Connilyn Cossette

I've wanted to read Alanah's story ever since I first picked up Like Flames in the Night, my first Connilyn Cossette read. Tirzah and Lyiam's story will always hold a special place for me, but I'm enjoying this quest to read Connilyn Cossette's other books as well! This had been one of my favorites so far!

I loved getting to see more of Alanah's story, after meeting an older version of her and her friend Moriyah in the final Cities of Refuge story. I still have yet to read the first three, and I'm excited to read Moriyah's story next! I knew the was introduced in a way that suggested her and Alanah shared a past, but hadn't realized or considered her story starting here! That was a fun surprise, and I loved getting to see their relationship truly growing into the deep friendship we see glimpses of later on.

I also loved getting to know Tobiah. His passion and kindness toward Alanah are both beautiful and inspiring. I loved seeing the love he showed toward her reflecting the Biblical love we see the Father (YHVH) has toward us as His people, as His children. As he continues to encourage and care for Alanah, the hard jaded view she had of the Hebrews and honestly of life begins to shift. I loved seeing how this goes full circle, and even included Moriyah as Alanah learns to love and care for others in ways she'd never experiences among the Canaanites.… (mais)

After reading the first in this series, I was both curious and a bit hesitant to read this next one. I know I'm likely to enjoy the 3rd book, since I loved Alanah's character the few times we see her in Like Flames in the Night from Liyam's POV, but I also wasn't the biggest fan of Kiya's story in the previous book and wasn't sure what to think or expect of Shira.

I did end up enjoying this one! There were parts still that kept this one from being another favorite Connilyn Cosstte books, but it was good for what it was and as a story overall. I enjoyed seeing more of Shira and her family and friends, and meeting the love interest, and her midwife instructor as well as some of the other characters in this one. It also had some fun twists that made it an unique and enjoyable read! There were also some...less pleasant things in this one that I can see might come off as offensive, off-putting, or unnecessary to some readers. It does deal with pregnancy and midwifing, as well as mentions of birth, death, and the difficult life of a midwife, among other things. It also talks about struggles with marriage, parenting, and families that tend to come up in a position of trusted friend and medical advise as well as an encourager and confidant, so this is by no means a light or easy read. But it does make for a reflecting and enjoyable read for the right audience. There is a mention of past sexual assault, as well as another attempted assault as well. Please be advised in case any of these things might be potential triggers for you as a reader.

I loved seeing Shira grown and mature some in this one, and also watching as her friendship grows with Kiya and some of the other women and characters she meets along the way in her story. This was a good transition from their time in Egypt as they travel around before finally reaching the Land and entering into their inheritance in the next story. I've enjoyed seeing Connilyn Cosstte's take on this important event and time period that is often referred to but little is really know about. It's always interesting to consider the possible lives and stories there characters would live out and share around a camp-fire or dinner table each night. Knowing that they existed and were as real as you and I, yet seem so far away and distant, they were just as alive and a part of God's story as each of us today. Fascinating! I loved this unique take on what a glimpse into their lives might have looked like, and Shira's story did a wonderful job helping me consider what the might look like from a new perspective.… (mais)

I wasn't sure about this one, and it's always interesting (yet, also slightly risky) to go from an authors latest/most recent books, all the way back to the beginning as one reads through their backlist as well... Such was the case here. I loved some of her more recent books, and have wanted to read her earlier books for a couple years now. After finally reading Lukio's book (Between the Wild Branches) and having the immense pleasure and honor to read her newest book a little early this year, I knew it wad time to read some of her earliest books as well, which led me to this one and her Out of Egypt series.

With that said, for any author who you (or at least when I) read many of their books, eventually there's always a 'favorite' and a least 'favorite' or just one that didn't quite hit the level of the beloved book. This might be that one for me. It was good! I loved Connilyn Cossette's writing and her style is one of my favorites. Compared to anything else, and this one would still rate highly, just not as high compared to the Connilyn Cossette stories I've grown to love. There are a few reasons for that, but in part it's likely because this was one of her first stories, or at least a lot earlier than the most recent ones. So, there has definitely been some major life events (including some health scares) that have added to her faith and therefore contribute to her stories as well. Likewise, practice just makes things better, so with each new book I love seeing her continue to hone and stretch her skills, trying new things, taking on unique challenges, and just seeing where the stories take her (and adoring readers, like me) along the way.

There is also the fact that while it's probably true for each of us, or at least many of us, I can only speak for myself, but certain characters and even some personality types speak to me differently that others. Some I'm instantly drawn to, others I'm instantly annoyed with... This one was also a bit harder to enjoy, since I have grown used to her dual-POV and struggle to connect with the male love interest without it, especially since Kiya's POV and personality were so-so for me personally. She was fine, and did a good job as far as giving us a narrator or point from where we see the story play out, but she doesn't add a whole lot to the story herself. A pretty typical female-lead, especially from around the 2016 period. (So much has changed since then! Honestly back then, and 2016-ish me, would have probably loved this one and adored Eben and even thought this was the greatest story ever... So, it's still a good book, if I was able to enjoy it so much today!)

Eben, I wanted to like him, and did. But not nearly as much as I would have preferred, and not enough to save the story for me. He had so much to offer, and I do see glimpse of that in some of Cossette's newest books, Ronan with the music, a few of her others with the broody glares and introverted/silent tendencies to show affection without saying a word. In their protective glances, caring concern, or unannounced gifts. I loved that here too, and would have loved to see his POV, but I did enjoy his role regardless. Cliché? Maybe a little, but I still enjoyed his character. (Clichés are a thing for a reason, right? Because they work! lol)

Kiya...wow, she has some rough times where the males in her life are involved...I mean, all the women/females in this story have it rough, but yikes. I do know that it would have (and still is) common, but she was also a bit...naïve? (Again, when I was around 18, this would have probably not be something I noticed or thought about. but still...)

There were also a few...liberties taken about the plagues and the crossing that I wasn't completely comfortable with. In one place, it's said that the strong wind we see in scriptures was cold. So cold, that it froze the water so that the Hebrews could cross on dry land...We do see there is a strong wind and that the land beneath where the water walked and crossed was dry, but nothing is stated about freezing... There was nothing that really took away from the story, or anything heavily concerning or problematic, and for the most part Cossette did a wonderful job telling a story that we only see a little of in scripture, and from a time long ago with little by way a records surviving today. I'm also not sure if we know much about who was Pharaoh and how many Pharaoh's there were during Moses' life and during the time between his birth and his role in the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt...?

The story was good, but between those things, plus the fact that through a good portion of the book we are being told more than actually connecting with the characters. We see the things happening, hear about the characters going through the things, and/or hear how the things might be affecting other characters or areas unseen, but... We aren't getting any of the actual emotional or deeper themes happening. Yes, things are happening, and we do see Kyia's suffering and likely feel bad for her and her situation, but not beyond surface level.… (mais)

*I received an eCopy from the publisher. Thank you! This does not affect my review. My review is voluntary.*

I gave this one a 4 out of 5, but honestly, I think this one might have overall been more of a 3.5 for me, only because of how much I loved [b:Like Flames in the Night|46125029|Like Flames in the Night|Connilyn Cossette|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559689132l/46125029._SY75_.jpg|85435662], and as my first book by her, I've yet to find another that really compares. That's not to say this one isn't good! It's just hard for me to fairly rate a story after finding one that so beautifully spoke to my soul the way Tirzah's story does. Alas, I'll try to review this one fairly though.

I loved meeting Keziah, and really did enjoy her story. She has a gentle courage and spark that I adored and I enjoyed seeing her learn and grown in her travels. I also really liked seeing the boys grown up, and can't wait for the other stories, but as the first book in the series Avidan's story is a brilliant start to what looks to be a wonderful new series!

I also loved Sarru! I mean, let's be real here, he's the real star of this book!

But really, this story has a lot going for it. I enjoyed the glimpses of history and Jewish/Isreal's culture during this time period, from the rise of their first king, to a war breaking out soon after. That paired with the faith elements and a bit about the 'divide', or those tribes that were separate by time and distance across the Jordan and a little about how they lost their way and the Redemptive power of YHWH to bring HIS people back to HIM. I loved seeing Keziah's faith journey as well as her personal journey and character growth. This young lady has some crazy impossible odds to overcome and some horrible situations to endure, yet she's a champ all the way! I know I wasn't the only one cheering her on as the story plays out!

I also appreciate the quiet wisdom and maturity we see later on as Avi realizes his mistake and becomes a better leader, son, and man than when he first left home by the time the story ends. I knew we'd get character growth, as that's one of the things I love more about Connilyn Cossette's writing, but wow, I was actually a little surprised (in a good way!) but the amount of growth we see, and the depth of wisdom in his arc!… (mais)