Grace in Thine Eyes

Davina McKie is the daughter of Jamie McKie of Higgs's three Scottish Series books, Thorn in My Heart, Fair is the Rose, and When Came a Prince. Davina, a delightful girl and a talented fiddle player, has been unable to speak since childhood. Her brothers vow to protect her, but the cause of her disability is a source of tension in the family. Although young, Davina faces unexpected challenges from which no one can protect her. When she meets the handsome Somerled, she believes he is the man God has in mind for her. Shocking events follow, and only God's grace can bring her through the trials she faces. I have followed Higgs's fiction career with great interest, and her skill continues to grow with each book. Grace in Thine Eyes is intended as a stand-alone title and may be easily read and understood without reading the trilogy of Scottish novels published earlier. However, I strongly recommend all of Higgs's fiction, because she portrays God's grace and understanding through the characters in a way I seldom see with inspirational fiction. Watching the characters develop a deeper spiritual connection despite their personality flaws inspires me to seek a deeper relationship with God, because I realize my faults are not insurmountable. God's grace is sufficient for all of us. I look forward to Higgs's next novel, Here Burns My Candle, the first of a new Scottish series coming out in March 2008. The new series will also be based on a biblical family, but is set in Edinburgh and the Borders in 1745-46.

I was a little worried if I would like this book as much as the other 3 in the series because it brings new people and is set almost 20 years later. But I shouldn't have worried because it was so good and Liz Curtis Higgs' writing is just as interesting in this one. I look forward to her next series coming out in 2008. I would definitely recommend this book, but only after reading the first 3!

Liz Curtis Higgs has a wonderful talent for writing lyrical and picturesque Historical Christian novels that run the reader through a gamut of emotions, and teach lessons without being "preachy". Once again, with Grace, she has written a masterpiece! For the first half of the book, I was not nearly as thrilled with Grace as i was with the preceding trilogy about Davina McKie's parents. They were so well written, how could they possibly be topped?! While I found it heart-warming to revisit the characters of Leana and Jamie and Ian, and to see how they had grown, I felt that Davina's story was aimed at a less mature audience than Higgs' previous books were, and I was thus not as intrigued as I had hoped I would be. But I kept reading... and as the novel gained momentum, and dug itself deeper into my heart, I no longer cared or noticed anything about the demographic that Higgs was aiming for, and fell completely in love with the story of Davina! That tricky Higgs! The further I got into the novel, the more enraptured I was, and the sadder I was to see the end of the book drawing near. I was glad to see Higgs take her novel a little further than the actual Biblical account of Dinah, to give those of us who had fallen in love with Davina a little bit of closure - but not too much! While I still prefer the Thorn in my Heart trilogy, I did truly enjoy Grace, and was greatful for the chance to read about the McKie family once again. Grace portrays a well-developed main character, who, although she is perhaps a little too perfect at times, is entirely endearing. The journey that we follow her on is heart-breaking, but tells a tale of true love, grace, and mercy that will touch (and teach!) ANY reader.

In 1808 in Glen of Loch Trool, Scotland, twin brothers Will and Sandy McKie feel a need to protect their wee seventeen years old mute sister Davina. Thus when their father Jamie arranges for the siblings to attend the university in Edinburgh, they and Davina are upset. Their older brother Ian understands that the family patriarch has to make difficult decisions when it comes to second born sons, but though he supports his dad, he and his mother Leana are also distressed just not as vocal as Will and Sandy. Jamie knows the twins will be fully occupied with their studies and his oldest son is courting Margaret McMillan, so his concern turns to his beloved daughter. He decides a trip to his cousins on the Isle of Arran will distract her until everyone settles into their new roles. At Arran, her family welcomes Davina and her skill with the fiddle becomes known. Rakish Highlander Somerled MacDonald and Davina meet, she flirts with him and he seduces her. Word of what happened that Midsummer's Eve reaches Loch Trool and Edinburgh. While Jamie fumes, the twins take action leading to Somerled and his father falling off the cliffs of Goatfell on Arran. Davina holds herself culpable as does everyone else because she brought shame to her family. GRACE IN THINE EYES is a superb inspirational historical propelled predominately by Davina, but somewhat by the twins and their father. The key is that the personalities of the McKie family is set early and remains consistent throughout. Fans of deep character driven tales will appreciate this strong Regency era novel starring a wonderful female poorly coping with tragic events as the scarlet letter of gossip follows her even at home; females take the blame for scandals. Harriet Klausner

This is a very wonderfully written fictionalized account of Genesis 34, based once again in 19th century Scotland. Davina McKie lost her voice in a childhood accident, but she has a lot to tell us modern-day readers. She is a young, innocent lass when she goes to visit distant cousins on the Isle of Arran...where she is dishonored and shamed...but, thanks to God's grace she is able to pick up her life again and go on. If you've read the account of Dinah in Genesis, then you know what happens. If not..well, I won't spoil it for you. Liz has (once again) brought her characters to full life - I was in tears before chapter 20, in knots over Davina's problems, and relieved when the problems seemed to be working themselves out....and in tears again when her brothers attempt to revenge the loss of her honor. My only problem with this book? The hopeful rather than the happy ending - I want to know what happened next! *smile* (The Bible doesn't say what happens to Dinah, so I understand the ending...but Still!) The characters live - I had to keep reminding myself that they didn't ever exist outside of the author's imagination. The situations are the same ones we find ourselves in - and the character's reactions are *exactly* like the ones we would have. (I only wish I were a gracious as Leana and Davina!) Grace is the underlying theme throughout the entire tale - and it's something we all could use more of. Bravo, Liz - I think this is my favorite book yet!