Mine Is The Night

Liz Curtis Higgs' follow up book to Here Burns My Candle continues Bess and Marjory's journey after losing everything they hold dear - Marjory's sons, Donald, who was Bess' husband and Andrew, and all their physical possessions after they are charged with treason for Donald and Andrew's support of Prince Charlie.

Stepping from a battered coach on a rainy April eve, newly widowed Elisabeth Kerr must begin again, without husband or title, property or fortune. She is unafraid of work and gifted with a needle, but how will she stitch together the tattered remnants of her life? And who will mend her heart, torn asunder by betrayal and deception?
Elisabeth has not come to Selkirk alone. Her mother-in-law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman undone, having buried her husband, her sons, and any promise of grandchildren. Dependent upon a distant cousin with meager resources, Marjory dreads the future almost as much as she regrets the past. Yet joy still comes knocking, and hope is often found in unexpected places.
Then a worthy hero steps forward, rekindling a spark of hope. Will he risk his reputation to defend two women labeled as traitors to the Crown? Or will a wealthy beauty, untainted by scandal, capture his affections?
The heartrending journey of the Kerr women comes to a glorious finish in Mine Is the Night, a sparkling gem of redemption and restoration set in eighteenth-century Scotland.

The only struggle I had with this book is the language. Ms. Higgs does a wonderful job using authentic Scottish terms. It takes a bit of getting used to but it adds so much to the book that the effort is definitely worthwhile.

As these books are based on the Biblical story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz the outcome is pretty certain - but getting to it is the fun part. The characters continue to develop and some change to the point their former character is all but lost. Love finds not only Bess but other major characters - some crossing class lines.

These two books are must reads. Ms. Higgs has a gift for story telling and her descriptions - whether they be of people or places - make you feel like you are there in person. I'm only sorry the story ended here.

Highly recommended.

Jody

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review