Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes
Summary from Goodreads:
Cassandra Webb’s every waking minute is devoted to being a great mother and wife. She takes five-year-old Noah to the library each week, volunteers in his kindergarten class, and even coaches his soccer team. She makes sure her husband’s uniforms are always laundered—even though he hasn’t worn them the last six years—always has his game day snacks on hand, and meets him for date night every Friday—which consists of one sided conversations at his bedside and watching his favorite take out remain untouched.
Pearl, a mysterious visitor at the care center, suggests that it is only Cassie’s love still tying Devon to Earth when he has been ready to move on to Heaven for quite some time. If Cassie will but open her eyes and heart, she will discover the path she should travel, one that will bring relief to Devon and much joy to her own life. But Cassie vowed never to give up on him. She never has and she can’t now, even after meeting hapless, single soccer-dad Matt.
5 Stars
Received ebook in exchange for an honest review
My Review:
I find it interesting to read books about issues I have never thought of. This book brings up a situation that I think most of us never think about or at least never think will happen to us. I asked myself repeatedly while I read this book, "What would I do?" I asked my husband, "What would you do?" The story brings up questions of commitment, fidelity, joy, stagnancy, and hope.
I consider this a love story, but not a typical one. There are multiple loves in this story. The main character loves her husband, she loves her son, and, in the course of the book, falls in love with another man. Cassie loves others so much that she loses herself. I appreciate the reminder in this book that we each need to love ourselves to be able to love others. That means taking time to build ourselves up, taking time to find our own joy. It doesn't mean being selfish and thinking only of ourselves. But it does mean that we can give so much more when we are in an emotional place to do so. It does mean being self aware and knowing what we can do to be in that emotional place to love others and serve others.
This book got me thinking, a lot. I was glad to be able to have a conversation with my husband about some of the issues brought up in the book. I was happy to see Cassie work through her "rut" and find more joy, find more hope, and find more love.
Warnings: Death, loved one in permanent vegetative state
I would let my 15 year old read this book.
You can buy this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Timeless Regency Collection: Summer House Party by Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, and Sarah M. Eden
Summary from Goodreads:
A ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE by Regina Scott: Kitty Chapworth is nearly a spinster, and an orphan living on the charity of her uncle, with nothing to recommend her for the marriage mart. Her primary purpose is relegated to acting chaperone for her cousins until she can see them successfully married. Kitty remains focused on her duty even though she knows her future is bleak. When Quentin Adair returns from a long ten years working in Jamaica and proposes a wild charade to Kitty, she agrees, although the plan might reawaken her old feelings for Quentin. Can a reformed rake convince the perfect chaperone to overlook propriety for love?
A PERFECT MATCH by Donna Hatch: Genevieve attends a summer house party hosted by her best friend who can't wait to introduce her to a gentleman she wants to marry, Christian Amesbury. After meeting him, Genevieve determines Christian is perfect . . . for her. Torn between loyalty to her best friend and the yearnings of her heart, Genevieve must first escape the attention of a powerful lord who's obsessed with her and who tries to rob her of any hope for a happily ever after.
THE PAUPERS’ HOUSE PARTY by Sarah M. Eden: It’s a rare event that Edward Downy and his brother are invited to a house party by a member of the ton. But when they arrive, Edward quickly realizes this house party is different than any other. All invited guests are quite destitute, fallen members of Society barely hanging onto their homes. The hosts of the house party, the Warricks, then make a stunning announcement—they intend to gift all their properties to one fortunate guest. As the guests race to impress the Warricks, Edward finds a fast friend in Agatha Holmwood, who shares his same aversion to the horrible expectations. But their growing fondness for each other only makes the game more painful.
4 Stars
Received an ebook from publisher in exchange for an honest review
My Review:
It is fun for me to go back in time to Regency England and all its rules and nuances. House parties are full of witty banter, stolen glances, and definitely rules of etiquette. These 3 stories put the reader right in the middle of all this fun. However, the stories are not typical or mundane. I am surprised by the different take each story brings to the House Party theme. I especially like Sarah M. Eden's The Paupers' House Party.
I have preferred other collections, but this one is still enjoyable. AND, it is on SALE for $0.99 on AMAZON and Barnes and Noble and KOBO right now.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old read this book.
Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes
