Shelter of the Most High

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COSSETTE, CONNILYN
SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH

The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan.

Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a city of refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood, het chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawin her into the danger of his past.

As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Can they uncover the betrayal in time to save thier lives and the lives of those they love?

My Review:

I'm pretty sure Connilyn Cossette is my favourite biblical fiction author. She has a gift for bringing this time period to life, delving deep into culture and customs and I come away from reading one of her books feeling like I have a better understanding of this era. And her storytelling skills are exceptional -- so beautifully lyrical that I find myself reading bits out loud just because it deserves that kind of recognition.

Love the theme of cities of refuge that carries through this series. Shelter of the Most High is the second book but I think it can be read as a standalone. The author does a great job of picking up the pieces from the last book and making sure new readers won't be lost as they delve into this one.

This story is both brutally harsh and achingly tender. My emotions ran the full gamut as I followed Sofea and Eitan on their quest to find the true meaning of refuge. Action, adventure, intrigue and plot twists galore make this book hard to put down. But it's the sweet testimony of mercy and grace which is at the heart of their story that I will carry away with me. If you love biblical fiction, add this book to your wish list. If you don't like biblical fiction, give Connilyn Cossette a try and I bet she might just change your mind. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shelter of the Most High, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be open and winner announced on Satruday April 27 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Light on the Hill

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COSSETTE, CONNILYN
A LIGHT  ON THE HILL

Though Israel has found relative peace, Moriyah has yet to find her own. Attempting to avoid the scorn of her community, she's spent the last seven years hiding behind the veil she wears. Underneath her covering, her face is branded with the mark of the Canaanite gods, a shameful reminder of her past captivity in Jericho and an assurance that no man will ever want to marry her.

When her father finds a widower who needs a mother for his two sons, her hopes rise. But when their introduction goes horribly wrong, Moriyah is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the newly established Levitical cities of refuge, she is wildly unprepared for the dangers she will face and the enemies -- and unexpected allies -- she will encounter on her way.

My Review:

Connilyn Cossette's writing style is so lyrical it begs to be read out loud. Exquisite descriptions about life and customs in biblical times -- I swear this author must have a time machine because she gets it right every time. At least, I feel like it's right for the time period. Even the dialogue. Not being in possession of a time machine, I can't say for certain. :-) But though I'm not widely read in the biblical fiction genre, I will always find room on my TBR pile for this author's novels. They are irresistible!

And interestingly enough I knew nothing about Levitical cities of refuge until a few weeks ago when my pastor mentioned them in a sermon. Totally fascinated me and then, a short while later, this book shows up on my doorstep. How cool is that? And it's the first book in the Cities of Refuge series so there's lots more good reading ahead. Oh -- and to make this even more special for fans of Cossette's Out of Egypt series, Moriyah was a secondary character in Wings of the Wind. Love that bridge between series.

And what an action-packed adventure! The author constantly surprised me with a new twist, an unexpected turn. The  whole story is told from Moriyah's first person point of view and it was easy to instantly relate to and root for this vulnerable young woman who has already suffered so much. Her personal faith journey is inspiring as she goes from living in the shadows because of her scars to becoming a light that transforms people -- including herself. Because it isn't until Moriyah has the courage to look beyond her scars that she can finally live up to her potential.

This would make an awesome book club selection because there's such depth for discussion within these pages. I mean, don't we all have scars in some form or another? Visible or invisible -- things that hold us back and drag us down? And there are great discussion questions at the end of the book. The kind that make you really think. And stretch. I love it when I connect with my faith through fiction the way I did with this book. Makes for a life-changing read...if you dare to exercise Moriyah size courage!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications.


GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Light on the Hill, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 3 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Wings of the Wind

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COSSETTE, CONNILYN
WINGS OF THE WIND

Can vengeance give way to forgiveness when one woman's destiny becomes entangled with the very enemies she sought to destroy?

Motherless and raised alongside her brothers, Alanah, a Canaanite, is no stranger to fighting. Whne her father and brothers are killed in battle with the Hebrews, she disguises herself and sneaks onto the battlefield to avenge her family. The one thing she never counted on was surviving.

Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior, has spent his share of time on the battlefield and is shocked to find an unconscious woman among the casualties. Compelled to bring her to a healer back at the Hebrew camp, he's unprepared for the consequences of what he intended as an act of compassion.

In order to survive, Alanah must unite with her enemy. But will a terrible revelation drive her toward an even greater danger?

My Review:

This author has an amazing gift for bringing biblical stories to life. Yes, she uses some poetic license to fill in the blanks, but she still stays true to scripture. I can't imagine the amounts of research she had to do in order to present this time period -- the customs and culture and Mosaic Law -- in such vivid detail It's quite breathtaking!

As is the romance. Seriously -- who would think to center a love story around the end of the forty year trek through the wilderness? One of the most blood-thirsty and violent times in Old Testament history. And yet, Alanah and Tobiah's relationship blossoms with such sweet tenderness despite the chaos around them.

I love Alanah's conversion story. Her life changes when she opens her heart to the Voice of Yahweh. All the neglect and abuse washes away as she finally accepts that she is cherished. Both by God and Tobiah. But don't expect a happily ever after to come easily! The plot takes an unexpected twist and I am amazed at the way Cossette weaves Alanah's story into scripture. Intense page-turning stuff worthy of many gasp-out-loud moments! A stunning reimagining of  a pivotal time in biblical history.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Wings of the Wind, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject  line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 24 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Counted With the Stars

GIVEAWAY

COSSETTE, CONNILYN
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!