Blog Tour: Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs & GIVEAWAY

 

Want to win a copy of this book?  Giveaway Instructions located at end of post! 

Already a fan of Liz Curtis Higgs via her Bad Girls of the Bible and Loved By God studies,  I was curious to see how I would enjoy her historical fiction.  I had heard of her previous fiction series, but never had the chance to read them.  When I saw that she had written a new book, and I had the opportunity to review it, I looked forward to it greatly.

Here Burns My Candle takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland.  The year is 1745 and bonny Prince Charlie is ready to fight for his claim to the throne.  Elisabeth Kerr is a Jacobite to her core.  Born as a Highlander and married into a Lowlander family, her family must make a choice as to which cause to support.  Her husband, Donald, is a man with a weakness for the ladies.  Her brother-in-law, Andrew, is of weak constitution.  Her sister-in-law, Janet, and widowed mother-in-law, Marjory, are caught up in the trappings of fashionable society. But change is in the wind, as war looms on the horizon.

Very loosely based on the story of Ruth and Naomi of Scripture, Here Burns My Candle brings Edinburgh, the Stuart cause, and the society of the day to life.  It has been awhile since I have read historical fiction for pleasure (I tend to go through genre "stages"), and I admit that it took me a bit to really get into the story.  The author's writing is well-done, the history rich, the characters real, but I found myself waiting for the proverbial "shoe to drop".  If I had not known this to be based on the story of Ruth, I may have enjoyed it more from the beginning.  Expecting some of the key plot points was a major distraction for me.

That said, I did find that I enjoyed the book.  This is not an overtly Christian story throughout, but Scriptural truth is there to be found.  The themes gnaw at your mind; trusting in God, forgiveness, consequences for bitterness and a turning away, and then the beginnings of redemption.  This is the best kind of story.  One that stands on its own as a fully fleshed out novel and yet subtly speaks volumes into your soul.  My own battle against bitterness was brought to mind, along with the challenge to leave it behind now and enjoy every moment of God-given blessing while it's here.

The sequel is due to be released sometime in the Spring of 2011.  I can't wait.

 Enter to win a copy of Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs.  

Simply leave me a comment and you are entered!  

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and leave an extra comment letting me know you did. 

Drawing will be held Wednesday, March 31st.  

*Disclosure: This book and giveaway copy were provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes.*       

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