Until Mountains Fall is the third book in Connilyn Cossette's Cities of Refuge series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend reading the first two books in this series as they are not only wonderfully written and enjoyable to read, but also will give you the back story of the families living in this city of refuge.

Book three is the story of Malakhi and Rivkah; who are featured at the end of Shelter of the Most High as a wayward boy with a penchant for tormenting a beautiful girl. Set during Biblical times in the period between the Conquest and the Judges, this story mirrors the parable of the prodigal son. It is beautifully written, rich in character development and well researched. I felt as if I was on the sidelines of these cities of refuge watching the story unfold. A major theme of Until Mountains Fall is forgiveness and redemption. Readers are reminded that no matter how far we have run, or how far we have fallen, God is there waiting for us to return to with open arms.

I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion of this series (Tirzah's story) Like Flames Against the Night, which releases March 3, 2020.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free e-copy of Until Mountains Fall. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Tear-jerking, action-packed, and suspenseful! Connilyn Cossette exceeds expectation with her latest novel, the third installment to the City of Refuge series!

Recently widowed, Rivkah is looking to escape her impending marriage with her late husband's brother, a boy who has tormented Rivkah since childhood. Denying to do her duty and obey the Torah, when the opportunity Rivkah has been looking for arrives, she flees Kedesh, a city of refuge, for a life of freedom. But, will her disobedience be worth the future that is waiting for her outside the city's walls?

Back in Kedesh, Malakhi has become bitter after the betrayal of his betrothed. From falling in love with her as a child, being forced to watch her marry his older brother, to her rejection, the once care-free young boy has become a man with a heart of stone. Turning his attention the war against the Canaanites and other enemies closing in on the Israelites, Malakhi becomes a warrior; however, after being wounded in battle his life is once again put on hold and Malakhi has nowhere to hide from the hurt of Rivkah's decision. Will Malakhi be able to move on, or will the pain drive him to find an answer to his questions?

Until the Mountains Fall might be my new favorite book in this series! It's raw, emotional, and even though it takes place thousands of years ago, the message is something that will impact the lives of the readers. So get out your box of tissues and get ready for an adventure that will keep you on your toes until the very end!

I have followed the stories of this family throughout this series and love this latest installment!

Kedesh is a city of refuge in the Promised Land. This story takes place soon after the death of Joshua (who took over as leader when Moses died). Rivkah, daughter of the High Priest over Kedesh, has grown up with the children of Darek and Moriyah (the hero and heroine of the first book of the series). She married one of their sons but had been widowed. Her father insisted that she follow Jewish tradition and marry the next son Malakhi. Rivkah does not want to marry Malakhi and so she runs away with her cousin to hide from the marriage. Of course they run into trouble right away and by the time she realizes she made a mistake it’s too late. Malakhi, who had loved Rivkah for years, was devastated by the situation and threw himself into helping his father as a warrior. When he eventually finds out where Rivkah is he sets out to fetch her but she is in a situation that is not easy to get out of. The story has shades of the Prodigal son in the Bible and is a good story about forgiveness and grace.

I hope there will be another installment in this series.

I received a Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Connilyn Cossette knocks another one out of the park! She is a master at story-telling from Old Testament times! Until the Mountains Fall is the 3rd book in the Cities of Refuge series. While this story can stand alone on its own, I would strongly recommend reading at least book 1 (A Light on the Hill) as the story from that book is referenced quite a few times in this one and it is actually resolved in this book.

This book takes place after the Israelites have taken the Promised Land. The death of Joshua happens in the midst of this story. It was absolutely fascinating to see the gradual fall of the nation of Israel. How one compromise led to another until it was flat-out disobedience to God's law, the Torah. When I read the scriptures, I am quick to harshly judge the nation of Israel for forgetting how they crossed the Red Sea, and how the walls of Jericho fell..... but when I read about it one compromise at a time, I see how this happens in my own life and in our current generation as well.

The story line in this book follows Rivkah, the daughter of the priest in Kedesh, and Malakhi, the youngest son of Moriyah and Darek (who we met in A Light on the Hill). We meet Rivkah and Malakhi Briefly in Shelter of the Most High (book 2 in the Cities of Refuge series) as youngsters. Now they are grown and are betrothed in a Levirite marriage after the death of Gidal, Malakhi's older brother and Rivkah's husband. In her grief, she flees the city in an attempt to get out of the betrothal and make her own way. When she has to face her past several years later, and Malakhi again, how will she respond?

This story was such a beautiful tale of the love and grace of God. With elements from one of the parables Jesus told about God's love for all who are lost, this story brought tears of joy at the grace that was shown. I loved the full gamut of emotions, the depth of the characters and the conflicts that happen when we interpret without communication. The characters in this book were all likable and relateable, the story line was very well done, and the romance was so sweet and tender. I loved everything about this book! I would recommend for lovers of historical romance and those who enjoy delving into the missing parts of the scriptures to see what might have happened.

Special thanks to Bethany House Publishers for an advanced copy of this book. I was not required to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Sometimes love stories aren't perfect even in books. Two head-strong people, he's been in love with her for years but she never thought of him that way. She runs away in rebellion to her religion and her family believing that she knows better. How quickly she finds out she was wrong and feels like she can never return. He is heart-broken and squelches his hurt by joining the military to fight the enemy. They are offered a second chance and the beauty of their healing hearts is inspiring. Two people who fall in love are not perfect but "love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pet 4:8) Connilyn Cossette's love for Jesus shines in this beautiful love story. Each time I read one of her novels I think, "this is the best" but then she writes another and it outshines the last! I come away feeling ministered to and closer to Jesus. Thank you, Connilyn, for your continued commitment to writing deep and meaningful stories.

UNTIL THE MOUNTAINS FALL is the third book in CONNILYN COSSETTE's CITIES OF REFUGE series. I really feel you will benefit by reading the first two books first, but it is not really necessary to do so in order to follow the story.
Rikvah is the daughter of Amitai, the head priest in Kedesh, one of the Hebrew cities of refuge, and she nearly breaks his heart when she runs away with Nessa to the wicked city of Laish, in a fit of rebellion, ending up in Edrei, indentured as a scribe to the wealthy and wicked Samil.
Edrei is very different to Kedesh in that there is a form of godliness, but they have mixed pagan gods and practices into the worship of the Most High God.
We see how a person's selfish behaviour can bring trouble to those they love, as there are always consequences. In fact the novel could be called The Prodigal Daughter, as it follows the parable of the Prodigal Son, and also there is a strong feeling of sacrificial love, as parents throughout the story are ready to go into danger in order to save their children. There is an interesting comparison between the sacrificial love shown by Malakhi and Estabaal and Nessa's treatment from her abusive and selfish husband.
I enjoy seeing the development of the characters as they draw closer to the Lord, as we are reminded of God the Father's all encompassing love for His children.
The story starts just before the death of Joshua and ends at the time of the death of the High Priest, Eliezer. We see how the Israelites have largely forgotten the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and how there is fighting and lethargy amongst the tribes, making it easy for the Arameans to overthrow the city of Edrei, amongst others.
This author sets her stories in biblical times so very successfully, giving us a wonderful insight into what life was like then. This in no way detracts from the truth of the Bible. She has obviously done a great deal of research.
Until The Mountains Fall is a beautiful book and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

My Review:

Genre: Biblical fiction.

My Rating: 5 stars! (I've found some good books this week!)

My Recommendation: 13 to 16 up depending on how readers like romance. . . Warnings below, too. 

My Favorite Character: Though she made mistakes and was at first a somewhat spoiled character she soon grew into a wonderful woman who fits perfectly with this 

My Verse for Rivkah is Mark 5:34
And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. (King James Version.) (Plague in this verse has to do with Rivkah's sins.)

My Thoughts: This Biblical fiction, was actually Biblical fiction -- set during Bible times but not changing a book of the Bible. There isn't much that people know about the time this novel was set in but Cossette showed what I imagine life was like during the time. She did amazing with the setting and stayed true to the time without taking away from the enjoyment of fiction. I loved this book and I don't often say that about the Biblical fiction I read.

Warnings: A man drugs a woman, slavery, some drinking, mentions of being unfaithful, (not true.), characters die . . . They are at war sometimes so, yeah, all that and stuff.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review -- all the thoughts are my own.

Review to post on my blog on 7/2/19

Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette is a wonderful story of Biblical proportions. I enjoy spending time in ancient Biblical times and learning more about little parts of the Bible that aren't that well-known. Cossette is a wonderful storyteller. She captures the audience with her descriptions and her ability to climb into the character's minds and lives. Like I have stated before, I can't imagine all the research that goes into writing Biblical fiction. I really enjoyed watching the transformation of Rivkah as she learns to love Malakhi He was definitely a hero worth keeping an eye on. I loved how he would do anything to protect Rivkah, even offer to work as a servant to keep an eye on her. These characters were admirable. I really enjoyed this novel and can't wait for the fourth book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.