Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander’s kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter … beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached. Strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.
When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam’s thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he’s come to love?
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I have loved every book by Connilyn Cossette, but I think this is my favorite to date! What a wonderful and worthy conclusion to her masterfully written “Cities of Refuge” series!
This final installment of the series, Like Flames in the Night, focuses on Tirzah, the youngest of Moriyah and Darek’s children, who we’ve seen grown up in the earlier books. We also are introduced to Liyam, a widower who just lost his young daughter, Nadina, and has sworn vengeance on the man responsible for her death through his recklessness.
Having also recently lost her spouse, highly spirited Tirzah is restless in her situation and wants to do something worthwhile with her life by helping in the effort to free Israel. She gets the opportunity when her brother trains her as a spy (something unheard of for a woman of that time) and she goes to work in an enemy household as a cook. When her situation becomes precarious, Liyam is sent there to help protect her. I won’t say more, as I don’t want to be a spoiler. However, I can’t stress enough what an exhilarating and engaging story this is!
The title and references to it in the book beautifully remind us how we are called to be like flames in the night to those around us, drawing them toward God, and how one lone flame can make all the difference in someone’s life. This is a powerful story of mercy and forgiveness that I won’t soon forget!
If you have not read the other books in the “Cities of Refuge” series or the “Out From Egypt” series, you needn’t worry; Cossette fills in plenty of background history to make it easy to jump right into the story. However, I would still recommend reading the other books first to get the deepest, most fulfilling experience possible from this beautifully told saga.
I highly recommend Like Flames in the Night to anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction that is supported by solid, in-depth historical research. Many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.
Superior Biblical Fiction by a master storyteller. This is book four and the conclusion to The Cities of Refuge series and in my opinion it is stellar. From the beautiful cover to the weaving of a tapestry with words you will be swept away to Biblical times and cities. The descriptive images of the countryside to the sights and smells of the cities including foods and delicacies will have you stepping into the time and place. This is a story of hope for a people who want to serve Yahweh against merciless aggressors. It has a truth for present times if we would all take our small flame and combine it with others to create a blaze that will defeat the darkness. It reminds me of the song we learn as children, This Little Light of Mine. I loved the healing that takes place in Tirzah and Liyam hearts when they fully surrender to Yahweh. Visiting previous characters we loved and meeting new ones all combined to tug at your heartstrings and make you saying no please don’t end. I highly recommend this whole series as it brings life to scripture. I was truly blessed in reading this as it is thought provoking.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I loved this book! Connilyn truly brought the characters to life as they struggled with their own insecurities and learned to truly rely on each other and the One Who Hears. I am sorry to have come to the end of this series, but I have greatly enjoyed learning so much about the cities of refuge and at the same time learning how to put my own trust in my creator who hears.
“Who was I to speak to the mind of the Eternal One? Or to turn my face away from the gifts he’d given me? Perhaps even the trials I had endured were gifts in a way, making me stronger, wiser, more prepared to accomplish his purposes.”
Who are we to know the mind of our creator? We all struggle with this. I feel especially now in this world lacking in justice, we feel like he has forgotten us. But we must be faithful. He will bring forth justice in his time, when our hearts are ready to receive it. When we’ve humbled ourselves enough to accept it.
So much truth is weaved into each book and I greatly look forward to what will come next.
This was another great story by Connilyn Cossette. This is the fourth book in the Cities of Refuge series. I loved the story and the characters. I could picture in my mind the events in the story. And I’d recommend this book to all my friends.
Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette engaged my attention immediately with Tirzah who easily claimed the spot as my favorite character. As a leader, she’s strong and brave. As a spy, she’s skilled and confident. As a human being, she’s imperfect, yet tenacious. In short, she’s the kind of woman I aspire to be! I loved that Liyam respects and affirms her as a valued, gifted warrior-leader.
With romantic tension, constant danger, and hard issues, the storyline of Like Flames in the Night moves steadily. I enjoyed the characters’ personal development as the story progressed. Liyam, like Raviv from the first novel in the series, is a Blood Avenger. Liyam’s pain, struggle, and duty dictate many of his actions, but the last chapter is a potent masterpiece displaying the novel’s themes and Liyam’s character development. I wanted to cry and cheer.
Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette stands as the fourth and final installment in the Cities of Refuge series. While this novel can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the novels in order as nearly all the characters from previous novels in the series, plus, some from Wings of the Wind, reappear in Like Flames in the Night. Truly, the epilogue created a satisfying conclusion to both this novel and the series as a whole. I will likely read the series in its entirety again in the future.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
I always have mixed feelings when I come to the close of a fabulous book series. I love the interconnected stories coming full circle, yet I know I’ll miss spending time with the characters. That is, until I revisit them when I reread the books at a later date.
Like Flames in the Night is a captivating story that centers on Tirzah and Liyam. Tirzah is a familiar character in the series, while Liyam is new. Tirzah is fearless and daring, journeying into an unfamiliar territory of danger, especially for a woman during that time. I would’ve had a difficult time stepping into her place, still I put myself there through her story and saw the world and the era’s obstacles through her eyes. Liyam seeks revenge for a tragedy that left his life forever changed. I was surprised at how much his search moved me. I love how these two lives were placed together.
Connilyn Cossette is a master storyteller, second to none in gathering historical details and using them to create believable Biblical scenes, stories, and settings with a lovely blend of fiction and authenticity. The four-book Cities of Refuge series is wonderfully creative, edifying, and inspiring. I can’t wait to read The Covenant House series!
I am in awe of this stunning cover art. The cover is usually what first pulls me into a book, although in this particular instance the fact that Ms. Cossette was the author created the initial pull. I view books as works of art, from the cover to the closing page, and this one is a masterpiece.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.