If I could only use one word to describe this book, it would be "delightful". Whereas the preceding book, Here Burns My Candle was dark, and full of betrayal, war, and menace, Mine Is the Night is full of light, humor, love, and friendship. I read this book one evening until my eyes were burning, then picked it up and finished it the next morning because I had to know how it ended.

Mine Is the Night is the second half of a semi-modernized retelling of the story of Ruth and Naomi. Elisabeth is a widow in Scotland after the 1745 Rebellion. Rather than return to her own mother, she chooses to stay with her mother-in-law, Marjory. Throughout the story, we watch as the bond between the two women is strengthened, along with their growing faith in God. Unlike the first book, in which I disliked most of the characters, this book is filled with new friends and new love. It really is a beautiful story of hope and redemption.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

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Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

From goodreads.com:
Mine Is the Night (Here Burns My Candle #2) by Liz Curtis Higgs (Goodreads Author)
4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 · rating details · 1,598 ratings · 250 reviews
SHE LOST EVERYTHING SHE LOVED.
HE HAD EVERYTHING SHE NEEDED.
BUT COULD SHE FIND THE COURAGE TO TRUST HIM?

Stepping from a battered coach on a rainy April eve, newly widowed Elisabeth Kerr must begin again, without husband or title, property or fortune. She is unafraid of work and gifted with a needle, but how will she stitch together the tattered remnants of her life? And who will mend her heart, torn asunder by betrayal and deception?
Elisabeth has not come to Selkirk alone. Her mother-in-law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman undone, having buried her husband, her sons, and any promise of grandchildren. Dependent upon a distant cousin with meager resources, Marjory dreads the future almost as much as she regrets the past. Yet joy still comes knocking, and hope is often found in unexpected places.
Then a worthy hero steps forward, rekindling a spark of hope. Will he risk his reputation to defend two women labeled as traitors to the Crown? Or will a wealthy beauty, untainted by scandal, capture his affections?
The heartrending journey of the Kerr women comes to a glorious finish in Mine Is the Night, a sparkling gem of redemption and restoration set in eighteenth-century Scotland.

Leona's Review:

I listened to the audio book.
This is my first listen/read by Liz Curtis Higgs and one of the best I have heard/read. This is the second book of the series, Here Burns My Candle.

The readers are take back to the 1740s in Scotland with the words, food, clothing, transportation, church and customs of the time. The author reads the book with the pronunciation of the words really adding to the times and location of the novel. We read of cobbled stone streets; a cameo pin; the words, nigh upon them; mourning clothes of black; turnip soup; bannocks; banns of marriage and more.

Elisabeth and Marjory Kerr are leaving their home and going to Selkirk after King George took their home. The sons of Marjory, Daniel and Andrew, were fighting for Bonnie Prince Charlie and the women were considered traitors. Both brothers and the father, Sir John, are dead, leaving the two women widows.
They move in the very small home of their cousin Ann, who is a lacemaker.
Now, a different way of life for them

There is a history lesson in the book about the Jacobites; which I know little. The book has stirred my interest.

http://www.contemplator.com/history/j...

http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/c...

I personally did not find a lot of romance in the sense we read in other "romance" books, but close and special feelings of the characters to the ones they love. To me, this spoke of the times.

I also did not find it too religious but loved that God was included; He was called The Almighty many times. The work Kirk is used for Church.
I found this on the Internet:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk - Similarto Kirk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[edit]. As a proper noun, The Kirk is an informal name for the Church of Scotland, the country's national church.

I do not want to leave out the cat, Cherborne, ( not sure of the spelling) in the book that belonged to the master of the house, Admiral Jack Buchanan (not sure on spelling of the last name). There is always something extra where an animal is included in the book.

This audio book gets a 5 star from me and I look forward to the other books from this author. I checked out this audio book from my local library.

Liz Curtis Higgs many be found at:
www.goodreads.com/lizcurtishiggs and also www.lizcurtishiggs.com

Leona Olson
http:www.mnleona.blogspot.com ( )

Liz Curtis Higgs is an amazing writer. All her books are good. The writing and story line of this book I like very well. I would definitely recommend this author. ( )

I have read books with wonderful writing, and this is one of them. For the length it is (it’s long in my standards) I managed to finish it in record time because the writing in this is beautifully done. Descriptions of the setting and the atmosphere were good, the character’s emotions were easily represented, but the characters themselves. Wow, you formed an attachment to them quickly and easily!

I liked reading both about Marjory and Elisabeth. They were both equally very strong women and their attempts to overcome their difficulties were admirable. My favorite would be Elisabeth though. It felt as if nothing would stand in her way and she did manage to help herself and others come out of the state she was in when the story began. The chemistry between herself and Jack was wonderful! I loved how their love for each just grew gradually as the novel progressed. I can’t even begin to describe Jack. Everything about him was nice. He was definitely one of the strong silent types but once you went underneath that front, he really is a supportive gentlemanly character to love!

The overall plot of this book was really good. Marjory and Elisabeth encountered a lot of hostility at first, and things just happened one event after another but I liked how their strength pulled them through and they worked so well together despite their hardships. The pace is even and smooth so the reading ends up being quicker than usual and you’ll find yourself wanting to stay up late to finish. The ending was also well done as it closed up all loose ties rather nicely. Not sure if there is going to be another book following this, it doesn’t leave anything open but there could be a possibility of something in the future if you were to look it that way.

I would say the only thing that did bother me was the language issue. I don’t know Scottish lingo and although this is a glossary/dictionary in the back there were a few phrases that I just could not make out. It can be distracting to readers but luckily enough most of it is easy and straight forward. Those that aren’t religious may or may not be put off with all the bible/proverb quoting. It didn’t bother me at all. Other than those two minor details, I can’t think of anything wrong with this book.

Even though I’m not religious, I enjoyed reading this book. It’s certainly a ‘feel-good’ clean romantic historical fiction that I think others who aren’t religious could enjoy. Yes there’s lots of quotes from from the bible, and other proverbs but would that really bother you if all you’re looking for is a good solid plot with beautifully written characters? I say give this book a try if you like historical fiction. I have no regrets. ( )

Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs is an enjoyable Christian historical fiction novel set in 1740s Scotland and based on the Bible story of Ruth and Naomi. Just a note: You don't have to have read the first in the series, Here Burns my Candle, to enjoy this one.