Between Heaven and Earth (Power of the Matchmaker #8) by Michele Paige Holmes {Review}

Between Heaven and Earth (Power of the Matchmaker #8) by Michele Paige Holmes
335 pages, published August 1, 2016



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 onto 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. 

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My Review: 4 Stars

I have absolutely loved this Matchmaker series and love how diverse each addition is. They can be read out of order, but it would help to read the prequel first, to get a feel for Pearl, the Matchmaker and her role in all of the books that follow.

This book is another wonderful story, but ay-ay-ay--I was a little uncomfortable with one aspect. Cassie's dreams are all set to come true when her policeman husband gets shot. The resulting injury is heartbreaking and I honestly don't know what I would do in her situation. At what point do you let things go? Matt's a recently widowed man with two young sons and an incident at a soccer game brings the two of them together into a mutually beneficial friendship. How can you fault a man who is doing his best but needs a woman's advice and help in nurturing his boys? Although Cassie's husband isn't really there, I wasn't comfortable with the way the feelings and relationship developed while she is still technically married. I kept thinking that if her husband was around, there's no way this relationship would progress the way it does. However, the story is very sweet, tragic, and hopeful and I did really enjoy it.

Like I said before, I can't even imagine being in Cassie's situation, yet she handles her lot in life so gracefully and with a lot of dignity. She's loyal and absolutely amazing with children. I love the interactions with her son, Noah, and with Matt's two sons so much. She's someone to admire and to emulate. Matt has made some mistakes in the past, but is very teachable and willing to change. He tries hard and is humble, which makes him likable. The boys are a delightful bonus to the story. I love the way Cassie puts Matt's mom in her place and worms her way into his family's hearts. This is a book that is full of feeling and one that I did devour.

Content: mild romance. Clean!

*I received a copy through eBooks for Review in exchange for an honest review*

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About the Author:

 

Michele Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying the sunshine. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education and found it an excellent major in which to indulge her love of children's literature.

She is the author of nine published romance novels, which include books in the STARS Series (contemporary romance), HEARTHFIRE HISTORICALS, and the FOREVER AFTER series (young adult fairy tales). She is also the author of three novellas, two in the TIMELESS ROMANCE COLLECTION.

Her latest release, BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH (Mirror Press, August 2016), is a part of the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER series.

Michele attributes much of what she knows about good writing to time spent with her critique group and feels that joining a critique group is the single best thing an author can to do help improve his or her writing. She has been a member of RWA and URWA, LDStorymakers, and The League of Utah Writers. Michele enjoys both attending and teaching at conferences.

When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full time job as a wife and mother. She and her husband live in Utah with their five high maintenance children and a Shitzu that resembles a teddy bear. You can find Michele on the web at michelepaigeholmes.com and on Facebook and twitter.