 11, 2010
This book has been reviewed umpteen times, so adding mine to the mix seems a little redundant, but I felt like I could share some information that might make the decision of whether or not to read this book easier for others.
I wanted to read this years ago, but after reading reviews chock-full of less than positive things to say about the "hero," I postponed actually doing so until very recently. I'm glad that I finally read it, because both the book and Cash weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. The plot isn't anything groundbreaking, and if you've read a romance or two, you can pretty much predict what's going to happen. The heroine isn't particularly special, in my view - she had moments where she was strong, and others when she could've used more of a backbone. She and Cash do have quite a bit of chemistry and sexual tension, though, which is more than enough to hold the reader's interest.
What sets this book apart (and made me give it 3 stars, though 3.5 is probably more accurate) is that Sandra Brown took a real chance in creating a lead male character who does and says things that are not what one would expect from a typical romance novel hero. This also tends to be what makes some people really despise this book. Prior to reading it, I wish I had known more about Cash's behavior, because I was imagining pretty terrible stuff, and while he's not as bad as I feared, there is a good reason that a lot of people seem to hate him.
I normally steer clear of including spoilers in my reviews. In this case, though, I feel like they're kind of necessary. So, in the interest of providing potential readers with more Cash-related information (the kinds of things I would've liked to know before reading the book), the following will have spoilers aplenty, so proceed with caution. :)
Spoiler Space . . . . . . . . . .
First, I thought I'd tackle the infamous "I should've raped you when I had the chance line." It's not entirely out of place in the context of the conversation in which this line is uttered, but that doesn't make it an appropriate thing to say. The sentiment could've expressed much better, and in such a way that it wouldn't have completely turned off a relatively large contingent of readers. I understand that Cash has a lot of rough edges, and he does and says what he wants, but I think this line was a bit too over the top, even for him, and I don't quite understand why Brown wrote the line the way she did.
That being said, though I didn't like the line and wish it would have been reworded, at the end of the day, it wasn't such a big deal. The heroine didn't even react to it (which she absolutely should have), and the moment passed very quickly. It was just. . . Cash being Cash, and as this line signifies, he is something of an acquired taste.
And now, for the other women. Cash is typical of a large amount of other romance heroes in that he begins the book having the reputation of sleeping with many, many women. He is also in the midst of an affair with a married woman, with whom he continues to have sex even after he and the heroine have slept together. It is important to note a couple of things here: first, it is clear that the affair is a matter of both Cash and the woman using each other for sex, and absolutely nothing more. Secondly, when he sleeps with her after he and Schyler have hooked up, it is after he and Schyler have fought, and she's said some things that hurt him (though he didn't let her know that). Also, he and Schyler were not together in the relationship-sense. So, in his desire to escape his feelings, after the fights (then hooking up with Schyler and fighting again), he goes to the other woman a couple of times. He doesn't end things with this other woman until the book is more than 3/4 of the way over.
Then, too, there is an incident with another woman (one close to Schyler) near the end of the book, but in that instance, nothing really happens, as he is just putting on an act in order to get some information from her. Still, it was less than pleasant to read.
Now, I *hate* infidelity and cheating of any kind in books (and everywhere else), and I definitely didn't like reading about it here. That said, again, Cash and Schyler weren't actually in an acknowledged relationship until the end of the book. And it was made quite clear that with the other woman, it was just sex. On the other hand, he had real feelings for Schyler (and he'd had those feelings for quite some time), and it is that emotion and heat that makes his time with Schyler infinitely more significant.
Still, the hero sleeping with someone else is not my cup of tea, and I know that that holds true for others, as well. It could've been much worse than it was, though, and reading about his dissatisfaction with his encounters with the other woman helped to make it a little more tolerable.
Even though he says and does some relatively hateful things, Cash isn't a bad guy. He's full of hurt, anger, resentment, and bitterness, and it is those things that guide and influence his behavior. It is also those things, and the readers knowledge of them, that makes him more understandable, and makes the reader root for him to find some peace and happiness. The scenes with Cash and Schyler have a lot of heat and are very steamy, and the reader knows that each has feelings for the other. That isn't openly communicated until the end, and while it was poignant, the scene almost seemed too short and over too soon.
The book has flaws - lots of them. Cash is hot and alpha (almost to a fault), and full of angst. He is not a "hero" for everyone, but given his past and his issues, he is still someone to whom a lot of readers will respond positively. So, if you're in the mood for a relatively predictable story with lots of heat and passion, and a far-from-perfect hero, you should give this one a try.
I wanted to read this years ago, but after reading reviews chock-full of less than positive things to say about the "hero," I postponed actually doing so until very recently. I'm glad that I finally read it, because both the book and Cash weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. The plot isn't anything groundbreaking, and if you've read a romance or two, you can pretty much predict what's going to happen. The heroine isn't particularly special, in my view - she had moments where she was strong, and others when she could've used more of a backbone. She and Cash do have quite a bit of chemistry and sexual tension, though, which is more than enough to hold the reader's interest.
What sets this book apart (and made me give it 3 stars, though 3.5 is probably more accurate) is that Sandra Brown took a real chance in creating a lead male character who does and says things that are not what one would expect from a typical romance novel hero. This also tends to be what makes some people really despise this book. Prior to reading it, I wish I had known more about Cash's behavior, because I was imagining pretty terrible stuff, and while he's not as bad as I feared, there is a good reason that a lot of people seem to hate him.
I normally steer clear of including spoilers in my reviews. In this case, though, I feel like they're kind of necessary. So, in the interest of providing potential readers with more Cash-related information (the kinds of things I would've liked to know before reading the book), the following will have spoilers aplenty, so proceed with caution. :)
Spoiler Space . . . . . . . . . .
First, I thought I'd tackle the infamous "I should've raped you when I had the chance line." It's not entirely out of place in the context of the conversation in which this line is uttered, but that doesn't make it an appropriate thing to say. The sentiment could've expressed much better, and in such a way that it wouldn't have completely turned off a relatively large contingent of readers. I understand that Cash has a lot of rough edges, and he does and says what he wants, but I think this line was a bit too over the top, even for him, and I don't quite understand why Brown wrote the line the way she did.
That being said, though I didn't like the line and wish it would have been reworded, at the end of the day, it wasn't such a big deal. The heroine didn't even react to it (which she absolutely should have), and the moment passed very quickly. It was just. . . Cash being Cash, and as this line signifies, he is something of an acquired taste.
And now, for the other women. Cash is typical of a large amount of other romance heroes in that he begins the book having the reputation of sleeping with many, many women. He is also in the midst of an affair with a married woman, with whom he continues to have sex even after he and the heroine have slept together. It is important to note a couple of things here: first, it is clear that the affair is a matter of both Cash and the woman using each other for sex, and absolutely nothing more. Secondly, when he sleeps with her after he and Schyler have hooked up, it is after he and Schyler have fought, and she's said some things that hurt him (though he didn't let her know that). Also, he and Schyler were not together in the relationship-sense. So, in his desire to escape his feelings, after the fights (then hooking up with Schyler and fighting again), he goes to the other woman a couple of times. He doesn't end things with this other woman until the book is more than 3/4 of the way over.
Then, too, there is an incident with another woman (one close to Schyler) near the end of the book, but in that instance, nothing really happens, as he is just putting on an act in order to get some information from her. Still, it was less than pleasant to read.
Now, I *hate* infidelity and cheating of any kind in books (and everywhere else), and I definitely didn't like reading about it here. That said, again, Cash and Schyler weren't actually in an acknowledged relationship until the end of the book. And it was made quite clear that with the other woman, it was just sex. On the other hand, he had real feelings for Schyler (and he'd had those feelings for quite some time), and it is that emotion and heat that makes his time with Schyler infinitely more significant.
Still, the hero sleeping with someone else is not my cup of tea, and I know that that holds true for others, as well. It could've been much worse than it was, though, and reading about his dissatisfaction with his encounters with the other woman helped to make it a little more tolerable.
Even though he says and does some relatively hateful things, Cash isn't a bad guy. He's full of hurt, anger, resentment, and bitterness, and it is those things that guide and influence his behavior. It is also those things, and the readers knowledge of them, that makes him more understandable, and makes the reader root for him to find some peace and happiness. The scenes with Cash and Schyler have a lot of heat and are very steamy, and the reader knows that each has feelings for the other. That isn't openly communicated until the end, and while it was poignant, the scene almost seemed too short and over too soon.
The book has flaws - lots of them. Cash is hot and alpha (almost to a fault), and full of angst. He is not a "hero" for everyone, but given his past and his issues, he is still someone to whom a lot of readers will respond positively. So, if you're in the mood for a relatively predictable story with lots of heat and passion, and a far-from-perfect hero, you should give this one a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2020
Re-read this one not long ago so I can get a review up on one of my all time favs.
Written the age of big hair and big drama, Slow Heat In Heaven takes place in the bayou. Full of sultry heat and family secrets, it’s still a book you can sink into and forget life for a little awhile with. When picking it up recently, I thought I’d just nose through it to refresh my memory, but I completely engaged once again- from the first sentence.
Schyler Crandall, the bell of the parish, and the adopted daughter of the most powerful man in Heaven, Louisiana has returned. Cotton Crandall is on his death bed, as is his life’s work, and Schyler is determined to not let either die.
Soon after arrival she decides to restart the once successful logging family empire her gambler brother-in-law ran into the ground, but a series of devastating accidents is about to shut it all down once again. who's behind them and why? Well that secret is as mysterious as the individual whom the sleazy bank manager is working with behind the scenes to destroy the Crandalls.
Her viperish younger sister whose lies cut deeper than Schyler could imagine is a possibility. And then there’s proud, ex-military, Cash Boudreaux who knows way more about the Crandalls than he should.
Schyler’s drawn to him though she knows him to be the same bad boy who raised hell in Heaven, La all her life. Still, he’s the only one she can trust to set things right- even though trust is probably the last thing she should place in him- because he’s got the biggest secret of them all.
It’s steamy. It’s over-wrought. But it aint boring. I still love this book.
Written the age of big hair and big drama, Slow Heat In Heaven takes place in the bayou. Full of sultry heat and family secrets, it’s still a book you can sink into and forget life for a little awhile with. When picking it up recently, I thought I’d just nose through it to refresh my memory, but I completely engaged once again- from the first sentence.
Schyler Crandall, the bell of the parish, and the adopted daughter of the most powerful man in Heaven, Louisiana has returned. Cotton Crandall is on his death bed, as is his life’s work, and Schyler is determined to not let either die.
Soon after arrival she decides to restart the once successful logging family empire her gambler brother-in-law ran into the ground, but a series of devastating accidents is about to shut it all down once again. who's behind them and why? Well that secret is as mysterious as the individual whom the sleazy bank manager is working with behind the scenes to destroy the Crandalls.
Her viperish younger sister whose lies cut deeper than Schyler could imagine is a possibility. And then there’s proud, ex-military, Cash Boudreaux who knows way more about the Crandalls than he should.
Schyler’s drawn to him though she knows him to be the same bad boy who raised hell in Heaven, La all her life. Still, he’s the only one she can trust to set things right- even though trust is probably the last thing she should place in him- because he’s got the biggest secret of them all.
It’s steamy. It’s over-wrought. But it aint boring. I still love this book.
January 1, 2013
The first half was pretty good. But by the end it was not to my taste.
The major life choices for two of the main characters were questionable, illogical, or not smart. Their reasons were: deathbed promises to others who died. Those promises were harmful or stupid and should not have been kept.
The heroine Schyler did several stupid things. Here’s one of them. Someone has been stealing from the company. Cash has someone go through the books to discover who it is. He then tells Schyler who it is and shows her the documents. Instead of being ecstatic at the knowledge, which I would have been, Schyler fires Cash saying he was not authorized to do that - he did not have her permission to go through the books.
There are several mean and nasty characters with schemes, secrets, and spies. Some of them reminded me of the scheming smiling villain twisting his mustache. Schyler is trying to save the company and the family home. Villains sabotage. I’m ok with stories having bad guys. Most stories need them, but here there was nobody good to balance it out. Also a bad guy who redeems himself or changes would have been a nice addition.
As to romance, Cash wanted her but did not treat her well. After sex he was remote. There were some brief sex scenes, but the narrator ruined them.
WRONG NARRATOR FOR THIS BOOK:
Dick Hill is a good narrator for crime fiction and other genres, but please keep him away from romance and sex. His interpretation of the hero was repulsive - not sexy. His voice sounded like an overweight lecherous old man. No character had any sex appeal. He read most of the characters with a sarcastic or jeering tone. He used too much sarcasm for the dialogue between Cash and Schyler. Also at times Schyler sounded like a whiny little girl. I would have used a softer and different tone for some of their conversation.
Several times the narrator sniffed for different characters. I do not believe the author wrote “sniff” in the text. It didn’t feel right.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 15 hrs and 39 mins. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: moderate to strong, but not often used. Number of sex scenes: about 9, includes three rape scenes, mostly referred to with not much detail. Setting: current day mostly in the small town of Heaven, Louisiana. Book copyright: 1988. Genre: romantic suspense.
The major life choices for two of the main characters were questionable, illogical, or not smart. Their reasons were: deathbed promises to others who died. Those promises were harmful or stupid and should not have been kept.
The heroine Schyler did several stupid things. Here’s one of them. Someone has been stealing from the company. Cash has someone go through the books to discover who it is. He then tells Schyler who it is and shows her the documents. Instead of being ecstatic at the knowledge, which I would have been, Schyler fires Cash saying he was not authorized to do that - he did not have her permission to go through the books.
There are several mean and nasty characters with schemes, secrets, and spies. Some of them reminded me of the scheming smiling villain twisting his mustache. Schyler is trying to save the company and the family home. Villains sabotage. I’m ok with stories having bad guys. Most stories need them, but here there was nobody good to balance it out. Also a bad guy who redeems himself or changes would have been a nice addition.
As to romance, Cash wanted her but did not treat her well. After sex he was remote. There were some brief sex scenes, but the narrator ruined them.
WRONG NARRATOR FOR THIS BOOK:
Dick Hill is a good narrator for crime fiction and other genres, but please keep him away from romance and sex. His interpretation of the hero was repulsive - not sexy. His voice sounded like an overweight lecherous old man. No character had any sex appeal. He read most of the characters with a sarcastic or jeering tone. He used too much sarcasm for the dialogue between Cash and Schyler. Also at times Schyler sounded like a whiny little girl. I would have used a softer and different tone for some of their conversation.
Several times the narrator sniffed for different characters. I do not believe the author wrote “sniff” in the text. It didn’t feel right.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 15 hrs and 39 mins. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: moderate to strong, but not often used. Number of sex scenes: about 9, includes three rape scenes, mostly referred to with not much detail. Setting: current day mostly in the small town of Heaven, Louisiana. Book copyright: 1988. Genre: romantic suspense.
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March 13, 2013
03/10/2013 -- Reread
Overall Rating = 5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 4 / 5 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [$4.74 Amazon – $4.99 on B&N]
Okay -- really 3.5 Stars, but I won't change my rating because this book still stands out in my mind. I originally read it when first released in 1988 and it was a break out book. First time I'd read the word "fuck" in a mainstream book by a mainstream author. Cash is the very definition of a "bad boy". I read so much and expect so much more now, but still a very good read. I'm in a very different place with my reading preferences than I was in 1988. A whole lifetime ago...
Happy Reading!
============================================
Okay, you know some books stay with you forever. This is one of those books for me. Sandra Brown surprised the hell out of me when I first read this way back when first published. I had read all her books and had followed her up from the serial romances. She really stepped out with this book, stepped back to safer territory and never stepped out again.
Some of her later books don't hold my interest, i.e. Rainwater. I think this book was very gutsy. Her characters were vulger, but for a reason - they were in character. I really liked this book and now have a Nook and can't find an eBook version. So, Sandra, if you read this, would love to know why some of your books you've published as eBooks and others not. I'd love to review this for you.
Overall Rating = 5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 4 / 5 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [$4.74 Amazon – $4.99 on B&N]
Okay -- really 3.5 Stars, but I won't change my rating because this book still stands out in my mind. I originally read it when first released in 1988 and it was a break out book. First time I'd read the word "fuck" in a mainstream book by a mainstream author. Cash is the very definition of a "bad boy". I read so much and expect so much more now, but still a very good read. I'm in a very different place with my reading preferences than I was in 1988. A whole lifetime ago...
Happy Reading!
============================================
Okay, you know some books stay with you forever. This is one of those books for me. Sandra Brown surprised the hell out of me when I first read this way back when first published. I had read all her books and had followed her up from the serial romances. She really stepped out with this book, stepped back to safer territory and never stepped out again.
Some of her later books don't hold my interest, i.e. Rainwater. I think this book was very gutsy. Her characters were vulger, but for a reason - they were in character. I really liked this book and now have a Nook and can't find an eBook version. So, Sandra, if you read this, would love to know why some of your books you've published as eBooks and others not. I'd love to review this for you.
August 4, 2013
Another Brown favorite of mine with two reviews - one at AudioGals and another at Speaking of Audiobooks
Narrated by Dick Hill
After a few spectacular fails with Brown’s earlier releases, I picked up Slow Heat in Heaven with more than a little trepidation. I found I couldn’t resist the descriptions I was hearing of Cash Boudreaux, an edgy, disdainful, and highly sexual hero who holds society’s rules in disregard. Published in 1988, Brown scandalized romance readers with this raw, scary tale that is similar to a modern Southern gothic tale. Although Cash’s behavior was the big talk at the time, both Cash and heroine Schyler Crandell’s behavior caused eyebrows to lift.
Schyler returns to Louisiana after a six-year absence when her father’s life is threatened by a heart attack. The home where she grew up has a name, Belle Terre – it’s the modern version of a Southern plantation. The money behind the family’s wealth is from logging rather than cotton and with Schyler’s father in the hospital, there is only one person who knows how to keep the logging business afloat – Cash.
Schyler is not a heroine I could refer to as “warm” and, at times, I had to remind myself that I did actually “like” her character despite her knee-jerk reactive dialogue and occasional foolish actions. But the more important character here is the outrageous Cash. Read the rest of the review at AudioGals. http://www.audiogals.net/2013/01/slow...
Unabridged audiobook review written for Speaking of Audiobooks 6/17/10:
Narrated by Dick Hill
I really enjoyed this one but that statement carries this disclaimer – it’s best to read Slow Heat in Heaven (originally published in 1988) as general fiction rather than romance. In today’s romance community, the lead male character is unlikely to make the grade as a romance hero and the heroine’s actions may disqualify her as a romance lead as well. Although there is a sensuous love story within, I viewed Slow Heat in Heaven more as a sultry contemporary Southern tale of a wealthy family on the verge of losing it all. Numerous conflicts both within the family and among other secondary characters abound as well as just plain misery. But regardless of what one thinks of the content, this is a superb audio presentation. Dick Hill’s performance is one I’ll long remember, especially his portrayal of Cash – complete with a strong, convincing Cajun accent. I actually accepted Cash in audio much more readily than in print. The numerous Louisiana accents of the multiple characters are easily distinguishable providing the ability to recognize a character by voice alone. As the storyline shifts and gains traction, appropriate emotion and purpose ring true in each character’s voice. Dick Hill gains new respect from me with this narration.
Narrated by Dick Hill
After a few spectacular fails with Brown’s earlier releases, I picked up Slow Heat in Heaven with more than a little trepidation. I found I couldn’t resist the descriptions I was hearing of Cash Boudreaux, an edgy, disdainful, and highly sexual hero who holds society’s rules in disregard. Published in 1988, Brown scandalized romance readers with this raw, scary tale that is similar to a modern Southern gothic tale. Although Cash’s behavior was the big talk at the time, both Cash and heroine Schyler Crandell’s behavior caused eyebrows to lift.
Schyler returns to Louisiana after a six-year absence when her father’s life is threatened by a heart attack. The home where she grew up has a name, Belle Terre – it’s the modern version of a Southern plantation. The money behind the family’s wealth is from logging rather than cotton and with Schyler’s father in the hospital, there is only one person who knows how to keep the logging business afloat – Cash.
Schyler is not a heroine I could refer to as “warm” and, at times, I had to remind myself that I did actually “like” her character despite her knee-jerk reactive dialogue and occasional foolish actions. But the more important character here is the outrageous Cash. Read the rest of the review at AudioGals. http://www.audiogals.net/2013/01/slow...
Unabridged audiobook review written for Speaking of Audiobooks 6/17/10:
Narrated by Dick Hill
I really enjoyed this one but that statement carries this disclaimer – it’s best to read Slow Heat in Heaven (originally published in 1988) as general fiction rather than romance. In today’s romance community, the lead male character is unlikely to make the grade as a romance hero and the heroine’s actions may disqualify her as a romance lead as well. Although there is a sensuous love story within, I viewed Slow Heat in Heaven more as a sultry contemporary Southern tale of a wealthy family on the verge of losing it all. Numerous conflicts both within the family and among other secondary characters abound as well as just plain misery. But regardless of what one thinks of the content, this is a superb audio presentation. Dick Hill’s performance is one I’ll long remember, especially his portrayal of Cash – complete with a strong, convincing Cajun accent. I actually accepted Cash in audio much more readily than in print. The numerous Louisiana accents of the multiple characters are easily distinguishable providing the ability to recognize a character by voice alone. As the storyline shifts and gains traction, appropriate emotion and purpose ring true in each character’s voice. Dick Hill gains new respect from me with this narration.
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August 1, 2024
I read this one as basically an erotic suspense novel rather than a romance, and that's how I could give it three stars.
In purely romantic terms, this book is really not it. Cash Boudreaux says he's never nice to women, and he means it, including for the heroine Schyler. He has sex with other women even after he's slept with the heroine. He doesn't say he loves her until literally the last line of the book. He doesn't show her an ounce of softness or affection. But will they be okay together? You know, I kind of think so.
That's partly because they're bound by a high-chemistry attraction which is well written, but also because they're superglued together by an obsession with the home of Schyler's adoptive parents. There's a literal reference to Tara, and while the home sounds nice and all, I'm slightly baffled by the extent to which obsession with plantation homes is a running theme in Southern literature. I mean, these houses are barely a couple of hundred years old at most, and yet the people living in or around them tend to fawn over them like they're British stately homes, which are sometimes literally castles and have been handed down for nearly a millennium...
Anyway yes, while I don't think of this book as a romance, it was certainly erotic. The atmosphere is also practically its own character - Brown does the intense, enervating, Southern humidity thing well. The main feature of the book is really the thriller element as Schyler deals with enemies around her. True to its title, the plot moves quite slowly until the last few pages, at which point it suddenly speeds up and ends fairly abruptly.
A good book, but too long and hasn't made me feel particularly like reading more Brown.
In purely romantic terms, this book is really not it. Cash Boudreaux says he's never nice to women, and he means it, including for the heroine Schyler. He has sex with other women even after he's slept with the heroine. He doesn't say he loves her until literally the last line of the book. He doesn't show her an ounce of softness or affection. But will they be okay together? You know, I kind of think so.
That's partly because they're bound by a high-chemistry attraction which is well written, but also because they're superglued together by an obsession with the home of Schyler's adoptive parents. There's a literal reference to Tara, and while the home sounds nice and all, I'm slightly baffled by the extent to which obsession with plantation homes is a running theme in Southern literature. I mean, these houses are barely a couple of hundred years old at most, and yet the people living in or around them tend to fawn over them like they're British stately homes, which are sometimes literally castles and have been handed down for nearly a millennium...
Anyway yes, while I don't think of this book as a romance, it was certainly erotic. The atmosphere is also practically its own character - Brown does the intense, enervating, Southern humidity thing well. The main feature of the book is really the thriller element as Schyler deals with enemies around her. True to its title, the plot moves quite slowly until the last few pages, at which point it suddenly speeds up and ends fairly abruptly.
A good book, but too long and hasn't made me feel particularly like reading more Brown.
June 29, 2024
5 Heaven stars
Seriously, this book was the shit! If I ever said that before, just scratched that. This one is IT!
I can't get into details because this book is like a Spanish soap opera with 5000+ episodes, all closed in 464 pages. And I loved each and every one of them.
And when I think about why I love vintage romances this bad, I guess it's because they were written before the whole political correctness took charge.
And they always show things as they are.
Or maybe were.
With no fucking balm to ease the pain. Just pure reality.
Cheating, backstabbing, greed for money, for power, lust, abuse, death.
It's life. And it's all in this book. And I fucking loved it!
But let's go back to the book.
Cash Boudreaux.
A Cajun.
A manwhore.
A coquet who definitely doesn't keep off the company of willing women.
Born as a bastard, living as one.
He is an ass when you meet him.
He's an even bigger asshole when you get to know him more.
He's got one goal on his mind.
And everything goes well until she shows up.
Miss Schyler Crandall.
A girl he used to fantasize about as a teenage kid.
A woman he still wants as a man.
A woman way beyond his range who wants nothing to do with him.
A woman who came back to take control over Belle Terre after her father's illness.
A woman he's never been able to get out of his mind.
And at this point I think I have to say that I am in love with Schyler.
I absolutely looooved her character as she is everything I always search for and absofuckinglutely adore in a lead heroine.
She is a tough cookie.
Let's start with that.
She does have a lot of insecurities and doubts about her life choices, true, but she is so fucking strong when it comes to her beliefs, her actions and everything that follows, I honestly couldn't stop reading.
Seriously, u don't see such amazing characters in modern fiction anymore.
And, again, I think this is due to a very simple reason: because this is vintage and people of older generations do have a different mentality from those who were lucky or not to be born into the world we have today, full of political correctness when even farting might be seen as offensive to some.
I, however, am the old school kinda person and I'm not easily triggered or offended by anything and that is why I looove me some good ole vintage writing.
Anyways, back to the book.
If you look for sth as good as After the Night, I think I can say with total confidence that this book is it.
But let's be very clear here.
It has a completely different plot and a different setting, true. But when you think about the southern heat, the strength of the characters, the whole drama and the crazy, passionate secret love between the main characters?
Yeah, that is what I'm talking about.
That is why this book is landing right next to "After The Night" when it comes to my favourites.
On the same fucking shelf.
Summing up, I'd say read it if you are not triggered when a guy sleeps around after meeting the h.
Read it if you're not against a lot of twists and turns when it comes to the plot. And I mean a hell fucking lot.
Read it when u like your characters strong and one of a kind.
Read it when you want to go for an awesome vintage mystery romance journey.
Highly recommend!!!!!!!!
U won't regret a thing.
He was rude and disrespectful and treated women abominably. Perhaps that was his attraction, what made him desirable.
Seriously, this book was the shit! If I ever said that before, just scratched that. This one is IT!
I can't get into details because this book is like a Spanish soap opera with 5000+ episodes, all closed in 464 pages. And I loved each and every one of them.
And when I think about why I love vintage romances this bad, I guess it's because they were written before the whole political correctness took charge.
And they always show things as they are.
Or maybe were.
With no fucking balm to ease the pain. Just pure reality.
Cheating, backstabbing, greed for money, for power, lust, abuse, death.
It's life. And it's all in this book. And I fucking loved it!
But let's go back to the book.
Cash Boudreaux.
A Cajun.
A manwhore.
A coquet who definitely doesn't keep off the company of willing women.
Born as a bastard, living as one.
He is an ass when you meet him.
He's an even bigger asshole when you get to know him more.
He's got one goal on his mind.
And everything goes well until she shows up.
Miss Schyler Crandall.
A girl he used to fantasize about as a teenage kid.
A woman he still wants as a man.
A woman way beyond his range who wants nothing to do with him.
A woman who came back to take control over Belle Terre after her father's illness.
A woman he's never been able to get out of his mind.
And at this point I think I have to say that I am in love with Schyler.
I absolutely looooved her character as she is everything I always search for and absofuckinglutely adore in a lead heroine.
She is a tough cookie.
Let's start with that.
She does have a lot of insecurities and doubts about her life choices, true, but she is so fucking strong when it comes to her beliefs, her actions and everything that follows, I honestly couldn't stop reading.
Seriously, u don't see such amazing characters in modern fiction anymore.
And, again, I think this is due to a very simple reason: because this is vintage and people of older generations do have a different mentality from those who were lucky or not to be born into the world we have today, full of political correctness when even farting might be seen as offensive to some.
I, however, am the old school kinda person and I'm not easily triggered or offended by anything and that is why I looove me some good ole vintage writing.
Anyways, back to the book.
If you look for sth as good as After the Night, I think I can say with total confidence that this book is it.
But let's be very clear here.
It has a completely different plot and a different setting, true. But when you think about the southern heat, the strength of the characters, the whole drama and the crazy, passionate secret love between the main characters?
Yeah, that is what I'm talking about.
That is why this book is landing right next to "After The Night" when it comes to my favourites.
On the same fucking shelf.
Summing up, I'd say read it if you are not triggered when a guy sleeps around after meeting the h.
Read it if you're not against a lot of twists and turns when it comes to the plot. And I mean a hell fucking lot.
Read it when u like your characters strong and one of a kind.
Read it when you want to go for an awesome vintage mystery romance journey.
Highly recommend!!!!!!!!
U won't regret a thing.
July 16, 2018
Historia extremadamente interesante en partes, pero aburrida en otras áreas. El romance entre Cash y Schyler fue muy pobre en general, la química estaba allí, pero carecía de interacciones sustanciales entre los ellos. Sin embargo, me cautivó la historia, aunque es bastante predecible, solo tienes dos posibles villanos ocultos y dos que te los muestran desde el inicio, así que no mucho suspenso por allí, la relación entre Cash y Cotton por favarrr lo supe desde el principio, deteste la forma en que Cash trataba a Schyler, como llamaban puta a todas las mujeres, lo siento no puedo encontrar eso atractivo, y ese final tan abrupto?! después de tanto mal trato y falta de romance la historia termina con un único te quiero, uno solo!!
Como dije la historia es muy interesante, super entretenida, y bien escrita con un estilo narrativo que cautiva y atrapa, me quedo a deber amorcito corazon.
P.D: pero que portada mas fea XDDD, en que pensaban hace 30 años?
Como dije la historia es muy interesante, super entretenida, y bien escrita con un estilo narrativo que cautiva y atrapa, me quedo a deber amorcito corazon.
P.D: pero que portada mas fea XDDD, en que pensaban hace 30 años?
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