"Heartwarming story of Love and Redemption"

Evan and James McKie are twins and since childhood there has always been a fierce competition between them over every single thing. Evan, the hunter and outdoorsman, is closer to his father, while scholarly and clever Jamie is dear to his mother. A prophecy made before the twins were born has their mother convinced that Jamie is right son to inherit after his father's death, even though he's the younger twin. She overrules Jamie's objections and then helps him trick his father into declaring him as his heir. Upon discovering this deception, Evan is furious and threatens to kill Jamie. For his own safety, their mother sends Jamie away to his uncle, with the advice that he spend his time there to choose one of his fair cousins to marry.

His uncle Lachlan is hard man who puts monetary interests before people's feelings. His two daughters, Leana and Rose are as different as night and day. Leah is the quiet and intelligent homebody, and is very ordinary looking. Fifteen- year-old Rose is a veritable beauty, but she's also headstrong and very immature. Leana has looked after Rose and been more a mother to her than an elder sister. After much trail and trouble, a hungry and disheveled Jamie at last arrives at his uncle's doorstep. From that instant on, a complicated love triangle develops. Leana falls irrevocably in love with Jamie while Jamie does the same with Rose. Will sisterly love triumph or will they part ways forever? To guide them throughout is the omnipresent though unseen Almighty.

As is clearly apparent after the first few pages, the author has taken her inspiration for this book directly from the Bible. Her tale can be called a pseudo-modernized version of the tale of Jacob and his trails and tribulations. Those who know his tale will find this book to be greatly predictable. More than the conflict between the twins, it is the conflict between the two sisters who fall for the same man upon which the author has concentrated the greater part of the book. Also Ms. Higgs has done a marvelous job in bringing out the pathos and wrenching trauma created by the unhappy love triangle, and this will easily make the readers reach for their hankies. All the character portrayals are very authentic, as is the atmospheric setting. The dialogue is interspersed with plenty of Scottish words, whose meanings are thoughtfully provided in a glossary at the end of the book. The majority of this long book closely follows the original tale, but deviates from it towards the end. The entire novel gently carries the message of faith in God and his mysterious ways, regardless of how bleak the circumstances might be. Simply put, the book leaves its readers with a satisfied feeling and teaches them to hope.

Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
Posted March 21, 2003

Summary

Two brothers fight to claim one father's blessing. Two sisters long to claim one man's heart. In the autumn of 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters each embark on a painful journey of discovery. Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec's flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride. A thorny love triangle emerges, plagued by lies and deception, jealousy and desire, hidden secrets and broken promises. Brimming with passion and drama, Thorn in My Heart brings the past to vibrant life, revealing spiritual truths that transcend time and penetrate the deepest places of the heart.