Liz Curtis Higgs, Grace in Thine Eyes

Grace in Thine Eyes

Liz Curtis Higgs

WaterBrook, Mar 2006, $20.99

ISBN: 1578562597

In 1808 in Glen of Loch Trool, Scotland, twin brothers Will and Sandy McKie feel a need to protect their wee seventeen year old mute sister Davina. Thus when their father Jamie arranges for the siblings to attend the university in Edinburgh, they and Davina are upset. Their older brother Ian understands that the family patriarch has to make difficult decisions when it comes to second born sons, but though he supports his dad, he and his mother Leana are also distressed, just not as vocal as Will and Sandy.

Jamie knows the twins will be fully occupied with their studies, and his oldest son is courting Margaret McMillan, so his concern turns to his beloved daughter. He decides a trip to his cousins on the Isle of Arran will distract her until everyone settles into their new roles. At Arran, her family welcomes Davina, and her skill with the fiddle becomes known. Rakish Highlander Somerled MacDonald and Davina meet, she flirts with him and he seduces her. Word of what happened that Midsummer's Eve reaches Loch Trool and Edinburgh. While Jamie fumes, the twins take action leading to Somerled and his father falling off the cliffs of Goatfell on Arran. Davina holds herself culpable, as does everyone else because she brought shame to her family.

GRACE IN THINE EYES is a superb inspirational historical, propelled predominately by Davina, but somewhat by the twins and their father. The key is that the personalities of the McKie family is set early and remains consistent throughout. Fans of deep character driven tales will appreciate this strong Regency era novel starring a wonderful female poorly coping with tragic events, as the scarlet letter of gossip follows her even at home; females take the blame for scandals.