Mine Is the Night

by Liz Curtis Higgs
Dakota County Library, paperback, 447 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction

I was surprised by how much I liked this book (especially compared to book one). Elizabeth and her mother-in-law Marjory show up in 1746 Selkirk almost completely destitute. Cousin Anne allows them to stay in her tiny home and life moves on. This story parallels the book of Ruth very closely and has a satisfying romance in Elizabeth and Jack (as well as Marjory and Gibson and Anne and Michael). I think that the cat and the little boy were my favorites, though. We had a very nice book club discussion on Monday. I also got to see the Trewarthas and Keith Johnson's family!

Here Burns My Candle

by Lynn Curtis Higgs
Kim C's copy, 454 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction

I don't mind that I missed the book club discussion on this book. I didn't like it. Set in Scotland during the 1745 rebellion, this book is based on the story of Ruth from Scripture. Infidelity, poor communication, unhealthy relationships, etc. This just didn't do it for me. I think everyone else really liked it, but it was the same with Higgs' retelling of Jacob & Esau. This author's style just doesn't inspire me.