Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Lyrical Romance
Review: Author Susan Wiggs departs from the Great Chicago Fire setting of her recent novels and takes the reader on a journey to late nineteenth century Washington. There, the reader is treated to a heart-warming romance and a bird's -eye view of the politics of the times. Miss Abigail Cabot, daughter of Senator Franklin Cabot, seems to be an utter social failure, always causing some disastrous event at important gatherings. At a recent wedding, her deformed foot nearly gave way just as the scoundrel, Virginia Congressman, Jamie Calhoun, rescued her. Charmer Jamie notices Abby's adoring gaze falling on Lieutenant Boyd Butler, son of the vice-president. But Boyd has eyes only for the beauteous Helena, Abby's sister. As Abby agrees to pen Helena's letters to Boyd, she discloses her heart's innermost feelings, and Boyd falls in love with the letter-writer. Jamie decides to aid Abby in transforming herself into someone desirable by Boyd, even as Jamie shows interest in her studies of astronomy. Jamie's friendship with Abby blossoms, even as he needs to convince himself that he is only acting in his self-interest -to attain the support of Senator Cabot for anti-railroad legislation. Rounding out this intelligent romance are supporting characters such as Professor Rowan, neighborly nutty professor and object of Helena's desire as well as Princess Layla, the woman who had chipped away at Jamie's heart. Ms. Wiggs has set her romance apart from the rest as she alludes to the secrets in Jamie and Abby's hearts that they must unravel as the surface tension between the two leads to a deeper emotion. In a genre where beauty is often paramount, Abby and Jamie's view into each other's souls is augmented only by their support of each other's most passionate causes. For a lovely lyrical read, Ms. Wiggs' latest creation is not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful
Review: Fabulous book, fabulous author. I don't think Susan Wiggs is capable of disappointing a reader. Tender, funny, poignant. This book has it all. Thank you, Susan Wiggs, for lifting me out of my reading doldrums.
Rating:
Summary: What an enchanting tale!
Review: Halfway to Heaven is the first book by Susan Wiggs I've read. What a treat! Her distinct style hooked me quickly, transported me back to the world of 19th century Washington, D.C. politics, and kept me turning the pages. The main characters, Abigail Cabot and Jamie Calhoun, immediately captured my heart because they were portrayed as two very human individuals whose imperfections make their story all the more believable. Lively dialogue snaps back and forth as Jamie attempts to teach the very intelligent, unconventional Abigail the social graces. All the while, they fight the growing awareness of their love for each other. With a distinct style, Ms Wiggs paints wonderful and evocative word pictures of her well-researched historical period. The detailed personalities of her engaging secondary characters add yet another level of depth. Senator Franklin Cabot, the aloft father; Helena, the shallow, but not so shallow sister; Professor Rowan, the neighborly nutty professor and object of Helena's desire; Lt. Boyd Butler, the vice president's son and Abigail's unrequited love interest; and Princess Layla, the woman who destroyed Jamie's heart. The captivating plot moves smoothly with humor. Her believable characters and their interaction draw you into the scenes with their hints of the plot twists and turns that lay ahead. The conclusion draws Jamie and Abigail's story together with a satisfying resolution and the author even promises a follow-up of Helena's story. Halfway to Heaven is an enchanting love story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Rating: 
Summary: Stars and southern "gentlemen"
Review: I enjoyed this story of the "ugly duckling" that actually has a brain. She is the strength behind her family in many ways she is also a scientist. I enjoy seeing a woman in the 1800's portrayed with a brain. Like most of S. Wiggs books the hero turns into a big jerk just before he turns into a good man. This is a good romance story dealing with one person who is trying to get something he wants to pay a debt he has in his heart and is using someone else to get it, though missing the biggest part of the whole picture in the end. But alas the lady does not give in and do what is "expected' and stays true to her heart and her science :)
Rating:
Summary: Stars and southern "gentlemen"
Review: I enjoyed this story of the "ugly duckling" that actually has a brain. She is the strength behind her family in many ways she is also a scientist. I enjoy seeing a woman in the 1800's portrayed with a brain. Like most of S. Wiggs books the hero turns into a big jerk just before he turns into a good man. This is a good romance story dealing with one person who is trying to get something he wants to pay a debt he has in his heart and is using someone else to get it, though missing the biggest part of the whole picture in the end. But alas the lady does not give in and do what is "expected' and stays true to her heart and her science :)
Rating:
Summary: Captivating Tale
Review: I got this book for my wife who gave the following review: "I was totally captivated by this story from beginning to end. It was like watching a romance movie. All the characters came alive to me...Jamie Calhoun,the Cabot sisters. Thank you Susan Wiggs I look forward to reading some more."
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting Tale
Review: I was thoroughly delighted and enchanted by this romance. Susan Wiggs raises the art of the historical romance through her excellent characterizations, and weaves her tale with a perfect blend of history, humor, and heart. The main characters are intriguing, wise, obstinate, and very real. I adored Abigail as the heroine - she was intelligent, inquisitive, unique. I loved the way Jamie's story unfolds, bit by bit, rather than in a clumsy exposition like lesser writers would have succumbed to. The secondary characters are also richly drawn and add color and depth to the story. This was my first Susan Wiggs novel I've read, but it certainly won't be the last!!
Rating:
Summary: Small Moments of Magic
Review: I've been a fan of Susan Wiggs' works since she started writing, and I've never been disappointed in her books. She writes about people who are decidedly human, not super-heroes, and her characters always have difficult choices, no easy paths. But my favorite thing about her books is that she always includes these small moments of magic that lift my spirits and tug at my heart. HALFWAY TO HEAVEN is no exception. From the first page, I totally identified with the heroine. (She has a physical reason for her lack of grace; I'm just "blessed" with it.) The point is, it's easy to crawl into her skin, to understand what she's feeling and why she's feeling that way. This, and Ms. Wiggs talent for lavish descriptions that aren't intrusive but are transporting, are two reasons I never miss one of her books. HALFWAY TO HEAVEN was a pleasure to read with an ample supply of those small moments of magic I love so much. On finishing it, I wished only for one thing: that Ms. Wiggs would write faster!
Rating:
Summary: Small Moments of Magic
Review: I've been a fan of Susan Wiggs' works since she started writing, and I've never been disappointed in her books. She writes about people who are decidedly human, not super-heroes, and her characters always have difficult choices, no easy paths. But my favorite thing about her books is that she always includes these small moments of magic that lift my spirits and tug at my heart. HALFWAY TO HEAVEN is no exception. From the first page, I totally identified with the heroine. (She has a physical reason for her lack of grace; I'm just "blessed" with it.) The point is, it's easy to crawl into her skin, to understand what she's feeling and why she's feeling that way. This, and Ms. Wiggs talent for lavish descriptions that aren't intrusive but are transporting, are two reasons I never miss one of her books. HALFWAY TO HEAVEN was a pleasure to read with an ample supply of those small moments of magic I love so much. On finishing it, I wished only for one thing: that Ms. Wiggs would write faster!
Rating:
Summary: Another great story!
Review: If you liked Charm School you'll like Halfway to Heaven it was similar in the way the hero helped the leading lady find herself in Halfway to Heaven Abbigail is a romantic even though Jamie says that he doesn't believe in love all his actions betrayed. it is fair to say that Susan Wiggs comes throw once again.
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