Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Heaven, Texas
Book Review: A match made in Heaven...
Summary: 5 Stars
Last week I read _It Had To Be You_, the first book in Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars series. I loved it and I couldn't wait to get my hands on more. I was more then satisfied with _Heaven, Texas_. I know I'm in the minority here, but I enjoyed _Heaven, Texas_ more then _It Had To Be You_.Gracie Snow must bring Bobby Tom Denton back home to Heaven, Texas so that he can begin shooting his first movie. Bobby Tom was forced into retirement from football when an injury totally damaged his knee. From then on, Bobby Tom felt like his life had no direction, without football, his soul was gone. So, he tried different things... signing movie contracts and the like, so that he could find out which one he really liked. Unfortunately, Bobby Tom had no intention of fulfilling his movie obligations and he was late getting to the location. So, Windmill pictures sent their production assistant, Gracie Snow after him.
Gracie grew up in a nursing home and also ran it for many years. When Windmill Pictures offered her a job, Gracie pounced on it, hoping to start a new life. Her first assignment, find Bobby Tom and bring him home. And so starts a journey for Gracie that will change her life. On the road with Bobby Tom, Gracie shows her stubborness, but by some miracle manages to get him back to Heaven (aka Telarosa). As Gracie undergoes a makeover, so does her heart, and she falls madly in love with Bobby Tom. Can a man who's had women throw themselves at him all his life see that Gracie is the one for him?
Now, _It Had To Be You_ was great, but _Heaven, Texas_ was spectacular, and my reasons for favoring it are as follows. Pheobe from _IHTBY_ was a larger then life heroine. She was amazingly well fleshed out, and it was easy to get to know her as a character, but no matter how hard I try, I can't see her as a normal person walking down the street because of her larger then life status. Gracie, on the other hand, could be your next door neighbor. She's much easier to connect with because the reader gets the feeling that they could have been best friends growing up. Gracie seemed like she was one of the crowd, and that's why I enjoyed her so much in this book. Also, she was not drop dead gorgeous. Infact, in the begining, she's got a bad perm and a bad wardroab. It's easier for me to think that the scenerio in _Heaven, Texas_ could happen. Also, Bobby Tom was a wonderfully flawed character. The rampant emotions that run through him are delightful, and his actions as a character are so well fleshed out that he comes alive along with Gracie.
I'd give Susan Elizabeth Phillips two thumbs up to the stratosphere for _Heaven, Texas_. This book penned from one of romance's susperstars is one not to be missed. Her humor is sprinkled expertly into the book and every facet of it shines like a gem. I lost many hours of sleep for reading into the wee hours of the night. I'm quickly acquiring her books as they're not going to be in paperback much longer... this year, she's making the leap to hardcover. Brava, SEP!
Book Review: ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read almost all of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's work, and this has to be the best! Every woman, at one time or another, dreams of a man like Bobby Tom Denton, and Ms. Phillips brings our dream man to life! A definate keeper!Book Review: Absolutely Charming
Summary: 5 Stars
The 2nd installment of the "Chicago" series, Heaven, Texas is the best of the bunch.I loved the good ol' boy charm of Bobby Tom and Gracie is one of the most tenacious heroines you'll ever meet. The dialogue between them is laugh out loud funny.
The ending is particularly satisfying, mixing an intense depth of emotion with SEP's trademark humour.
Buy this one!
Book Review: Absolutely heavenly...
Summary: 5 Stars
Another sure-fire winner by Susan Elizabeth Phillips! I must say I had my doubts aobut this one - I didn't think there was any way I could get excited about a hero named "Bobby Tom" who wears a cowboy hat, but I shouldn't have worried. As always, SEP has managed to create a great story, unique characters, laugh-out-loud dialogue and sexy love scenes. Bobby Tom is a football star forced into retriement by a career-ending injury, and beneath lots of good ol' boy charm, he's not too happy about it. Not knowing what to do with his life, he agrees to star in a movie. The producers are justifiably concerned about this infamous playboy's reliability, so they hire a babysitter - the none too tempting Gracie Snow. The resulting relationship is just great. SEP succeeds at doing a lot of things in this book that usually turn me off in a romance novel. First, I don't like unattractive heroines that either miraculously become beautiful, but Gracie's transformation into a cute, perky and kind of sexy leading character works. Second, as a former Texan I usually can't stand the loud, folksy stereotype that Bobby Tom initially appears to be. However, SEP managed to make it work without being silly and does a good job portraying smalltown Texas. I still refuse to picture Bobby Tom wearing a great big cowboy hat, but if it works for you... Third, there is a secondary romance between two older characters, and I usually find that distracts from the main plot. Here it's so well done and flows so seamlessly into the main storyline that I was glad to see it. There are few authors who never fail to deliver, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips certainly falls into that category!
Book Review: Actually 3.5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
I look forward to reading SEP's romances because they are well written, fun, and have great dialogue. I think this is the 4th book I've read by her and thus far it was my least favorite. Bobby Tom was just too full of himself and even though he was generous to his friends; he sure was clueless on how to treat the two women who meant the most to him (Gracie and his Mom). SEP did a good job showing how the "golden boy" sunk to a low point at the end of the novel, but the resolution was just too quick and easy. Although I liked "It Had to be You" much better, this is still a pretty good read.