Fair is the Rose (Lowlands of Scotland Series #2)

Wow... This book has so much in it; a love triangle, betrayal and a wicked parent - yes you read that right! PARENT!!! Not Step-parent! Doesn't that make it so much worse?…Fair is the Rose takes place during the 18th century in Scotland. The author, Liz Curtis Higgs continues the story she began with her book Thorn in my Heart - it's not necessary to read this first book though to understand this one, but OMG!!! It is so good!!! I really recommend it just because I think you'll really enjoy it.Back to explaining Fair is the Rose... the book centers on two sisters; Leana and Rose, their cousin Jamie and the sisters' father Lachlan McBride. You'll find that this story (along with book 1 of the series) Higgs is taking the Biblical story Jacob, Esau, Lea and Rachel and telling it from a perspective of only a couple of hundred years ago (rather than thousands) so we can better relate to how the people were feeling. I mean, seriously, there were chapters upon chapters where my heart was breaking for Leana. I was really able to gain a deeper understanding for what Rachel and especially Leah went through so many hundreds of years ago.Higgs was also able to show how generous and loving a person can be. No matter what was thrown at that girl, Leana looked toward the Lord and showed love and thoughtfulness toward everyone - even when they didn't deserve it!!!! I mean seriously!!! I think we all could learn a lesson from her!The book really showed how generous and loving a person can be (Leana) and also how selfish and thoughtless someone can be (Rose). It's a wonderful book and I really do recommend it. Be ready to cry throughout it because it is a tear-jerker. Personally I would get the first book of the series first, Thorn in My Heart, but it isn't necessary.

We return to 18th century Scotland to the thorny love triangle that is Jamie, Leana, and Rose. Desperately determined to have Jamie to herself despite his marriage for Leana, Rose employs every charm in her employ to bring his heart towards her own once more. She ignores her conscience thinking all is fair in love, never dreaming of the tragic consequences. Her sister, Leana, patient and full of faith in Jamie and God, never sees what the future has in store. But she dotes on Ian, hoping that she will one day be as happy as she once was.Jamie has every intention of returning to Glentrool to claim his stolen birthright. But again, things do not go well for him and his plans, and Lachlan delays him at every turn. Which McBride sister will be his bride upon his return? And will he be well received, or will Evan's jealousy that has taken root over two years finally yield it's bitter fruit?The saga continues in this breathtaking second installment of Higg's Scottish series. While I couldn't help but love each and every character development in this story, it broke my heart to read line after line of terrible, yet necessary details. I knew things had to happen, but that didn't make it any easier. There are moments of joy, pain, happiness, dread, peace, passion, faithfulness, heartache, and redemption, in every chapter. I reveled in every moment in all their lives, and I despaired with them when it seemed all was lost. While this book is very important to the story and a pivotal book in the series, it was hard to not get emotionally involved the more I read on. If you're not a fan of this author, by the time you get to this book in the Scottish saga you will be involved as you're going to get. Love, love, love this book and series. Highly recommended.

This series by Liz Curtis Higgs takes the biblical account of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel and fictionalizes it into a Scottish tale in the 1700's. After getting past the Scottish brogue in the first novel, these books are a fascinating read. The author weaves the story and the characters well and stays true to biblical events, while changing them just enough to fit into her fictional story. Main characters become heroes/heroines and then become vilians just as quickly.I've always loved fictional stories based on biblical stories because it allows one to imagine what the person really went through. The biblical accounts are often short and emotions are often looked over while we read the events. A series like this truly puts those emotions and events into a real life situation, although it is a real life situation in the 1700's.Highly recommended for those who love historical fiction.

I have loved both the first and second books on this trilogy. I just have a hard time with some of the Scottish words since I am reading on my tablet. It makes it harder to look back in the glossary. It is amazing how strict the churches were back in the time of the books. The punishment for breaking rules seems horrible - sitting on a stool in sack cloth in front of the whole congregation. How humiliating! I suppose it did prevent a lot of people from sinning, however I guess I am glad to live now.I attended a women's day workshop led by Mrs. Higgs last year. I am so glad to have been introduced to her Christian fiction. She is excellent in creating her characters with great emotion and yet with maturity. I highly recommend these books to others!

God has given Liz Curtis Higgs a VERY SPECIAL GIFT to write books. She is a natural. Not only did I get lost in her historical fiction for hours but MY HUSBAND laughed and cried with me as well, knowing how much the stories meant to me as I read them.'Thorn in My Heart', 'Fair is the Rose', and 'Whence Came a Prince' are Biblically based and they are real. The reader experiences BEAUTIFUL, RAW, GOD GIVEN EMOTIONS while reading them. You cry, you hurt, you love, you inflate, you deflate, you heal, and you love some more.Whatever you do, if you are a woman who is forever searching for worthy Christian fiction, PLEASE DO NOT PASS THIS SERIES (or any of Liz Curtis Higgs books) BY. Buy the books and let them bless you!

one need to read the whole series which does become expensive

Rose is parallel to Rachel in the Bible story. Here somehow all the familiarities of the beautiful and much loved wife of Jacob differ or may be chosen to differ y the author.Felt the Rose character here does not portray the biblical character. So cautionary reading and imaginative mind required to only take this as a novel not the true representation.I actually felt sorry for Rose here as she certainly has been dealt a raw deal by father, lover and sister.

Excellent Book

Yet another great book from Liz Curtis Higgs. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. Looking forward to the next

Heart breaking for the people in the book, the love and devotion and utter helplessness in the situation, was most rewarding reading.