My Heart's In the Lowlands
by Liz Curtis Higgs

Reviewed by Sheryl Root

"Liz's love for the people and places of Scotland shines through every word as she walks you, her friend and companion, on a guided ten-day tour."

After reading Liz Curtis Higgs’ newest book, My Heart’s in the Lowlands: Ten Days in Bonny Scotland, I’ve come to the conclusion that Liz would make an excellent tour guide. After all, for a woman who admits to having a library of over 800 books on Scotland, a supplemental income could be useful. Maybe writer’s tours to Scotland? (hint, hint Liz!)

Until Liz starts giving personally guided tours of Scotland’s Lowlands, this book is a wonderful substitute. Liz’s love for the people and places of Scotland shines through every word as she walks you, her friend and companion, on a guided ten-day tour. Beginning at the airport in Glasgow, you’ll travel with Liz through her beloved Galloway, sharing her favorite spots—kirks and castles, bookshops and tearooms, winding roads and verdant hills—and meeting some special friends.

Liz’s love affair with Scotland began on her first visit in 1996, as she so compellingly shares in the first chapter, her “invitation” for the reader to share the journey with her … “The verdant, rolling hills remind me of places I’ve lived—eastern Pennsylvania and central Kentucky in particular—yet the angle of the sun falling across the Lowland moors is uniquely Scottish. That slanted light works a kind of magic on me. The misty air softens my complexion. Sleep comes easily. Contentment seeps into my bones. I bite into a freshly baked oatcake, covered with a generous slice of sharp Galloway cheese, then sip milk-laced tea, hot enough to numb my lips, and I’m within walking distance of heaven.”

If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite to travel to Scotland with Liz, then, as the Scots might say “Och! I hae little hope for ye!

Quotes from Scotland’s favorite poet, Robert Burns, begin each chapter, perfectly setting the stage. I enjoyed the snippets from Liz’s Scottish fiction shared throughout which helped me see how, as a writer, her research was woven into her stories. Beautiful sketches by talented artist, Simon Dawdry, are the icing on the cake—bringing the hills, castles, and villages of Scotland to brilliant life.

If you are reading this review before April 30th, 2007 then head on over to Liz’s website where you can find information on two exciting contests. One, a chance to win a nine-day trip for two to bonny Scotland sponsored by Liz’s publisher, Waterbrook Press. The other, an opportunity from Liz to win an original pen-and-ink drawing by talented Simon Dawdry.

If you are a lover of all things Scottish, or just a lover of all things Liz, pick up a copy of My Heart’s in the Lowlands today. You’ll enjoy the journey.

Sheryl Root is a voracious reader and aspiring author who started writing book reviews to ease her guilt about all the time she spends reading. In addition to this purely selfish reason for reviewing, she loves to be able to support Christian authors and spread the word on great books. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, a wonderful community of published and yet to be published writers, where she learns an amazing amount of practical wisdom to help in her writing journey. Sheryl has also written reviews for Armchair Interviews.com.