Seven years ago, Moriyah was taken captive in Jericho and branded with the mark of the Canaanite gods. Now the Israelites are experiencing peace in their new land, but Moriyah has yet to find her own peace. Because of the shameful mark on her face, she hides behind her veil at all times and the disdain of the townspeople keeps her from socializing. And marriage prospects were out of the question … question . . . until now.
Her father has found someone to marry her, and she hopes to use her love of cooking to impress the man and his motherless sons. But when things go horribly wrong, Moriyah is forced to flee. 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.
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On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette is a fruit and nut trail mix. Each bite bursts with a variation of flavors, depending on what you chomp. Not completely sweet or savory, this mix journeys with you.
[book received. opinions my own.]
Moriyah escaped being a temple priestess but not before she was branded. Now, she lives her life behind a veil so as not to bring further shame upon her family. And yet somehow, her father finds a widow who is willing to marry her along with the dowry of her father’s vineyard. Right when life seems full of possibility, a horrible accident disrupts all plans and sends Moriyah running for her life.
Connilyn Cossette not only writes tough, flawed characters, but she also captures a page-turning plot that brings to life the curiosity of the cities of refuge. Although familiar Bible characters make appearances, the story portrays the power of owning your choices and still experiencing mercy. Every time I read a book written by Connilyn Cossette, I meet God in the pages. These fiction books refresh my own walk with the Lord.
If you want to see Biblical times come alive in your imagination, A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette is for you.
A Light On The Hill another torch to buy Ms. Cossette that I got to read and I just have to say “Bravo” she is one amazing author who knows how to bring her characters to life and make them real. She also gets you as the reader to become emotionally invested in the characters. How could you not love Moriyah? You fall in love with her strength and courage as well as her face. This is one book you definitely need to read for yourself.
” . . . 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.
Once again, Connilyn Cossette has guided me along a journey thru the Old Testament in a fresh, fascinating way. A Light on the Hill is a story about false assumptions, honesty, adventure and pure love. The highlights in my book are witnesses to the descriptive words and phrases that Connilyn Cossette uses to urge readers to picture, hear, feel and smell the story. Above all, the loving kindness of God shines brightly thru the characters as they discover more about him in their own lives.
The year is 1399 BC, the walls of Jericho have crumbled, and the Dwelling Place is being prepared as the Israelites settle in the land of Canaan, after spending forty years in the wilderness. It’s been seven years since the events of Wings of the Wind (the third book of the Out of Egypt series) and Moriyah has returned to her home in Shiloh with the haunting memories of her time in Jericho still plaguing her mind. Only taking her veil off when she’s alone in her house due to her fear of bringing more shame upon her parents, Moriyah’s father surprises her with an announcement that he has found her a man to marry. Questions flood her mind about whether or not this stranger will accept her with a pagan symbol branded on her cheek or if he is only going through with the marriage to receive her father’s vineyard upon his death.
However, things go horribly wrong as Moriyah was making preparations to impress her betrothed with her remarkable cooking skills. Forced to flee for her life, Moriyah must race her assailant to one of the Levitical cities of refuge, before he has the chance to take justice into his own hands.
The journey is anything but easy. Moriyah comes across danger after danger and has to use her quick wits in order to save her life and those dearest to her. Will Moriyah arrive in Kedesh before her betrothed? Will Yahweh help guide her way, or has He cut all ties off with her after the events of Jericho? And what of her betrothed brother, who is escorting her, can he truly be trusted?
A Light on the Hill is a story about finding out who you really are, trusting in Yahweh no matter the consequences, and refusing to live a life of fear. Moriyah, one of the strongest protagonists I’ve ever read about, proves that even when destruction seems to be her only future, Yahweh can bring forth blessings and reveal His presence to us in the midst of our struggles.
I know I write this a lot, but A Light on the Hill is seriously my new favorite book! The way Connilyn Cossette wrote the characters and described the journey made it all seem real and relatable. I instantly connected with Moriyah and could understand everything she was going through throughout this book.
I sapped up every detail that was written, like a sponge in a bowl of water. I honestly couldn’t put this book down and would stay up at night trying to imagine what was going to happen next.
Everything about this book was exceptional. I can’t say one bad thing about it and am genuinely at a loss for words to describe how I feel about this novel. There is no doubt about it; I will re-read this book a hundred times and tell everyone I know to read it!
A Light on the Hill is book #1 in the (Cities of Refuge #1) series by Connilyn Cossette. Book two in the series, Shelter of the Most High is expected to release in 2018— the cover is forthcoming.
A Light on the HillA Light on the Hill continues with Moriyah’s story—the young woman who was branded at the end of the third book in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. It isn’t necessary to have read the Out from Egypt series to enjoy this book but I strongly suggest doing so. You’ll understand Moriyah better and have more of a bond with her.
There isn’t a thing that I disliked about this book. For starters, the cover is one of the prettiest that I’ve ever seen. I was fascinated by the sky, the head covering that I knew was meant to mask Moriyah’s disfigured face and the city placed behind her. I’m not kidding—this cover is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. In fact—I might say it IS the most beautiful cover I’ve ever seen! I know, what is on the cover doesn’t really count for anything but I can’t help it. This. Cover. Is. Amazing! So amazing that I seriously just broke my words to emphasize them—this is serious y’all because I hate it when people do that! Well, I did…until I just did it.
Anyway, back to the important stuff—what’s inside the book. This story was fascinating and gripping. The action was just right, the romance was swoon-worthy…I’m not kidding. Connilyn Cossette writes these amazingly strong male characters that I can’t help but crush on. I’m kinda embarrassed to admit this but I can’t help it! She’s so beautifully descriptive that I fall in love with the characters and the words. Doesn’t this just make your heart stop?
I could see every nuance within his eyes, the way the brown swirled with green and gold and even the slight ring of blue that encircled all of it as he held me captive within his gaze
AHHHHHH! Okay, enough fangirling, let’s talk about the plot. I grew up in church and I’ve heard my pastor preach many times about the cities of refuge and how they were a symbol of redemption in Christ. For the first time, I considered the people who would have taken refuge within their walls. I had never added the human element and some of the concepts of the cities were somewhat was lost on me—until this book. I understood them on an intellectual level but it was so impersonal to me. Connilyn Cossette brought to life for me the use of these cities and the people who may have sought refuge within their walls. She presented them to me in a way that suddenly made sense—she gave me a character that I could empathize with. A character that I traveled with, agonizing with her every step of the way as she fled to the safety of Kedesh.
Moriyah’s character and this book taught me so much. About accepting myself, my self-worth and how I shouldn’t let physical problems define who I am. I am loved. I am special to God. I am His. He is my redeemer.
This book was a beautifully woven tale of love, redemption, grace, and acceptance. I’m tempted to say that it is my favorite out of the four the author has written. I so identified with Moriyah.
If you’re looking for books to help you understand the geography, the culture and the social standards of the Bible; I would definitely suggest A Light on the Hill.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This book is simply amazing. It’s Biblical fiction at it’s best. The story of Moriyah is heartwrenching and beautiful. There is never a dull moment as this book grabs you from page 1.
It is told in first person and she tells her own tale and her feelings as she experiences things she never expected and has never dealt with. Her faith through all of it is powerful and deep.
As I read this book, I felt as though I was truly experiencing everything right along with her.
You will love this book. I couldn’t put it down, couldn’t wait to see what happened next, and at the same time, didn’t want it to end.
I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts all my own.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G really doesn’t describe this beautiful, touching book. I was so anxious to read Moriyah’s story since she appeared in a previous book. It didn’t fail to keep me turning pages and staying up to finish. The history of biblical times is so interesting, well researched, and told in such a way that it is never boring. It brings it to life and you can visualize the places and even the foods. I loved Dareck and how he reacted to Moriyah in different situations, but no spoilers so can’t say what. Moriyah’s strength of character, faith, and kind heart were so inspirational after what she had endured. It is interwoven like a tapestry that you can’t absorb in one sitting, so you revisit it again and again. This is the first book in the new Cities of Refuge series. I look forward to the next one. I highly recommend this, but make sure you have tissues.
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.