Whence Came a Prince by CURTIS HIGGS LIZ (1-Jun-2005) Paperback

Lowlands of Scotland #3

by Liz Curtis Higgs

A Prodigal Hero…A Perilous Journey Home The Scottish Lowlands, Summer 1790 Jamie McKie is determined to return to his ancestral home in Glen Trool and claim his inheritance—a harrowing journey that will test the depth of his courage and the strength of his sword. Haunted by a shameful past and wrestling with an uncertain future, Jamie must outwit his devious Uncle Lachlan and confront the two men he most Evan, the brother whose inheritance he stole, and Alec, the father whom he blatantly deceived.Jamie faces a perilous journey of the heart as Two sisters each stake a tender claim on his affections. Quiet, gentle Leana is the mother of his firstborn. Her spirited younger sister, Rose, is expecting his second child. Honor and duty prevail but not without heartache, as Jamie prepares to fight for all he holds dear.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian Romance

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Former Bad Girl, grateful for the grace God offers. Happy wife of Bill, one of the Good Guys. Proud mom of two grown-up kids with tender hearts. Lame housekeeper. Marginal cook. Pitiful gardener. Stuff I love? Encouraging my sisters in Christ—across the page, from the platform, online, in person. Unpacking Scripture. Traveling wherever God leads. Listening to His heart. Leaning into His embrace.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The third book's plot is equally annoying. In the third book, Jamie is tormented by his love for Leanna but his duty towards Rose. Oh poor Jamie--yeah right. But in a short two months, he is in love with Rose! Talk about flip flopping.

Jamie decides to leave his miserly uncle with both Rose and Leanna--and get this-- both are pregnant with his child. Leanna again the unselfish one, helps Rose thoughout her pregnancy. Just before reaching Jamie's home estate of Glentrool, Rose suffers an early childbirth and both the baby and mother die. Jamie is heartbroken. But remember, he recovers quickly. With 2 months barely passed, he decides he loves Leanna and asks her to marry him.

I was so annoyed at this book, I wanted to throw it out the window.

I don't understand, what the attraction is with this book. Other readers gave it 4 or even 5 stars. The author is a Christian author and in the plot were references to Christianity and forgiveness and God's love. But I just couldn't get past Jamie flip flopping between Leanna and Rose, how two sisters can do that to one another, and Leanna's continued unselfishness.

[Royce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting sick of this family and their angst. This is how it goes... Boy meets girl, falls in love. Girl does not love boy back but girl's sister loves him, secretly. Boy proposes to indifferent girl. Girl accepts after her father insists. Girl stuck in a storm, cannot get back to marry boy so (besotted) sister marries him by PROXY. Unfortunately, spends the night with him by proxy too. Boy does not realize he has the wrong sister in his bed til morning. Sister gets back home to realize her sister married her fiance. She is miffed. Boy is told by father-in-law that he is stuck with the wife he slept with. Boy is unhappy but learns to love sister no.2. Has baby with her. Minister visits and tells them he is actually married to sister no.1 as her name is on the church record. So boy has to dump sister no. 2 who he loves by now, and get with the other sister. She is happy. Dumped sister is not. Now boy has to forget first wife. Struggles with this, as you would. Eventually boy falls in love with 2nd wife. She gets pregnant. Meanwhile, other sister discovers she is pregnant. Confused? You should be.

The churning emotions is enough to make you barf.

[Rebecca Kurtz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shame on Christian authors who re-write the Bible...

So what's next from this author? Joseph goes to Egypt, has a passionate affair with Potipher's wife, and starves his family to death for sinning against him?

Oh wait, we can't have a Joseph, because Joseph's character is miscarried in her series. In the Bible, God blesses and speaks to Rachel's (Rose's) children, not Leah's. It seems to me that in God's eyes, Rachel was Jacob's intended. Yet in this novel, Leah is God's intended and Jacob's true love. What? This is one of those "what if" novels: What if Jacob grew to love Leah more than life itself and only acted with duty towards Rachel.

In the Bible, Jacob's love for Rachel and her sons is so beautiful and unwavering. Yes, I sympathize with the Biblical Leah, but since Jacob never had any love for her, God blessed her with many sons. In this story, the Rachel character (Rose) watches her deceptive sister steal her husband, endures losing her beloved's love when he's provided heirs by another, is despised when the church rectifies the deception, then dies in a miscarriage barren. God is not that unloving.

I detested this book. I didn't want to finish it. I balled my eyes out at the injustice. It took me days to pick it up again, but I refuse to write a review without finishing a book. I gritted my teeth the whole time.

Let's see, what did this book teach me about God's love? Oh yes, Rose repents for her sins and is punished with death to get her out of the way for the deceivers to live a happily ever after. We all knew Rose (Rachel) was going to die in childbirth since Rachel did, but God blessed Rachel with Joseph and then later died giving birth to Benjamin. In this novel, Rose dies during her miscarriage because she stole from her father and cursed him in her heart. Exactly what did Jamie do that didn't warrant his death? Hmmm. Yes, quite a favorite of God since he got many years to mature and draw close to God unlike the 15-year-old Rose.

I couldn't believe that the author would have God speak to Rose right before her death saying "I am with thee to deliver thee." So her deliverance was death. When I cry out for deliverance, I'm not asking for death. Is the author suicidal perhaps?

I don't know whether to be scared or excited to read the next book. I hate the Biblical story of Leah's daughter Dinah. Leah's sons are so evil - yeah, I think that says something about their mother. Since this author doesn't believe in staying true to Biblical accounts, I think I'll give it a try because Lord knows the true tale ends in the most appalling manner.

[Carolyn C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have completed reading all three books in this series of historical novels which take place in the Scottish Lowlands late 1700's.

Book 1 - "Thorn in My Heart" (I should have gotten a clue when I read the title!!) I found myself thrown into an emotional upheaval...what was this author doing to my mind and emotions?? Twist, twist, twist...rip, rip, rip...angst, angst, angst!! I hate feeling manipulated!! I gave the book 3 stars...but then, of course I HAD to find out what would happen next...on to Book 2...plus I LOVE the cover art!!

Book 2 - "Fair is the Rose" I should have quit after book #1 while I had 1/2 a brain left and before I had become emotionally ruined by the characters. But no - please continue on with the angst, ripping and twisting...I'm starting to enjoy it - YIKES!! Can't stop now...must carry on!! Gave this book 4 stars.

Book 3 - "Whence Came a Prince" Well...brain is gone...emotionally spent - what can I say?? Love, love, LOVED third and last book in the series!! Kudos to the author for working me through this tangled web she wove(??). I have never felt so mentally and emotionally manipulated by someone I've never even met!! But then, at the end of the day...I loved every minute of this book and have to say it was a satisfying ending to a great series:) 5 stars for this one **oh yeah:)**

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this book. It pretty much concludes the story of the 3 main characters, even though there is a 4th book in the series(that one focuses on the next generation). I was so reluctant to read these after the first few chapters of Thorn in My Heart. I know the Bible story of Jacob/Leah/Rachel-it's not a happy story, so I wasn't sure I wanted to read a fictional retelling, let alone one contained in 4 volumes! It wasn't until I hit the halfway point of the first book(Thorn in My Heart), that I knew there was no turning back. Sure, there are lots of differences from the Bible- how could there not be when the story is set in a different place and time? I felt like I was living and breathing with these characters. I certainly was crying and rejoicing with them!
If you've read the Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series, these are similarly challenging. These books had me questioning whether the qualities of patience, perseverance, kindness, love, mercy, service, and forgiveness are as evident in me as they should be.

[SavageGrace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not help but shake my head and fists in frustration over these books. The fact that ANYONE would overlook how manipulative and simply heartless Rose was, was just so unbelievable! Rose was, simply put, a wholly unlikable character. I did not find her "love" to be true at all; she was obsessed with Leana (whom I keep calling as Leah...) and Jamie and set-out to make Leana as unhappy as possible and win Jamie, despite knowing he and Leana belonged together. Why, when she saw Jamie happy, she had to destroy that is beyond me; the fact she kept obsessing over him being happy with Leana and then, once destroying that happiness, obsessed over him not being happy and wanting to find a way to make him happy again... the girl just needed a strong reality check and a trip to the nearest asylum. I don't think this girl knew what love really was; part of love is doing what would make that person you love happy... and the fact Jamie found happiness with Leana should have made her happy and allowed her to find her own happiness - ELSEWHERE! - not destroy his happiness and then force love where there was none and a marriage he did not want!

And Jamie? Oh, Jamie... I did not find his love to Rose to be true. It was WAY too rushed and feeble to be very plausible. Wishful thinking? I have no idea. And taking their son away from Leana, forcing Leana to allow Rose to claim ownership over that son and making her become "Aunt Leana" was simply cruel and sickening. That should have been more proof of Rose's true personality and motives - but, again, everyone overlooked it and bent to her will. So frustrating!!

Leana... I liked her strength and character. BUT I just wish she had a backbone... and maybe smacked Rose a few times - especially when Rose was insistent on getting tips to seducing Jamie! Sick, twisted girl!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading #2 in this series, I jumped over books which I shoud have read first, because I just could not wait to see the final story of Leana, Jamie and Rose. This too will tug at your heartstrings, and cause you to wonder-"could I be so brave?" I do not think I could, and it has to have a tragedy happen in order to have a happy ending. These three books are all highly recommended. A must read for lovers of Scottish Historical fiction.

[Lela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started reading this book, and after the first 3 chapters (when I realized what it was about) I put it down. Its about an interesting subject, and I highly reccomend you don't read this book. Its very strange.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dramatic turn of events with a tied up ending. I felt there was more honesty between the characters but there was also some convenient contrivances that felt flimsy. An overall good story about the power of faith and humility.

[Kellyn Roth]

Review and rating to come.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost a lot of sleep for these books! But it was totally worth it. I could not stop reading, and when I absolutely had to, I couldn't stop thinking about getting back to reading. As with any good story, finishing is bittersweet. I'm sad there's no more (since I already read the next one), but I'm glad to know how it all worked out.
I don't think there was a time in the whole series when I didn't absolutely love Leana and most of the time wanted to cry for her.
I can't decide how to feel about Jamie. On the one hand, he honored his wedding vows to Rose and Leana's request that he love her sister, but on the other hand he vowed to always love Leana. His love was supposed to be that all consuming love for only her. I get that he loved them both, but that kind of love doesn't just transfer to someone else. He could have really loved Rose and not had it be the same kind of love that he had for Leana. On the one hand I think it's noble that he's able to invest himself so much in his marriage as to do that. On the other, I feel like it cheapened what he and Leana had. Like with a little effort, he could love anyone that way and Leana would simply be able to be kept at arm's length, cared for, sure, but not loved the same way. I don't know, I guess it all works out in the end, but I'm sad that she ever had to wonder if he still cared about her and saw her as more than just his children's mother.
Rose, although she grew on me since the last one, I can't help being relieved when she's out of the picture. I was sad, of course, but it was more because Leana and Jamie were grieving than for the fact of her actually dying. I felt like her marriage to Jamie was as he first viewed it - betrayal. And completely wrong. The more comfortable everyone gets with the idea, the more twisted it seems. I know she starts to really change, she has genuine concern for her sister, but only if it doesn't negatively affect her life. When she finds out Leana's pregnant, instead of being happy for the little bit of happiness her sister might be able to have after everything that's been taken away from her, her only thought is for herself - how difficult it will be for her not to have Jamie all to herself. And I know she redeems herself quite a bit when she stands up for Leana to her father and begs Jamie to take her with them, but I can't get passed how easily she could just move in and take over not only her place as Jamie's wife, but also Ian's mother. How she didn't want to even acknowledge the fact that Leana was his mother, even after thinking about how awful it would be if the situation were reversed.

But I just loved the series. I'm sad there's not more to it, but I can't wait to read Higg's other series now.

[Elizabeth Gaskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as I loved the other two. I honestly recommend it to everyone!! It is a wonderful end to a long, emotional journey and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

However for those who worry about the change from the original Biblical story, I will repeat what I said in my review of Fairer is the Rose:
"While I understand people's frustration (I hate incorrect division of the Word of God as much as the next person) but I think what would help is if people would look at it less as a retelling of the word of God and more as a Christian fiction story based on parts of the original story.
No work of Christian fiction (or non-fiction for that matter) should be taken as doctrinally sound just because the word Christian in attached to it. 2 Tim 2:15 says "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" meaning it is your responsibility to make sure that you study the Word of God for yourself and know the difference between truth and fiction.
Other than that, the story can be seen as a wonderful, FICTIONAL story that many people can enjoy. I wouldn't recommend it to those who tend to take everything they read as gospel just because of the fact that some of the details aren't correct, but for those who are spiritually mature enough to look past the little imperfections should feel free to enjoy Thorn in My Heart, Fairer is the Rose, & Whence Comes a Prince, for what it is, a good STORY.
I love it, I recommend it, and I will continue to recommend this book and its companions because it is truly a wonderful story an I thoroughly enjoyed reading it."

It is a great set of stories, not everyone's cup of tea and that's okay, but it is a wonderful set of stories.

[Susan Kauffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not even get very far in this book...it was awful..and way too long. One of the reasons that I wanted to read this series was to find out how she would modernize this story from the bible...and it was not done very well! I am a huge Liz Curtis Higgs fan so this book/series is a huge disappointment!!

[Sheeroh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The portrayal of the characters gave me a new perspective on the Bible characters Jacob, Rachel and Leah...and I've always thought of Leah as the bad girl who interfered with Jacob and Rachel's romance, but, after reading this book, I understood the complexity of the situation much better.
I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly, Liz Curtis Higgs brings the story of Rose, Leana and Jamie to a place you where can accept the character's decisions and be content with the outcome , even though it was an emotional ride along the way. This was a wonderful story told over the span of three books - all great reads!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

good series

[joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* · Rating 4 out of 5]

70% fabulous
10% skim-time stuffing
20% somebody take me to scotland NOW


pg with adult themes and events

[Joy Lokey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through the third book in this series, Lachland becomes the epitome of the worst uncle, the worst father in its truest form. He totally pushes the envelope of an evil heart under the guise of 'by the Buik', the gospel. His foundation is build on sifting sand though and without spoiling the story for you, my disgust of him was at its max in this third book. The true test of this love triangle unfolds through God's will for Jamie, Rose, and Leah rather harshly toward the end of the book. Rose pulls some shocking stunts. It is curious, the old wives tales and dabbles into salting the waters of wizardry of old, but then chooses to give her God the credit of results after all. Her plans to destroy her father's livelihood seems to be an unstoppable turning for her into a demise of irrepairable events. Jamie is challenged beyond his own realizations to uphold and defend his own choices, as well as the family he loves, with surprising results. Leah continues to deepen her love for her sister and Jamie to the greatest lengths despite her own sufferings. Liz Higgs is a sensational author, a surprisingly deep writer. Her books are far more lengthy than the average writer I've read so far, to my own personal delight. Rich with more than sufficient details of the surroundings, emotions, descriptions of furnishings, clothing, landscape, weather, etc. thrills my heart beyond the typical author's descriptive generosity. I always appreciate a story that builds the suspesne without too much 'dragging it out' in such a graceful way as Liz Higg's style, and draws the book to a very healthy conclusion. I am grateful to my sister for introducing me to Ms. Higgs' authorship with the loan of this series, as well as the next, I am currently reading, the followon saga of the children. Bless you Ms. Higgs for allowing an unfolding of God's working through these characters' lives in such indepth ways. It is heartening to observe these characters' spiritual relationship and human character grow for the better, deepen in their walk, and impact not only each other, but others, as well as the reader. I'm a huge fan of Scottish and Irish stories of God's hand on these histories, and a huge fan of all historical fiction Christian literature. It is my pleasure learning just a little more about different cultures and eras.

[T.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know the story of Pride Prejudice. Of Sense and Sensibility. Of one man falling in love with one woman and wooing them until they're wed. Do you like those stories?

Well this story is nothing like that.

I cannot say that I "read" this story. I pretty much "skimmed" the last two and a half books in my haste to find out how this story could actually end with me feeling less infuriated than I was while reading it. (I do admit to having jumped to the ending of book three when I got it, solely for this person and I would do it again.) And I do feel less infuriated. I also feel somewhat exhausted.

You think your family has drama? Think again.

Now, it's great when I find a story with a moral undertone that I love. However, with this story . . . I am uncertain whether or not I liked it . . . or thoroughly disliked it. It is most definitely is unlike another story I've read (skimmed). It has plots. It made me both cry and laugh, the former of which is more difficult to provoke me to. You feel what you are supposed to feel for the characters and the faith overlay of the story is its strongest point, particularly regarding Leana, who is by far the most admirable in this entire series and demonstrates her love for the Lord in ways that have encouraged me.

My issues with the story are primarily with the acts of Jaime, in the constant falling in and out of love. He loves Rose but falls in love with Leana, only to fall back in love with Rose for Leana and then ending up . . . with Leana. The conclusion seemed a bit rushed and convenient, but overall I'm happy for Leana, because that woman is a freaking warrior.

So if you like soap operas, Puritan historical fiction, and Scottish accents you'll be thinking in once you've finished reading, this story may be for you.

If you don't like frustrating stories that make you want to skip over certain characters due to their problems and scream at the ones that just refuse to listen then proceed at your own risk.

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two words...
560 pages! (OK that was a number and a word...whatever!) But seriously, 560 PAGES!! Only 54% into this book and it feels like it will never end.

Apparently the series is based on the story of Jacob and Esau. It's not truly a biblical retelling because it's not biblically accurate. The Leah and Rachel type characters (Leana and Rose) are actually reversed. But the story is very similar, albeit based in 18th century Scotland.

For anyone wanting to read the book, don't read on.

Jamie's mother put an animal skin on his arms to fool his nearly blind father into giving him the firstborn blessing, thereby stealing his brothers inheritance (Genesis 27). Then he traveled quite a distance to his uncle's land (a very miserly Uncle Lachlan, aka Laban in Genesis 29) who made him work for years, during which Jamie took his uncle's two daughters as wives. Yes...both of them, in a convoluted, outlandish spin on the story.

I'm at the part where his uncle has cheated him out of absolutely everything, including the sheep he promised, and Jamie is having to leave with no payment.

✔️The sisters' storyline is, to quote Princess Bride, "inconceivable".
✔️Where it's logical human nature to have suspicion, jealousy or ill-will, there's benevolence, understanding and a blind eye.
✔️The uncle is just too horrible to be real, insisting on devotions every evening while plotting against his daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren.
✔️The decision by the church leaders (on a technicality) to break up one loving family, and make Jamie marry another and take the child away from its mother was ungodly, and preposterous!
✔️The 70's song Love the One You're With totally describes Jamie. Pfffft!

I've grown weary. I'm not sure I will wade through its thickness. You know...some long books are epic, captivating the reader from start to finish. This one is not epic, it's just... long and exhausting.

Yep, I've officially talked myself out of finishing this book.

[Honeybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in Liz Curtis Higgs' adaptation of the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel was heart-wrenching! The conclusion of the tale, set in Galloway, Scotland in 1790 is both unexpected and fitting, as one would expect from a master story-teller like Liz Curtis Higgs.

Whence Came a Prince picks up with Leanna still lodging with her aunt after the church forced her to relinquish both her husband and son to her sister, Rose. She realizes she is pregnant with a second child by Jamie and decides to return to Auchengray, now that she's sure her beloved and his new bride have returned to his ancestral estate in Glentrool. Imagine her surprise when she arrives to find that the three of them are still at her father's house.

Jamie and Rose were delayed by yet another scheme of Laughlin MacBride. And with the bonnet laird's approaching wedding to an elderly heiress with three sons, Leanna's presence is not at all welcome. Rose, too, is with child and Jamie is in a quandary with both the women he loves pregnant and under the same roof.

The drama and tension grow intense, as Laughlin's cruelty and selfishness intensify, until Jamie is forced to desperate measures to keep both the women and children he loves and the lambs he has worked so hard to earn as his own. Rose's headstrong ways backfire on them all, and tragedy strikes. Nevertheless, the tale comes to a bittersweet end.

Higgs is such a marvelous author. I became attached to her characters through this series and hated to see it end. Knowing the Bible account upon which this historical novel was based, I had an idea of what had to happen, yet I had no idea how it would all play out. Liz does a marvelous job of wedding the tale with the peculiarities of late 18th century Scottish culture. I highly recommend not only this, but the previous books, as well, for their beautiful themes of love and redemption.

[Corrinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay... so I’ve read this entire series cover to cover more times than I can count. And I love it. Like, hands down I sincerely love it. Except for 1 little thing. I freaking hate Jamie so much. I love both the sisters, for the most part. I love Rose the most. And I feel like she gets screwed over so terribly. Just, so terribly. It would be easy to hate Leanna for what she did to both Rose and Jamie, but I have to take into account that she was young and impressionable and honestly thought that what he dad was telling her to do was the right thing. She’s stupid, but she’s not fully to blame. Now I know 90% of that happened in the first couple books but since this is the 3rd one it’s easier to post a full rating on this one. This book made me ugly sob at how horrible Rose’s cards were. She gets screwed over by her family. The guy she was to marry and then she dies?! Like wtf. Plus Jamie. Oh boy. He loves one sister, no he loves the other. Just kidding he loved the one he started with. Ffs make up your mind. Despite what might seem like a not happy review. I love this series. It’s what made me fall in love with Scotland and history. And I love Liz Curtis Higgs. She did a good job of writing and creating this. Even if she did do my Rose so horribly wrong.

[Sarah Leeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in this series which is a retelling of the Biblical story of Jacob, Rachel, & Leah. It starts exactly where the 2nd book leaves off with no review of what's happened so far. It's set in 1800ish in the Scottish Lowlands and it is beautifully written. The story in the Bible only gives us a few short paragraphs where Liz Curtis Higgs unfolds the story over 3 books at about 1600 pages, so she's got plenty of room for creative liberty, while still maintaining Biblical themes of love, forgiveness, and truth. The characters were really well developed and even when they made bad choices or the storyline took an unexpected turn, it was still hard to hate them. Well, there was one character that was easy to hate, but otherwise, I loved them all.

The plot took so many twists and turns that even 1600ish pages went quickly. The story culminates in a beautiful way with redemption and forgiveness and shows the characters going through hard stuff but doing it true to their character. Sometimes that was gracefully and sometimes that was messing up and making bad choices, but all the while, the underlying theme of God's grace and goodness shining through in every situation.

Well done, Ms Higgs! I loved it.

[Rachael Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this conclusion to the Trilogy, Higgs returns more closely to the Genesis story line of Jacob and his two wives. Both Rose and Leanna are expecting babies - how can Jamie protect the women he loves when he is caught in an impossible web of deceit and selfishness? When everyone around him has controlled his life, how can he determine who he will follow and where his own allegiances lie? Can the family return home to Glentrool and will they be welcome? Or must they flee for their lives in complete poverty?
In this powerful tale, readers will follow along as Jamie becomes a man of faith and honor. There are some significant differences in the story line from Genesis, but Higgs follows the main outlines much more closely than in the middle volume of this trilogy. (She manages to stay generally true to the biblical story, while also bringing about a happy resolution that avoids polygamy!)
The content is best for mature women as it deals with sin, adultery, marital relationships, and pregnancy.

[Arna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just finished the 3rd in the series I feel I can write something. I know the bible stories well from which these stories are based and I am glad they slightly departed from the original during the 3rd book. I have had a love /hate relationship with these stories. How could Jamie be so gullible? Could he not see Rose's immaturity and weaknesses? How could Rose act like she does? Is it possible to be so saintly as Leana is? The books are set in the 1700's in Scotland when a father acted like God to his household and what people put up with then, we wouldn't today.
Liz Curtis Higgs writes a well researched series. I felt enriched with having read these books. I love the Christian input which is also challenging to the reader. The poetry that opens each chapter is also a delight.
Well done Liz!

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great historical fiction novel. For context, this was book 3 of the series; However, I do hope to find books 1 and 2 sometime this year, as well as the last book.

This series follows the life of Jamie McKie and the love he has for both McBride sisters. Each one has a son, but, only one cab be his heir.

I had a great time reading this. Jamie was trying very hard to love his first wife, Leana. However, he also had affection for the other sister, Rose.

At some point while I was reading this book, it felt like the similar story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel from the Bible.

I really hope to find the start of this series in the very near future.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I had mixed feelings in the end. Although I was happy for Leana, I was sad how it all worked out. I loved Rose’s spunk and her revenge on her father! Then how she resolved it. Throughout the series I was impressed with the author’s knowledge and understanding of the Bible and her ability to use them as a strength for the faithful characters and as a weapon by others. I also loved how she illustrated throughout the series how forgiveness heals. It was a Christian book with strong beliefs but it depicted a way of life during a certain time period so it wasn’t preachy.

[K.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you finished book two and you're contemplating burning it- don't stop there! READ BOOK THREE!!!!!! Oh my goodness, this book series is one that will stick with me forever. I cannot get enough of Ms. Higgs' writing. Phenomenal. Her characters are both lovable and loathsome. She has a true talent and is not one to pass over!! Book three was a beautiful finish to the story of Rose, Leana, and Jamie.... though I'm excited for Book four which explores one of their children's journeys.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place in Scotland in the 1700s. Jamie is torn between two women, both Rose and her sister Leana. He has been married to both of them and they are both pregnant by Jamie. Trouble reigns on the sheep farm where the sisters' father makes life miserable for all of them. They head for Jamie's home far north of there. It is a long and difficult journey that ends in tragedy. One sister is left. Which one will it be? Is there hope for a happy ending?

[Kw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm ambivalent about this book. Crazy plot and a hard-to-believe love story - or stories. Also it was very long, though fairly predictable. But I finished it, so I must have enjoyed it! An interesting look into Scots history, but the dialect became pretty tedious. I love Scotland and always look forward to novels set there, but enough is sometimes too much!