Seventh Heaven

By Catherine Anderson

Book Overview

Ten years ago Joe Lakota had left behind his small Oregon town and the only woman he'd ever truly loved for the empty promises of the big city. Now he's returned, seeking to raise his young son with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380799383
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

A compelling love story!

7th Heaven is another one of Catherine Anderson's emotionally charged love stories set in authentic, real world circumstances. The main characters of this book, Joe Lakota and Marilee Nelson, reminded me of Ace Keegan and Caitlin O'Shannessy, the main characters in Anderson's historical novel, Keegan's Lady. Joe, like Ace, is the epitome of the alpha male: strong, dominating, quick-tempered, and protective of his dependents. Marilee, like Caitlin, struggles with the trauma of her past. Two very human individuals with imperfections that make their story all the more believable.High school sweethearts ten years before, Joe, a famous professional football player, and Marilee, an agoraphobic children's book writer/author, struggle to find their way back together. After a bitter divorce, he's returned to his small hometown of Laurel Creek, Oregon, with his son Zachary, who needs care for his PTSD. Circumstances develop that lead Joe and Marilee into a marriage of convenience to save Zachary from being returned to the custody of Joe's abusive ex-wife. Joe immediately sees a similar behavior pattern in his son and new wife, Marilee -- both use psychological barriers to keep the world away. Patiently Joe nurtures them.When Joe is arrested for murdering one of the men who raped Marilee ten years before, she must conquer her phobia to prove his innocent. Catherine Anderson weaves together secrets, mystery, and real world issues with tender romance and justice in an unfair world through compelling characters that draw you into their world. As you read 7th Heaven, you'll experience a roller coaster ride of emotions and a deep sense of rightness at the healing power of love. A touching love story that will stay with you long after the final page.

Seventh Heaven--- Surely Lives Up To It's Name

I really loved this story. Its one of the best romance novels I have read in years. The author, Catherine Anderson, delivers a five star book; the best one to date. She tells a story about Joe and Mari who have shared a lifelong friendship and love until a traumatic event tears them apart. When reunited, Joe returns to find that the woman he has loved his entire life was a victim of a brutal crime ten years before. The story continues as Joe tries to convince Mari to seek the help she needs and to have faith in him and the love that they have always shared. If you love the idea of lovers who are best friends and that we each have one special and "true love" then Seventh Heaven is the book for you. It is a shining example of the healing power of love.

Heaven Can't Wait

Catherine Anderson creates another powerful story of true love and the things people sometimes go through to finally end up together. This is the story of young love that ends suddenly and without explanation ten years earlier. We meet Joe Lakota, a professional athlete, who has returned home with his six year old son Zachary after a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife. He returns to find his childhood sweetheart, Marilee Nelson, coping with severe emotional problems of her own. Joe and Marilee try to find their way back to each other through his son Zachary, who needs care. I got into this story immediately. It was a swift read because the action was non-stop. Sometimes in the earlier chapters I felt frustrated because Marilee didn't communicate, but once the mystery unfolds, I didn't mind so much because the behavior would have been expected, given the circumstances. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to Ms. Anderson's next release.

Well done, exciting book.

After a bitter divorce and custody battle, pro football player Joe Lakota returned home to the small town of Laurel Creek, Oregon, to start over. The woman he loved all those years, Marilee Nelson, was there waiting for him, but her past caught up with her when Joe proposed marriage. This emotionally charged and poignant book is quite human, with the imperfections making the story and characters all the more real. Marilee copes with an anxiety disorder while Joe does his best to be a single father. Catherine Anderson takes us on a real roller coaster ride, with a thrilling, beautiful result.

A beautiful poignant romance

In San Milagros, a small town in the Bay area of California, former football star Joe Lakota knows first hand the down side of fame. He struggles past a bad marriage, ugly divorce, and near bankruptcy to try to make a new life for himself and his four-year-old son Zachary. However, he also knows the media will constantly haunt him without caring for the damage to his child. Joe decides it is time to return home to Laurel Creek, Oregon for the good of Zachary even if his teenage love Marilee Norman still resides there.Joe becomes the high school football coach while Marilee hides from him. Years ago, she rejected his offer of marriage. Joe confronts Marilee and immediately realizes he never stopped loving her. He also realizes her behavior reminds him of his son as both use psychological barriers to keep the world away. As he continues to peruse Marilee, she knows she too still loves him, but can she make the step that could provide the two of them a lifetime of happiness?Award winning, best-selling author Catherine Anderson provides her many fans with a poignant contemporary romance that focuses on disabling phobias. Fans will root for the lead couple to overcome their problems especially those that hamper Marilee from a commitment. Zachary and a chicken but heroic dog named Boo at times steal the show form the headliners. SEVENTH HEAVEN is a deep, emotional piece of paradise that only the incomparable Ms. Anderson could have created.Harriet Klausner