Between the Pages of this Bookish Life: Biblical historical

Showing posts with label Biblical historical. Show all posts

Monday, July 22, 2019

Book Review: Until the Mountains Fall by Connliyn Cossette

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Title: Until the Mountains Falls

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Series: Cities of Refuge #3

Genre: Biblical Historical

Audience: Adult

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?

~ MY REVIEW ~

**4 stars**

Until the Mountains Fall was a bittersweet continuation to the CITIES OF REFUGE series by Connilyn Cossette. I think it's my favorite book of the series! It was exciting to travel back to these Biblical times and reunite with characters from previous books ... Moriyah, Sofea, and so on. It's so interesting to glimpse what the Israelites' lives might have looked like as Joshua led them to settle in the Promised Land.

Rivkah was a different kind of character. Living in a city of refuge and betrothed to the son of an accidental killer, she is straining against the things that she feels hold her back. I found this whole storyline to be unique from many books with just a little twist in how everything turns out. Rivkah isn't a perfect characters and she certainly isn't always right. Watching her path to redemption was compelling.

Malakhi definitely had some character growth throughout the course of the book, too, and that was great! I really enjoyed these characters and the different dynamics of the story. While this story is set in the Old Testament ... it also is based on a parable from the New Testament! Which was really neat and heartfelt.

There were some emotional moments ... especially the one at the end for one of our dear characters!

Overall, an exciting read. Though I felt like the first two books in the serious were a little too heavily-focused on romance/attraction, this one was better in my personal opinion. And I look forward to reading Like Flames in the Night!

I received a complimentary copy of Until the Mountains Falls from the author/publisher. This review is honest and all my own.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Book Review: Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette

Purchase HERE

Title: Shelter of the Most High

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Series: Shelter of the Most High #2

Genre: Biblical Historical

Audience: Adult

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 and 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. Will they break free from the shackles of the past in time to uncover the betrayal and save their lives and the lives of those they love?

~ MY REVIEW ~

**4 stars**

Connilyn Cossette pens another exciting Biblical Historical novel! Book Two in the CITIES OF REFUGE series, I enjoyed diving into Shelter of the Most High and reconnecting with Moriyah and her lovely family.

This book focuses specifically on her adopted son, Eitan. As well as a wounded and guarded maiden, Sofea, from the island of Sicily. Back in the city of Kedesh, we learn more about cities of refuge and the accidental killers that flee and find safety there. I find this such a heavy, but fascinating topic. And I just love being with the children of Israel. Connilyn Cossette brings to life Old Testament times and people with such authenticity and grace.

Though we didn't spend much time in Sicily, it was intriguing to explore Sofea's seaside home just a little. The emotional and spiritual journey Sofea and her cousin went on was profound. I enjoyed meeting all of Darek and Moriyah's children ... and other characters! And the unexpected twists - I found myself quite shocked at times! It was a well-done story that explored Moriyah's predicament more, while unfolding Eitan and Sofea's story. There were some truly heart-touching moments of faith, forgiveness, and redemption.

I didn't love the romance in Shelter of the Most High as much as I loved some in this author's other books. It pretty heavily focused on physical attraction. Which is a good thing, but cannot be the foundation of a marriage. While it didn't say that it was, there just seemed to be more emphasis on physical attraction than friendship and such.

That all being said, I really enjoyed this book and can hardly wait to read Book Three, Until the Mountains Fall! We got glimpses of the girl who is to be the main character in this next book, and I am so intrigued!

I received a copy of Shelter of the Most High from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

New Cover Pretties!

Hello, folks! It's Saturday. Hurrah! And I have access to a computer! Hurrah! Ready for a new laptop, but unfortunately, I don't have the extra funds for that. Need a new car, first!!

*ahem* I finally replied to all the comments on my previous two posts. Due to some somewhat unexpected life circumstances, I'm feeling more relaxed and able to focus on blogging.

Also, I got an email saying that this blog of mine is in the top 100 Christian book review blogs to follow in 2018. I'm not sure what this is all about, but here's the link if you want to view the post and search through one hundred Christian book review blogs! Maybe you'll find some awesome new ones to follow. ^_^

(And maybe this explains why I've all suddenly begun to get all kinds of emails and comments asking if I'd like to review so-and-so's book. Thank you to all who emailed/commented, by the way! At this moment, sadly, I don't feel I have the time to take on any extra "review books".)

Anyway, on to the purpose of this post. Another cover love day! *cheers happily*

The Siren and the Scholar {Faraway Castle #2} by J.M. Stengl

Published: May 2nd, 2018 (Rooglewood Press)

The Rose and the Briar {Faraway Castle #3} by J.M. Stengl

Published: 2018 (Rooglewood Press)

A Worthy Rebel {An Uncertain Choice #5} by Jody Hedlund

Published: September 4th, 2018 (Northern Lights Press)

All Made Up by Kara Isaac

Published: September 28th, 2018 (Bellbird Press)

The Profile Match {The Mission League #4} by Jill Williamson

Expected Publication: October 15th, 2018 (Novel Teen Press)

A Wind From the Wilderness {Watchers of Outremer #1} by Suzannah Rowntree

Expected Publication: October 29th, 2018 (Bocfodder Press)

The White City {True Colors #1} by Grace Hitchcock

Expected Publication: March 1st, 2019 (Barbour Books)

To Best the Boys by Mary Weber

Expected Publication: March 5th, 2019 (Thomas Nelson)

The Golden Bride {Daughters of the Mayflower #8} by Kimberley Woodhouse

Expected Publication: April 1st, 2019 (Barbour Books)

Romanov by Nadine Brandes

Expected Publication: May 7th, 2019 (Thomas Nelson)

Number of Love {Codebreakers #1} by Roseanna M. White

Expected Publication: June 4th, 2019 (Bethany House Publishers)

A Reluctant Bride {Bride Ships #1} by Jody Hedlund

Expected Publication: June 4th, 2019 (Bethany House Publishers)

The Noble Guardian {The Bow Street Runners #3} by Michelle Griep

Expected Publication: June 2019

Until the Mountains Fall {Cities of Refuge #3} by Connilyn Cossette

Expected Publication: July 2nd, 2019 (Bethany House Publishers)

King's Shadow: A Novel of King Herod's Court {The Silent Years #4} by Angela Hunt

Expected Publication: September 2019 (Bethany House Publishers)

Friday, August 31, 2018

Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar

Purchase HERE

Title: Thief of Corinth

Author: Tessa Afshar

Series: Standalone

Genre: Biblical Historical

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

First-century Corinth is a city teeming with commerce and charm. It’s also filled with danger and corruption—the perfect setting for Ariadne’s greatest adventure.

After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father’s home in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage: though a Greek of high birth, Galenos is the infamous thief who has been robbing the city’s corrupt of their ill-gotten gains.

Desperate to keep him safe, Ariadne risks her good name, her freedom, and the love of the man she adores to become her father’s apprentice. As her unusual athletic ability leads her into dangerous exploits, Ariadne discovers that she secretly revels in playing with fire. But when the wrong person discovers their secret, Ariadne and her father find their future—and very lives—hanging in the balance.

When they befriend a Jewish rabbi named Paul, they realize that his radical message challenges everything they’ve fought to build, yet offers something neither dared hope for.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

Tessa Afshar has become an author that I one-hundred percent recommend. I hardly have to wonder anymore if I'll love her books; each new one I read is phenomenal. Thief of Corinth was beautiful. It was deeply emotional, as well as an intriguing, adventurous page-turner.

I'm not sure about her older books (the ones set in the Old Testament) because it has been awhile since I've read them, but Tessa's writing style in her three latest novels is wonderful. It's a little different, but masterful and definitely keeps me reading. I just love it.

The city of Corinth came to life within the pages of Thief of Corinth. It was so interesting to me. It was quite an adventure to journey with our main character, Ariadne, on these ancient streets as she struggles to work through the wounds of an abusive childhood and the pain and chaos of her here and now.

The characters were fabulous, as always. Complex and each adding something special to the story. I love that we get to see Paul again! Tessa Afshar really brings this amazing apostle of Christ to life, and I love contemplating what it would have been like to know him and if he would have been something like this book portrays.

Some parts of this book were so hard, but it spoke to me. I cried and I cried again. It seems that Tessa Afshar writes stories straight from the heart. So real and raw and painful. But there is beauty. And redemption. And love. Amazing.
This might not be the best book for people feeling very emotionally fragile, but I found it to be an incredible story of pain and forgiveness.

Thief of Corinth is about abuse, divorce, loss, sin, pain, danger, and ... Jesus Christ. It has a tender love story and plenty of adventure. It is about a beautiful and broken girl who is about to have an encounter with God.

If you are a fan of Biblical historical ... or are a fan of authentic, emotional fiction in general ... read this book!

I received a copy of Thief of Corinth from Tyndale Blogger Program in exchange for my honest review.