Recent Reads - The Blind Scribe

The Blind Scribe by Connilyn Cossette - This prequel novella follows The Wedding Gift and continues the story focused on Shalem, the young boy who wants so much to be included in the adventures of his older cousins and friends. A stranger has been seen on the mountain and rumors about his strange appearance have built him up as having mysterious and dark powers. The boys decide to sneak up on the stranger's camp and see for themselves, but Shay is left behind and follows at a distance. When the older boys are frightened away by the stranger's servant, Shay siezes the opportunity to slip into the tent and see for himself.

Shalem's insatiable curiosity about other languages and words gets the better of his judgment, and the stranger returns to find Shay looking at a clay tablet . . . and in his surprise, Shay drops and breaks it. It could be Shalem's undoing, but he finds that he shares a deep interest in learning and languages with the strange scribe and the two begin a friendship. 

This novella fills in a little more background about Shalem and his gift for languages and about the other characters as well. Several years will pass between the end of this story and where the first novel in The King's Men series begins, and serves as a backdrop to those events.

From the publisher:

Shalem is always getting left behind by his older cousins, especially after he was hurt badly during their last adventure. But when rumors surface about a mysterious and fearsome stranger who has come to the mountain of Kiryat-Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden, he is determined to follow Avidan and Gavriel, and their friend Zevi, on a quest to uncover the truth. However, when their plans go awry and Shalem's thirst for knowledge drives him to make a risky decision, he'll find himself face-to-face with the enigmatic stranger and the pieces of an intriguing mystery scattered at his feet.

"The Blind Scribe" serves as a prequel novella to the King's Men Series, published by Bethany House Publishers. It unfolds a few months after the last chapter of "Between the Wild Branches" (Book Two of the Covenant House series) but before the Epilogue. The novella offers a window into the evolution fo Shalem, Avidan, Gavriel, and Zevi's friendship when they were boys and long before the fateful day when they witness Saul's anointing as Israel's first king in "Voice of the Ancient" (Book One of The King's Men Series).

By the same author: The Wedding Gift, Voice of the Ancient, Between the Wild Branches, To Dwell Among the Cedars, Like Flames in the Night, Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

This is a book with short chapters (#19) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

©2008-2025 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Wedding Gift

The Wedding Gift by Connilyn Cossette - In this novella, we meet Shalem and his older cousins when they are young boys so it functions as a prequel for the King's Men series. Shay is included in many of the older boys' adventures, but longs to be truly counted as one of them. The families of Kiryat-Yearim are preparing for a relative's wedding, and the groom's delegation brings a curious box with them that holds a traditional wedding gift. 

The boys are all very curious about the box and the warriors guarding it, so when it goes missing, blame initially falls on them. Shalem, Avidan, Gavriel, and Zevi decide they will find out who took it and bring it back in order to clear up the suspicions.

It's a sweet story of family ties and a sort of coming-of-age story about Shalem. When the first book of The King's Men series begins, the cousins are young men and Shalem is an older boy, still trying to keep up with them, so this story sets the stage and fills in some of the background.

From the publisher:

Shalem cherishes visits with his family on the sacred mountain of Kiryat-Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant has been hidden for many years. Although he and his cousins, Avidan and Gavriel, are not excited about attending a relative's wedding, they cannot wait to explore the woods together. Since Zevi, an older boy rescued by Shay's uncle Natan, came to live there a few months ago, the four boys have spent countless hours dreaming of being warriors one day and of defending Israel from the vicious enemies that surround her.

When a caravan of foreign wedding guests arrives on the mountain, carrying a mysterious box that ignites the boys' curiosity, they are determined to discover what lies inside. However, when the priceless box goes missing and the boys are blamed for its disappearance, they embark on a mission to find it and vindicate themselves.

"The Wedding Gift" serves as a prequel novella to the King's Men series, published by Bethany House Publishers. It unfolds a few months after the conclusion of "Between the Wild Branches" (Book Two of the Covenant House series) and before the Epilogue. The novella offers a window into the evolution of Shalem, Avidan, Gavriel, and Zevi's friendship, leading up to the fateful day when they witness Saul's anointing as Israel's first king in "Voice of the Ancient" (Book One of The King's Men series).

By the same author: Voice of the Ancient, Between the Wild Branches, To Dwell Among the Cedars, Like Flames in the Night, Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

This is a prequel (#11) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

Also counted as a "Seasonal Salad" for the May Mini-Challenge, due to its "leafy green cover"

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot, and at  the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2025 hosted by The Intrepid Reader and Baker.

#histficreadingchallenge

©2008-2025 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Voice of the Ancient

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Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette - This new series picks up threads from To Dwell Among the Cedars and Between the Wild Branches as the prophet Samuel anoints Israel's first king, Saul. Avidan is a young man of the Levite tribe, expected to serve as a musician, but he longs to join his cousins in more adventurous pursuits. When the new king summons all Israel's fighting men to defend one of the towns under attack, Avi sneaks off along with his cousins to join the troops. He quickly finds out he has no stomach for war after all, and he takes seriously his responsibility to protect his youngest cousin who had followed them, so after the battle he decides to collect Shalem from where he's hidden and take him home. To Avi's horror, the hiding place is empty, and so he begins his search for the boy, and instead finds Keziah.

Keziah's father betrothes her to a cruel but wealthy older man in order to buy protection for the village, but at the last minute, her servant risks everything to help Keziah escape. Keziah is disguised as a slave boy, but just at the right moment, Avi comes to her defense when she's attacked by some young ruffians. Since Kez has a horse, the two decide to travel together, searching for Shalem while headed towards the tribal village where Kez can seek refuge. As the days go on, Keziah realizes that Avi has known she was in disguise right from the start, yet has behaved honorably. By the time they reach her destination, the two of them have formed a strong bond, but Avi still has to return to his home.

Both Avidan and Keziah wrestle with finding their true purpose and identity, and how they properly fit into their families, and Avidan also struggles with the guilt and regret of how his choices have negatively impacted others and how he's failed in his responsibilities. The story is full of action and suspense, but also reveals how the hearts and minds of these two lead characters are shaped and matured by the dangers they face and how God reveals himself to them as the Voice of the Ancient. 

By the same author: Between the Wild Branches, To Dwell Among the Cedars, Like Flames in the Night, Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

This is a book with lowercase letters on the spine (#4) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

©2008-2024 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Recent Reads - Between the Wild Branches

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Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette - Lukio has spent the past ten years building his fame and wealth as a fighter in the Philistine city of Ashdod, and has finally achieved the status and position he craved. He's preparing to step out of the fighting career into an administrative role and to marry the king's daughter, but a glimpse of someone from his years spent in Hebrew territory awaken memories and old loyalties.

Shoshana never forgot Lukio and what they meant to each other back in Kiryat-Yearim, and certainly never expected to see him again. She was captured and enslaved, and serves a princess in Ashdod. Seeing her childhood sweetheart making his living as a brutal fighter in a pagan city is a shock. Shoshana and Lukio both have secrets and commitments, and their reconnection puts both of them - and many others even more vulnerable - in danger if any of their secrets are revealed.

I felt Shoshana's anguish as she was torn between different loyalties, and Lukio's struggle to understand mercy and forgiveness. There are many twists and turns as the characters have to decide who they can trust and who might betray them, and I couldn't help but root for them both to be set free from the very different prisons they find themselves in. 

Lukio and Shoshana narrate their own stories, alternating every couple of chapters, so they really come alive as characters. How they see themselves and their own failures and regrets is in contrast to how they see each other. As usual, Cossette's settings are richly drawn, with an attention to detail that brings new insight into the historical setting and the culture. Although almost all of the story takes place outside of Israel's territory and alongside what is mentioned in the Bible, it also made me want to turn to the corresponding Scriptures to see how it fits in. 

If you enjoy ancient or Biblical settings, you will love this novel! If you've read the first in this duology, To Dwell Among Cedars, you'll remember Lukio as the younger brother of Arisa. The pair are Philistine children who come to live among the Hebrews and are adopted by one of the priestly families guarding the Ark of the Covenant. While Arisa quickly embraces the Hebrew beliefs, Lukio is skeptical and troubled. This story picks up the thread years after Lukio runs away from Hebrew territory and all the family he knows. Between the Wild Branches explores purpose and meaning in life, and how the God Who Sees is always faithful and carries out his purposes. You can read Between the Wild Branches on its own, but it will make you want to read To Dwell Among Cedars to get all the background.

From the publisher:

Ten years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he'd been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdad, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.

After a heartbreaking end to her secret friendship with Lukio, Shoshana thought to never see the boy with the dual-colored eyes and the troubled soul again. But when she is captured in a Philistine raid and enslaved in Ashdod, she is surprised to find that the brutal fighter known as Demon-Eyes is Lukio himself.

With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.

By the same author: To Dwell Among the Cedars, Like Flames in the Night, Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed are my own.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Recent Reads - To Dwell Among Cedars

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To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette -  One of my very favorite authors is back with another novel exploring the ancient history of Israel, during one of the time periods about which the Bible doesn't offer much detail. We have the familiar story of how Israel took the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines, was soundly defeated, and the Ark captured by the enemy. Later the Philistines return the Ark on a cart drawn by cows, and the Ark is kept by a Levite family for many years before the Biblical narrative picks up again.

In Cossette's telling, two Philistine children follow the ark in obedience to the last words of their Hebrew nurse, and are adopted into one of the Levitical families. Eliora (formerly Arisa) and Natan (formerly Lukio) are welcome additions to the large family of Elazar the Levite. Eliora is especially drawn to the Ark, wanting always to stay near to it. About eight years after this escape from Philistia, Ronen, the young Levite musician who originally found the two children, returns to the mountain and the two are reacquainted. 

Ronen has spent the years trying to get over the death of his father and brothers who had been killed in battle, and his bitterness has been fed by the radical ideas of his uncle and cousins. They have a plan to remove the ark from its mountain resting place and bring it back to what they believe is a more suitable place. Ronen is expected to help them find the ark, but to do so, he will have to deceive Eliora. Something he grows increasingly uncomfortable with as he gets to know the beautiful young woman she's become.

Trust, obedience, finding purpose in worship and God's plan, and the beauty of adoption are themes of this beautifully told novel. Eliora and Ronen are the narrators of their own tale and each has a distinctive and believable voice and story. The research and the detail paid to history, setting, and evocative description bring a realism to the characters and to the Israel of this time period. 

As always, Cossette delivers a compelling and imaginative story that is firmly rooted in Biblical history. The struggles and even the dialogue of the characters is realistic and sensitive, and the truths they discuss and discover are timeless and inspiring.

If you enjoy ancient or Biblical settings, you will love this novel, and you'll probably want to keep an eye out for the second in this set when it comes out in spring. I know it is already on my wish list!

From the publisher:

Eight years ago, when the Philistines stole and then surrendered the ark of the covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora left her Philistine homeland to follow the ark to the community of Kiryat Yearim. There, the family she was adopted into has guarded the ark at the top of a mountain in seclusion.

Ronen is a Levite musician determined to secret away the ark to a more fitting resting place, watched over by priests who would restore the Holy of Holies. He never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive.

As Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora lead them in unexpected directions, betrayal leaves Eliora with strained family ties and Ronen questioning his own loyalties. Ultimately, Eliora and Ronen are caught up in the battle for the soul of Israel and its future under the leadership of Samuel, the last judge before the era of the kings begins.

By the same author: Like Flames in the Night, Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

This is the third of Three Books by the Same Author for the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge.

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Like Flames in the Night

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Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette - I'm so invested in this series and extended family that I don't know what I'll do with myself now that it's reached the end. (I think this particular series is at an end, but I'm looking forward to anything else Cossette writes!) The series is set in ancient Israel, during the time after the conquest of Canaan, right at the beginning of the time of the Judges. The Cities of Refuge were Levite cities set apart for those who had unintentionally killed another person where they could be safe from a blood avenger. Moriyah was the first accused killer in the series, and the subsequent three books have focused on her children. 

Moriyah's youngest daughter, Tirzah, has always been bold and a bit tomboyish, and since she is still childless after the death of her husband, she is content to be part of the extended family as a beloved aunt. But when her father suggests it may be time to search for a new husband for her, she instead pesters her brother Malakhi to train her as one of his network of spies. She proves her ability and excels in the training, and finally Malakhi has a mission for her. She goes to a nearby city and secures work in the kitchens of the Aramean commander where she keeps her eyes and ears open for information about the movement of troops or schemes of Israel's enemy. She is able to overhear so much without suspicion because as far as the Arameans know, she only speaks and understands Hebrew.

When one of her contacts and protectors is compromised and captured, Tirzah is left without any protection, and Malakhi must come up with a plan to get her out. About that time, Liyam shows up - he is searching for the man who killed his daughter  - he is a blood avenger. But he is also a skilled warrior and in exchange for information about the man he seeks, he agrees to go to the city to bring Tirzah out. He poses as a mercenary soldier and wins the trust of the Aramean easily, but Tirzah is more of a challenge. She talks him into staying longer so she can get a bit more information before leaving, but the delay puts them both in terrible danger - and they are barely able to escape.

But before Liyam can leave, Malakhi is able to talk him into another mission. One is which he enters a marriage with Tirzah so he can protect her while she infiltrates another enemy home. By this time, you can guess that Liyam and Tirzah are developing true love for each other, but they are in serious danger, and Liyam is still determined to bring his daughter's killer to justice.

This is a gripping story of danger and intrigue and a romance off to a rocky start. But it also gives fascinating insight into what life may have been like during the early years of the nation of Israel and the challenges faced by the fledgling nation as they fall away from the worship of Yahweh and then must return to trusting him to rescue them from their enemies.

By the same author: Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Until the Mountains Fall

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Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette - The third novel in the Cities of Refuge series continues the story of the family of Darek and Moriyah as their children have grown. Their son Gidal has died, leaving behind a young widow, Rivkah. Since there were no children, the Levitical law prescribes that Gidal's brother should marry the widow in order to preserve the family line. Malakhi agrees to the betrothal, out of his desire to honor his brother's memory, and because he has long admired Rivkah. Rivkah, however, is still grieving and thinks of Malakhi as the annoying younger brother, so she balks at the betrothal. She resents Malakhi and tries to get him to back out of the arrangement.

Rivkah makes a friend at the marketplace who is also being forced into a marriage she does not want. Eventually Rivkah agrees to Nessa's invitation to run away and the two young women sneak out and go to a town where the Hebrew people are not faithfully following the Torah, thinking they can make it on their own there. Things don't turn out at all like they'd dreamed and Rivkah realizes how foolish her rebellion is too late.

Malakhi searches for Rivkah, along with his family and Rivkah's father, but without success, and as time passes, he completes military training and tries to rebuild his life. Finally Rivkah's father receives a message from his daughter, and it renews hope that she can be found and brought home. He asks Malakhi to go search once more, and this time he does find her, but she is bound as an indentured servant and her master won't allow her to purchase full freedom. So Malakhi decides to stay and wait for the end of her contract. When a foreign army comes against the city, will Malakhi and Rivkah be able to escape?

There are many similarities between this story and the parable of the prodigal son that Jesus tells in the New Testament. Rivkah's despair after losing her first husband, her stubborn rebellion at following the expectations of her family, and her naive belief that she can strike out on her own without consequences inspire sympathy and frustration. My heart broke for her, and for Malakhi as he faced Rivkah's rejection and refusal to see him for who he is. This is a story of faithful and sacrificial love, and of grace and forgiveness, but also gives fascinating insight into what life was like during this time period in Israel's history.

By the same author: Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

©2008-2020 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Shelter of the Most High

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Shelter of the Most High (Cities of Refuge) by Connilyn Cossette - Sofea and her cousin Prezi are exploring the sea caves around their island home of Sicily when they are captured by pirates. They discover that everyone in their village has been murdered, and they are taken prisoner. When they are able to escape, they wind up on a remote beach, injured and helpless. Sofea is still determined to anything to save her cousin, so when a small group of soldiers find them and appear to be wanting to help them, Sofea goes along, even though she doesn't understand their language and doesn't really trust them.

Eitan is a young man who has lived with his adoptive family in Kedesh, a Hebrew city of refuge, for most of his life. He chafes against the ruling of the high priest that keeps him and his mother Moriyah inside the city, even though the city walls protect them from the man still seeking their lives as vengeance. His father Darek and his army scouts bring home two young women in need of shelter, and Eitan is drawn to Sofea, despite the language barrier between them.

Sofea assumes that she and Prezi are to be slaves for the family, and that it's likely they will eventually be sacrificed to the local gods. To her amazement, she learns that they consider the two girls their guests and part of the family. As she learns the language, and learns to love and trust Eitan, he shares his secrets with her, and they plan to marry. But when the girls are taken from the city by someone they thought they could trust, they find themselves part of a murder plot. Eitan breaks the rules of the city of refuge to find them. Can he stop the plot and find both girls before the blood avenger claims his life?

This is the second book in the Cities of Refuge series, and does follow characters introduced in A Light on the Hill. Eitan was a young boy in that story, and Moriyah and Darek were the leads. Although this a sequel, it's not necessary to have read the first novel in order to enjoy this one. The story is told in chapters that alternate between Sofea's and Eitan's point of view and their perspectives. Through Sofea's eyes, we see the contrast between the honor, justice, and mercy of Hebrew worship of their God and the selfish and cruel practices of the pagan culture she came from. The historical setting is unique and a time period that isn't often featured (the period between the conquest of Canaan and the time of the judges), so I found the insight and context fascinating.

From the publisher:

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 the 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?

By the same author: A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - A Light on the Hill

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A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuge) by Connilyn Cossette - In the third novel of Cossette's Out From Egypt series, readers were introduced to Moriyah. At the time she was thirteen years old and was kidnapped along with her older friend Alanah. The two eventually made their way to Jericho where they stayed with Alanah's sister, Rahab, until the destruction of the city. Just before escaping the city, Moriyah had been branded by the priestess of Ashtoreth, and to her shame she has a lasting scar - the sun and moon symbols of the pagan gods beside her eye. She lives quietly with her father, resigned to life in isolation and without much hope of marriage, because the rumors that spread about her being a temple prostitute mean that no respectable Hebrew man would consider her.

Seven years have passed though, and finally Moriyah's father has made a match for her. Her first hint of who he is fills her with hope and anticipation that her husband will be the kind of man that will accept her and see past her scar. But unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding, and it's not the man she'd thought, but his older brother. And Raviv is clearly accepting her only to get the inheritance of her father's property and to have her as cook and housekeeper. He also has twin sons only a few years younger than Moriyah, and when they meet her they also treat her with terrible disrespect. Then a terrible mistake leads to their deaths . . . at Moriyah's hand. It was a tragic accident, but Moriyah knows the error was hers and Raviv has the right to avenge himself by taking Moriyah's life. She must flee to one of the cities of refuge in order to get a fair trial, so her father's trusted servant takes her. But along the way, Raviv's brother Darek, the man who Moriyah had hoped for, overtakes them, and to her surprise he is willing to help her reach Kedesh and safety. 

They encounter danger and difficulties along the way, and also have the chance to get to know each other. And both mourn the fact that it was Raviv who claimed Moriyah, as well as the fact that Moriyah must stay in the city of refuge even if she is found innocent of a malicious murder. All hope for their happiness seems lost, but at least Moriyah has a chance to clear her name and to live. Perhaps that will have to be enough, and Moriyah struggles to trust in God and rejoice in the blessings she does have rather than become bitter over all that she has lost.

From the publisher:

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.

By the same author: Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

  This book has a Redemption theme for the Full House Reading Challenge 2018 hosted by The Book Date

©2008-2018 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Wings of the Wind

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Wings of the Wind (Out From Egypt) by Connilyn Cossette - This book is the third in the Out of Egypt series and tells the story of a young Canaanite woman, Alanah, and her Hebrew husband, Tobiah. The Israelites are nearing the end of their time in the wilderness and Yehoshua has been leading the fighting men in many successful campaigns. Tobiah is actually looking for his brother-in-law among the wounded and killed when he happens to spot a Canaanite still alive - and it's a Canaanite woman! He makes a split second decision to bring her back to the camp and to one of the healers. During the early days of Alanah's recovery, Tobiah realizes that in order to protect her from further harm, the law of Mosheh states that he should marry her.

Alanah had been trying to avenge the deaths of her father and brothers by disguising herself as a man and wading into battle. She actually hoped that she would meet death herself that day, but Tobiah intervened. At first she continues to plot how she can escape the Hebrew camp as soon as she is healed, but Tobiah steadfastly offers his protection to her. Eventually she realizes that she would have nowhere to go even if she did escape, and no way to support herself other than turning to temple prostitution - and she refuses that, even as a last resort, because that is why her mother abandoned her when she was very young.

As Alanah learns more about Tobiah and about his God, Yahweh, she accepts her new life and begins to love her new husband. But then one day she and one of the young girls in the family wander a bit too far from the camp and are captured by traders. Alanah is determined to protect Moriah and get her back to the Hebrews, even if she has to sacrifice herself to do it. How long will Tobiah look for them and wait for her to return? And how much time do they have, as the Israelites are now preparing to take the city of Jericho, where Alanah and Moriah have eventually taken refuge?

From the publisher:

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. When 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?

By the same author: Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

©2008-2017 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads - Shadow of the Storm

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Shadow of the Storm (Out From Egypt)by Connilyn Cossette - I jumped at the chance to read the second novel in this series because I truly loved the first one, Counted With the Stars, which told about the plagues in Egypt and the Exodus from the point of view of a young Egyptian woman. In that story, the Egyptian slave, Kiya, is befriended by a Hebrew girl named Shira, and escapes Egypt with Shira's family. This second book in the series tells Shira's story, and it is just as moving and thought-provoking.

Shira and her family left Egypt during the Exodus, taking Kiya and her family with them. They are with the multitude of Hebrews and other peoples at the foot of Mount Sinai, as Yahweh is forming them into a nation of his chosen people. While Mosheh is on top of the mountain, many of the people begin to rebel and worship a golden calf. The midwife needs emergency help and Shira offers her assistance, and finds the experience so compelling that she feels it's her calling and she defies her mother's wishes to become an apprentice midwife. Later, though, a delivery goes wrong, and Shira blames herself when the mother dies. Even worse, she finds out that the woman was the wife of her brother's friend, Ayal, who had been acting as if he was considering making a betrothal offer for her.

Shira feels betrayed and ashamed, and continues to feel guilty as if the woman's death was her fault. But the woman's dying request had been for Shira to care for her baby, and so she does. Little by little she accepts the midwife's advice to tell and seek the truth boldly, and as she does she finds her way towards trusting Ayal and herself once more. But another midwife apprentice, Dvorah, wants to claim Ayal for herself, and will do whatever she must to find security for herself and her son, even if it means destroying Shira.

This novel explores some of the harsher aspects of life for the Hebrews as they learn to trust and obey Yahweh, even when they don't understand, and the chaos and conflicts that must have often erupted as these former slaves were forged into a unified nation. At the same time, on a deeply personal level, Shira and Ayal deal with their own battles to trust and to forgive, and to overcome the pain of the past while following the call of Yahweh.



From the publisher:

In the darkness of the storm's shadow, only truth can light her way.

Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mount Sinai. When the people rebel by worshipping a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to assist a midwife. When the experience awakens a new desire in her, she defies her mother's wish for her to continue in the family weaving trade and pursues her heart's calling as an apprentice midwife.

But when a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself in an impossible situation and bound to a man who betrayed her. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira comes face to face with the long-hidden pain of her past. Can she let go of all that has defined her to embrace who she truly is and believe in a hopeful future?

By the same author: Counted With the Stars

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

©2008-2016 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads - Counted With the Stars

This post contains affiliate links. 

Counted With the Stars (Out From Egypt) by Connilyn Cossette - This book intrigued me from the first time I saw it. It's a novelized account of the Exodus, but from an unusual viewpoint - that of an Egyptian that chooses to go with the Hebrews in a desperate attempt to save her brother and mother. Also a little unusual among novels about this event is that the central characters in this one are not in a circle close to Moses, so they are often uncertain or taken by surprise by the plagues and other events.

Kiya's family was wealthy and prominent in the Egyptian city of Iunu, but when her father suffers a great financial setback, he sells Kiya as a slave to pay some of his debt, and in an effort to protect Kiya's mother and her disabled brother, Jumo. Kiya goes from a life of luxury and ease to being a lowly handmaid to a woman that seems to get enjoyment out of mistreating Kiya. Kiya finds one friend in the household, a Hebrew girl named Shira who is always kind and loving and begins telling Kiya about the God of her people. When the mysterious plagues start afflicting Egypt, Kiya's curiosity about Shira's God grows, but she has been brought up to believe in the many Egyptian gods and the divinity of Pharoah, so she thinks the idea of just one God that can't even be seen is strange and a bit ridiculous.

After enduring plagues and the abuse of her mistress, Kiya is willing to do whatever it takes to save her older brother when she receives a warning that the next plague to come will kill every firstborn. Kiya takes her chances and goes to Shira and her family, hoping that they will help her save Jumo from this curse. Then she goes with the Hebrews as they flee Egypt, but she is still afraid to completely trust Yahweh and hope that the Hebrew man she is falling in love with might accept her despite his bitterness towards all Egyptians.

Seeing the plagues and Exodus through the eyes of one of the foreigners, and even from the perspective of Hebrews who were far enough away from Goshen that news about Moses came through the grapevine was fascinating. Cossette has crafted a beautiful cast of characters and a sweeping story that shows what the Exodus may have been like for the Hebrews near the back of the procession out of Egypt and the foreigners who joined themselves to Yahweh. I'm already looking forward to Shadow of the Storm, which will come out later this year and take up Shira's story.

From the publisher:

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?

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

©2008-2016 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/