Here Burns My Candle

Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of twenty-seven books with three million copies in print, including her best-selling Scottish historical novels, Thorn in My Heart, Fair Is the Rose, Christy Award–winner Whence Came a Prince, and Grace in Thine Eyes.

“Liz Curtis Higgs has an unmatched ability to illuminate the depth of human emotions while taking her readers on a breathtaking journey through the darkness and light of another time and another place. With the deft hand only a master storyteller can apply, Higgs reaches back to the past and weaves a multi-threaded tapestry into a brilliant tale of betrayal and challenge, love and redemption. Her gift continues to shine.” — BJ Hoff, author of The Emerald Ballad series

“A wonderful retelling of the story of Ruth by one of my favorite authors. Here Burns My Candle is rich with historic detail and living, breathing characters that engaged me from page one right through to the perfect ending.” — Francine Rivers, author of Redeeming Love

“Prepare to burn your own candle well into the night as Higgs treats us to a verra wonderful Scottish tale of faith, forgiveness, love, loss, and secrets. I couldna put it doon!” — Deeanne Gist, author of A Bride in the Bargain

“Settle in with Here Burns My Candle, Liz Curtis Higgs’s imaginative reworking of the tale of Naomi and Ruth, and venture back to a dangerous and fascinating time with characters who are as endearing as they are flawed. You can almost hear the drums of war and the swish of kilts and satin.” — Angela Hunt, author of Let Darkness Come

“Higgs’s pen flows with gold when it turns to Scotland. Enticing from gripping first page to satisfying last, Here Burns My Candle will sweep you away!” — Tamera Alexander, author of Beyond This Moment

“Once again Liz Curtis Higgs pens an exceptional story of intrigue, romance, and spiritual faith. Her attention to historical detail gives this story a life all its own, and the characters were so real I found myself thinking about them throughout the day. I simply could not put this book down.” — Tracie Peterson, author of Dawn’s Prelude

“Liz Curtis Higgs writes with a cinematic eye—color, texture, emotional depth. Her words give breath to this fresh twist on a beloved Old Testament story. Here Burns My Candle radiates the author’s love of Scotland and its mesmeric history in this story of women bound by obligation yet tethered to devotion. It will keep you up all night until you’ve turned the last dramatic page!” — Patricia Hickman, author of The Pirate Queen

“I love a story that engages the heart first, the mind second. While reading Higgs’s novel, I became her noble heroine and was convicted by similarities to her antagonist, learning through it all. Come away to an enchanting glimpse of ancient Scotland and beyond. Truly amazing.” — Lisa Tawn Bergren, author of The Begotten

Based on the story of Naomi and Ruth, Liz Curtis Higgs’ historical novel Here Burns My Candle does not follow the traditional Christian romance plot. Elisabeth Kerr struggles to keep her Jacobite loyalties and pagan views a secret from her royalist, Christian family, especially her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. As Prince Charles leads a rebellion against the crown in 1745 Scotland, Elisabeth begins to question her beliefs while her family’s loyalties begin to change. Changes don’t go unnoticed, however, and the Kerr family will have to deal with the consequences of its choices.

Higgs’ detailed description of the historical and pagan setting of the novel does not match her not-so-detailed description of the Kerrs’ faith. Although she quotes several times from Psalms and has characters going to church, she never mentions Christ. Here Burns My Candle does not lack in redemptive themes, however. Elisabeth is not the only one with secrets. When covert affairs unravel, she and her husband must reconcile before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Elisabeth’s mother-in-law tries to accept her and slowly learns of the gift of hope, the one burning candle she has left, in her precious daughter-in-law. The family will have to learn to “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14) before things can get better.

Readers familiar with the book of Ruth will already know how the story ends. With very little romance, but many intriguing characters, Higgs takes a predictable story and makes it original. She shows her talent through her ability to keep the reader’s attention despite an obvious ending. From her well-crafted wording to her intriguing and realistic characters, Higgs has created a book worth reading, a book that will have readers begging for the soon-to-be-released sequel. – Harmony Wheeler, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Praise for Here Burns My Candle

"Liz Curtis Higgs has an unmatched ability to illuminate the depth of human emotions while taking her readers on a breathtaking journey through the darkness and light of another time and another place. With the deft hand only a master storyteller can apply, Higgs reaches back to the past and weaves a multi-threaded tapestry into a brilliant tale of betrayal and challenge, love and redemption. Her gift continues to shine."
—BJ Hoff, author of The Emerald Ballad series

"A wonderful retelling of the story of Ruth by one of my favorite authors. Here Burns My Candle is rich with historic detail and living, breathing characters that engaged me from page one right through to the perfect ending."
—Francine Rivers, author of Redeeming Love

"Prepare to burn your own candle well into the night as Higgs treats us to a verra wonderful Scottish tale of faith, forgiveness, love, loss, and secrets. I couldna put it doon!"
—Deeanne Gist, author of A Bride in the Bargain

"Settle in with Here Burns My Candle, Liz Curtis Higgs’s imaginative reworking of the tale of Naomi and Ruth, and venture back to a dangerous and fascinating time with characters who are as endearing as they are flawed. You can almost hear the drums of war and the swish of kilts and satin."
—Angela Hunt, author of Let Darkness Come

"Higgs’s pen flows with gold when it turns to Scotland. Enticing from gripping first page to satisfying last, Here Burns My Candle will sweep you away!"
—Tamera Alexander, author of Beyond This Moment

"Once again Liz Curtis Higgs pens an exceptional story of intrigue, romance, and spiritual faith. Her attention to historical detail gives this story a life all its own, and the characters were so real I found myself thinking about them throughout the day. I simply could not put this book down." 
—Tracie Peterson, author of Dawn’s Prelude

"Liz Curtis Higgs writes with a cinematic eye—color, texture, emotional depth. Her words give breath to this fresh twist on a beloved Old Testament story. Here Burns My Candle radiates the author’s love of Scotland and its mesmeric history in this story of women bound by obligation yet tethered to devotion. It will keep you up all night until you’ve turned the last dramatic page!"
—Patricia Hickman, author of The Pirate Queen

"I love a story that engages the heart first, the mind second. While reading Higgs’s novel, I became her noble heroine and was convicted by similarities to her antagonist, learning through it all. Come away to an enchanting glimpse of ancient Scotland and beyond. Truly amazing."
—Lisa Tawn Bergren, author of The Begotten