Thorn in My Heart (Lowlands of Scotland Series #1)

I have enjoyed Liz Higgs's previous novels, and this one was a most engaging read, especially after I caught on to the Jacob-Leah-Rachel connection. The Scots dialect made for some difficult going at times, but the characterizations partook fully of the cultural flavor - stern, upright, demanding, principled - and echoed well their Old Testament analogues.
I especially enjoyed the problems that loomed as the end of the story approached; after all, Jamie cannot marry both sisters - he's Presbyterian! The author's solution faces the problems squarely: The agonies and ecstasies of people in love, and the schemes that come back to plague the schemer, fill these pages. And the ending met my ultimate test: I found it satisfying and right.
Higgs has set herself a daunting challenge and responded to it with style. For me, the novel was not quite a home run: Her amazing way with humor was not a real option for this story, so she rounded third and then had to hold up. But I've always found a triple more exciting than a home run anyway, and this book represents an impressive change of pace for her. Color me enthusiastic!

I'm usually not one for romance novels, but decided to read this book because of its parallel to the Biblical story. It's great for someone with a short attention span (like me) because the chapters are short. I like the appropriate quotes at the beginning of each chapter, too.
If you've read the Bible story, you already know where the story is going. The interesting part for me was seeing how the author would pull it off in the context of the time and place. I also learned a lot about the customs and superstitions of the time. My only complaint is about the ereader version. There were a lot of misspellings and format errors. At times I wasn't sure if the word I was struggling with was a Scottish term or merely a typo.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next one or not. As I said, I'm not much into reading romances. I might make an exception for this one, though. It's a great way to spend a rainy weekend.

I can't write this review without thinking of the other two that finish the series. This book was heart breaking and depressing. I liked the books and i had to finish them to know the ending. I can say i was at peace with the ending of the third book. The first two were sad and made me upset. I will also not read the Bible story the same again. I feel an attachment to them now. I never gave Leah a second thought untill now. Its a good read i just get too attached.

I was SHOCKED to read several poor reviews on this book. When I picked it up, I literally could not put it down . . . and went on to read the other books in the series, which were all equally as riveting. My attention has never been held as firmly, nor my emotions wrapped up so completely in a book as they were by this one. An absolutely incredible read! Liz Curtis Higgs based the novels in this series on the Biblical story of Jacob and his wives Leah and Rachel. If you do not know that story, and do not understand this first and foremost, you will probably find the book rather unbelievable and maybe even a little ridiculous. But I think Liz Curtis Higgs did a beautiful job of presenting the Biblical story in a way that makes it easier for her readers to understand the complexity of what actually went on in the lives of Jacob and his wives. I, for one, came away with a new understanding and a new appreciation of that story. If you are looking for an incredible read that will have you laughing hysterically one moment and literally weeping the next, you have come to the right place! Just make sure you keep a box of tissues handy . . . because you will need it!

I loved this series. In fact, I've bought multiple copies of it to give to friends. I agree with most of the other reviews here about the basic plot and feeling of the story, so I won't go into that, but I do want to give a couple "warnings" about the series.

Warning #1--This first book starts out kinda slow. It's setting the stage and giving a background of the culture and I found it very hard to get past the first half or so of the book. Once I really got into it, though, I loved it and flew through the other books! (I also realized while I was reading the last book that in the back of the books there's a dictionary of sorts to help with the words they use if you can't understand their meaning).

Warning #2--This is not a "fluffy" romance. It's intense and I wouldn't recommend it for a reader who is not mature (I'd say college age and up). I read it about a year after I got married (in my early 20s) and thought it was perfect.

Liz has written a fantastic book. Based on the book of Genesis, she makes the characters come alive in a way most authors fail to do.

I bought the book because of the setting: I am a sucker for Scottish Historicals. I'll admit, I didn't expect to fall totally in love with the characters and their stories, but I did. By the end of the book, I was begging for more....I couldn't wait to find the next book!

Leana and Rose are your typical sisters - Rose is a wee bit spoiled, Leana is the doting "mother"....when Leana falls in love with Jamie, who is in love with Rose, who isn't interested -and when both sisters are betrayed, you can not put the book down!

Liz has a marvelous gift of making the characters real - she shows all their faults as well as their gifts. They aren't 2 dimensional, they are folks you know. I saw some of my own faults in Rose and Leana.....but I also saw a lot of redeeming qualities as well. I wish more authors had this gift!

Seriously, I highly recommend this series to everyone I run into - Liz has done a marvelous job in the retelling of Jacob's story. She has made the people involved real, not just words on a page. I went back to the Bible and re-read Genesis with a new appreciation of what happened, and a bit more understanding of maybe why it happened. So, grab a copy, curl up on the couch, and lose yourself in the Scottish glen. You won't regret it!

When i first started this book i thought it was going to be boring, but right from the beginning i loved it and couldn't put it down! This book takes you to a very diffferent time and place very much based on the story from the Bible of Jacob and Esau and Rachel and leah. Even though i know the Bible story by heart this book still kept me guessing and even had a few surprises mixed in! I would reccommend this book to just about anyone, I am already half done the second and have already bought the third!

Though I understood at the outset that this story paralleled Rachel/Leah and Jacob of the Bible, it still started out too slow and detailed for me so I skipped to the part where Leana pretends to be Rose at the wedding. From that point on the story was truly addicting. I wanted to pull an all-nighter to finish it. The end left me satisfied because I wanted Jamie to love Leana and not spoiled Rose, and he did. I couldn't wait to read the next book, fearing the parallel to the Biblical account and wondering how it would be pulled off without being a thorn in my heart. :)

I just wanted to say that I thought this was a great book and very heart wrenching~ It's amazing and inspirational to see the strength and courage in the charecter Leana. All of the charecters are developed very well and the setting is wonderful. Liz definitely did her homework! Her writing is so descriptive that you feel you are living right alongside the charecters in 17th century Scotland~ I had no problems understanding the addition of Scottish words- using the context you are easily able to pick-up the meanings...

Wonderful read- Can't wait for Whence comes a Prince!

We knew she could write humor, but Liz Curtis Higgs demonstrates a mastery with fiction as she retells a familiar story in an unfamiliar setting. Two brothers battle for a father's blessing. One brother flees and discovers what it means to be on the other end of betrayal when he falls for a girl, only to be given the hand of her sister. He must face the enormity of what he has done and open his heart to forgive others, but even more so, himself.
Beautifully written. I couldn't put it down until the last page.

This book was great and the second one is even better (Fair is the Rose). I had to write a review since I read so many reviews about how it wasn't like the Biblical story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah - it isn't supposed to be an exact copy, it's fiction and loosely based on that story. I thought it was wonderful and couldn't put it down. It causes you to look inwardly at your own selfishness and see the actions by the characters in the book and wonder if you would have done the same thing. These books stir your emotions like only a few other books I have ever read (Francine Rivers' books are good too). I loved these books and CAN'T WAIT until March for the 3rd one!

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!

I have never written a review on a book before but I felt compelled to write one on this book. Because I think of lighthearted humor when I think of Higgs, I was surprised in the best sort of way as I got into Thorn in My Heart. Higgs really did her homework before attempting such a project as this story. Right down to the quotes of the old masters of literature at the beginning of each chapter, the story is rich in every way. I loved the book and hated to see it end. It's one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's got depth, is colorful, entertaining and heart wrenching. It was fun to realize early in the book, the takeoff that it was on Jacob and Esau...right down to the same first initial of the characters as those in the story from Genesis. I can't wait until her 'Fair is the Rose' comes out and the opportunity to revisit Leana, Rose and Jamie.

Okay, I ABSOLUTLY LOVE this book and I can't wait to read the rest in the sieres!!! I cried and cried and yet I loved it! And I NEVER cry at books! I don't want to give away too much of the story (you can look at the other reviews for that) but it really made me step back and look at the story of Leah and Rachel (sp?) in a whole new way. I've always thought of Leah as being a kind of prostitute or something- throwing herself at Jacob when he was drunk. There is, of course, some sexual content, but that's to be expected. In this book there are no 'good' people or 'bad' people- it's all who you relate to and feel compassionate towards. Maybe that's why I love it. It's like real life! Twisted and wrong and right and full of sorrow and joy all molded together so that it's almost impossible to tell the difference. I love Liz Curtis Higg's books and hope she continues to write them!!!!!!!!
A girl (daughter of account holder)

When I picked up this trilogy I didn't know it was the story of the Biblical Jacob, but the author made it so obvious I picked up on this fact within a few paragraphs. Then I got excited because the love story of Jacob and Rachel is one of the most beautiful in the Bible. I still do not understand why the author chose to place the story in eighteenth century Scotland. The author was tediously paralleling Jacob's life in the beginning then heads into alternate Biblical history which I find disconcerting. The stories of the patriarchs should not be altered. Oh, and the middle English spellings of words was really annoying.

Why I hate Leeana (Leah) in this story. Over and over, the author keeps writing that Leeana should have been the choice of Jamie (Jacob) because she was the epitome of sacrificial love. Let me tell me how in the story Leeana was the MOST SELFISH OF ALL. First, when her father promises her hand in marriage to a man she is not physically attracted to, she doesn't try to love him and even refuses the marriage once Jaime comes to live with them - even though it is obvious from the first that Jamie is smitten with her younger sister Rose (Rachel). Jamie rebuffs her attempts and tells her plainly he's not interested, yet she keeps trying to win his affections. After Jamie becomes engaged to Rose, Leeana professes her love to Jaime, asking him to marry her instead, and is soundly told by Jaime that he loves only Rose. When that doesn't work, she hides herself under Rose's bride veil and presents herself in a completely darkened room as Rose to a sleeping, drunk Jamie who thinks his wife has finally arrived to consummate their marriage.

How is she the self-sacrificing one? The one full of love? She becomes obsessed with Jaime, stalks him after he's engaged to her sister, refuses to obey her father in marrying another, and then jumps naked into the bed of a drunk bridegroom.

On the other hand, Rose doesn't want to marry Jamie because she's too young but obeys her father and tries to find affection in her heart for her future groom. She spends much more time with him and grows to romantically love him by their wedding only to find out that her sister took advantage of her drunk husband and is now his wife.

What is scary is that the author creates Reader's Notes at the end to let you know that two side characters, Neda and Duncan, are supposedly to help everyone do what is right in God's eyes......But, Neda is the one who tells Leeana to jump into Jaime's bed and steal him for her husband. God would never give that advice.

The story ends with Jamie having an emotional affair with Rose while being physically faithful to his pregnant wife (except for kissing). The novel ends with Jamie's son's birth and him deciding to try and love his wife and put Rose behind him.

It is very obvious who the author is cheering for: Leeana. It appears she wants to re-write the Biblical Leah's tale and have her become the victor of Jacob's heart. I almost had to put the book down when the character Jamie says that he didn't know what love was until Leeana loved him for love was sacrifice. But I can't see this. If Leeana sacrificed her own obsession with Jamie, she would have let the two people who loved each other get married. She put herself first. Jaime and Rose's misery was because of Leeana's selfishness.

I am a married mother of two and I am enjoying this book, but I would NOT give this book to my young unmarried daughter to read!! THere are scenes of young unmarried sex in this book. (What kind of a Christian fiction romance book is this? Not the kind you can give to your daughter.) Yes, I know that it is written after the Bible story of Jacob and Leah and Rachel, but they were married, even though they were cousins and polygamy was acceptable at that time. Leana was not married to Jamie. It IS a good book if you are an adult. I don't agree with the review that it raises the bar on Christian fiction, simply because of the sex factor.

As a writer, I appreciate LCH's technique and style. She makes her characters believable. And proved that you don't have to be the pretty one to win the guy you love.
As a reader she made a familiar story feel vibrant and new. She made TIMH such an enjoyable read that I wouldn't mind picking it up again.
My only issue came with flipping to the back to read the glossary. I liked her finding the authentic words, but would have preferred the translation mixed in somehow.

"Thorn in my Heart" was a wonderfully written book. The book's main character Leana is very believable emotionally. I cheered her on all through the book. She was flawed, BUT she repented and asked for forgiveness. Rose however, had me hoping that her character would have a change of heart, but instead, she grew more embittered and selfish. The descriptions in the book were so vivid and colorful! By the end of the book, I was craving shortbread:)

I agree with the reader who could only get through 1/3 of the book. I made it to 1/4 and felt as though I was hard pressed to get that far. I skimmed the rest of the book and was grateful I chose not to read it. None of the characters seem to have any redeeming qualities. The Christian values one might expect from a Christian novel are completely lacking. Not one character seems to be of strong moral fiber. I felt as though the whole purpose of the book was to describe the beauties of Scotland and encourage readers to disregard personal values, if the end goal was reached. Lying, cheating, adultery and over descriptive intimacy are all here for the taking.
The main character Jamie is a spineless wimp who does whatever it takes to please others. I won't read anything further from this author.

I ENJOYED THE BOOK. THIS BOOK GIVES THE A POINT OF VIEW FROM SCOTTISH HISTORY AND A TIME BEFORE JESUS; WHEN SUPERSITITON WAS PREVALENT AND TIED TO CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. THE STORY LINE WAS WONDERFUL. BE PREPARED THIS BOOK IS FICTIONAL. IT GIVES SOME POSSBILITIES OF HOW RACHAEL AND LEAH FELT WITH JACOB. THIS BOOK IS FOR ENJOYMENT ONLY. IF YOU WANT TRUE FACTS OF JACOB, LEAH AND RACHAEL'S STORY. READ YOUR BIBLE!!!!! READ ONE BOOK AND YOU WILL WANT TO SEE HOW ALL FOUR END; THORN IN MY HEART; FAIR IS THE ROSE' WHENCE THE PRINCE CAME, AND GRACE IN THINE EYES

Wow. Liz Curtis Higgs really outdid herself this time. I've read all of her other books and thoroughly enjoyed them, but this one really hit the spot! She makes learning about biblibal characters fun and you'll probably find yourself eagerly searching through the Bible to learn more and more. This book leaves you hungry for "Fair is the Rose." I can hardly wait!!! I also really enjoyed "Mad Mary" and "Bad Girls." Oh, and I can't forget about "Bookends" and "Mixed Signals." Try them all, she's the best!

The story line grabs you and you feel as though you are seeing the story unfold in front of you. Higgs paints the scenery like a painting and the pain and joy the characters feel soon become your own. I am already 150 pages into the second book just a day after finishing this masterpiece.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!! I went back and forth between the book story and my Bible. Of course the book is very detailed and the Bible does not give all the little details, but it was a good parallel. I couldn't put it down once I got half way through!!!

I love Liz Curtis Higg's non fiction books, and was excited to see this series. Alas, I found the story to be forced (yes, I know it's based on the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau). For me, the way Ms Curtis-Higgs chose to update the story just didn't seem realistic...many parts didn't seem plausible at all! I had to force myself to finish the first book. Unfortunately, I'd purchased the entire series. I gave the books to our church library as I couldn't bring myself to read them. Apparently, others have felt differently as there are plenty of positive reviews.

400 pages of boo-hoo-ing between 2 one-dimensional sisters and a weak, manipulative male love interest. Yuck. Jamie really does love Leana. He just doesn't know it. So he abuses her with cold behavior and verbal abuse for 300 pages! But wait, he is able to climb into the marital bed and impregnate her within 7 days! And poor, poor, Leana. She just loves Jamie with all her heart and is willing to endure all manner of humiliation. Her love is enough to change him and the world! When Jamie realizes she's carrying her son, well, he will finally realize how much he loves her. Oh Please! This is a harlequin romance dressed up in a fancy cover and hardback binding. There are no surprises in this one at all. As romance novels go, I suppose this one is fine. But wait for paperback, please.

Could not put the entire series down once I started. You have to read all 3!! The author does a wonderful job of translating Scotland to the pages and you can feel the love pour out between the characters.

I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a romantic read!

This book is based on the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau. The first several chapters were a slow read, but as I continued, my interest grew to the point that I couldn't put it down. Word for word, line by line, page by page, chapter by chapter, book by book until all three in the series were read. If you find yourself struggling to get through the beginning, keep reading, it's well worth it. I loved them all!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series. Very well researched & written. I couldn't put it down. You may as well order the other 2 books now, because you won't be able to stop with just one.

I love to read, and was very excited to learn about this trilogy. I bought just the first book to see if I would like the content, but as it turns out, I am glad that I didn't buy the whole set. The quality of writing was excellent, and the research represented was impressive. The story line definitely kept your attention. So why didn't I like it? As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a retelling of the story of the Biblical story Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. I didn't mind that the author used great creativity in making her characters resemble their Biblical counterparts, and yet not make the story predictable (which it certainly wasn't). And I would have greatly enjoyed the whole book except for this: the author beautifully details Jamie's wedding to Rose, who actually wasn't present and was represented by Leana by proxy. But she goes on to specifically detail the wedding night and any adult reader will know what I mean. This is completely uncalled for in a work of "Christian" fiction. The story can be beautiful, touching, and compelling without details that, while true, are not to be displayed before every eye. A person who desires to be pure in heart and a follower of Christ would never watch a R- or X-rated movie. Why then is it okay to read the same details? Why do we excuse the scene when it is written and not watched?

I was sorely disappointed and in my opinion, that content ruined the book. I threw my copy away -- I don't want my daughters finding it on my shelf and discovering with a racing heart and flushed cheeks what is so blatantly described. No person -- woman or man, young or old, married or young -- has a need to read in detail what God created to be a beautiful, intimate, and very private experience between a man and his wife.

There is nothing that frustrates me more than when a Christian book "dumbs down" the reader. This was the most boring, pathetic book I've tried to read in a long time. I love history, I love the Christian theme, but I couldn't even finish this book. I read 1/3 of it , but even reading that much was laborous. Don't waste your money on this dribble.

I thought that this book would be enlighting, but it proved other wise.

I began to read this book and felt myself bewitched, until something snapped in me and I said to myself "What kind of book am I reading!"

I stopped reading the book and will never pick up another book written by Liz curtis Higgs: which is a shame for she does have talent to write books.

Now I will tell you what i found in this book which is offensive.

In the beginning it says how the pregnant woman puts all her trust in God, but yet believes in silly superstition.

Another thing is how Jamie falls in love with Rose just for her looks; that is not true love!

- The father doesn't love his daughter's, just wants to marry them off.

-Rose even says that she is not ready for marrige but yet goes against herself.

-Jamie is Rose's cousin, but yet wants to marry her.(You are not allowed to marry family!)

-Leana, for some reason falls in love with Jamie, how? Who knows.

- If Jamie really did love Rose, he would of waited for her to come and then marry her, no matter what. But instead he asks Leana to take her place, which is the most stupidest thing ever, in other words he is not married to Rose in the eyes of the true God.

- Leana commits the sin of adultery (Before doing this, she was asking for Rose's forgivness : if you know what your about to do is wrong then don't do it!

- Her father threatens her, if she doen't get married to Jamie then she won't get married at all, as if Jamie was the only man on earth...

There is no romance in this book only stupidness, if you want true romance then read books by Dee Henderson or find another author who rights true romance.

Don't waste your time on such useless books that only damages your soul and mind.

You my just ignore all the wrong in this book, but if a person continues to read books such as these, it will be engraved into your thinking,and then you won't even see the sin in it, but accept as right.