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| GIVEAWAY |
COUNTED WITH THE STARS
Sold into slavery by her father and forsaken by the man she was supposed to marry, young Egyptian Kiya must serve a mistress who takes pleasure in her humiliation. When terrifying plagues strike Egypt, Kiya is in the middle of it all.
Choosing to flee with the Hebrews, Kiya finds herself reliant on a strange God and drawn to a man who despises her people. With everything she's ever known swept away and now facing the trials of the desert, will she turn back toward Egypt or surrender her life and her future to Yahweh?
My Review:
I am not a huge fan of biblical fiction so I pick and choose which titles I read with care. I am so grateful that this one caught my eye and I took a risk by reading out of my comfort zone. Counted With the Stars is a stunning debut novel. The story delivers what the beautiful cover promises and, oh my goodness, such a meaningful title tie-in! Love that kind of attention to detail.
Cossette brings this time period to life. Rich details and the author's vivid imagination make for a memorable read. I love that the story is told through the eyes of an Egyptian slave. Kiya is such an interesting character. Raised in opulent wealth, she has a lot of adjusting to do as she struggles within the bonds of slavery. She feels like her gods have forsaken her so when she befriends a Hebrew slave she becomes intrigued by the notion of worshiping only one God. In fact she's incredulous. Especially when Egypt is suddenly inundated with plagues reported to be delivered by the hand of this omnipotent God.
Despite her circumstances, Kiya doesn't shuck her spoiled persona easily. She is a product of her upbringing -- a distinctly caste conscious one. It takes untold hardships and wandering through the wilderness for Kiya's transformation to be complete. And, oh mercy, what a moving conversion story. Goosebump-inciting. A powerful surrendering to Yahweh that left me breathless.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Counted With the Stars please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 24 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!
I feel like it is almost sacrilegious to admit not caring for Biblical fiction. haha I only say that, because I am the same way. I think it has to do with all of the liberties that need to be taken with the Biblical story. I don't see anything wrong with it; it just doesn't appeal to me. I have to admit, though, that Connilyn Cossette's cover make me want the book. Maybe not read it, but just to look at. :) Needless to say, I am not entering, because that wouldn't be fair to a true lover of Biblical fiction. Thanks for the nice review, Kav. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteFunny thing about biblical fiction-- you either love it or you don't....until something truly unique like this one comes along. I'm really glad I read it. Enjoy your week too, Terrill.
DeleteI have followed Connilyn book reviews before she started writing and have been excited to see her work. Although, since it's not a genre I read, I think it would be safer for me to get it from the library first and go from there. Knowing you enjoyed it helps motivate me.
DeleteYou're entered, Kate. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWow! From your review, Kav, this book sounds like a must read! I would love to get to know Kiya. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
You're welcome, Melanie. Good luck.
DeleteI don't read much biblical fiction either, but I've had my eye on this one since it was announced - something about the description really struck me. And your review confirms my hopes for the story! Side note, I think it wins prettiest cover of the year award.
ReplyDeleterachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com
Yes -- there's something captivating by that cover. Good luck, Rachael.
DeleteI saw a review of this book somewhere and thought it looked really good. So I'm excited to see a chance to win a free copy here!
ReplyDeleteJ.C.
Good luck, J.C.
DeleteNice review. I heard it was a good read. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is. Good luck, Kim.
DeleteI love biblical fiction, and the Egyptian-Hebrew era especially captures my interest. I hope you'll enter me for this book. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteForgot my email freda.mans[at]gmail.com
Delete:-)
You're entered, Freda. I've been interested in the Egyptian era since I read Mara, Daughter of the Nile when I was a kid. Good luck.
DeleteI really enjoy Biblical fiction, although I don't read it as often as I'd like. I love the cover and I'm looking forward to reading this one. I'm happy to read your positive review. Thanks, Kav.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kay. Good luck.
DeleteLove Mara, Daughter of the Nile. I homeschool so I read that book to them in 6th grade. It is one of my favorites. I didn't use to care for Biblical fiction and I have only started to read it in the past year. So far I have been impresses and it has caused me to delve deeper into scriptures and history. Please enter me.
ReplyDeletesweetdarknectar at gmail dot com
Oh...so exciting that you know that book too! Blessings on your homeschooling! Good luck, Boos Mum.
DeleteI'm the same way. I tend to be very choosy when it comes to Biblical fiction, especially when it's based on an actual character's life. This one has caught my eye though! Would love to read it!
ReplyDeletepocoauthorATgmailDOTcom
That's what I like about this book, Nicole. Kiya is a fictional character and we're seeing what happens through her eyes. Good luck, Nicole.
DeleteSounds like a very interesting story! Like you and so many others, I don't read much Biblical fiction but this one sounds good.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Interesting that so many of us feel that way because it does seem to be a growing genre. Good luck, rubynreba.
DeleteI love Biblical fiction! This one is at the TOP of my MUST read list! Kav, thanks for sharing your thoughts and the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
It is awesome, Caryl. Good luck.
DeleteThis one is on my wish list, and your review makes me want to read it even more! Thank you for the chance to be a winner, Kav.
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
You're welcome, Britney. Good luck.
DeleteI've only read two other Biblical fiction books so I can't really say whether I like it or not. Would depend on how well written the story is and how closely it reflects scripture. I've just begun to see this book around, your review has me convinced I need to add this to my want-to-read list.
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
I think you have to be willing to mesh scripture and imagination when you read biblical fiction. Good luck.
DeleteDefinitely very interested in this book! So far I've enjoyed all biblical fiction I have read and really look forward to reading more and this looks so good! :)
ReplyDeletelieniitte(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like it's a perfect fit for you. Good luck, Lieniitte.
DeleteThere has been a lot of buzz about this new book online and I'd love to give it a try. It sounds great!
ReplyDeleteCnnamongirl at aol dot com
You had me at ,spoiled by upringing'! You know, I love my heroes flawed and real. I would love to meet Kiya!
ReplyDeleteCount me in, please.
janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, Deanne and Janka. I'm about to do the draw.
ReplyDelete