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Winds of Heaven #1
Winds of Heaven
After the untimely death of a former lover, Casey Bennet receives a letter from Julie’s lawyer, begging Casey to help Julie’s partner, Liz Kennedy, and their adorable, yet precocious three-year old, Skye, who are now alone. An avowed bachelorette, Casey has no idea what’s in store when she grudgingly agrees to help Liz, who, by the way, is also pregnant and due in four months. Casey, Liz, and little Skye find themselves in for a hilarious, tender ride that will change their lives forever.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2009
27 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Kate Sweeney
61 books172 followersKate Sweeney was the 2007 recipient of the Golden Crown Literary Society award for Debut Author for She Waits, the first in the Kate Ryan Mystery series, which was also nominated for the Lambda Literary Society award for Lesbian Mystery.
The second in the series, A Nice Clean Murder, was nominated the Lambda this year for Lesbian Mystery, and is a nominee for GCLS award in the Mystery category. Her novel Away from the Dawn released in August 2007 is also nominated for the GCLS award for Speculative Fiction. She is also a contributing author for the anthology Wild Nights: (Mostly) True Stories of Women Loving Women, published by Bella Books.
Born in Chicago, Kate resides in Villa Park, Illinois, where she works as an office manager—no glamour here, folks; it pays the bills. Humor is deeply embedded in Kate’s DNA. She sincerely hopes you will see this when you read her novels, short stories, and other works.
The second in the series, A Nice Clean Murder, was nominated the Lambda this year for Lesbian Mystery, and is a nominee for GCLS award in the Mystery category. Her novel Away from the Dawn released in August 2007 is also nominated for the GCLS award for Speculative Fiction. She is also a contributing author for the anthology Wild Nights: (Mostly) True Stories of Women Loving Women, published by Bella Books.
Born in Chicago, Kate resides in Villa Park, Illinois, where she works as an office manager—no glamour here, folks; it pays the bills. Humor is deeply embedded in Kate’s DNA. She sincerely hopes you will see this when you read her novels, short stories, and other works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 29, 2020
This was such a heartwarming read. Casey was a complete grump. To see her slowly fall in love with the mother-daughter duo was wonderful. Liz and Casey had great chemistry and it was really enjoyable to see their slowburn, which a certain wing-toddler helped a lot with. Skye is the cutest baby. I love her. This book was adorable.
January 29, 2015
I really really hoped I'd like this book, because it had so many good reviews. But it was such a struggle to read until the end, I wonder what everyone else was reading. While the idea of the book was promising, and the characters interesting, I disliked it, mostly because the story was so unrealistic.
I'm sorry, but what kind of woman sends a message to her EX-GIRLFRIEND before dying, asking her to look after her soon-to-be widow and kid, when it's the same ex she left because she didn't want a family? More importantly, what shocked me was how little Casey and Liz questioned the whole thing, how they went with it as if it was the most natural thing in the world. A pregnant woman and a kid? Sure, I'll just make them stay in my house for free, it's not like I have a life of my own. Moving to a cabin to live with my dead lover's ex girlfriend who hates the idea of children? Sure, it won't be awkward at all. I don't think real life is as simple.
Of course, Liz was left with nothing because her wife was apparently a selfish unreasonable woman. How easy! It just feels like the writer wanted the storyline to include two very different people with the same ex falling in love, and didn't bother to look for a believable story that could lead to that.
Also, I had to endure painful chapters depicting how inconsistent Casey's behavior was towards her new "roommates" (she grunts. she grins. she can't stand the child. she loves the child. she can't stand Liz. she thinks about sleeping with Liz.). Who the hell is Casey, really?
It took 3 days, 3 DAYS, for Casey to have her world and ideals completely shattered by the presence of Liz and her kid. 3 days to call Liz "sweetie". What?
Finally, I don't think the book is as funny as the summary suggests, and I could absolutely not stand the "baby talk". So irritating.
I'm sorry, but what kind of woman sends a message to her EX-GIRLFRIEND before dying, asking her to look after her soon-to-be widow and kid, when it's the same ex she left because she didn't want a family? More importantly, what shocked me was how little Casey and Liz questioned the whole thing, how they went with it as if it was the most natural thing in the world. A pregnant woman and a kid? Sure, I'll just make them stay in my house for free, it's not like I have a life of my own. Moving to a cabin to live with my dead lover's ex girlfriend who hates the idea of children? Sure, it won't be awkward at all. I don't think real life is as simple.
Of course, Liz was left with nothing because her wife was apparently a selfish unreasonable woman. How easy! It just feels like the writer wanted the storyline to include two very different people with the same ex falling in love, and didn't bother to look for a believable story that could lead to that.
Also, I had to endure painful chapters depicting how inconsistent Casey's behavior was towards her new "roommates" (she grunts. she grins. she can't stand the child. she loves the child. she can't stand Liz. she thinks about sleeping with Liz.). Who the hell is Casey, really?
It took 3 days, 3 DAYS, for Casey to have her world and ideals completely shattered by the presence of Liz and her kid. 3 days to call Liz "sweetie". What?
Finally, I don't think the book is as funny as the summary suggests, and I could absolutely not stand the "baby talk". So irritating.
October 16, 2014
I read this book back-to-back with How Sweet It Is. Both have the same premise, losing a partner in the prime of their lives. Both deal with the tortuous process of moving on. But the similarity ends there. The mood and tone of both books can't be any more different.
'How Sweet It is' is as earnest and poignant as 'Winds' is funny and endearing. As an unintended consequence of reading the books in sequence, I had to chuckle at the contrast between the two surviving partners. Even after 4 years, Molly ('How Sweet') still 'talks' to her late ex while Liz, in just 6 months, could barely remember hers.
Much of the charm of 'Winds' is due to the cutesy, cuddly (see cover) 3-year-old. A close second is the 40-something composer, Casey. Resigned to being a lifelong bachelorette, she is quite possibly the person least suited to the job of parenting. When, all of a sudden, she is saddled with not just one, or two, but three dependents, her world is turned upside down. The author successfully mines the highly improbable situation they're stuck in for maximum laughs and some pathos. Yet nothing feels forced, overdone or slapsticky. Liz is a bit more puzzling, but its probably just due to the pregnancy hormones.
I'm not particularly fond of child characters in romances. They tend to be annoyingly whiny or sassy, hog the limelight too much or just get in the way of the romance. Not Skye. If only all kids were like her. :)
'How Sweet It is' is as earnest and poignant as 'Winds' is funny and endearing. As an unintended consequence of reading the books in sequence, I had to chuckle at the contrast between the two surviving partners. Even after 4 years, Molly ('How Sweet') still 'talks' to her late ex while Liz, in just 6 months, could barely remember hers.
Much of the charm of 'Winds' is due to the cutesy, cuddly (see cover) 3-year-old. A close second is the 40-something composer, Casey. Resigned to being a lifelong bachelorette, she is quite possibly the person least suited to the job of parenting. When, all of a sudden, she is saddled with not just one, or two, but three dependents, her world is turned upside down. The author successfully mines the highly improbable situation they're stuck in for maximum laughs and some pathos. Yet nothing feels forced, overdone or slapsticky. Liz is a bit more puzzling, but its probably just due to the pregnancy hormones.
I'm not particularly fond of child characters in romances. They tend to be annoyingly whiny or sassy, hog the limelight too much or just get in the way of the romance. Not Skye. If only all kids were like her. :)
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October 17, 2024Warm and wonderful!
You never know when the one you're meant to be with will show up at your doorstep. She loves her freedom, her lifestyle, her life as a bachelorette. She is happy and content. Now her life crumbles around her. I'm in love with Skye. She light up the pages every time she is in the picture. Skye is a cute adorable toddler and I know everybody will come to love her. This is a story full of love, romance, hope and a lot of humor. Everything flowes so nicely in this story. Now I'm eager to read the next installment.
You never know when the one you're meant to be with will show up at your doorstep. She loves her freedom, her lifestyle, her life as a bachelorette. She is happy and content. Now her life crumbles around her. I'm in love with Skye. She light up the pages every time she is in the picture. Skye is a cute adorable toddler and I know everybody will come to love her. This is a story full of love, romance, hope and a lot of humor. Everything flowes so nicely in this story. Now I'm eager to read the next installment.
February 12, 2018
DNF @25%. I tried, I really tried but I just can't continue this book. I've enjoyed some of Sweeney's more recent works but this one... I just don't understand why these characters get angry all the time for no reason or fall in love instantly for no reason or get jealous for no reason.
Not to mention the whole premise which doesn't make sense at all. Why an experienced plane pilot doesn't have any savings? It's not exactly burger flipping. And why Casey agrees to take them on in the first place? She has precisely 0 reasons to. Who would in their right mind support a partner of a dead ex-lover who left you? No one, that's who. Unless you're a complete pushover which this character definitely is not as she's portrayed as the exact opposite of a pushover.
The overall use of language and dialogue feels very amateurish. I can't believe the same author wrote Evelyn's Whimsy which I really enjoyed, 9 years of writing experience do make a huge difference.
Not to mention the whole premise which doesn't make sense at all. Why an experienced plane pilot doesn't have any savings? It's not exactly burger flipping. And why Casey agrees to take them on in the first place? She has precisely 0 reasons to. Who would in their right mind support a partner of a dead ex-lover who left you? No one, that's who. Unless you're a complete pushover which this character definitely is not as she's portrayed as the exact opposite of a pushover.
The overall use of language and dialogue feels very amateurish. I can't believe the same author wrote Evelyn's Whimsy which I really enjoyed, 9 years of writing experience do make a huge difference.
October 25, 2025
Really enjoyed this - good romance ticking all the right buttons in the right order to the right time scale. The artitypical les-rom covers a set course, and this does and I love it. Don't think I'll read book 2 - they have had their share of angst, why double it up?
May 17, 2016
Little Skye stole my heart. I have to say, the only other book where I found a kid so adorable was All the Little Moments
The story itself was unrealistic, let's be real. And it was a typical U-Haul situation. Yes, they moved together because Liz had nowhere to go, but they were head over heels after 4 months? And when I say head over heels, I mean .
I didn't like Casey at the beginning. But she's warmed up to me, especially because her relationship with little Skye, who she constantly called Shortround - which was annoying - was amazing. For someone who didn't like kids, she did very good.
I'm going to read the sequel. But I think it's because I want to see Skye again. She literally stole the spotlight.
The story itself was unrealistic, let's be real. And it was a typical U-Haul situation. Yes, they moved together because Liz had nowhere to go, but they were head over heels after 4 months? And when I say head over heels, I mean .
I didn't like Casey at the beginning. But she's warmed up to me, especially because her relationship with little Skye, who she constantly called Shortround - which was annoying - was amazing. For someone who didn't like kids, she did very good.
I'm going to read the sequel. But I think it's because I want to see Skye again. She literally stole the spotlight.
December 17, 2018
For some reason I didn't mark this as currently reading, nor did I mark it read when I finished. It's been about a month since I read it, and all I can say is, I liked it. And, I think I'll be reading it again.
March 13, 2017
Review to come...
June 11, 2016
You never know when the one you're meant to be with will show up at your doorstep. She loves her freedom, her lifestyle, her life as a bachelorette. She is happy and content. Now her life crumbles around her. I'm in love with Skye. She light up the pages every time she is in the picture. Skye is a cute adorable toddler and I know everybody will come to love her. This is a story full of love, romance, hope and a lot of humor. Everything flowes so nicely in this story. Now I'm eager to read the next installment.
January 7, 2015
I can not fathom how it got a such high rating?! It's really misleading. I delve into this book thinking that I would be reading a good story. It didn't even come close to being good. There was no real resolutions given to the issues/conflicts at hand with the characters. There was just too much "make believe" scenarios.
I feel like the author did not offer real solutions to the conflicts at hand. She simply made them "go-away" because she wanted to. Giving no real closure to the readers, making it less believable - to me anyway.
From start to finish, everything was rushed. There was no proper character nor plot development of any sort.
There was some cute moments with the kid but not enough to save book.
I feel like the author did not offer real solutions to the conflicts at hand. She simply made them "go-away" because she wanted to. Giving no real closure to the readers, making it less believable - to me anyway.
From start to finish, everything was rushed. There was no proper character nor plot development of any sort.
There was some cute moments with the kid but not enough to save book.
October 10, 2012
Oh my gosh! I love this book. Kate Sweeney really knows how to write the perfect romance or at least you'll see it that way if you love sweet, adorable, funny and endearing love stories.
Whether it's three-year-old Skye and her cute little personality or music composer Casey and her tough facade hiding a very caring heart or Liz and her stubborn pride that battles with an intense need for love and family, everyone here charms in her own way. You'll find yourself feeling right at home with the characters that live and breathe in Sweeney's world.
It's funny. In another writer's hand, Winds Of Heaven could have become very annoying very fast. Die-hard cynics who would normally roll their eyes at this kind of stuff may possibly find their hearts melting ever so slightly.
It takes a certain amount of talent to keep cute from entering overly precious territory, but Kate Sweeney gives her readers something that will surely brighten their day and let them believe in true love...for at least as long as the book lasts!:)
Whether it's three-year-old Skye and her cute little personality or music composer Casey and her tough facade hiding a very caring heart or Liz and her stubborn pride that battles with an intense need for love and family, everyone here charms in her own way. You'll find yourself feeling right at home with the characters that live and breathe in Sweeney's world.
It's funny. In another writer's hand, Winds Of Heaven could have become very annoying very fast. Die-hard cynics who would normally roll their eyes at this kind of stuff may possibly find their hearts melting ever so slightly.
It takes a certain amount of talent to keep cute from entering overly precious territory, but Kate Sweeney gives her readers something that will surely brighten their day and let them believe in true love...for at least as long as the book lasts!:)
January 1, 2018
Aww.. this is such a sweet heart-warming family and romance.
Skye is such a sweet kid. I think, that is thanks to her that bring Casey and Liz together. They are such a sweet couple. Lot of humors. There are some parts when it made me laughing so hard and some other parts where it made me to tears. Every other characters are very supportive. I love everyone of them. And of course, it very funny to see Casey in panic mode when Liz was about to labour, i think i can see the situation in my head.
I love very bit of this book. Feel abit odd about how Casey is accepted Julie's request. Since it's 5 years, you know. But well every things else are good after that.
Thanks for such a great story.
Skye is such a sweet kid. I think, that is thanks to her that bring Casey and Liz together. They are such a sweet couple. Lot of humors. There are some parts when it made me laughing so hard and some other parts where it made me to tears. Every other characters are very supportive. I love everyone of them. And of course, it very funny to see Casey in panic mode when Liz was about to labour, i think i can see the situation in my head.
I love very bit of this book. Feel abit odd about how Casey is accepted Julie's request. Since it's 5 years, you know. But well every things else are good after that.
Thanks for such a great story.
February 4, 2021
Actually, 2.5 stars
A brazen romcom with an impossible premise which achieves its goal of being a simple, fun read.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
A brazen romcom with an impossible premise which achieves its goal of being a simple, fun read.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
October 14, 2012
Una historia romántica previsible.
El comienzo es interesante,luego es un cliché tras otro.
Se lee fácil y es ideal como lectura ligera si hay tiempo libre.
Lejos de ser una gran historia.
El comienzo es interesante,luego es un cliché tras otro.
Se lee fácil y es ideal como lectura ligera si hay tiempo libre.
Lejos de ser una gran historia.
December 4, 2013
I liked this book. Wanted to love it. The potential was there but some of the dialogue and actions seemed unrealistic. Fell in love too quick in my opinion. Over all sweet.
July 15, 2021
"Even death would not separate them. The winds of heaven would gather them and they would mix forever with the sweet emotion—forever, for always."
Onwwwwwwwwww!
Incredibly beautiful, funny, romantic, engaging, warm, sweet... My God, this book is so lovely.
My heart is totally warmed by this reading, I actually fell in love with Casey, Liz and little Skye! What a lovely family, with the funny scenes of Casey and Skye, I LAUGHED SO MUCH!
It's an engaging read, I literally read it in one day, it really got to me, so sweet. I was rooting for Liz and Casey a lot, and it was all so beautiful!
I recommend this read, it's a great, funny, HOT, touching, sweet, romantic read. I really found myself imagining Casey's lake house as a house on Netflix's "Virgin River" series, I could picture the jokes perfectly. of Casey and Skye on the lake while Liz watched on the porch, I loved it!
Onwwwwwwwwww!
Incredibly beautiful, funny, romantic, engaging, warm, sweet... My God, this book is so lovely.
My heart is totally warmed by this reading, I actually fell in love with Casey, Liz and little Skye! What a lovely family, with the funny scenes of Casey and Skye, I LAUGHED SO MUCH!
It's an engaging read, I literally read it in one day, it really got to me, so sweet. I was rooting for Liz and Casey a lot, and it was all so beautiful!
I recommend this read, it's a great, funny, HOT, touching, sweet, romantic read. I really found myself imagining Casey's lake house as a house on Netflix's "Virgin River" series, I could picture the jokes perfectly. of Casey and Skye on the lake while Liz watched on the porch, I loved it!
July 17, 2018
If the summary sounds like your cup of tea, that you will probably have fun, if not meaningful reading experience. The idea that the main character is going to help this random lesbian with 1 kid and one on the way because her former lover (who broke her heart) died and asked her is a lot to believe, even if one is suspending belief.
The writing here is very basic, no issues, but nothing extraordinary. Full disclosure, I'm not a huge fan of the "femmes with kids" trope and throw on pregnancy which felt so unneeded and the plot became a bit of a cluster.
I imagine that people with kids might like this more, but I didn't even find the description of child particularly endearing.
The writing here is very basic, no issues, but nothing extraordinary. Full disclosure, I'm not a huge fan of the "femmes with kids" trope and throw on pregnancy which felt so unneeded and the plot became a bit of a cluster.
I imagine that people with kids might like this more, but I didn't even find the description of child particularly endearing.
January 21, 2021
Romantic
I love the premise. Casey is noncommittal. Balks at the idea of love. Liz is pregnant with a 3 year old and just buried her partner. Leaving her with no money. Liz has suffered a lot In her young age. In the will, she tells her to seek assistance from Casey.
Its a beautiful love story. My issue with the story is the editing. It feels like the story jumps between days and there are not breaks in chapters for character shifts. Like I mentioned I love the premise and is a good romance. I look forward to the sequel by Kate Sweeney.
I love the premise. Casey is noncommittal. Balks at the idea of love. Liz is pregnant with a 3 year old and just buried her partner. Leaving her with no money. Liz has suffered a lot In her young age. In the will, she tells her to seek assistance from Casey.
Its a beautiful love story. My issue with the story is the editing. It feels like the story jumps between days and there are not breaks in chapters for character shifts. Like I mentioned I love the premise and is a good romance. I look forward to the sequel by Kate Sweeney.
December 22, 2019
The beginning is so sad. To be having a baby and then loose your partner to bone cancer is crushing. Add to that a three year old and my heart was so sad, but then a letter from the deceased sets fate into motion. I loved watching the relationship and love develop not only between Casey and Liz but also between Skye and Casey. Skye is adorable and you can not help but fall in love with her. I can’t wait to read the sequel ‘Moonbeams and Skye’.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
My heart is so full! Love, love, love this book.
The representation of a toddler was spot on and just about my favourite part of the book. The characters were great, the plot was beautiful, and I think everything just blended together so well!
Would definitely recommend this to any sapphic romance lovers looking for something sweet and light, but also heavy with emotions and the ugly things life sometimes throws at us.
The representation of a toddler was spot on and just about my favourite part of the book. The characters were great, the plot was beautiful, and I think everything just blended together so well!
Would definitely recommend this to any sapphic romance lovers looking for something sweet and light, but also heavy with emotions and the ugly things life sometimes throws at us.
March 30, 2019
Too unbelievable for my taste.
I guess it could be considered a forced-together kinda trope, and I'm usually a sucker for tropes ^^ - so much that I can tolerate a lot of inconsistencies.
But here it was too much too fast, and without reasons.
Got a second star for humor and little Skye's cuteness, but even that felt forced in the end.
I guess it could be considered a forced-together kinda trope, and I'm usually a sucker for tropes ^^ - so much that I can tolerate a lot of inconsistencies.
But here it was too much too fast, and without reasons.
Got a second star for humor and little Skye's cuteness, but even that felt forced in the end.
June 27, 2020
The story was nice but it’s so hard to read. The storytelling didn’t follow through. POVs kept bouncing from one person to another and just scattered out there. I almost put it on the DNF list but just for the sake of finishing it I half read half skimmed. It’s such a wasted opportunity to create a beautiful well written story. It has so much potential.
July 30, 2018
WINDS OF HEAVEN
I do not know why I waited so long to read this novel, but I am glad I finally got to it. Really enjoyed the story and the characters. Am looking forward to reading the follow up to see was happens next. I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author.
I do not know why I waited so long to read this novel, but I am glad I finally got to it. Really enjoyed the story and the characters. Am looking forward to reading the follow up to see was happens next. I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author.
March 10, 2019
Great book
I read this book twice and always loved it one day up of you who read it again I recommend this book and the next one in the series I will read that one again too love this author
I read this book twice and always loved it one day up of you who read it again I recommend this book and the next one in the series I will read that one again too love this author
November 13, 2019
What happens when you ex-lover contacts you after death (via letter from a lawyer, no supernatural) and begs you to take care of her pregnant wife and three-year-old child? A little bit a chaos and a lot of personal growth.
April 23, 2021
3.5 stars for me. Casey's character was light and charming and the dialogue was often sweet. I just felt that the growing relationship and the sex scenes were too mechanical. Afraid I stopped the book 3/4 in.
March 8, 2018
Ansiaba tener a alguien que la abrazara por la noche, sin necesidad de hablar: tan solo de oír latir el corazón de la otra en el silencio.
May 9, 2022
Cute but delusional
June 25, 2022
Very unlikely but entertaining, like fanfiction
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews