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41st out of 948 books
—
1,427 voters
Thorn in My Heart (Lowlands of Scotland #1)
Two brothers fight to claim one father’s blessing.
Two sisters long to claim one man’s heart.
In the autumn of 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters each embark on a painful journey of discovery.
Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec’s flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McB...more
Two sisters long to claim one man’s heart.
In the autumn of 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters each embark on a painful journey of discovery.
Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec’s flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McB...more
Paperback, 496 pages
Published
March 18th 2003
by WaterBrook Press
(first published January 1st 2003)
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Knowing the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah made this book pretty predictable and super hard and uncomfortable to read. I don't think I really could handle it until all the bad junk was out in the open. Maybe just my personality though. I have no desire to read the other two books in this series. This book ended well enough and that is where I want to leave it, no desire to go through the rest of the story. Having said that, I appreciate historical fiction based on Bible stories because it gives...more
Well, I read this 400 and something page book in two days, so that says something about it. But I won't say it's the best book I've ever read. I described it to my mom as "pitiful." Sad... pitiful. I've never felt so sorry for a character. I loved the Scottish culture-- as I always do-- and Higgs definitely knew what she was talking about, which was nice. The main male character, Jamie, irked me incessantly. I felt like spitting in his face and calling him a lustful jerk. Of course he just went...more
2 likes · like · see review
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Oct 19, 2010
Anne
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mature teens and adults
Shelves:
historical,
scottish-romances
I absolutely loved this book. It is a retelling of the old Bible story of Jacob and Rachael and her father Laban, only told in 18th century Scotland. Jamie and Evan, twins who are completely different are both wanting to inherit Gentrool, the family home. Much like in the Bible, Jamie, the younger and his mother's favorite, ends up getting his father's blessing and inherits the land. But his mother sends him to her brother Lachlan, to find a bride of one of his children, Rose and Leana.
One beaut...more
One beaut...more
May 27, 2010
Carolyn C.
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
High School and Above
Recommended to Carolyn by:
Saw it at a store
This historical novel is the first in a series of three and takes place in the Scottish Lowlands in the 1700's. It is loosely based on the famous biblical account of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. I ran across the three books at a store and was first of all drawn in by the beautiful cover art; I then noticed that the third book had a Christy Award seal on the cover which means the author had won an award for Christian literature:) This made me hopeful that the book would not contain objectionable conte...more
Oh my goodness! This book was a slow start for me. My schedule was so busy when I started it that I was only able to read a chapter or two a night, and they are short chapters. I was really wondering if I was going to like this book at all, but about halfway through, I couldn't put it down. I was taking it with me everywhere, and reading a chapter before I went into wherever I was, and then another when I came out.(I came to really appreciate those short chapters!) I became very emotionally atta...more
I absolutely loved this book. Set in 18th century Scotland, I couldn't imagine a more romantic setting for a novel. As the plot unfolded, I discovered this was a modern retelling of Jacob in the Bible and of Leah and Rachel. By the time I finished the book, I came to realize this is Leah's story. Higgs does a remarkable job of putting us in Leah's shoes, in situations that quite possibly could have existed in the original.
I adored the Scottish vernacular everywhere throughout the dialogue and t...more
I adored the Scottish vernacular everywhere throughout the dialogue and t...more
1 like · like · see review
This would be more of a 3.5 star read for me. Set in late 18th century Scotland, this tale inspired by the biblical story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel goes into some interesting territory, but at times the writing seemed to meander just a bit too much.
As the story opens, we follow the journey of Jamie McKie as his mother helps him claim his twin brother Evan's birthright. Jamie must flee, so his mother Rowena sends him to the home of her brother with the intention that he will find a bride among hi...more
As the story opens, we follow the journey of Jamie McKie as his mother helps him claim his twin brother Evan's birthright. Jamie must flee, so his mother Rowena sends him to the home of her brother with the intention that he will find a bride among hi...more
How I hate Leeana, let me count the ways...
When I picked up this trilogy I didn't know it was the story of the Biblical Jacob, but the author made it so obvious I picked up on this fact within a few paragraphs. Then I got excited because the love story of Jacob and Rachel is one of the most beautiful in the Bible. I still do not understand why the author chose to place the story in eighteenth century Scotland. The author was tediously paralleling Jacob's life in the beginning then heads into alt...more
When I picked up this trilogy I didn't know it was the story of the Biblical Jacob, but the author made it so obvious I picked up on this fact within a few paragraphs. Then I got excited because the love story of Jacob and Rachel is one of the most beautiful in the Bible. I still do not understand why the author chose to place the story in eighteenth century Scotland. The author was tediously paralleling Jacob's life in the beginning then heads into alt...more
3 likes · like · see review
Whew! I had a hard time finishing this one. I really only enjoyed a few chapters near the end. I don't think it needed 77 of them! I can appreciate how it followed the Bible story-- maybe it made it too predictable for me. This book needed to be more succinct; maybe a little more substance and less fluff. Sorry:)
2 likes · like · see review
This is what I would call a clean Christian book. There is no sex or foul language in the book and the characters frequently pray to the lord to be guided, forgiven, and redeemed.
I found the text in this book very immature for a reader or author of the 21st century. Characters are weak, dishonest, deceitful, and do not take responsibility for their actions. The descriptive writing that may win an A+ in a high school English class is boring, repetitious and tedious to follow.
The story line is a...more
I found the text in this book very immature for a reader or author of the 21st century. Characters are weak, dishonest, deceitful, and do not take responsibility for their actions. The descriptive writing that may win an A+ in a high school English class is boring, repetitious and tedious to follow.
The story line is a...more
1 like · like · see review
I really had a torn experience with this book. Caused a lot of anxiety and seeing that it is a retailing of a bible story and i am not sure where she can go from hear and be accepted i have great desire to read the next yet feel crazy with the idea!
Nov 29, 2008
Squiggles{Kelly}
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone 12+
Recommended to Squiggles{Kelly} by:
No one
It's hard for me to give this books five stars because I can't help thinking 'but I DIDN'T like it! It knots up my stomach just to think about it!' And that's the beauty of this series. They aren't sad it the Dicken's way - horrible people who terrorize and do brutal things- it's sad in a human way. There are no good people and there are no bad people. There are characters who make good choices and are caring and kind and there are people who are impulsive and selfish. Bad things happen and hear...more
"Thorn in My Heart" was very good, but I have to admit, I got a little impatient with the story. It's the biblical account of Rachel and Leah translated to eighteenth-century Scotland. In my view, one can't miss with Scotland, but the characters were somewhat annoying and predictable, but then, I knew the Rachel-and-Leah story. Two of the characters are so self-centered I didn't like them at all, and another so passive I wanted to pinch her. So I put this series aside and read the other three Sc...more
Set in Scotland in the late 18th century, this tale is loosely based on the Biblical story of Jacob, his brother Esau, Rachel and Leah. The author obviously spent a lot of time researching the time period and place as it comes out in her writing. I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were interesting and I was immediately drawn in. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Update 10/26/2011: I'm bringing my rating of 4 stars down to 2 stars. The more I think about this...more
Update 10/26/2011: I'm bringing my rating of 4 stars down to 2 stars. The more I think about this...more
No where in the back of this book does it mention that the author uses the Biblical story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel as the backbone of this novel. It's not just a hint of it either, it's a very obvious retelling of the story. Granted in the end she HAD to change the outcome because men were not allowed two wives in 1788 Scotland.
She did a fantastic job with the dialogue, substituting in the occassional old Scottish language.
The book grew interesting towards the end but I feel that the author sh...more
She did a fantastic job with the dialogue, substituting in the occassional old Scottish language.
The book grew interesting towards the end but I feel that the author sh...more
Great book!!! The author takes the timeless story of Jacob and Esau and sets it on the backdrop of beautiful Scotland in the 1700s. It was so much fun to read out loud (for those of you who know my affinity for accents!) The characters had a lot of substance, and it brought to life sides of the story that I never even thought about. I found myself feeling sorry for Leah (or Leana, in the story) and I've never even cared about her before. I was unhappy with the ending, because the story wasn't co...more
Throughout this book, I knew what turns the Biblical story had to take. What really mystified me as I read was how the author was going to fit the Biblical story into this time period. It never occurred to me the complexities of Jacob's situation in the Bible when he marries the wrong woman and how maybe both girls loved him in very different ways. I would highly recommend this book and this series to help give a deeper perspective into the Old Testament story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. Disclai...more
not as impressive as her later work, but entertaining enough for an afternoon.
LIKES:
*detailed and descriptive setting in 1700s scotland, including many celebrations, sayings, and customs
*retelling of a scriptural story (this one's jacob/rachel/leah) in a similar manner to the more common fairy tale adaptations
*the final third of the plot kept me up late reading! i had no idea how the author was going to make this work at all.
DISLIKES:
*several characters are quite difficult to like or respect
*at...more
LIKES:
*detailed and descriptive setting in 1700s scotland, including many celebrations, sayings, and customs
*retelling of a scriptural story (this one's jacob/rachel/leah) in a similar manner to the more common fairy tale adaptations
*the final third of the plot kept me up late reading! i had no idea how the author was going to make this work at all.
DISLIKES:
*several characters are quite difficult to like or respect
*at...more
1 like · like · see review
Higgs is re-writing the story of Leah, Rachel and Jacob set in 18th century Scotland with the characters Leana, Rose and Jamie. I can understand what she was trying to do, but the setting and time period made it all such a stretch it just made me annoyed. I usually really enjoy historical fiction, but the two stories just weren't cohesive. Plus, I never really connected to the characters. I thought they were all pretty pathetic or irritating in one way or another. Just when I'd start to feel sym...more
This is Liz Curtis Higgs's take on Genesis chapters 27-29 set in 1800s Scotland. You pick up on many Scottish words in this book and it is also beautifully written. This story is easier to understand through Higgs's writing and the book itself is very emotional. I'm one of those girls who don't cry at anything, but when a monumental situation occurred, I would literally have to set the book down and take a break from it because it was physically affecting me. I didn't cry, but I would experience...more
This book was such a disappointment. I read it closely on the heels of Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar (a book that I was pleasantly surprised by), so as another retelling of a well-read biblical story, I was expecting to enjoy this one as well.
Not so. The stories of Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah are not the happiest stories to begin with, but I really felt the author of this book took far to many liberties changing the actual base story. Instead of caring for any of them, I left with a bad...more
Not so. The stories of Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah are not the happiest stories to begin with, but I really felt the author of this book took far to many liberties changing the actual base story. Instead of caring for any of them, I left with a bad...more
Jan 26, 2009
Dara
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in 18th century Scotland
A truly great historical fiction piece set in 18th century Scotland. The story is based off of the Biblical story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. Wondering how the author sets such a story in a time when having two wives was scandalous? Well I suppose you'll just have to read it to find how how! You won't be disappointed.
The reader is instantly drawn into this world. Higgs also does a remarkable job describing the time and place without too much description, but just enough to feel as if you are ther...more
The reader is instantly drawn into this world. Higgs also does a remarkable job describing the time and place without too much description, but just enough to feel as if you are ther...more
I wondered how Liz Curtis Higgs was going to manage to adapt the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel to 18th century Scotland and she pulled it off beautifully! This book was a slow starter for me, I'm not sure why. It's beautifully written and eventful from the first page. I think it was just that I had a lot going on and not much time to read. It finally grabbed me not quite halfway through and I couldn't put it down! Definitely a heartwrencher. The characters are so vividly portrayed you really f...more
1 like · like · see review
The author takes the biblical stories of Jacob/Esau, Rachel/Leah, and weave them into an 18th century romantic historical novel. It is beautifully written about the character's mistakes, sins, love, repentance, heartbreak, forgiveness, treachery, tragedy, grief, faith, hope and joy. I actually read the 2nd and 3rd books before this one because I just picked it off the shelf. I really liked books 2 and 3, and would actually just recommend reading those and skipping 1, just because it contains sev...more
I found this book to be very intersting. It is based off of the biblical story of Rachel and Leah/ Jacob and Esau. In some ways it reminded me of Orson Scott Card's "Rachel and Leah". This novel is set in Scotland during the 1700's. Jamie McKie has to flee his home as he gets the blessing and becomes heir to the McKie holdings from his twin brother, Evan.
He flees to his Uncles home. There he meets his two cousins, Rose and Leanna. It follows the biblical story where he falls in love with Rose, L...more
He flees to his Uncles home. There he meets his two cousins, Rose and Leanna. It follows the biblical story where he falls in love with Rose, L...more
There are very few books that I find so totally captivating that I must read them every free moment of every day, until I get to the end. This book, this series of books, is one of them!!! I must confess that it took me two or three chapters before I finally got snagged, but WOW, when I was snagged, it was hook, line and sinker!!! Liz gives her characters such wonderfully complex lives, deepfelt emotions, and raw courageous spirits, the likes of which you don't find very often in fiction. Read t...more
Not only is this author skilled at historical fiction, but her reimagining of the stories of Jacob and Esau and Rachel and Leah are masterful. I know some reviewers quibble that the bible stated Jacob didn't love Leah ever, but you have to remember this is a fictional retelling set in a different place. In a less capable author's hands it would all feel silly, but instead we are taken into the heart of each character and given insight into their actions and an understanding. I was greatly moved...more
This is a clever, well-written retelling of the Biblical story of Jacob, Leah, & Rachel but set in 1788, Scotland. Even those familiar with the Bible story, will be caught up in Higg's novel and wonder how it will turn out. Liz Curtis Higgs does a wonderful job of making 18th century Scotland come alive and she creates unforgettable characters. Prior to reading this book, I was only familiar with Higgs as a humorous writer of fluffy Christian Chick Lit. This is the first book by her that I t...more
The beginning of this book was a little hard to get through. I was constantly comparing it to the story of Jacob and Esau and anticipating the next move by the Jamie. However, once I got caught up in the story I couldn't put it down. Liz Curtis Higgs did an excellent job of expressing the emotions of the sisters. The imagery was excellent as well. I purchased this book because it was chosen for March. I am now looking for the rest of the series. Our local library doesn't have it, so I'm searchin...more
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A Biography of Author and Speaker
In her series of best-selling Bad Girls of the Bible books, workbooks, and videos, Liz Curtis Higgs breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Mary Magdalene. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, these popular titles have helped more than one million women around the world experience...more
More about Liz Curtis Higgs...
In her series of best-selling Bad Girls of the Bible books, workbooks, and videos, Liz Curtis Higgs breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Mary Magdalene. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, these popular titles have helped more than one million women around the world experience...more
Nov 23, 2010 06:25pm