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Halfway To Heaven
written by Susan Wiggs
Studio : Mira
by Mira
Publisher : Mira
Released : 2001-10-01
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9781551668376
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 22 reviews)
List Price : $6.99
Our Price : $2.39
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Book Description |
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At a glittering White House gala, Abigail Cabot discovers the man of her dreams. Only, he's not interested . . . yet. So the gifted lady astronomer, whose passion for measuring stars has left her woefully lacking in social graces, seeks someone to educate her . . . someone who is a master at the art of seduction. Jamie Calhoun's handsome looks and easy charm have made him as popular on the Senate floor as he is with the capital's most attractive women. But secretly, he loathes the cynical, manipulative man he's become. Initially, he befriends Abigail as a means to a political end. But somewhere along the way the plan goes awry. First laughter and then love take them completely by surprise in this wildly romantic story. For a man convinced he's incapable of love and a woman who believes she can reach the stars, could this be a match made in heaven? |
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Americancivilwar.com |
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Bestselling author Susan Wiggs once again delights readers with her portrayal of unconventional women and the men who learn to love them. Abigail Cabot, the awkward, dowdy daughter of a powerful senator and sister to reigning beauty Helena, loves nothing more than stargazing. In fact, that's what she's doing when she discovers a couple in a passionate embrace in the garden. Embarrassed, Abby escapes, dropping her handkerchief in her hurry. Imagine her shock when the gentleman seducing the president's sister in plain view turns out to be freshman congressman James Calhoun. The rake's knowing winks and forward manner rile Abby like no one else ever has, not even the object of her long-standing unrequited love, Lt. Boyd Butler, the vice president's son. But nothing is as it seems in Wiggs's wonderful world. The ugly duckling turns into a swan, thanks to a fairy godmother in the form of a talented seamstress, but the prince is a surprise to everyone, including the newly transformed Abby. Meanwhile, the beautiful Helena is in love with a thoroughly unsuitable man, their next-door neighbor, absent-minded professor Michael Rowan, the only man who doesn't think Abby's affinity for astronomy is unnatural. But it appears that no one is going to get what they wish for--or worse, maybe they will. Susan Wiggs's deft story telling keeps audiences guessing all the way to the last page and leaves us wanting more! Hopefully Helena and Michael Rowan's story isn't too far behind. --Alison Trinkle |
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Another Great from Susan |
Susan's novels are amazingly different. I love the fact that she researches for her stories, and gives each character great personalities! And, I really enjoy the way she webs characters from other books together. It is delightful to be able to follow these characters. And, the diversity of the stories she comes up with is just wonderful! I do appreciate the fact that her books are not based on illicit sex so if that's what you are looking for, don't look here. She incorporates just enough passion to fullfil most people's fantaises, and it is not very explicit. Well done, Susan!
I LOVED that Susan gave Abigail the traits that she did. Abigail is smart and pretty. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and she becomes a goddess to the amazing James! He takes her under his wings and teaches her how to be a lady of passion, who can get what she wants. Of, course the two fall in love and don't want to be the first to say so. James loves Abigail even before he turns her into the goddess she becomes. Who doesn't want to be considered a goddess to the man they love!? This 'Ugly Duckling' mode is a trait for most of her characters. The difference here is Abigail's intelligence. She is truly smart. And so is James. He has a true appreciation for knowledge and it shows. Their mutual desire to teach and learn passion leads to some very romantic scenes and eventually to their very passionate union.
This was a fun, blundering, and lovely read, and leads into another one of her great stories with Helena as her heroine! I am in love with all the Calhouns and you will be too. I do appreciate the fact that Susan uses passionate scenes in her books but is not too graphic or too much.
The only reason I don't give it a 5 star rating is because it is repetitous in describing her doubts and sceneries and past situations. There is a lot that could have been left out that would not have affected the book at all. There are a few times in all her books that I am screaming quietly to "just get on with the story!" But overall, I do recommend the book.
Enjoy!! |
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storyteller |
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I like the way Susan Wiggs writes; simple, to the point with words I can understand. Set in the 1800s in Washington D.C., its the story of two sisters, the older one beautiful and the younger not so, with a deformed foot that she tries desperately to hide. Their father, their only parent, wants only the best for them but the youngest, Abby, feels that in order to gain her father's approval she must marry a man of wealth and prestige. She sets out to fix her sister up with the man she loves, Mr. Butler, a military man, a Leiutenant. In the meantime Jamie a representative from Virginia has moved in next door and through his own hand changes the outcome of matters. When Abby is engaged to be married to Lt. Butler, she finds that what she thought she wanted isn't any more. A few twists and turns place the right couples together with a happy ending. I did enjoy the Astrology part which Abby was very interested in. All in all a very good story. |
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This One Will Make You Smile - The Ugly Duckling Wins The Day... |
I have read a few novels now by Susan Wiggs - Miranda, The Firebrand, Horsemaster's Daughter & A Summer Affair. All extremely good - especially the last two (which are a series). I have taken to this author as she is a master with the written word. I so enjoy authors that are able to draw out human emotions from simple descriptions and a few well placed words and thoughts. Her writing draws you into another world - just as a good book should. Her books are really simple love tales but, the journey is the best part of her stories and characters. Just like life...it's the fun of getting there that is the sweetest treat.
In Halfway to Heaven she does it again. The magic of an unexpected love. This story was extra fun because we can all empathize and feel for a leading lady who is less than beautiful, less than graceful, less than perfect - just like most of us - we can relate to Abby in this story. She was more brains than beauty, more deep thought than wisdom and more science than mystery. But...she was charming all around. It just took a very discerning eye to see the real woman beneath the surface. Her father missed it. Her sister even missed it. The world around her certainly missed it.
But...our leading hero, James - or Jamie as he began to be called - didn't miss it. He saw it clearly.
Jamie saw her as a boring, brown wren at first - much as the rest of the world did. But...upon deeper viewing he saw a lovely bird ready to spread its wings and soar with the right guidance. His guidance. Mind you...Jamie had his own needs to be met - getting in with the right politicians to get his agenda fulfilled in Congress but, he didn't mind playing fixer upper with Abby along the way since her father was an important connection locally. His assistance in polishing Abby into a social butterfly with the right clothes, social graces and dancing charm was much needed. Jamie was helping Abby capture the man of her dreams and in turn, Jamie would get political clout. Everyone would win.
Along the journey of evolvement to a real woman Abby made him laugh, think, and explore the world in ways he had forgotten. He was hurt from the past, reserved from previous hurts and closed to the idea of giving away his heart but...Abby managed to break past his polished and handsome exterior to find the real man beneath the surface. Jamie's friends missed the true man beneath. His family missed it. The world around him missed it.
But, our leading lady Abby saw it. She saw Jamie for the wonderful man he was. Complete with dark memories, deep loss, lost first love, scars and all. Still she saw through him. To the real man. Her ability to see deep changed him as well.
Nothing is more soul stirring than hearing a man tell a woman she made him better than he could ever hope to be. Abby did that for Jamie. And in turn, Jamie made Abby a complete woman. I loved how Abby developed into a confident and courageous woman by the books end - she took what she wanted instead of waiting for the world to give it to her. I loved how Jamie realized the past must be just that and he can only have a future by looking forward. Being apart, they realized they were stranded on earth - and alone. By being together, they were already halfway to heaven.
I liked that SW did not make Abby and Helena's father into a bad guy. He was busy with work and alone since his wife died and making the best of being a widowed father. I liked that he loved his daughters and simply wanted the best for them even if he seemed distant and distracted at times. I also liked some of the other secondary characters in this story too - interesting people - sister Helena, scientist Michael Rowan, the princess etc. I plan to read Enchanted Afternoon next so, I'll get to hear Helena and Michael's story next.
SW rarely goes into a lot of details in her love stories in terms of physical intimacy or relations. Instead, she uses the gift of the written word to make you dream and visualize and fantasize about "the what if?". She makes you feel the longing, the hurt, the confusion and all the love that is between the main characters and because she is so good at this, I rarely miss the love scenes. If anything, the emotional tugging she does to your head and heart are more powerful than any "quickie" could be.
If you have not found this author yet, I would recommend you do so. She always writes a great story - realistic and easy to follow and creates moving and memorable characters. She is on her game and it's a pleasure to buy her books. Happy reading!
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A Pygmalion story with an intelligent herione with a twist |
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Tender, funny, poignant. This book has it all. I am a sucker for a well developed story that doesn't insult my intelligence where honest yet sometimes confusing feelings are concerned. Abigale is not a "perfect" physical specimen which is a departure from the norm, but makes up for it with her wit and inteligence. Jamie's Pygmalion style role to bring Abigale to her full potential is romantic in it's poignancy and full of humor. This book was brought to my attention by a customer of mine. She has never led me wrong and this time is no exception. I am currently looking for Susan Wiggs sequal story of Abigal's sister Helena and other offerings by this new found (for me) author. Thank you, Susan Wiggs |
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One of the Best! |
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I truly enjoyed this book. The character of Jamie kept me wondering what he would do next. It took me less then a week the read this book. I passed it along to my friends, knowing that they will enjoy it just as much. I wish this book would become a movie! |
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