Liz Curtis Higgs

This is an interesting book – the first half is a fictional story about a modern-day woman named Mary, whose life parallels that of Mary Magdalene of the New Testament. The second half of the book is a non-fiction study of the real Mary Magdalene, what the Bible has to say about her, and her life-changing encounters with Christ. Each chapter ends with questions for personal study and reflection and/or for small group discussion. A study guide at the end of the book includes scripture passages that correspond with each chapter.… (mer)

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 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.… (mer)

If I could only use one word to describe this book, it would be "delightful". Whereas the preceding book, Here Burns My Candle was dark, and full of betrayal, war, and menace, Mine Is the Night is full of light, humor, love, and friendship. I read this book one evening until my eyes were burning, then picked it up and finished it the next morning because I had to know how it ended.

Mine Is the Night is the second half of a semi-modernized retelling of the story of Ruth and Naomi. Elisabeth is a widow in Scotland after the 1745 Rebellion. Rather than return to her own mother, she chooses to stay with her mother-in-law, Marjory. Throughout the story, we watch as the bond between the two women is strengthened, along with their growing faith in God. Unlike the first book, in which I disliked most of the characters, this book is filled with new friends and new love. It really is a beautiful story of hope and redemption.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

… (mer)

Here Burns My Candle is the first of a two-novel series, an updated version of the Biblical story of Naomi and Ruth. Not completely updated; the story takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. If you know me, you know I love historical fiction, so I did enjoy book. Knowing how the Rebellion ended, though, did put a bit of a damper on the story, as well as the fact that I'd already read the teaser for the second book. Combining those two factors meant that I knew how the book would end; I just didn't know the details that would get us there.

I also didn't like most of the main characters, which made it hard to trudge through at first. The writing is great, and the pacing is fine. It was just that I wanted to get to the stuff I didn't already know. Once I got about halfway (or thereabouts) through, I just wanted to know how things were going to unfold. That sounds like the definition of a good book to me: one you want to keep reading even when you already know how it ends.

I liked watching Elisabeth discover God. At the same time, her mother-in-law is rediscovering God. It's very sweet to watch their journey together. By the end of the book, I even liked the mother-in-law. She had become a completely different person.

Now I'm off to read the second book,[b:Mine Is the Night: A Novel|8523199|Mine Is the Night A Novel (Volume #2)|Liz Curtis Higgs|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FhuvAO8FL._SL75_.jpg|11122792], as soon as I can get my hands on it.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.… (mer)