Liz Curtis Higgs

Part 1 of 3. A retelling of the Biblical story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel set in the late 1700s in Scotland. It was a well-written saga, but a little bizarre to give the main character the same dreams, visions, and promises that God gave Jacob. If you're familiar with the biblical story, you can imagine that these books contain content for mature audiences only.

This is an excellent book about the three Marys, each of whom has a life-changing encounter with Jesus. It was enlightening to see how Higgs, a seasoned Bible teacher and award-winning novelist, combines her storytelling skills with a thorough verse-by-verse study of Scripture to look at the lives of the women who served Jesus throughout His ministry. She breaks down the stories in the Bible starting with Mary of Bethany, who prepares the way for Jesus’s burial when she anoints His feet show more with her perfumes. His mother, Mary of Nazareth, remains by His side from His first breath to His last. Mary Magdalene, delivered of seven demons, bravely supports her teacher through His darkest hours, then proclaims the glorious news of His resurrection. The Women of Easter reminds us that Jesus has always used women to propel His kingdom in mighty ways. show less

This was a long story, but well worth the time. It is the conclusion to the trilogy about Leana, Rose and Jamie set in Scotland in 1790. I liked the way Tracie Peterson described this story in her review at the beginning of the book: "Liz has taken what could have been a triple threat - biblical history, Scottish history, and the difficulty of not overwhelming the reader with either one - and has created a story that is sure to last the ages". I totally agree. This is a story I will long show more remember. I am reading "Grace In Thine Eyes" next, which follows this family from this trilogy, but skips ahead about 18 years.

In this story you will follow Jamie McKie as he seeks to provide and care for both of the women he loves and who are both carrying his child. I know this may seem a little unbelievable, but the author makes this whole scenario truly work. Jamie will travel back home to Glentrool to claim his inheritance, which will be a journey that will test the strength and endurance of all three. This story had a lot of sorrow in it, but was also filled with love and tenderness towards one another. I must admit that once again Leana comes out as my favorite character and although I liked Rose, she was young and had a lot to learn. Jamie is someone who has grown throughout the series and I appreciated his dilemma and his tenderness towards both ladies. This will be a story I will remember long after I have closed the book. Great job by Liz Curtis Higgs! show less

The book cover says it best, "In the autumn of 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers fight to claim one father's blessing, two sisters long to claim one man's heart". I must say as I first started reading this story I wasn't sure it would hold my attention, but the more I read, the more I became captivated by the story and became thoroughly engaged with the story. If you know the story in the Bible of Jacob and Esau and Leah and Rachel, then you will find show more yourself very familiar with this story line.

Leana and Rose are two sisters who are close and who love each other very much. They are both very different personality wise, but their bond is strong. So when the young man, Jamie, comes to stay with them, they will struggle with their feelings for him and how that affects their feelings towards each other. I appreciated both girls, but loved the devotion and love Leana has for both Jamie and Rose and how hard her life is because of this deep love she has for them both. It is a trying time for all three when the wedding of Jamie and Rose, turns into something completely different. I wished I had marked it in the book as I was reading, but there was a place where Neda will explain to Leana that a husband will fail you at times, but if you put your faith and thoughts on the Lord first, He never will will fail you (badly paraphrased, but you get the meaning). Emotions will run high, hatred and love will seesaw back and forth and the ending will leave you wondering what happens next. I am glad to say that the next book in the series, "Fair Is the Rose", will pick up in the same scene that this book closes with (I know because I have already peeked). show less