synopsis:

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 . . . 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.

My Thoughts: 

I absolutely LOVE Connilyn Cossette's writing style! She is perfectly descriptive and it just brings ancient Israel to life! I was so happy to pick up another one of her books, and was not disappointed! 

The plot of this book is amazing. I've never read -or heard of- another book like it. The story line is incredible and it drew me in like a moth to the flame. I found Moriyah's struggle and journey to be truly inspiring. 

How could someone who'd endured such suffering remain so untainted? I felt the oily sheen of shame on my soul at every moment. I was weary of its darkness. Weary of its weight. I had no idea how to leave it behind, even for one night. 

The cause of Moriyah's shame may not be relevant for today's time, but I felt my heart connect with hers throughout the whole book. Don't we all have those things that have happened to us, whether by our own or someone else's hand, that cripple us? I love that Moriyah even demonstrated agoraphobia. 

How had I come to be this way? To the point that leaving my home and walking among my own people had become something that made my palms sweat and my nerves jangle like dented cymbals?

I loved this book and enjoyed it so much. I recommend it! 

A Light on the Hill comes out February 6, 2018. You can pre-order your copy here. 

Happy Reading!





I was given this book in exchange for my honest review from Netgalley. All opinions stated above are my own. Affiliate links used.

I related to this book in a way I didn't expect...

This book plants us in the promised land of Abraham. It has been 50 years since their exodus from slavery in Egypt. Joshua and Caleb are still in control and the dividing of the land has begun to the tribes and we are dropped into Shiloh in the middle of a lush vineyard once charred by the Canaanites that lived there before and nurtured back to life by the hands of an Egyptian man who fell in love with a Israelite girl and her God and was given land by Joshua to thank him for his service to he and Caleb. 

From there the story unfolds like the petals of a flower. Enter the vinters daughter Moriyah, a beautiful raven-haired girl and the life-threatening trials she must bear captured and enslaved in Jericho. Even after she gets free she must live with the gossip the isolation and shame. 

Follow this brave lady's story, her tenderness and embarrassment, her dreams and pride and how it shapes and controls her life and chance at happiness. How a simple act she's done a million times before changes her life - maybe forever as she faces a struggle for her life. 

The story is great the characters believable and dialogue is enjoyable. I truly did enjoy this book and recommend it highly.

"A Light on the Hill" is biblical fiction with romance and suspense. This novel was set 7 years after "Wings of the Wind" and followed what happens to Moriyah, a character from that story. The Israelites have taken much of Canaan and the first cities of refuge have been established. Moriyah has isolated herself out of shame for the brand on her face and feels no one can see past the rumors to see and love her. After an accident results in the deaths of the twin 13-year-old sons of a man who might have married her, Moriyah flees into a hostile land in disguise as she tries to survive until she can reach a city of refuge.

Moriyah was often guided by her emotions. For example, when a faithful friend was injured, she didn't want to leave him in someone's care even though doing so would be the one chance for everyone to survive. However, she started hearing God's guiding voice again and decided to follow His instructions and laws, no matter the cost. She falls in love with someone who helps her as he admires her courage and can see both her inner and outer beauty. They agonize that, no matter what happens, they could never marry. (After building these obstacles up so high, I would have liked it if the author had taken a little more time to resolve them rather than basically dismissing them at the very end.)

Overall, I enjoyed the story, but the characters did some things that I don't think would have been allowed in that culture. For example, Moriyah's Egyptian father married a woman from Judah but was given some land in Ephraim for a special reason. Then a man from Naphtali was told he'd inherit this land when her father died if he would marry Moriyah. The Bible makes a strong point that the land should remain with (owned by someone of) the tribe that inherited that territory, so I can't imagine the elders allowing this. Also, since her potential husband will live on and eventually inherit land several days journey away, this isn't a very desirable deal for him (though they act like it is). I can't understand why the author didn't just make the man from Ephraim! I had similar doubts about several aspects of the trial and what happened after it. Unfortunately, I found this distracting from the good insights (mercy, atonement) the author brought out. There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting novel.

For some reason, Biblical fiction is not my go-to genre. But, since giving her first a try, I can’t read one of Connilyn Cosette’s books without fangirling. I know I need to put everything on hold because I’ll be useless until I finish them. 

Moriyah has been branded by shame, and in protection of her family’s honour, and her pride, she’s hidden inside her home for seven years. Still, as anyone, she has dreams, for her land, her family and her future. Dreams which include finding someone who can see beyond the mark and truly love her. She believes this might come true when her father announces he has found a man willing to marry her; soon, though, even this possibility is shattered when she finds out he is actually looking forward to the promise of her land despite a marred wife. In obedience to her father, Moriyah complies to his plans and works to be a dutiful wife, even if this shall prove to be more hurtful than she ever imagined. However, after a grotesque incident, Moriyah is forced to flee to a city of refuge, in a journey full of frustration, confusion, and fear.

The plot was exquisitely done and the characters easily charmed there way around my heart. The law was explained in such humbling way, showing the appalling consequences of sin and its rightful condemnation, while still highlighting that merciful justice exists, even for the worst of sinners. And, truth be told, these sinners are us, who forget the law, ignore Yahweh’s voice and dive into a pool of self-pity and pride. But oh the overflowing joy when we receive favor, undeserved and unmerited, only by grace.

During her flight, Moriyah will be forced to go through enemy territory, face lions and bandits, as well as trust one set out to kill her. Nevertheless, she might just learn what it means to be sought after and loved, even when our hearts have turned away from truth and holiness, and that there is no way to love anything more than the One who showed us the greatest kindness, who uses our ashes and scars to serve others and bring healing rather than being an evidence of indignity. If we only open our eyes to see and our hearts to receive this unconditional love we will discover there is no limitation if we have faith.

I’m very much looking forward to the next book.

Ms. Cossette did NOT disappoint!  I have read her three previous books and LOVED each one, but this one is by far my favorite! I couldn’t put it down but then didn’t want it to end! She had a way of making you feel a part of the story- a part of this family. There was suspense, surprise, love and a good bit of history that is also making my Bible reading come alive!  I absolutely cannot wait for her next book!

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette is an interesting Biblical fiction story. Even though Biblical fiction is not my chosen choice of genre, I have heard wonderful things about Cossette's writing. While I haven't sampled any of her writing yet, I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction to her writing. With Biblical fiction, I imagined a story set in a world that I'm unfamiliar with and characters relating to a world with the hope of God deeply ingrained in their every choice. 
The writing was clear and concise. I really enjoyed that A Light on the Hill explored the city of refuges mentioned in the Bible. I didn't know anything about this topic from the Bible before Cossette wrote about it. This story is told in first person. Since I haven't read any of her other three books, I don't know if she does this in all of her books or if this is the first time. But it works well for this Biblical story. I saw the story from Moriyah's perspective, and it made the story shine more than usual. Most Biblical fiction authors, in my humble opinion, like to create dry, boring stories, but Cossette created a story rich with memorable characters and an intriguing plot. 
Moriyah is an unique character. From the moment she entered the story, I empathized with her plight. What eleven year old could handled that type of branding and be able to tell the tale. Cossette does a great job at showing a strong woman who honors her family and depends on Yahweh even though she has been scared from a young age. Then enters Darek. The mysterious, yet handsome man who sees beyond Moriyah's disfigurement and sees her internal beauty. I admired him as the hero and wanted to see more of him. 
The plot flowed like a modern day chase scene. Someone running from the law and trying to blend in with another society. This story moved fast and kept my attention from the beginning. I finished the novel in a little over one day and really enjoyed it. Even I was surprised. 
Overall, A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette is an interesting look into the world of Biblical time period and explored deeper than the Bible allows me to know. I enjoyed the characters and spending time in their harrowing chase through the wilderness. I highly recommend this book to fans of Biblical Fiction or fans of high speed chases. It truly captured my imagination. Now I'm anxious to return to her first three books and read those. 
I received a complimentary copy of A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.