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by Vickie McDonough
Dancing Word Reviewer
Title: Fair is the Rose
Author: Liz Curtis Higgs
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
ISBN: 1-57856-127-2
Genre: Inspirational/Historical/Romance
Though Leana McBride loves her sister, Rose, with all her heart, she loves
Jamie McKie-the man Rose is betrothed to-even more. Through a weird set of
events, Leana is delighted to end up married to Jamie, but Rose is
devastated that her loving sister stole her intended husband. Nine months
later, Jamie and Leana have a darling son, but Rose has no one.
Though she was Jamie's first love, it seems his affections have
transferred to Leana, the mother of his child. Filled with jealousy and
desperate to recapture Jamie's love, Rose seeks the help of an unsavory
woman. Soon afterwards, it comes to light there's been an error in the
church records. Rose finally has a chance to set the record straight about
Leana's betrayal, and she is certain she can make Jamie love her again.
But is winning Jamie's hand worth the cost? How far is Rose willing to go
to get the man she loves?
In Fair is the Rose, the sequel to Thorn In My Heart, Liz
Curtis Higgs continues the tragic story of two sisters in love with the
same man. Things come full circle in this Scottish takeoff of the biblical
story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Be sure to hang on, because your
emotions will travel a whirlwind rollercoaster ride of ultimate highs and
heart-breaking lows, as well as unbelievable twists and turns.
While I didn't care for the way this book ended, I can hardly wait for the
next one to come out. I want to see if my choice for Jamie wins out
despite the odds against her. Liz Curtis Higgs does an outstanding job of
bringing early Scotland to life with its quirky superstitions, strict
religious practices, and the tastes, smells, and dialect of the culture
and time period.
Fair is the Rose has a truly horrible antagonist that you can't
help but want to love and root for at times and yet want to slap some
sense into her at other times. The story's heroine remains a bastion of
faith and compassion while her own world is crumbling around her. She is a
shining example of a wounded soul who puts her hand in God's, knowing she
doesn't walk alone through the darkness.
I believe most readers will have a love-hate relationship with Fair
is the Rose. I wanted to throw this book across the room at times, and
yet I couldn't let it out of my hands because I had to know what happened
next. Fans of Liz Curtis Higgs will be standing in line, waiting for the
next installment of her Scottish historical series.
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