A Kiss To Build a Scene On with Liz Curtis Higgs

by | Feb 15, 2010 | Fiction Book Reviews | 8 comments

Well, well… week three of kissing. Who says it has to stop on Valentine’s Day? So let’s start the week off with a flavor as sweet as fresh butterscotch. Just like in the Song of Solomon, where kisses are as delicious as wine, Liz Curtis Higgs turns up our tastebuds with her excerpt today.

Though Liz writes contemporary fiction, she’s best known for her historical novels set in Scotland. Her newest novel, a spinoff of the lovely, Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz is called Here Burns My Candle and comes out in March. You can learn more about it at www.lizcurtishiggs.com

Now, Liz can’t be with us today because she’s in Thailand with Women At Risk.  She’ll be back in two weeks, but she wanted to leave all of you with this wonderful excerpt from her novel Thorn in my Heart.

But first things first.

Liz, what do you think makes a good kissing scene?

Ah, the kiss! Anticipation is everything. Where and when and how and why the characters kiss must be chosen with care. The longer such a moment is delayed in a story, the better. Readers should sense it coming and be standing on tiptoe, waiting for that tender expression of affection. Time seems to slow down as the characters move toward each other, and every detail matters. Do their eyes meet or are they closed? Do their hands touch or does he cup her cheek? Do they simply lean toward each other or does he take her in his arms? Whether the moments leading up to the kiss are hilarious or heartbreaking, they must be emotion-packed. It’s a huge step forward in their relationship when characters kiss, so our charge as writers is to make it count!

And please provide us with a wonderful excerpt Liz.

“Aren’t you going to kiss your bride? Proxy or not, it’s most unlucky for her next kiss not to be yours.”

 “Unlucky?” Jamie gazed down at her. “Is it really?”

 “Aye, very unlucky.” She made certain her voice did not give away her anticipation, but her thoughts brought a flush to her cheeks.

When Jamie turned and drew her near, the warmth of him traveled from her veil to her toes. He cupped her face in his hands and brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. “May I kiss you, Leana?”

She let him see her heart in her eyes and whispered the truth. “I wish you would.”

“Then I will.” His mouth moved toward hers.

*********

She tasted like butterscotch. Warm, sugary, fresh from the pot. Leana was truly kissing him. Not an actress playing a part. A bride kissing her bridegroom. Responding instinctively, Jamie leaned closer, tilting her head back, molding his lips to fit hers, tasting her again. Sweet.

Wow, lovely Liz. Or should I say ‘tasty’. 🙂 Thanks for the excerpt and ‘sweet’ tease into the world of the Scottish Lowlands. I can’t wait to read your newest book. The story of Ruth is one of my favorites in the Bible.

Kissing Quote for the Day:

“You may conquer with the sword,
but you are conquered by a kiss.”
~ Daniel Heinsius

Inspirational Romantic Quote: (Ruth – to celebrate Liz’s new book)

She said, “I am Ruth, your maiden; take me under your protecting wing. You’re my close relative, you know, in the circle of covenant redeemers—you do have the right to marry me.”

 10-13 He said, “God bless you, my dear daughter! What a splendid expression of love! And when you could have had your pick of any of the young men around. And now, my dear daughter, don’t you worry about a thing; I’ll do all you could want or ask. Everybody in town knows what a courageous woman you are— a real prize!

Now, as we all know, the story of Ruth is a picture of God’s love for us. We were the outcasts. The unwanted. The idolators. But God, the Redeemer, drew us to himself with his beautiful love and brougth us into a family of royalty. Because…afterall, Ruth was the great, great grandmother of King David.

No one is too far to be romanced by the Holy Spirit and swept into a love so great, so passionate, nothing compares to it’s beauty.

 

Excerpted from Thorn in My Heart
Copyright  Liz Curtis Higgs
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved.

8 Comments

  1. Jeannie Campbell

    this series is absolutely far and away one of my most favorites EVER!! all 4 hold a place of prominence on my keeper shelf. liz…thanks for sharing your talents with us. you transport me to the place…to their feelings…i lived in scotland for the entire duration reading those books…and even some afterward. 🙂

    blessings to you!
    jeannie
    The Character Therapist

    Reply
    • Pepper Basham

      OH Jeannie, are they they wonderful. And the way Liz creates the atmosphere of the books, of Scotland, is wonderful. I’m really looking forward to her Scottish rendition of Ruth!

      Reply
  2. Julie

    I second what Jeannie said, Liz, this series is at the very top of my list, my most favorite EVER! All three characters … Leana, Rose and Jamie … oh my, stole my heart and never gave it back! What a trilogy and what a romance! Thank you for writing it.

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
  3. sherrinda

    I also loved this series!!!! When I heard Liz was doing a triology based on this story from the Bible, I HAD to see how in the world she accomplished it! lol And my goodness, what a great love triangle. So sweet, so fiery. Goodness! And isn’t it true that the kiss is all about the anticipation? I love the way you said it…Readers should sense it coming and be standing on tiptoes….:) Tiptoes, indeed!

    Yay, Pepper! Another week of swooning! I’m unplugging this week, but will definitely be checking this blog out daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Pepper Basham

      Definitely worth a daily visit, Sherrinda. 🙂 I even received two more scenes for the first week of March. Gee whiz! Who doesn’t like kissing, right? 😉

      I hope you are enjoying North and South

      Reply
  4. Renee

    I am so excited to read Here My Candle Burns, it will be so interesting to see her spin on the story of Ruth!

    Thank you so much Pepper for these very entertaining posts!

    Reply
  5. jonna marsh

    Thanks for the tidbit to encourage my anticipation of your new book!

    Reply

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