Mine Is the Night (Here Burns My Candle #2)

This is the second book I’ve read in the series and I am hooked.
The first, Here Burns My Candle , a beautiful re-telling of the book of Ruth, set in Scotland during the Rebellion of the 1700’s, is skillfully brought to life within that very interesting period of history.
The characters and customs of the times are brought to life honestly and faithfully.
This second book continues the Scriptures and the journey and challenges facing these women giving us the culmination in altered details marvelously true to the new setting.
A must read for historical fiction fans, and especially Christians.
I think you will love it!

Stripped of her wealth, title, lands and home by a crown angry at her sons’ defection to the Jacobite Cause, Marjory Kerr flees Edinburgh and the painful memories it holds to escape to the Borderland hometown of her early married life, where she hopes to find solace in anonymity living with her impoverished cousin. Though she carries only the clothes on her back and a few shillings in her pocket, she is not completely destitute, for she has the rich blessing of a faithful and loving daughter-in-law, Elisabeth Kerr, traveling with her. Though once haughty, Marjory has learned a great deal and undergone a drastic change since the death of her husband and sons. Despite her renewed faith, the life of poverty that stretches out before her and Elisabeth is daunting. A blackened family name haunts their every move; the townspeople, including her own cousin, welcome them with cold greetings and the threat of imprisonment or even death looms constantly over their heads. Elisabeth, too, faces her own demons as she struggles with the memories of her husband’s betrayal. Learning to lean on each other and to find contentment in the simplest of lifestyles, the two women face the future with tenacious faith. But is it enough to help them pick up the shattered pieces of their life? With the help of love discovered in unexpected places, it just may be, as long as their prayer remains: “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.”

“The crown of the series” is one reviewer’s description of this book, with which I certainly agree. I couldn’t read it fast enough! The story of Ruth and Naomi, as given in the Bible, is beautiful enough but recast by Higgs in eighteenth century Scotland, it takes on a breathtaking quality that is certain to leave you longing for more. Rich in historical detail, delightfully complex characters and a captivating plot, the book has all the qualities one desires in a work of historical fiction. Added to those are the apt quotations ranging from William Shakespeare to Longfellow that head each chapter and the liberal excerpts of Scripture sprinkled throughout the book that add the perfect finishing touch that makes the book even better than average. Do not miss this novel!

After finishing “Here Burns My Candle” I couldn’t rest until I read “Mine is the Night.” As I read, the story kept getting better. I worried that there would be a book three that hasn’t surfaced yet, and that I wouldn’t get closure until next year. However, this book completes the duo.
Let’s recap. These two novels comprise a rendition of the book of Ruth, with the setting being in Scotland in the eighteenth century. I reviewed the first book of this duo about a month ago. It was historically detailed and the emotions were right on. Although there were opportunities to show more grief the author kept it from becoming too melancholy. Let me just tell you, the first book was good, but the second book is so much better. “Mine is the Night” is when the story really gets moving.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this duo. However, if you have a bit of ADHD and you choose to skip straight to book 2, here are my comments. As I read I noted that — technically — you will not be left out of the loop if you do skip straight to book 2. The author did an excellent job of presenting all the facts to you in the second book so that if you did happen to miss the first one, you will still fully enjoy the second. That said, I do recommend reading “Here Burns My Candle.” Even though it moves a little slower, there’s a lot of fun information in there and you’ll enjoy the second book even more if you’ve read the first. Some minor characters make a reappearance, and their backstory adds a nice depth. Again, it’s not technically necessary, but it will add immensely to your enjoyment. Specifically, I can’t see reading the second book with the same perspective if I hadn’t already gotten to know Lord Mark Kerr and Rob MacPherson.
Overall, excellent. Five stars.

The sequel to Here Burns my Candle. Wonderful read.

I enjoy old fashioned stories and it’s about the town l live in. The author stayed locally and it was lovely reading the place names that mean so much.

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