Here Burns My Candle

This is the first novel I have read by Liz Curtis Higgs. Here Burns My Candle is the story of a Lowlander family in 1745. Lady Marjory Kerr has taken up residence in Edinburgh, along with her two sons and their wives. She and her hand-picked daughter-in-law, Janet, love to participate in all that the upper society has to offer. The death of her husband has left her fairly well off with income from lands around a country estate. That was his love; hers was the city life and all it had to offer. While keeping her gold hidden under her chamber floor, in her heart she hides the guilt she feels from urging her husband to keep them in a fashionable residence in the city. Her sons can do no wrong: she spoils them and their wives, providing them the money to live on and a place of residence. Lady Elizabeth Kerr, on the other hand, married Lord Donald Kerr out of love. She is a Highlander by birth and therefore from a different social level. She is an expert seamstress and busies herself much of the time with beautiful stitchery. She is not as enamored of social standing as are her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. She is kind hearted and humble. She secretly worships the moon as taught by her family, though she dutifully attends church services with the Kerrs. Unbeknownst to herself and the rest of the family, her husband has secrets of his own. Here Burns My Candle is rich with description. At one point I felt like I should make scones and have tea! I liked the way the characters developed through adversity, and how they came to know or come back to the one, true God. Well-researched Scottish history made me think I should dig into a history book on my own. Love, betrayal, loss, redemption; all rolled into one satisfying novel.

In her newest novel, Here Burns My Candle Liz Curtis Higgs parallels the story of Ruth and Naomi from the Old Testament. In this dramatic novel, widowed Lady Marjory Kerr lives comfortably with her 2 sons, Lord Donald and Andrew and their wives, Lady Elizabeth and Janet in Edinburg, Scotland in the mid 1700s. When Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army invades Scotland in an attempt to reclaim the throne, Lady Kerr's world is thrown into turmoil. Lady Elizabeth is secretely a "Jacobite" and supports Prince Charlie...she also worships a pagan God she calls "the Nameless One" in the "auld" ways of her highland ancestors. As tensions increase, Lord Donald and Andrew are swayed to Lady Elizabeths Jacobite cause and leave to fight in the war....branding the entire Kerr family as "traitors to the crown." The ladies left behind are shunned from polite society, their home is ransacked and eventually, they are confronted by devastating news that threatens to cripple all three women with grief. Through it all...a glimmer of hope as Lady Elizabeth realizes that the "Nameless One" is not nameless after all... I have been a fan of Liz Curtis Higgs since I stumbled upon a copy of Thorn in My Heart back in 2003. I have since been (im)patiently waiting for each new book ever since! Using historical fiction to create a modern retelling of some of our favorite stories from the Bible Liz Curtis Higgs brings to light some of the most important aspects of Christian principles....Love. My book was graciously provided by the publisher for review...

Today I present the latest novel of Liz Curtis Higgs, Here Burns My Candle. I am new to reading Liz Curtis Higgs and I was not disappointed one bit. I was totally engrossed by this book and found myself begging for more when I arrived at the end. Thank goodness the sequel comes out next year. I will be anxiously awaiting its arrival. In the meantime, I think I will go back and read all her other novels. Here Burns My Candle is a very clever retelling of the Book of Ruth. It takes place in 18th century Edinburgh, Scotland during a time of great upheaval in that mighty country. For someone who adores historical fiction this book was a real treat. The setting was convincing and the characters quite engaging. I found myself becoming emotionally involved with all the delightful characters. I loved how Higgs used the older ways of Scottish speaking and included a glossary at the of the book for easy reference. I gained a new perspective on the book of Ruth by reading this book. Walking the streets of Edinburgh with Majory and Elisabeth and watching their relationship and love for each other blossom helped me to understand how much Ruth loved her mother-in-law and was willing to follow her anywhere. Thank you so much, Liz Curtis Higgs! You touched me with this book and you have gained a new fan in the process. WELL DONE!

I am a BIG fan of Liz Curtis Higgs. I have read all her novels and have done 4 of her Bible studies. Here Burns My Candle is by far her finest offering. Here Burns My Candle is a retelling of the story of Ruth, set in 1745 Edinburg. The book opens with the Dowager Lady Marjory Kerr enjoying her very comfortable life at the top of Edinburg society. Living with her are her two much loved sons, Lord Donald and Andrew and her daughters-in-law, Lady Elizabeth and Janet. All seems well in the Kerr household. The family is well-respected and accepted throughout the royal city. Their apartments are filled with the things that bring them pleasure and there is more than enough gold to pay for whatever their hearts desire. In marches Bonny Prince Charlie and his quest to regain the British crown for his father. The Kerrs all join in his cause, some for pride, some for hopes of valor and one with the heart of a true follower. All of Edinburg welcomes the Prince and his Highlanders, until the tide turns against the Jacobite cause. Everyone loves the story of Ruth, especially women. We love how Ruth loves and cares for her mother-in-law, and how she is rewarded for her faithfulness with a kinsman redeemer. But the first 18 verses of the book is the only glimpse we see into how Ruth and Naomi's relationship developed. I love the amount of time Liz spent in developing the relationship between Lady Marjory and Elizabeth. The reader really experiences how a woman can go from Naomi (pleasure) to Mara (bitter), and how a daughter-in-law truly becomes a daughter. I can't wait to rejoin Elizabeth and Marjory in the sequel, and last book in the series, Mine Is The Night. I recommend this book to any reader. Do not be turned off by the length (450+ pages) or the fact that it is an historical. Here Burns My Candle is a timeless, can't-put-it-down novel you'll love. The best book yet from Liz Curtis Higgs! (I received a free review copy of this book from Waterbrook Publishers. The opinion expressed are mine alone)

"Here Burns My Candle" is an absolute triumph! Liz tells the story of Ruth and Naomi in such a way that it grabs hold and doesn't let go until the last word! And then leaves you craving more! Liz does an incredible amount of research, both Biblical and historical, and so is able to weave the two together seamlessly. Her attention to detail is amazing. The characters are multi-faceted and I found myself identifying with most of them at one time or another. I love the Scottish vocabulary used throughout, and am grateful for the glossary at the end! Thanks, Liz for an enchanting read. Can't wait for the next one!