Scott Higginbotham is back in a sequel to Ransomed Lives. I say sequel although the novels are interchangeable-same characters in both, different stories. As Higginbotham brings "the stoogettes" back (aka Elizabeth, Mariam and Catherine) and allows William and Lady Margot to have supporting roles, it is Edward and Caitlyn that carry the story with a splashing of more new charactors. And that is where Higginbotham shines.
In A Pilgrimage of Time, (APOT) Edward Leaver is a 21st century self described bachelor, contemplating the fact that he will never meet the right girl on January 1st of 2008. When he goes to the Georgia Mountains for a reprieve, his misfortune manifests itself in an accident that results in his falling asleep and waking up in the year 1347. It is here that he meets and falls in love with his soul mate, Caitlyn. But nothing is less than complicated for Edward as he navigates 14th century life, trying to fit in without giving away the fact that he just showed up with no real past and no knowledge of a future. True to Higginbotham’s writing style, he allows Edward to work through one disaster after another, changing himself and others that have the good fortune to cross his path. As the reader soon learns, God is in everything and does nothing half way. When Edward awakens back in the year 2008, he wonders about Caitlyn. Was she real or just a dream? He travels the world to find her and in the process, completes his pilgrimage.
The good parts are watching Edward explain his cell phone and sunglasses and other modern day conveniences to his new found friends. In fact, watching Edward do anything the 14th century way is entertaining to say the least. The best parts are seeing Edward mess up, yet, watch as God unfolds a beautiful plan in spite of Edward. And don't worry, the ending has another classic twist. Just when you believe the story couldn't get any better, Higginbotham digs in and performs a stroke of writing genius that leaves you spellbound. And, hungry for the next novel.
The things I treasured from Ransomed Lives-the humor, the well-developed characters, the suspense and hair raising twists-were all present in APOT. Higginbotham reveals yet another gift in that APOT is full of romance and passion in a Godly way. With either novel, you are drawn in and tightly bound to the story until the last page.
I look forward to seeing these novels in print and available to readers like me that love to get lost in a good, wholesome, entertaining story that reveals Gods goodness. Higginbotham captures the true art of writing with a reason. His stories are pure gold on paper. You finish reading them with a better understanding of God, life, everything.
I am a fan of Higginbotham’s work, and know that once these are in print, I will not be alone. As an avid reader, it takes but a few pages to realize this is a gifted writer. Humor, romance, a tale with a twist, a story line with a purpose-what more could you ask for?
