Title: The Sisters of Corinth

Title: To Dwell Among Cedars

Title: Isaiah's Legacy
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-0-7352-9188-1
Publication Date: February 18th, 2020

About the Book:

The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah's most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter.

At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.

Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.

My Thoughts:

Title: Until the Mountains Fall
Author: Connlyn Cossette
Series: Cities of Refuge, Bk 3
Publisher: Bethany House
Narrator: Rachel Botchen
Narration Time: 11hrs & 32mins
Publication Date: July 2nd, 2019

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 protection 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. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with war looming over Israel, Rivkah's father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.

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

My Thoughts:
I have loved this series. I love how these books have built off of each other and have introduced us to characters that were only in the background at first and have brought them forward and have given them such depth.

Rivkah and Malakhi's story was one that was intense, but not in a bad way mind you! They each had their own growing to do in their own way. The choices that they made, or had made for them, shaped who they become through this story. It is an interesting progression to watch. The story unfolds in a way I didn't see coming in some, and ways I was hoping for in others.

Rivkah is a girl, thinking her life is set before her, but that isn't the case when her young husband dies. The choices that were made for her, in accordance to the law, were not what she wanted. Her decisions led her down a path that was hard. Her story is heartbreaking and hope-filled in many other ways. There were times that I wanted to shake her and ask, what the heck were you thinking?!

Malakhi, goodness, he is one we really see go through changes. He is one you can't help but root for, but also mourn with. He has a passion that is deep. He has his own personal demons to fight, and trying to prove his worth, or so he thinks.

These two characters are ones that I was amazed at the transformation of who they were through out.This was a story I had a hard time stopping.

I read this book through Audible, hello mutitasking! I honestly would have been useless if I had sat down with the book, till I was done reading it. Rachel Botchen has become a favorite narrator, her voice is one that is lyrical to listen to and it helps you get caught up in the story more. 

I'm so very happy that there is still one more book in this series, it releases soon! Book 4, Like Flames in the Night will releases in March 2020. I honestly can't wait to see how this series wraps up.

The detail and history of these Cities of Refuge was so new to me when I first dove in this series, but the information gleaned from this and the research it has lead me to do, I'm forever grateful for. This is some fantastic Old Testament history.

5 out of 5

Title: Of Fire and Lions
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780735291867
Publication Date: March 5th, 2019

About the Book: 

The Old Testament book of Daniel comes to life in this novel for readers of Lynn Austin's Chronicles of the Kings series or Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series.

Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she'd perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. Now, as Daniel's wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she's safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear--until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar's palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili's tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?

Ultimately, Yahweh's sovereign hand guides Jerusalem's captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.

My Thoughts:
Oh, my goodness.
Where do I begin with this book!

Of Fire and Lions covers a large area of time, but it is done so smoothly, the book flows and moves quickly, that it felt like it flew by. I wish I had more! I know it was 400 pages, but it didn't feel long enough.

Mesu Andrews is one of my all time favorite Biblical fiction authors. She is able to take such well known stories of the Bible and bring them to life with her characters woven in seamlessly to the story, without taking away from the the actual Biblical story and message.

Daniel. He is such a pivotal man of the Old Testament. He was thrown in to the lions, he was friends with Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the furnace, and he had so many visions, could explain dreams, and read the writing on the wall. There is so much that went on during his life. He was the first generation in Babylon. He experienced so much in his life.

All of these things mentioned above, Mesu was able to leap off of the pages. Daniel, is a man of God. he had a strong faith. He served faithfully. Belili was a young girl when Jerusalem was sacked.She also witnessed some miracles. However, her life was hard. She experienced so many losses and emotional hurts. She had to survive.

This story was fabulous in so many ways, but it was also touching. Everyone has a past, whether good or bad. Some memories and hurts linger. This story touches on it and it weaves a wonderful story of forgiveness, not from others exactly, although it is touched on, but of forgiveness with yourself and with God and changing how you see yourself.

The was such a vivid story.

I also downloaded this story as an audiobook. The narrator told the story well. Her voice was relaxing to listen to, I have to admit. It was a story that just carried me away.

This was a great story and I can't wait to see what story she will share with us next!

5 out of 5

About the Author:
MESU ANDREWS is the Christy Award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and numerous other novels, including The Pharaoh's Daughter, Miriam, Of Fire and Lions and Love Amid the Ashes. Her deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Mesu lives in North Carolina with her husband, Roy, and enjoys spending time with her growing tribe of grandchildren






Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah Launch Team, I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for and honest review. 

Title: Shelter of the Most High
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780764219870
Publication Date: October 2nd, 2018

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 Thoughts:
Connilyn Cossette is an author who I have followed since her first book, Counted with the Stars, came out. With each story she has told, the more detailed and emotionally involved I have gotten and it has just been a fabulous journey!

We were introduced to Eitan in the first book of Cities of Refuge series, A Light on the Hill, when he was a boy. He has now grown into a young man, who has learned a lot of things and still has a desire to do more. He has a stubborn streak that has been both good and bad. We see what the start of living in Kedesh was like for him when he moved there with Moriyah. You can check out A Light on the Hill for all of Moriyah's story, I promise to not spoil it for you here. ;-)

Sofea, goodness, when we are introduced to her, she is a carefree young woman, enjoying the waves and her village with her cousin. That changes however, very quickly. Her life as she knows it has been stripped from her. The journey to Kedesh is one of pain for her and her cousin. She is a woman in a strange land and doesn't know the tongue.

Eitan and Sofea are each broken in their own way. They each have a lot to learn. They also both learn a lot about their trust and faith in God.

This story hooked me from the beginning. I love the continuation of this series and the growth of the characters and keeping up with the ones we have fallen in love with all ready. It is the perfect mix. Seeing broken people and the struggles they face and the strength and hope that comes from it, it something that you really can't get enough of.

Connilyn Cossette, does an amazing job of presenting these Old Testament settings and bringing them to life. The research she has done shines through. She has stuck to the text, but has brought it to a new light with her characters. The information she has written about has made me want to look further into this time and settings.

This was a fabulous book, and I honestly can't wait to read book 3, Until the Mountains Fall, due out in July 2019.

I was able to listen to this story on Audible as well as read the book. I was thrilled to see that the previous narrator was back to continue the performance of this story. She was able to really bring some emotion in to her reading and made it pop.

5 out of 5

About the Author:
When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), bestselling author Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Her novel Counted With the Stars won the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semifinalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. Although a Pacific Northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas.

Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com.



Thank you to the author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: By the Waters of Babylon
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: McPherson Publishing
Pages: 200
ISBN: 9781732443617
Publication Date: August 1st, 2018

About the Book:

When Babylon destroys Jerusalem, as Yahweh warned through his prophets, the captives' bitterness and grief pours out in the Captives' Psalm: 


"[By the rivers of Babylon] we sat as exiles, mourning our captivity, and wept with great love for Zion. Our music and mirth were no longer heard, only sadness. We hung up our harps on the willow trees." (Psalm 137:1-2, The Passion Translation)

A young Israelite woman is among them, captured by a mercenary Scythian prince. Driven toward Babylon by both hatred and hope, she endures captivity to reunite with her husband.
But will he be there when she reaches Babylon? Will the prince risk the Scythian throne--and his life--to believe in the Hebrew God? Can they both find what they seek when they meet the prophet Ezekial. . . by the rivers of Babylon?

My Thoughts:
I have loved Mesu Andrews' books for years! She is an author I anxiously await  any new book from and I re-read all of her books. I've gotten my hooked on her books as well. It was safe to say, I was quite excited when I heard that she was coming out with her first ever novella! I love a well paced shorter story.

Mesu's books are always full of well researched details and Biblical truths with her fictional characters woven into the story. She has a way of crafting a story and making you want to go and research and read what is written about in the Bible. By the Waters of Babylon is no different.

The setting of By the Water's of Babylon starts of in Jerusalem, during the siege of of Nebuchadnezzar. He proclaims he is the king of the world and he is being used by God to serve justice on his fallen people. It is a hard time. Bad things happen. So much so, the ones holding the siege are shocked at the depravity has gone on in the walls. Mesu is able to tell this story, in a truthful and descriptive way, but not grotesque.

We see the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple. We follow the captives as they are hauled off before the king and the higher officials are issued their justice from Nebuchadnezzar. We follow the captives as they are taken to the cities where the Jewish settles have been started in 3 provinces. And in the process, we are introduced to Meshack, Shadrack, and Abendego.  We hear of their story and the awe it brings to the people.

I loved reading about them in this story and the life that comes from everything they had dealt with.

The story was a novella, but it still held the depth and emotional connection as a a full length novel.

The audio for this book was performed very well. I will admit it took a little getting used to a guy narrating the story, but it didn't take long at all. With the story being half told through a man's eyes it really gave it more depth hearing it.

If you are a fan of Biblical fiction this story is very much for you!

5 out of 5

Title: A Light on the Hill
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1986-3
Publication Date: February 6th, 2018

Synopsis:

 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.

Oh, my goodness! Where do I begin with this story?

Connilyn Cossette is an author I watch new releases for. Each story grows on the next and the world just blossom.

A Light on a Hill is the first of this new series, Cities of Refuge. It is a bit of spin off from her previous series, but still stands alone. If you haven't read any of the previous books, it's ok, but, you will want to read her other books.

This story follows Moriyah. She is a young woman who has a very nerve racking experience as a teenager. The experienced changed her and made her want to be reclusive, however, her father wants her to be looked after. She wants to be an obidiant daughter, but with her life, she is hesitant. You can feel what she feels as you read this story. There is so much newness she has to go through. In all of it, her faith grows and her passion for those she cares about remains strong. Following Moriyah through it all was a great journey.

With the incidences that occur in this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Following Moriyah through these new lands of Israel was very interesting. We know about the walls of Jericho that fell down, but what happened after that? Connilyn Cossette took the information that the Bible provided and the research she did shines through. Her characters jump off the page. You want to route for certain ones, and then hope for others to do something else.

The character introduced into this story were great! It offered new eyes to known Biblical stories.

I honestly can't wait for the next book in this series to come out! If you are a fan of Biblical fiction, this is a book you can't miss.

On a side note, I bought, in addition to the review copy I was given, the audio book. The narrator was phenomenal and kept the story moving with a wonderful reading.

Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:
When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), bestselling author Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Her novel Counted With the Starswon the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semifinalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. Although a Pacific Northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas. 

Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com.


Thank you to the Author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Once Upon a Time Story Book Bible
Illustrated by: Omar Aranda
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Pages: 144
ISBN: 978-0-310-75792-4
Publication Date: March 7th, 2017

Synopsis:

The Bible is not a fairy tale, but every great story happened “once upon a time.” The Once Upon a Time Storybook Bible highlights powerful and inspiring stories from the Bible, beautifully illustrated with fantastical artwork by Omar Aranda. Stories include: Ruth, Abigail, Esther, The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Prodigal Son, Mary Magdalene, and many more. Each captivating story is told in a way that will get children excited about reading the tales of real heroes of the Bible.

Title: Once Upon a Time Holy Bible
Illustrator: Omar Aranda
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Pages: 1152
ISBN: 978-0-310-75790-0
Publication Date: March 7th, 2017

Synopsis:

The Bible is not a fairy tale, but every great story happened once upon a time. The NIrV Once Upon a Time Holy Bible contains a presentation page and also highlights six great stories from the Bible on 24 full-color inserts. Each story is told on four pages in full-color, illustrated splendor. Also contains the complete New International Reader's Version (NIrV) of the Bible.
 
Stories include:

God Makes Man and Woman
Isaac and Rebekah
Ruth Finds Happiness
Queen Esther
Mary and Joseph and an Angel
He Lives!
We all have our own tale to live and what better place to look for help and encouragement than the greatest story of all.

 Review:
I have had the pleasure of getting to review these two similar, but different Bibles. And thankfully, I had my kiddo help me go through both of them. 

Since there are two, I was going to highlight each of them in small sections. 

Once Upon a Time Story Book Bible is a beautifully illustrated book.  The colors are vivid and the pictures are inviting and make the stories pop with the detail. The story highlighted throughout are very good and ones that everyone will know, so they are good stories to jump off with for younger kids. The stories are good for further conversations of the stories and also offer a nice visual for younger children. The kiddo and I are both visual, so the pictures were nice to look at together. 

Once Upon a Time Holy Bible was fantastic Bible. So, much so, that my kiddo has requested to use it for her Bible class in school. The illustration is similar to that in the Story Book Bible and highlights special Biblical stories, but also gives the full text which allows older kids to dive further into studying on their own. The NiRV translation is a very nice and smooth reading for kids and adults. 

There is one small downside to these Bibles. I wasn't a fan of the the fact in the Story Book Bible, it started off Once Upon a Time...and ended with, and they lived happily ever after. I wasn't a big fan of that, because, having read the Bible and knowing where we live, it isn't a happily ever after, till heaven. I was glad though, on my copy of the Bibles that is stated on the front, "The Bible is not a fairy tale." I was glad about that. Aside from that, I didn't find anything wrong with these books. 

Too Read
4 out of 5


Thank you to FlyBy Promotions and Zonderkidz, I received a copy of these books for free in exchange for an honest review.