Rating: 
Summary: It'll grab ya, and keep ya til the end!
Review: Wow! This is the best novel I have read in a long time. "Thorn In My Heart" will keep you up reading late into the night. The story is a historical modernization of the Biblical story of Jacob and Essau - and it is masterfully written. Higgs captures all the agony that deceit and betrayal entail, but she also gives us a hopeless woman's hope. She paints for the reader a picture of one who is truly in love, even though the man she loves has eyes for another. We find the struggle between duty and desire, and probably can relate more than we would like to admit. Higgs chose well in setting this story in 1780's Scotland. Much of the Biblical story was easily adapted to the culture of the region she chose. She did a great deal of research into the meals and medical remedies of the age. The detail is wonderful and enlightening. She uses historical places and family names, but does little to tie the story into the actual historical events from Galloway in that period. Nonetheless, the tale is wonderful. The one aspect of the book that I thought was weak was the depth of immaturity of the main character. Jamie McKie is a weak-willed, manipulated manipulator who can do little besides focusing on his own desires. However, it is in Jamie's weaknesses that Higgs has created such a meaningful story. It is not until the last (maybe) 30 pages that we see him begin to mature (and its a 475 page book). Now, we must wait with baited breath to see if he continues to grow in the second novel "Fairer Is The Rose." Oh, the agony of waiting for the next novel. Higgs will be hard-pressed to outdo "Thorn In My Heart," but I have high hopes that she will not disappoint us. The reader should also be aware that this is a book with a map in the front and a glossary in the back. Be prepared to use both on occasion. If you are a lover of historical (Scottish) fiction, romance novels, or simply well spun yarns, you'll love this novel. My wife is a huge fan of Austin and Bronte and she loved this book. She agreed that its the best novel she had read in a long time. Though, she'll quickly tell you that it's no Austin or Bronte. I hope you will buy this book, and I know that you will enjoy it if you do (even if it costs you a little of your precious sleep)!
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant !!!
Review: Wow. Liz Curtis Higgs really outdid herself this time. I've read all of her other books and thoroughly enjoyed them, but this one really hit the spot! She makes learning about biblibal characters fun and you'll probably find yourself eagerly searching through the Bible to learn more and more. This book leaves you hungry for "Fair is the Rose." I can hardly wait!!! I also really enjoyed "Mad Mary" and "Bad Girls." Oh, and I can't forget about "Bookends" and "Mixed Signals." Try them all, she's the best!
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