By Donna Landis Liz Curtis Higgs‘ new book Mine Is the Night is the sequel to Here Burns My Candle. I did not read the first book, but it really is not necessary as Ms. Higgs recounts the journey of her characters up to the point of meeting them in Mine Is the Night. If you love historical romance rich in the details of life in 18th century Scotland, you will find Higgs’ new book fascinating. If you are interested in a modern retelling of the biblical story of the book of Ruth, this is the one you are waiting for.
I loved all three books in Ms. Higgs’ Bad Girls of the Bible series (we studied – actually discussed, argued, laughed – these books our women’s Bible study) because her insights into a woman’s psyche are compellingly honest. In the Bad Girls series, she had real doozies of characters and situations to deal with. In Mine Is the Night she parallels the sweet redemptive story of Ruth and Boaz. Those of us who are complete romantics begin to swoon when we just hear the story of Ruth mentioned. If you are that kind of romantic, run to the bookstore to purchase this book.
However, the very romantic story of Ruth and Boaz as led by God’s redemptive plan is well known. There is just not enough tension between the characters of Ms. Higgs’ Elizabeth and Jack as well as in the story line to make this plot sufficiently pleasing. Can we find fault with Ruth and Boaz? No. In the same way, Elizabeth and Jack are too sweet and too predictable.
Despite the dearth of an interesting and compelling plot, the story is rich and beautifully told. Historical romance fans, Mine Is the Night is your book!
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR AMY’S INTERVIEW WITH LIZ CURTIS HIGGS!
Donna Landis is a retired teacher (over 30 years of teaching kindergarteners was enough). She has one daughter, Amy, who is the head honcho of Backseat Writer. She lives in Pennsylvania and owns a cute dog named Katie.
*With thanks to Waterbrook Press for my review copy of this book. To see Backseat Writer’s full review policy along with the FTC disclosure, please click on the “About Backseat Writer” tab above.*
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