Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs - This is the continuation of the story of the Kerr widows, Marjory and Elisabeth, from Here Burns My Candle, and it's another real gem. Marjory and Elisabeth return to Selkirkshire, where Marjory has a cousin she hopes will take them in despite their scandalous ties to the Jacobite rebellion. The ladies are in extremely reduced circumstances, and Elisabeth finds work as a seamstress in order to provide a small income. Just as in the Bible story of Ruth, Elisabeth finds another income and favour with a wealthy landowner in the neighborhood, who shows her great kindness. But he is also an Admiral in the King George's Navy, and Jacobites are still not safe. Elisabeth and Marjory both find love and second chances in this novel, but face trials of their faith and courage along the way. One element of the story that struck me as rather unusual is that the heros and heroines are all honorable, God-fearing people from start to finish in the book - none are reprobates that must change in order to earn the respect of the one they love. It seems like Ms Higgs has a winning 'formula' - a parallel based on a Biblical story set in historical Scotland - but it shouldn't be a surprise that the Bible's demonstrations of love, justice, and salvation are the basis of the best stories.
By the same author: Here Burns My Candle, Thorn in My Heart, Fair is the Rose, Whence Came A Prince, Grace in Thine Eyes
I love Liz Curtis Higgs. I have the first book in this series that I haven't read yet. The other series starting with Thorn in my Heart, was absolutely breathtaking! Her writing exacts feelings for the characters that is hard to do. Lovely books!
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