Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,

I usually read one Christmas Novella every year.  It is usually one that someone asks me to read. They are not my favorite genre mostly because they are not long enough.   A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs has that problem.  It is a delightful Christmas book that is just not long enough.

I love Liz’s books.  Fiction, non- fiction it doesn't matter, I love her writing style.  She has a beautiful way of delivering a punch that is given in such a gentle matter that you don’t always notice you have learned something.

 Meg is heartbroken that she will not be spending Christmas Day with her parents, but her brother’s cruel treatment of her had become intolerable.  She just wanted to get back to Edinburgh into her beloved townhouse and relax.  A chance to have a peaceful Christmas instead of one filled with the tension of her parents’ home.

So starts this little book with a message of forgiveness.  It doesn’t last long, but it was such a joy to read and put me in the Christmas spirit, which for early October that is not a good thing.   This book is just a story of what the true meaning of Christmas is; the story of forgiveness, the story of family and the story of hope. 

You can enjoy this book and get into the Christmas spirit early or you can wait until a lovely snow fall, wrap up in a quilt with a cup of hot chocolate and disappear for a little while into Scotland in 1894.

Happy Reading

Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,

Over the weekend I finished Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs.  It is the sequel to Here Burns my Candle.   I so enjoy Liz's books and her writing style is so perfect for immersing yourself into.  I had a busy weekend, but I still was able to find the time to finish the book. 

This book picks up right where the other one leaves off.  Bonnie Prince Charles has been defeated and there is an all out hunt for the Jacobites.  As Elizabeth and Marjory flee for their lives, they are hoping to find a welcome in Selkirk, as it might be their only option for a place to live.

With this being based loosely on the Book of Ruth, you can kind of guess what is going to happen, but to be honest with you it doesn't take away from the story at all.  For those that read the "Thorn" series you know Liz's style of intertwining Bible stories with a lovely fiction story.  She doesn't change the Bible story or even present her books as Biblical fiction, but using a story to show that stories in the BIble are relevant to today and also able to happen at any time of history.

If you haven't read book #1 please do and then you can move on to Mine is the Night.  It is a great way to spend the week in the midst of a wonderful story.

Happy Reading

Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,


When an author waits 4 years in between books, I wonder if it will be worth the wait. Then I remind myself it is Liz Curtis Higgs and of course it is worth the wait.

Here Burns my Candle is set in Scotland once again. Liz's family is from Scotland and she loves doing the search and such required for her novels. It just gives her a closeness that she hasn't always felt with them. This one is during the time when Bonnie Prince Charles was trying to over throw the Crown and claim the throne for himself and Scotland. Liz also used the story of Ruth as the background for this story. So all these interesting topics makes for a very good read.

Lady Elizabeth married up. She is a Highlander by birth, but when she meet and married Lord Donald she was a lowly seamstress.She doesn't tell many people about her heritage as the Scots are not looked upon favorably. Her mother-in-law does not like her for this reason. Lady Marjory likes her other daughter in law better because she helped her son meet and marry her.

Lady Majory has her own secrets that she keeps from her family. Like where she has hidden the family gold, which might be the worst kept secret of all. Her main goal in life is to keep her place in society. While she struggles to keep up appearances, Prince Charles rides into town to upset the whole balance of things she has always seen as right. How will she and her little family survive and which side will she choose to stand with.
Liz captures the excitement and stress of a time in England and Scotland's history that I actually didn't know that much about. I will admit that I have probably forgotten most of what my teachers tried to teach me about this topic. I remember that we did study it some, but some I did look up on Google to see what was going on and if you remember your history at all you will get an idea of how this book ends.
I loved Liz's "Thorn" series, but I think this one is even better. Her writing and characters are developed better and the story lines are good. I will tell you that book #2 is coming in 2011. I am not sure I can wait that long. I will have to see how soon I can get a copy to read it.

This book releases on March 16th, which you will notice has been bumped up from the date I had listed before, and is also the same day a Francine Rivers book. I personal think both of these books are well worth the price of buying. I can't tell you which one to buy first as they are both so good.

Happy Reading

Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,

Liz Curtis Higgs releases long awaited book, Here Burns my Candle on March 16th.  I was able to read it this past weekend.  I believe this one should be on everyone's to read list this year.  There are a few of those coming this year.  I will do a bit longer review of it closer to it's release date.

Happy Reading