Monday, March 22, 2010

Here Burns My Candle, by Liz Curtis Higgs (WaterBrook)

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(Click cover for more information)

Those who have read Ms. Higgs' "Lowlands of Scotland" series, in which she spirited the Biblical story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel from the pages of the Old Testament into 18th-century Scotland, will nod in agreement that historical fiction doesn't get much better. Well, you can stop nodding.
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After a finger-drumming four years since Grace in Thine Eyes, the final part of the "Lowlands" series, the Bard of the Brogue is back--and the brogue never sounded so good. Here Burns My Candle, turns the clock back 'a wee bit' from the 1760s of "Lowlands" to the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745-46 in which Bonnie Prince Charlie laid claim to the throne against King George. Caught up in the political intrigue surrounding the Rising is the family of the late Lord John Kerr. The Lady Marjorie, Lord John's widow, with her sons, Donald and Andrew, and their respective wives, Lady Elisabeth and Janet, enjoy the comfortable life of Edinburgh's nobility. The Kerrs are staunch loyalists to King George, but for one: the Lady Elisabeth, whose roots cling to the verdant soil of Prince Charlie's Highlands. All is well until the charismatic Prince Charlie shreds the delicate fabric of Scottish society, laying bare the true sentiments and loyalties of not only the Kerrs, but all of Edinburgh's populace.
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Secrets thread themselves through the Kerr family as deeply and darkly as the forest green of the clan's hunting plaid. The Lady Marjorie's hidden stash of gold, Donald's covert waywardness, and Lady Elisabeth's private devotion to the superstitious 'auld ways' of her Highlands past all come to light in their own way and in their own time. At the crux of the story, tragedy strikes, and Lady Marjorie must flee with her daughters-in-law to the Kerr's country estate in Selkirk. But what awaits them there? Sorry. You'll want to hear that from Ms. Higgs, not from me.
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Some readers of this review might recognize a similarity to another Old Testament story. There's a free copy of the book to be had for the first person who leaves a comment on this post, telling just which story that is. If you're uncertain, check the trailer below for a clue.
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Note: WaterBrook provided this copy of Here Burns My Candle for this review, as well as the giveaway copy.

6 comments:

Liz Curtis Higgs said...

Can't thank you enough for taking time to read and review my latest novel, Bruce! You certainly have a way with words. I'm pressing on with the second half of the story, Mine Is the Night, and hope you'll be pleased with how events unfold in Selkirkshire. Haste ye back!

Bruce Judisch said...

The pleasure was mine, mem. :-)

And I look forward to the next book, as, I'm sure, a whole lot of others are, as well.

Cheers! Bruce

Anonymous said...

Oooo! I love Ms. Higgs' books and another one to the Lowland series - Wow! Can't wait to read it. Boy, it sounds a lot like Ruth & Naomi from the Bible - love that story!! Thanks for the review!

Blessings,
Jennifer

Bruce Judisch said...

You're the winner, Jennifer. You have my e-mail addy; send me your snail-mail address and I'll send you a new copy for free.

This one is the first of a new "Highland" series. You're gonna love it.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you're the winner. :-)

Cheers! Bruce

Janalyn Voigt, escape into creative worlds of fiction. said...

Aye, and it's a fine review you've posted here, Bruce! Well done.

Bruce Judisch said...

'Twas a tale worthy of both our reviews, nay? :-)

Cheers! Bruce