Slow Heat in Heaven

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 been 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 would have to be in the top 5, the best book I've read by Sandra Brown!! You're an amazing writer!

If you love reading because of those books that pull you in and make it to where you can't quit thinking about them, don't want to put them down until you finish, then BUY THIS BOOK!! It is THAT GOOD! I used to read Sandra Brown years ago but haven't picked up many of her novels over the last few years. Wow! I have been missing out! I live in the south and my husband is a logger, runs a skidder, and we live very close to the Louisiana border, so I definitely identified with this book since it has all of those factors in it. I have many friends from Louisiana and visit there often. So I can definitely say that Sandra Brown makes this book authentic in all of the above. You FEEL like you are RIGHT THERE with the characters. But even if the book did not resonate with me in those ways, I still would give it 5 stars. It is suspenseful, dramatic, romantic in a weird sort of way, and I love how she writes a background and story for each character she mentions. I felt like the book did not leave anything unturned and I was completely satisfied at the end.When the main character Schyler takes matters into her own hands with Jigger's dogs I was blown away! My mouth was hanging open with my hand covering it and I was saying, "Oh my God!, I can't believe she did that! You go girl!" It was one of the best scenes in the book. She is a very strong woman and there were many scenes just as equally jaw dropping and awesome as that one. I read many reviews before I purchased the book that talked about Cash and not liking his character at all. But that is why I say it was romantic "in a weird way". Although he is very crass and rude in his language and how he treats women, I think Sandra Brown does such a good job at building his character that the reader should understand him and see his heart and why he is the way he is. It makes him forgivable and makes you root for him and Schyler despite his terrible ways.I hated to have to put this book down to go to work during the day and found myself trying so hard to keep my eyelids open at night because I did not want to quit reading. I thought about it all during the day while working and just wanted to get done with everything for the day so I could start reading it again. It's books like these that keep me addicted to reading and I promise you that you won't regret buying it! It is that good!

This book is kinda like Gone with the Wind on crack of the 20th century and its based in Louisiana. Instead of Tara you have Belle Terre. Before the book starts you have an older sister that seduced younger sister fiance and marries him which caused younger sister Schyler to run away to London for 6 years.. She comes back because her adopted father had a heart attack. In coming back she finds out her home that she loves is in danger of foreclosure and that her fathers Lumber business has been closed by her brother in law (who used to be her fiance) and that his marriage to her sister is a joke and he is constantly telling Schyler he made a mistake.. Then you have Cash who grew up in a shack on Belle Terre with his mother who was Schyler's adopted father mistress. Cash is far from a typical hero in a romance book. Even though the sexual tention between him and Schyler is pretty hot, he constantly sleeps with other women through out pretty much the whole book.. He is very angry about how he and his mother were treated when he was growing up and hates Schyler's father (for good reason - I am leaving out a big spoiler on that one) Then you have one of Schyler childhood friends who had to become a whore to pay for her mothers medical bills which in turn upset her childhood sweetheart to the point he ended up throwing away his football career and ended up in prison (which in this book deplicts him getting raped in prison). Ohh and the bad guy raises dogs to fight - and we the reader get to "go to" one of these..ICK.. Man I could go on and on about the craziness and disfunction of this book.. I still give it a four rating cause it was so disfunctionable that you couldnt put it down. You needed to see how this thing was going to end.

I found this to be quite dated with the constant smoking rather off-putting. Am inclined to agree with other reviewers regarding the hero but I think it helps to know that this book is from an entirely different era, with attitudes quite alien to someone living in 2014. Maybe that's why I find Cotton's attitude to Cash incomprehensible and Schyler's timidity and meekness not worthy traits of a 21st century heroine.

I read and re - read "Slow Heat in Heaven", as to me, it is the perfectly balanced story of Southern Charm, Passionate Love, Intrigue and a story about human relationships. I am certain that, I will be reading this book again...

WOW you are in for a gripping, sexy, passionate read with lead characters, fiery, brazen hunk Cash and beautiful Schyler, together they combust every time they meet. I gave my book away for a friend to enjoy but couldn't live without it, so i just had to buy another copy. It's set in Hot Louisiana and it sure makes you feel warm all over! Hope Y'all enjoy this mighty fine book. Sandra Brown is Brilliant!

You can tell that this book was written a long while ago when the "hero" was portrayed as a forceful, domineering misogynist , (these days commonly known as a prick) he was not a nice guy at all and quite honesty, I don't know what she saw in him. But I do love Sandra Brown and it was a good story.

A nice easy book to read. I love romance books as long as the story is intertwined with a good mystery, murder etc. This story was the ideal combination for me, great chemistry between the hero and heroine. You won't like this book if you do not like romance.