Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs - Book Review

Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

Published by Waterbrook Press (March 2011)

Listened to on downloaded audio version through www.audible.com

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I did not listen to the first book in this series but I didn’t have any difficulty following the story thread in this stand-alone book.  The narrator was first rate and seemed to TRULY  know the story and the author’s intent because it was none other than LIZ CURTIS HIGGS HERSELF!!!  I sent her a Facebook message afterwards  because I could not believe it really was her.  But as a long time radio personality that was probably easy for her.  And her passion for the story comes through in the narration.  To me this is the best way to get her stories, if possible because it is SO RARE to have an author do that – to narrate.

 

And this Naomi-Ruth inspired story (Lady Elisabeth Kerr and Dowager Lady Marjory Kerr) does a fantastic job of examining the relationship between mother (in this case mother-in-law) and daughter.  It is obvious that Liz understands the give and take between adult child and parent.  I was awestruck and I practiced as a psychologist for twenty-five years, so that comment does not come lightly. 

The love story was wonderful and because it was based on Boaz, I was glad to know I was not going to have some literary device where the great hero is yanked from the pages and the heroine is left with someone else.  So while there was a lot of tension I could also relax into the read/listen a little. 

The romance between mother-in-law (Marjory) and another character (won't spoil it for the reader!) was amazingly well done.  I loved how we had a mature couple with genuine affection and respect and they develop these passionate feelings for each other and (well, read the book to find out what happens!)  I get tired of the twenty-somethings having all the fun!  Great example of how God can give us another chance even if the first part of our life was not so stellar.

Liz’s description of Scotland and the people were so vivid, it was as though I was there. It is set in the mid-18th century after the Jacobite rebellion.  Liz has 950 books on Scotland!!!  Astounding!  All that research pays off for the reader.

 

I highly recommend Mine Is the Night and plan to listen to my version again and again.  It belongs on the shelf (or Kindle, or audio download) of every Christian historical fiction reader. 

Giveaway:  Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of one of Liz’s books (your choice).