Review ~ A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuge, #1) by Connilyn Cossette

Paperback, 352 pages

Published February 6th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

After being branded during the battle of Jericho, Moriyah has had no prospects for marriage--until now. She hopes to please the man, but things go horribly wrong and she is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the Levitical cities of refuge, she is unprepared for the dangers she faces, and the enemies--and allies--she encounters on her way.

About the Author

Connilyn Cossette is the CBA-Bestselling author of the Out from Egypt Series from Bethany House Publishers. There is not much she enjoys more than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible, discovering new gems of grace that point to Jesus, and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com

Purchase Links:

Amazon

CBD

My Review

4 STARS!!!

A Light on the Hill  was an enjoyable read with some weighty moments that slammed me for a loop. Cossette has woven together a resplendent story of what it would have been like to flee for your life to a city of refuge in biblical times. It is extremely detailed, which I must confess bogged me down a few times, and I found myself skimming more than usual. In spite of that, I was mesmerized by Moriyah and the situation she is in. From the moment she meets Darek, their attraction to one another is palpable; their restraint admirable.

The history following the fall of Jericho is compelling. I felt the pull to stay in the story and experience the landscape in a new and terrifying way. The pagan temple practices were horrific and you know a scene is well-written when it literally makes you want to close your eyes. That is one thing I love about this authors writing skill. It is possible to be repulsed and fascinated at the same time with what she is describing. Do not let that be a deterrent for you, dear readers! History comes alive on the page! I highly recommend this book. It is a haunting yet beautiful rendering of Biblical historical fiction.

I was gifted a copy of the book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Reading~

From God's Holy Word

Joshua 20:2-9 "Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them. If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled."

So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. East of the Jordan (on the other side from Jericho) they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

In Christ Alone, My Hope is Found!

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me."

Rebecca Reviews ~ A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuge, #1) by Connilyn Cossette

Paperback, 352 pages

Published February 6th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

After being branded during the battle of Jericho, Moriyah has had no prospects for marriage--until now. She hopes to please the man, but things go horribly wrong and she is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the Levitical cities of refuge, she is unprepared for the dangers she faces, and the enemies--and allies--she encounters on her way.

About the Author

Connilyn Cossette is the CBA-Bestselling author of the Out from Egypt Series from Bethany House Publishers. There is not much she enjoys more than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible, discovering new gems of grace that point to Jesus, and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Connect with her at www.ConnilynCossette.com

Purchase Links:

Amazon

CBD

Rebecca’s Review

4 STARS!!!

" . . . a light in a dark place to those who are weary and in need of rest."

Moriyah has suffered unspeakable tragedies in her young life; kidnapped by Midianite traders, taken to Jericho and forced to serve a pagan goddess, brutally branded as a temple priestess; finally being rescued and returned to her father in Shiloh. Shame and humiliation prompt Moriyah to hide her marred face beneath a veil, in an attempt to hide her scar. Taken by surprise when her father announces that he has arranged a betrothal, she dares to hope for her future. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and Moriyah must test the new Hebrew justice system in ways that she never could have imagined.

"Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Designate the cities of refuge, . . . . .that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there' . . . . " Joshua 20: 1-3 Forced to flee her beloved home, Moriyah is eventually accompanied by an unlikely ally, whose strength and courage mirror her own while they run for their lives to Kedesh, a city of refuge.

This fascinating story takes its readers on an extraordinary journey to little known places, revealing the early application of God's laws through His chosen leaders, whose own lives were a human reflection of his eternal glory, justice and mercy.

I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With nearly 28 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

~Happy Reading~

Review ~ His Risk (The Amish of Hart County #4) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Published March 6th 2018 by Avon Inspire 

Paperback, 288 page

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings us another compelling suspense in her Amish of Hart County series, this time featuring an undercover English DEA agent who will do anything to protect the Amish girl he loves.

Calvin Fisher left the Amish community at fourteen and never looked back. Only his brother’s illness can bring him back to Hart County.  Now, as Calvin works to make amends, he meets Alice, a local nursery school teacher, and falls hard for her. But he has a secret that could threaten the happiness he’s finally found.

Alice shouldn’t like—or want—Calvin. He’s English, has a questionable past, and an even more questionable job. Still, she can’t help being intrigued. Though Calvin assures Alice that he’s worthy of her, she’s torn between surrendering to her growing feelings and steering clear of him.

When a sudden surge of criminal activity alarms the community and even targets Alice, Calvin fears that his double life has put everyone he loves at risk. As for Alice, she can’t help but wonder if the brave and honorable man she’s lost her heart to is far more dangerous than she could ever imagine.

Purchase Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
CBD

I started writing about the Amish because their way of life appealed to me. I wanted to write stories about regular, likeable people in extraordinary situations-and who just happened to be Amish.

Getting the opportunity to write Inspirational novels is truly gratifying. With every book, I feel my faith grows stronger. And that makes me feel very special indeed.

Connect with Shelley:

Website

Facebook

My Review

4 ½  STARS!!!

I like a good story with a male POV included. Shelley Shepard Gray has written a vivid character when it comes to Calvin Fisher. He had a hard life growing up and left home at fourteen, making a lot of unwise choices afterward that have led him to living a double life. He takes a huge risk returning to Horse Cove, Kentucky when he finds out his brother is sick. Trying to make up for the past, he hopes his presence in his Amish brother’s home will not put his family and Alice Yoder in harm’s way.

Alice is a nice girl with grit. She may look meek and mild on the outside, after all she is a preschool teacher, but she is not afraid to speak up when necessary. She needs a little excitement in her life and Calvin is going to do just that. Whoa there, not that way! This is Inspirational fiction, after all. J

Needless to say, since His Risk is a romantic suspense novel (emphasis on the suspense) there was danger involved. I was hanging on every word Gray wrote. She has crafted some absolutely amazing characters! I was a fan of Calvin from the beginning but then I met West and, oh my, I can’t even talk about him. He turned out to be my favorite character.

My heart was pounding so hard throughout much of this story. I felt like I was living within the pages. I loved hearing from more than two or three characters. It is brilliant and gives much more depth and dimension to the story than if it had just been Calvin and Alice’s POV. And because Alice’s friend, Irene, has such an active role in the story, hopefully we will get to see what happens to her later on in another book.

There are twists and turns I did not expect. Some I was happy about. Others…not so much. It is not like most Amish books I have read but still a fabulous book and I highly recommend it. His Risk will stay on my keeper shelf and be re-read many times. It is that good!

I was gifted a copy of the book from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Reading~

Review ~ On Love's Gentle Shore (Prince Edward Island Dreams #3) by Liz Johnson

Paperback 336 Pages

Published July 4th 2017

From the Back Cover

"A beautiful, haunting tale. With characters you'll want for friends, a charming island setting, and a love story that will leave a smile, this is a story to be savored long after the last page is turned."--Catherine West, author of The Things We Knew


Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return to Prince Edward Island. But when her fiancé books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose's Red Door Inn, she sets out to plan the perfect wedding. Yet she can't possibly plan for a run-in with Justin Kane--the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin has never forgotten Natalie. He'd been prepared to follow her off the island until tragedy struck, leaving him to run the family dairy farm. He's done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him--but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he's been missing.

After Natalie's reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin's property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin may discover that there is more between them than broken promises and an old friendship.

Short Review

5 STARS!!!

Wow! When I started reading this book, I didn't realize it was third in a series so I had a bit of a challenge to figure out the who's who but once I did, I was hooked! There are many layers to this story and its characters that are beautifully revealed throughout the whole book. A tome it is not, so the few hours it took to read it sped by. Yes, I read it in one sitting! Liz Johnson is a new-to-me author and I can assure you I will be looking for her books from now on. She writes realistic scenarios making it easily relatable. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a firm Christian foundation, this is a book you should read.  

~Happy Reading~