Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

Mine Is the Night is a retelling of the story of Ruth and Naomi set in 18th century Scotland. Higgs does an amazing job of recreating the beautiful love story of Ruth. I was drawn to the book by the name Lady Elisabeth Kerr... if you know me personally, then you know why.  I just had to read it!  Of course, it's based in Scotland and both my husband and I are of Scottish ancestry.

Lady Elisabeth Kerr and her mother-in-law, Lady Marjory Kerr, are stripped of their money, homes and titles when their husbands are killed fighting against the king.  They leave Edinburgh heading to Selkirk, Lady Marjory's town/home of origin.  They have know idea if any family is still living or if they will even be welcomed, but it's their only hope of home.  They are trusting God to meet their needs.

Admiral Lord Jack Buchanan has decided to settle in Selkirk at the home Tweedsford that was rewarded him for his service in the King's Navy.  Tweedsford was once the home of Lady Marjory Kerr, but when her holdings were stripped from her in Edinbugh, they were also stripped in Selkirk.  Jack knows nothing of the previous owners... he just knows he can settle down if his restlessness doesn't get the better of him.  When he gets to Selkirk, one of the household employees catches his eye - Lady Elisabeth.  He sees shes still in mourning, but is continually drawn to her and wanting to help her.

They must battle soldiers, societal rules and prejudices to come together.  How will God work? Can the Kerr women be pardoned for being traitors to the Crown?  Can they ever be happy again? 

Higgs has depicted a beautiful tale of sorrows, love, faith and trust in God.  What I love most about the book is that it uses the speech/dialect of the Scottish without bogging the reader down trying to figure out what's being said.  She very much kept it Scottish and focused while keeping the reader enraptured by the story.   I would definitely recommend reading Here Burns My Candle first.  I have not read it yet, but will as soon as I can get a copy.  It is the prequel to Mine is the Night.