"A unique time and setting."

Overshadowed by her stunningly beautiful sister, and her father who is a U.S. Senator,Abigail Cabot has immersed herself in her study of astronomy. Brilliant, but clumsy and plain she has been secretly in love with Boyd Butler since they were young. Now his father is the vice president, which puts him even further out of her reach. To make matters worse, Boyd has recently begun to court her sister, Helena, and their fathers are encouraging the match. She resolves to worship him from afar, just as she does the stars in the sky.

James Calhoun is the new freshman congressman from Virginia. When he meets Abigail at a White House party he immediately sees the hopelessness of her infatuation with Lt. Butler and determines that it is in his own best political interest to help the Senator's daughter, thereby cultivating the Senator's favor. He sets about transforming this ugly duckling into a swan that even a vice president's son could fall for. He doesn't realize that the ugly duckling is actually someone he could love just as she is.

HALFWAY TO HEAVEN has the unique and different setting of the nation's capitol in the late 1800's. Abigail is an aspiring astronomer in a time when women, especially those whose families were involved in politics, were expected to be charming window dressing. Jamie is sort of an anti-hero. He has his own political agenda and will not stop at stooping to manipulation and deceit to get what he wants.

Unfortunately, although I found the characters and setting interesting, I was never satisfied with the depth of the exploration into the characters' emotions, and was left wanting to know more. The plot moved right along, but sometimes it skimmed lightly over events that I thought should have had more importance in the story. I would have liked to have been "shown" these events instead of merely "told" of their occurrence. The plot also skipped chunks of time during which I wanted to know what Abigail and Jamie were doing, thinking and feeling. I assume that Ms. Wiggs was more interested in giving her readers the bigger picture of life in politics and Washington at that time than in showing the minute details. I am the type of reader who wants the details, but I know others will enjoy this overview.

As reviewed for Book Barn, Folsom

Reviewed by Janice Bennett
Posted August 23, 2001

Summary

2002 RITA Finalist

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?