From Publishers Weekly
Higgs, the bestselling author of 20 inspirational books, successfully tries her hand at her first historical novel, spinning a new version of the biblical story of Jacob to show the costs of deception and the triumph of love despite adversity. The story opens in 1764 Scotland, a month before the birth of Rowena McKie's twin boys. Those readers familiar with the biblical account of Isaac and Rebecca, their twin sons Jacob and Esau, and Jacob's search for a wife will have no trouble discerning how the plot unwinds. Higgs has a good track record with romance novels (Bookends; Mixed Signals), and she handles the love affairs between the younger twin James McKie and sisters Rose and Leana McBride with aplomb. Despite the predictable story line, Higgs keeps a few surprises up her sleeve, including the device of a proxy wedding (which although historically authentic, may be a stretch for some). Christian fiction readers will appreciate many of the moral lessons gently delivered, especially as James discovers that deception is a two-edged sword. The book feels a bit too long, but Higgs's fine writing will satisfy historical fiction aficionados. Although Scottish words are liberally sprinkled throughout the text, their definition through context is usually clear, and a welcome and thorough glossary in the back of the book further aids readers. Higgs incorporates many lovely historical details, and her strong storytelling skills stand her in good stead here.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
“Wise, heart wrenching, and ultimately triumphant. I couldn’t put it down.”
–Francine Rivers, author of Redeeming Love

“Liz Curtis Higgs takes readers on a remarkable journey to the Lowlands of Scotland. A luminous sense of hope shines through this truly wrenching story of characters who are both larger than life and all too human. This unforgettable saga is as multilayered, mysterious, and joyous as love and faith can be.”
–Susan Wiggs, New York Times best-selling author


Review
?Wise, heart wrenching, and ultimately triumphant. I couldn?t put it down.?
?Francine Rivers, author of Redeeming Love

?Liz Curtis Higgs takes readers on a remarkable journey to the Lowlands of Scotland. A luminous sense of hope shines through this truly wrenching story of characters who are both larger than life and all too human. This unforgettable saga is as multilayered, mysterious, and joyous as love and faith can be.?
?Susan Wiggs, New York Times best-selling author


Book Description
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 McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride.
A thorny love triangle emerges, plagued by lies and deception, jealousy and desire, hidden secrets and broken promises. Brimming with passion and drama, Thorn in My Heart brings the past to vibrant life, revealing spiritual truths that transcend time and penetrate the deepest places of the heart.



From the Inside Flap
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 McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride.
A thorny love triangle emerges, plagued by lies and deception, jealousy and desire, hidden secrets and broken promises. Brimming with passion and drama, Thorn in My Heart brings the past to vibrant life, revealing spiritual truths that transcend time and penetrate the deepest places of the heart.


From the Back Cover
“Wise, heart wrenching, and ultimately triumphant. I couldn’t put it down.”
–Francine Rivers, author of Redeeming Love

“Liz Curtis Higgs takes readers on a remarkable journey to the Lowlands of Scotland. A luminous sense of hope shines through this truly wrenching story of characters who are both larger than life and all too human. This unforgettable saga is as multilayered, mysterious, and joyous as love and faith can be.”
–Susan Wiggs, New York Times best-selling author


About the Author
An award-winning speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs has addressed audiences from more than 1500 platforms all over the world since 1986, encouraging women to grow in faith and joy. In Thorn in My Heart, she combines her storytelling skills, her degree in English literature, her love of 18th-century history, and her passion for all things Scottish to create a richly textured, highly researched historical novel. A member of Novelists, Inc., Liz has focused her latest writing efforts toward historical fiction, particularly novels set in eighteenth-century Scotland. To aid in her research, she has visited the U.K. on seven occasions to date, with an extensive book tour planned for October 2003, and she is a member of the Eighteenth-Century Scottish Studies Society. In addition, Liz supports the National Museums of Scotland, Historic Scotland, and the National Trust for Scotland. The author of twenty books, Liz touches the hearts of her readers with honesty and grace-filled encouragement. She and her husband, Bill, live with their two children in Louisville, Kentucky.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the pastoral lowlands of Scotland in the late 18th century, two brothers and two sisters each embark on a painful journey of discovery. Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father's blessing, yet only one can claim it. Leana and Rose McBride both long to catch the eye of the same man, yet only one will do so. A thorny love triangle emerges, plagued by parental manipulation and sibling rivalry, lies and deception, jealousy and desire - a conflict that has captured readers' hearts for nearly four thousand years.

The biblical stories of Leah and Rachel, Jacob and Esau, are among the most ancient of texts...and the most timeless of family conflicts. As such, they are the ideal foundation for a powerful historical novel that engages the imagination, even as it teaches biblical truths.

FROM THE CRITICS

Romantic Times

This remarkable tale of selfless love will live on in the hearts and minds of readers.

Publishers Weekly