Review of Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book ~

Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander's kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.

Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached -- strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.

When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyan to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam's thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he's come to love?

For more information about Connilyn Cossette and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette is a wholly, completely, and inexpressibly satisfying conclusion to an equally satisfying series! Oh, how I adored this story!

One of my favorite parts of Like Flames in the Night is the way it continues Moriyah's story and her legacy in a way I didn't know I needed until I started reading Tirzah and Liyam's story! Moriyah (Tirzah's mother) was first introduced to readers in Wings of the Wind, and the continuation of this connection from Wings of the Wind and Moriyah's story in A Light on the Hill in Tirzah's story in Like Flames in the Night is so skillful and beautiful! Additionally, Tirzah becomes a spy like her father and brothers! And goodness, this was epic! Like Flames in the Night is an empowering story on every level, but perhaps my favorite part of this story is how Like Flames in the Night will empower women in such a Godly way!

The author has the ability to bring the Bible to life in a unique way, and Tirzah and Liyam's undercover efforts to stir the hearts of their people can't help but have the same effect on their readers! In the midst of a era and conflict I could almost see when I opened my eyes, my heart connected to the characters in a profound way. From Tirzah's need to prove herself worthy and finally finding rest in God's promises to Liyam's heart wrenching journey and acceptance of both justice and mercy, my heart was wrecked and rebuilt in the best possible way!

Five Stars ~ Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette is -- simply put -- amazing! While you can certainly read Like Flames in the Night with little to zero confusion, this is the fourth book in the Cities of Refuge Series. The historical and family dynamics will be clearer and sooo much more fulfilling if you read the previous books in the Cities of Refuge Series and Wings of the Wind from the author's Out from Egypt Series.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book ~

Recently widowed, Rivkah refuses to submit to the Torah law compelling her to marry her husband's brother and instead flees Kedesh, hoping to use her talents as a scribe to support herself. Without the protections of her father, Kedesh's head priest, and the safety of the city of refuge, Rivkah soon discovers that the cost of recklessness is her own freedom.

Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but he never imagined his older brother's death would mean wedding her himself. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with impending war looming over Israel, Rivkah's father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.

As the enemies that Rivkah and Malakhi face from without and within Israel grow more threatening each day, is it too late for the restoration their wounded souls seek?

For more information about Connilyn Cossette and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Connilyn Cossette truly outdid herself with Until the Mountains Fall! This riveting story is one of the author's most intricate and layered stories to date!

Connilyn Cossette has become known for her unique Old Testament stories that open up aspects of the Bible that are often overlooked. But in Until the Mountains Fall, the author also manages to layer New Testament truth into the story with some gender-swap, Prodigal Son inspiration in Rivkah's story! Additionally, some of the events that transpire left me stunned and desperately awaiting the next book! The result is a story you won't soon forget!

Malakhi and Rivkah were amazing characters! They were multi-faceted, unique, and genuine! I loved getting to see Malakhi and Rivkah before and then after Rivkah's desertion. The changes and spiritual prisons that they had each built around themselves were so realistic. Their anger, betrayal, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and shame were masterfully portrayed on the pages, and I think I can safely say that I am not the only reader that will be able to relate to these heart-wrenching themes on a personal level! And the ways that Malakhi and Rivkah continued to grow and confront their misconceptions will make you want to break out in cheers of joy!

Spiritually speaking, there are just so many amazing gems of truth in Until the Mountains Fall, but my personal favorite was the Prodigal Son aspect. It left me with red and puffy eyes from ugly crying at the beautiful parallels between Rivkah's father and our Heavenly Father Who never stops waiting for us to run to Him so that He can crush us in His arms of love!

Five Stars ~ Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette should be another addition to your "Keep Forever and Ever and Ever" shelf! Until the Mountains Fall is the third book in the Cities of Refuge Series. While it could be read as a standalone, there would probably be some confusion with the subplot, and since the previous stories are also AMAZING, I strongly encourage readers to read the series in order.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book ~

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, yet chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing 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 their lives and the lives of those they love?

For more information about Connilyn Cossette and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Shelter of the Most High is another moving, eye-opening, and soul-stirring literary masterpiece by Connilyn Cossette!!!

If you're not in the mood for a gush review, then I suggest you leave now. Or go read the book and see for yourself. That's a better option. ;-)

I loved everything about this beautiful story! Everything! From the pirate angle (Yes, pirates in a Biblical Fiction novel! #winning) to the sweet romance to the characters I have spent YEARS loving to the powerful truths amongst the pages just waiting for readers to discover them!

Sofea had this free-spirited islander, Disney's Moana quality. Her island life seemed beautiful until she encountered God's people, opening her mind's eye to the heinous acts of her people that she had been trying to ignore. Though she had many, many reasons inflicted by the enemy to mistrust Him, it was truly beautiful watching God woo Sofea! My heart nearly burst as she discovered the one and only God, a God of love Who had declared her precious.

I loved seeing Eitan as a grown man! My heart ached for the burden he had been carrying, but when he finally laid those burdens down and accepted the mercy he had been freely given...well, reading that felt like I had been invited into a sacred moment... While his relationship with Darek started off strained, this father-son thread gripped my heart and illustrated the way God can restore even the most broken of families.

There were so many amazing truths in this novel! Each chapter, each moment, each character spoke volumes to me, tearing me in two before reuniting me with its goodness. I had tears in my eyes (and some full-on sobs) the entire time I was reading Shelter of the Most High. Trust me when I say you will not set this book down without experiencing a unique touch from Abba God! <3

I always like to remind readers that Biblical Fiction is still fiction. However, the fictional aspects of this story do NOT compromise the facts of the Bible. The author did an amazing job with her research, and she shares some of her findings in her note at the end of the story.

Five Stars ~ Shelter of the Most High is a gorgeous masterpiece! Shelter of the Most High is the second book in the Cities of Refuge Series by Connilyn Cossette. It can be read as a standalone, but you'll experience more story depth and see some beloved characters if you read A Light on the Hill and the Out from Egypt Series first. I am sooo excited for the next book in the series - Until the Mountains Fall - which releases July 2nd, 2019!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!
 

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!