"The consequences of our foolish decisions are always made clearer when we look backward on the path we traveled"

"If Mosheh (Moses) would have sent in ten women to spy in Canaan, we might have spent 40 years less in the wilderness."

This final book in the Cities of Refuge was a wonderful conclusion to this incredibly well-written series. The six Cities of Refuge were distributed throughout the Kingdom of Israel in the north and the Kingdom of Judah in the south, along both sides of the Jordan River. Kadesh, Shechem, and Hebron were to the west of the Jordan River; Golan, Ramoth-Gilead, and Bezer were to the east of the Jordan River. These six cities were for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them;anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. But they would have to live there until the current King died.

Now the descendants of Moriyah who had to flee to a city of refuge are spying on and fighting the Arameans in order to regain the territories of the Promised Land that have been lost. Tirzah has grown up with all her brothers and is basically a tomboy. She has been sent to Kedesh to spy on the Aramean soldiers. Liyam who is a skilled soldier has been sent with her to watch her back. Both are suffering from events in their past, that have left them devastate.d.

Tirzah was such an amazing women. She not only knew how to act to appear invisible, but was also smart, wily, and courageous. I loved when she was used by God to speak to the Levites. Lyiam was strong, skilled and understanding, but was beset by the loss of his wife and daughter. Tirzah was able to help him realize that God's job was justice not Liyam's and that his duty was forgiveness.

This entire series was filled with a wonderful Biblical foundation fleshed out with incredible historical research.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

This is a remarkable biblical novel!

It’s not just a fantastic book but also an amazing way to wrap up the series! This is one series that it definitely helps to read the books in order.

We’ve seen Tirzah before. It was wonderful to see her fully developed. She is an extremely strong and courageous woman. I love how she is completely devoted to Yahweh and willing to do everything she can and that she believes He wants her to do.

Liyam is torn between fulfilling the vow he made to exact vengeance himself or serving Yahweh. I was completely caught up in watching his personal struggle.

I loved seeing how they interacted with each other from the time they met. They went through so many different emotions and worked through them together.

There was lots of danger and action as the Israelites fought to drive the Arameans from their land. I knew how it would end because I have read the bible. That made it no less enjoyable to see how the author had the story play out since there were really no details in the bible itself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

This was the last book in this series and it was fantastic. I did not want to put this book down but I will also really miss this family. I love how Connilyn Cossette can give these characters such a life. I love how she can take an idea from the Bible and give us a family and their reactions. This book has many twists and turns and some battles. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Connilyn Cossette has really knocked it out of the park with her entire Cities of Refuge series. Each story was a treat to read and, although I’m sad it has to end, I can easily see myself revisiting this series very soon. Like Flames in the Night deals with big issues like loss and heartache, self-worth, vengeance and forgiveness. There is more than enough intrigue and danger to keep the pages turning and the spy craft will have your heart racing.

I would recommend reading the series in order as there are some continuing threads you won’t want to miss out on. If you’ve never read Cossette before don’t hesitate, she writes some truly stunning biblical fiction!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

What a beautiful book and ending to this fascinating series! It was filled with depth and action. The heroine was truly just that - a heroine.

Like Flames in the Night
By Connilyn Cossette
I loved how encouraging this book was to my faith. Although this is the fourth in the Cities of Refuge Series, I read it as a stand-alone novel. From reading this book I imagine that I will enjoy the previous books as well.
Uncertain of her future Tirizah returns to her parents' home following her husband's death. With no children to look after and her heart healing Tirizah finds herself unsettled. When word arrives of an opportunity to infiltrate the enemy's territory to spy Tirizah realizes God has made her for this. Trained in combat but being a woman, an unexpected threat, Trizah becomes the perfect spy.
I admired Tirizahs gumption and confidence, most of all I admired her faith. I was inspired by Tirizahs bold and earnest desire to serve her family and the Lord. It is easy to get comfortable in the world we live in and forget that we are here for God’s purpose. We are to be Christ's reflection, being in the world but not of it. Although our fight may not be as physical as it was in Tirizahs story we are still fighting a spiritual battle.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette is the fourth and, sadly, the final story in the Cities of Refuge series. I have loved every story in this wonderful series. I love how Connilyn has taken something we know very little about from the Bible and created such an interesting world that I did not want to leave.

There are so many things I love about this story, well, this entire series, but I’m going to focus on the two things that make this series a must read. The characters and the writing style. I love all of these characters. I loved their stories and their relationships with each other so much so that I wish this series would keep going. Liyam and Tirzah are the perfect addition to this cast of characters! I also love Connilyn’s writing style. You become so immersed in the story and she has a way of making you picture everything so clearly.

This is my all time favorite Biblical fiction series. I cannot wait to see what Ms. Cossette brings us next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am a huge fan of Connilyn Cossette's writings and when I spotted this book on the list for reading and reviewing I was thrilled. Not only do I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Cossette's writing style and her amazing characters, but I also greatly enjoy this particular series of hers as well. Like Flames in the Night continues the wonderfully woven and well-loved Cities of Refuge series by Ms. Cossette, making a focus on Tirzah as the new protagonist. As with all of Ms. Cossette's writings, Like Flames in the Night delves into a captivating story of adventure, heartache, mystery, love, faith, and hope. The historical context of Like Flames in the Night is the time period following the conquering of the promised land, when the various judges and deliverers God appointed were leading the Israelite people into victory.  It was a very difficult time for the people of God as many of Israel had fallen away from the law and had forsaken God's truth.  I think that Ms. Cossette conveyed in a very real way the struggles that people faced during this time by her in-depth portrayal of Tirzah and her family.
Tirzah is a young widow with a thirst to fight for her nation and prove herself in that pursuit. She strongly desires to find her purpose in life and sees her talents to be in the art of espionage. In ancient Israel it was highly irregular for a woman to be part of the Israelite forces; yet, Tirzah is anything but typical.  After convincing her brothers, whom are leaders of the clandestine Israelite army, Tirzah undergoes training for a secret mission that would place her inside the palace of one of Israel's most fearsome enemies.  Soon after Tirzah gains access into the Aramean ruler's kitchen, she is thrown into very serious danger when the two others placed to protect her disappear.  Tirzah is on her own in a very deadly scenario.  What can she do?  How can she get word back to her brothers?
After returning from battle Liyam's world is shattered when he is told that his young daughter is dead.  Already dealing with the loss of his young wife, Liyam is thrown into despair and vows revenge on his daughter's killer. Liyam pounces on any thread of news on his daughter's killer, pursuing many hopeful but ultimately fruitless leads. Eventually, Liyam is worn down and hopeless after many months of his pursuit.  Liyam desperately needs rest in his travels. When offered a meal by a surprising connection, Liyam is tasked with a dangerous rescue. He is asked to pose as a mercenary to rescue a woman whom has infiltrated the Aramean ruler's kitchen--Tirzah. If he completes this mission given to him by Tirzah's family, then they will help Liyam track down his daughter's killer. What follows is an intense tale of danger, intrigue, deception, and suspense. Will Tirzah survive?  Can Liyam rescue her? Can they bring the Israelite army the information needed to have victory?
The strength and iron-willed character of Tirzah genuinely impressed me. I was fascinated by the way she handled herself when in danger. Her bravery and ability to control her physical and emotional responses to situations was intriguing and would clearly add to her successful espionage among Israel's enemies.  I often think that I could be brave and courageous in difficult and trying situations; however, I couldn't imagine the pressure and intense fear that Tirzah would have felt on her own disguised among her enemies. Tirzah had dealt with loss in her young life, but had not let it determine her life choices. She was definitely a strong woman! I appreciated her love for her family and her devotion to God.  Tirzah had grown up with brothers and had always thrived on keeping up with them. As she grew older, Tirzah continued her atypical love for adventure and physical endurance, which led her into the strange world of counterintelligence.
Liyam's character was very interesting to me. I definitely related to his deep grief and anger, as most of us can due to experiencing loss in our lives. I also appreciated how he was a protector and defender. It is not as well-respected or universally acknowledged (in today's society), for men to stand up for justice and for those who need protecting. I appreciated Liyam's love for his family, his devotion to justice, and his humility and faith after suffering defeat.  Liyam portrayed a harsh and tough outer demeanor to the world, yet especially as he grew to know Tirzah, Liyam displayed his faith, love, and compassion more clearly. I greatly appreciated Liyam and Tirzah's characters and the way that Ms. Cossette brought their seemingly opposing forces together in a sweet way.
I am always impressed by how easily Ms. Cossette brings her readers into the historic realm of this largely unknown ancient world as well as how she makes the characters so relatable to readers of the modern age. Yet again, Ms. Cossette has achieved an excellent work, leading her readers on a journey of adventure, hope, faith, courage, and love. I would highly recommend Like Flames in the Night and would definitely suggest reading the rest of her works. You will not be disappointed!

Disclaimer: Bethany House Publishers graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

Once again Connilyn Cossette has blown me away with her masterful storytelling abilities. Her ability to take Biblical happenings and create believable and compelling fictional stories to complement them is amazing and captivating. With evident deep historical research, Like Flames in the Night is filled with rich descriptive detail, colorful and engaging characters, and nonstop hair-raising action and suspense.

This fourth, and last, book in the Cities of Refuge series features Tirzah who is the youngest daughter of Moriyah and Darek from book 1 of the series. Tirzah is independent, courageous, and confident. Moreover, she possesses serious physical skills which will serve her well as she attempts to infiltrate the city held by the enemy and uncover critical information for her people to retake the city. Liyam is brave, intent, and charged with rescuing Tirzah when things go wrong. I loved the interaction between Tirzah and Liyam and seeing their relationship grow and develop. The strong cast of secondary characters added a great deal to my enjoyment of the story. It was fun seeing some of the characters from previous books return in this one.

With a perfect balance of heart-pounding suspense, intrigue, history, and a side of romance, this book has a little of everything. Although this is inherently a faith-filled story, Cossette skillfully incorporates faith in God, the importance of family, and the power of forgiveness into the tale to add depth and dimension to it. I’m adding this book to my keeper shelf with the others from this series. It will definitely be on my list of favorite books of the year.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I finished this book on February 25th and I am JUST writing this review. This book need to simmer in my mind so that I could structure this review. There are so many points, many loved characters, phenomenal moments that I don't know where to begin. Connilyn Cossette has ended such a phenomenal series with such a fantastic book. This conclusion in one word was SATISFYING . All my questions were answers, we see a close to the beloved family and it combined all four books + Wings of the Wind (book three from Out from Egypt trilogy) in a brilliant way.

Like Flames in the Night centers around Tirzah, the youngest daughter and baby of Moriyah and Darek's children. The love interest is Liyam who is the son of some very important characters from Wings of the Wind. There is the return of Moriyah's bestfriend and husband, the return of Nessa and the mention of Gidal in this book. We get a closer look into the lives of Eitan and Malakhi. We get mention of Chana and Abra. Every thing was smooth sailing.

I will say this book did have its moments when it slowed down pace wise and I almost felt the need to skip and scan, but I pushed through and read it. This book is filled with romance, comedy and action. The Israelites are being led by Othniel in taking back the Promised Land (read Judges 3). I loved that we got to see inside and hear about other cities of refuge as well.

Focusing now on each character...

Tirzah is the youngest daughter and baby of Moriyah and Darek. She's a combination of Moriyah boldness and Alanah's courage. She's sassy, smart, determined, hardworking and outright hilarious. She works as a spy for her people in the stronghold of Shechem and Kedesh. I loved seeing her maneuver and scheme to help her people in getting the Promised Land back. She had her moments of stupidity, but I overall enjoyed her so much!

Liyam is the youngest and baby of some prominent characters from Wings of the Wind. I LOVED him! He did have his moments were I wanted to jump through the book and slap him upside his head. He was stuck on vengeance as a kinsman redeemer. I loved seeing him learn more about God through his personal struggle. I loved his craziness as well when inside the walls of Shechem. I loved him!!!

The romance was absolutely comical to me. I mean from strangers to pretend lovers to marriage of convenience to a real marriage. I loved the pairing of Liyam and Tirzah!! They balanced each other out well. They helped edify one another especially when it came to their grief and pain -- I LOVED IT!!

Malakhi wasn't my favorite in Until the Mountains Fall because I wasn't attached to him, but I LOVED him in this book. Eitan is still my pudding!! I love him so much, but he got crazy LOL.

Moriyah and Darek are definitely one of my top 5 biblical fiction couples. I love the way they communicate, I love their romance, I love their parenting, I love that they love helping others. Let's not forget Baz -- I just need a Baz in my life to keep me going!

Alanah & Tobiah are my favorite from the Out from Egypt trilogy. I am so happy that they were included and brought back into this series in a major way. Nessa even returned with her babies and I loved it!

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this book and all the others! If you choose to read this as a standalone you can BUT I recommend reading these books in this order:
1. Wings of the Wind - Moriyah at a young age and a major life change.
2. A Light on the Hill - Moriyah as an adult dealing with the consequences of her younger years.
3. Shelter of the Most High - Eitan who is the son of Moriyah and Darek.
4. Until the Mountains Fall - Malakhi who is the youngest son of Moriyah and Darek.
5. Like Flames in the Night - the conclusion which brings all the previous books together while centering on Tirzah, the baby of Moriyah and Darek's children.

Like the rest of Connilyn Cossete's books, Like Flames in the Night is an emotionally packed ride.
It is a very satisfying end to an amazing series.
This author's style and talent for writing brings you to the Promised Land - and into her character's situations and lives. Their struggles and joys are tangible. The historical facts woven throughout are eye opening and makes me want to read the accounts in the Bible.
I don't really know why, but I wasn't sure I would like Tirzah being a spy. But she is such a powerful character in this story, and the author pulled if off flawlessly. Tirzah struggles with wanting to do things her own way, but she learns humility, and really grows into being a very effective tool in God's hands. I love her wit and also her devotion to God and her people.
Liyam is driven by pain and rage over the death of his daughter. He is tenderhearted and loves God, but stubbornly wants to proceed with taking care of justice in his own way.
Tirzah and Liyam come together amidst tumultuous events . Their relationship is sparky almost right from the start. Their love is a slow building flame that is tender and sweet. They work their way through a lot of pain, brokenness, and faith.

This book is packed with suspense! There are SO many 'on the edge of your seat' moments. I was breathless in a few of them! The author also created a lot of good supporting characters and elements to this final book in her series.
This book might be my favorite in the series, but it's hard to decide, because they were all so good.
I received an ARC of this book. I am not required to leave a review.
If you like Biblical historical fiction, I highly recommend this series. I would also recommend reading them in the right order so that you better understand the flow of things.

This series by Connilyn Cossette has been remarkable. This book was everything—and more—that I hoped the series finale would be. The story is suspenseful and I read far past my bedtime to find out “what happened next” to Tirzah and Liyam.

The author has done excellent research into this period of time in Israel’s history, and that added much to my understanding of how these events impacted the national of Israel and how this time period fits into Biblical history. It represents what happened when the nation of Israel rejected God, but then repented and is rescued by Him.

It’s the character of Tirzah that gives this book its heart. She is a woman of courage, conviction, and strong faith. She is ready to give up her life for her country and for God. I loved that the author gave Tirzah the role of a spy in the enemy’s stronghold. Even though she does not always make the right decision, her faith is an example to all around her and she’s an inspiration to trust God for the victory. Liyam’s storyline is one of moving past grief and revenge to forgiveness. Tirzah and Liyam make a powerful couple, and their relationship grows stronger all throughout the book.

If you haven’t read this “Cities of Refuge” series, now would be a great time since it’s now complete. This is one of my favorite series ever, and it will be one I’ll be returning to again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Like Flames in the Night, Cities of Refuge # 4

This book transports you into the middle of intrigue and action from the first page until the last. As the story opens, Tirzah, the heroine of the story, is accosted by a group of Arameans. At this period in history the Arameans have dominated the Israelites for 8 years. This encounter sets Tirzah’s life on a new trajectory. Tirzah is hired on as a cook and able to spy on the Aramean commander but her finds herself in danger over and over again. Central to the story is the faithfulness of Yahweh and the question of will the nation of Israel rise up and follow God? The author masterfully captures the tension of trusting God and facing fear.

Connilyn Cossette is a gifted writer and does a marvelous job of blending fiction and Old Testament history together. This story is from the book of Judges and their commander Othniel. (Judges 3 ) Where the Bible does not give detail, she fills in with story. It makes the biblical narrative even richer and more fascinating. This was a delightful conclusion to the 4 book series entitled, Cities of Refuge. This was a fairly unknown concept to me when I began the series and now I have a concept of what the cities were and how they operated.

If you enjoy Biblical fiction with action and some romance, you’ll enjoy this book.

I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. All opinions 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.

This was an amazing novel! Sadly it’s the last one in the “Cities of Refuge Series” but I was happy to know that Connilyn Cossette has a new series in work so this amazing biblical stories will keep delighting us readers!
There is so much expectation for the conclusion of a series, especially after three incredible stories that bring two generations of fictional biblical characters to life. And I can truly say that you will not be disappointed with this final book. I wasn’t, on the contrary, I think it surpassed my expectations.
Tirzah is the youngest and only girl of Darek and Moriyah. We have seen her eldest brother’s stories in the previous books. Tirzah married Eliyah, suffered the loss of her newly conceived babies, and later became a widow in a very painful way. After a couple of years of her loss, she’s more than eager to join her father’s –now directed by Malakhi- spy network and add to their efforts in driving the enemy –namely the Arameans- from the land of Israel. She’s has grown with men and has developed useful skills for the battle since she was young. Now alone, her desire to do something to aid the cause to free her people grows stronger. After months of training, she convinces her brother to send her on a secret mission in Shechem where she will try to infiltrate in the kitchen of the commander’s house so she can overhear their enemy’s plans and secrets and alert Malakhi’s spy network about their next moves. The hebrews are gaining hope and force with the leadership of Othniel (one of Israel’s historical judges). Little does she know that a small mistake in her mission will put put her people and herself in jeopardy, leaving her stranded and in danger of being uncovered in the enemy’s household.
Liyam is a hebrew warrior. But his loyalty to the cause crash down when he, now a widow, returns from the battlefield to discover her seven year old daughter was ran over and crushed to death by a reckless man driving his horse-drawn wagon through town. He’s more than enraged, on the verge of going crazy, and he swears he will not rest until he avenges the murderer by killing him with his own hands. He cannot see beyond this self imposed mission and will not be swayed. That is, until he arrives to Ishai’s vineyard during his search and meets Darek and his sons; there’s a sweet connection to this family (I loved that part!) and he had been there when he was a boy. Darek has just learned of Tirzah’s role in the mission and the danger she’s in and he and his sons beg Liyam to go to Shechem, as he has red hair and does not look like a hebrew and could pass like a Moabite, and get himself into the commander’s house and rescue Tirzah and bring her back. He resists but when Malakhi offers in Exchange his help to trace his daughter’s murderer, he agrees. Oh wow, the way he gets in the commander’s house, the show he puts on to get close to Tirzah was unique!! What he doesn’t expect is for Tirzah to be such a fierce and corageous woman! Not only that, but she doesn’t want to go back home until she has achieved more to help her people… Will Liyam agree to Tirzah’s plan? Will he be able to protect her? Will Tirzah’s love of the Almighty bring light and hope to his darkened soul? Will he allow himself to love again or will his revenge step between his chance at true love and happiness? Will the hebrews finally triumph over their enemy?
These are all questions you’ll have to read this story to find out! I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll stop here about the plot. I’ll just say that the plot was great, it was fast paced and had unexpected twists that will keep you captivated until the end. The historical detail was so enriching. It really amazed me how much she knows about the Hebrews way of living, their culture, their battles, etc. It really transported me to those times slimly described in the Sacred Scripture. It was like traveling through time, the descriptions so detailed that it was easy to imagine each scene and the characters in them.
The characters were the best part. I loved to see how the previous characters in the series were faring. But Tirzah and Liyam were awesome. Tirzah was such a strongwilled, independent and selfless woman, her passion for her God and people so strong she was willing to lay her life for them. She was also compassionate and with a heart of gold. The love and unity in her family was beautiful to watch. Liyam was a more complex character, and his losses had affected him in a bad way. He lost his zest for life and thrived only for his personal revenge, even if in his daughter’s honor. I loved how Tirzah melts his defenses and slowly moves him to question his actions and way of thinking. She will be the instrument to help him recover his faith in God and to think beyond of others beyond his personal vendetta. It will be hard for him to forgive, but it was a touching sight to behold when it happens. I loved how he changed for the better because of a strong woman that loved him broken as he was and helped him see the light over his misguided passion.
The story has an inspiring message about trusting God above all and His deliverance in His due time. And trusting Him means learning His ways are often different from our ways, but always so much better than what we could ever wish for. I loved how Tirzah wanted to give Him glory through her life. Loved this quote from her: “I had to trust that Yahweh would take all my efforts, even those I’d made wrapped up in my selfish desire and pride, and use them for his glory”. Her humbling attitude touched me!
It was sad to finish this series, but it was a very satisfying ending! Hope you’ll read it! This book can be read as a standalone, but it is so much richer if you read the series in order because you get to see the characters grow in the different stories, and they are all family related. So if you haven’t started the series, you should read “A Light on the Hill” first! It's the story of Tirzah's parents!
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher via Netgalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Connilyn Cossette consistently brings us novels of Biblical times that draw the readers in and make us believe that we are part of the ancient world she has flung open like a door. Like Flames in the Night is a tale of the nation of Israel as it is terrorized by the cruel Arameans, with Othniel leading the resistance. More specifically, we meet brave, bold Tirzah, who yearns to do her part to free the Hebrew people. Liyam is a warrior who loses his faith when he loses his dearest possessions. Somehow these two are key players in Israel’s struggle to be free.

Tirzah is a highly relatable character because she has several brothers and is very comfortable competing against them. Many female readers will either relate to the idea of competing with brothers or just wanting their contributions to be as valued as men's. Some may say that women leaders were unheard of in Israeli history, but we can easily recall names of heroines such as Miriam, Deborah the judge, or Esther. I love how Tirzah slowly recognizes that Yahweh Himself has spoken through her outspoken personality. God uses us as we are.

Ah, Liyam. Heartthrob, spy, blood-avenger. He looks so good in his protective role, one might actually think he can let go of his blood-lust. What a tension this creates as Tirzah’s family tells their own history, and multiple friends urge the angry Hebrew to pursue life, not death. But is that even possible for Liyam?

I almost forgot Odeleya. She will worm her way into your heart and find a permanent spot.

If you like Biblical fiction, you need to add this last book in Cities of Refuge series to your collection. You could read this book as a stand-alone, but the series is too great. You will want to read all four books in Connilynn Cossette’s series.

So many “notable quotables.” I will keep them to just a few.

"Has Yahweh disappeared? Or has the power that split the sea diminished since the Arameans took control? Or have we simply forgotten who we are?”

"What they cannot understand is that the words of Yahweh, along with the renewed spirits of our people, are more dangerous than any weapon they might have taken from our hands.”

"...where the black shadow of Har Ebal stood, and at its peak, the altar of Yehoshua. “A fire will burn there again soon. And when it does, be assured that it was your iron strike against our flint hearts that created the first spark.”

"But it is our duty as men consecrated by Adonai Most High to speak truth. We have hidden too long in our homes, cowering, keeping His Words locked in our hearts instead of on our tongues.”

"If the people of Yahweh rise up and remember who they are, nothing will stop our armies from being victorious over the Arameans this time. Nothing.”

"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.”

“By the time I was empty of prayers... there was just me and the God Who created me.”

“Justice without mercy was tyranny, and mercy without justice was lawlessness.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and the author. This in no way influenced my opinions, which I am voluntarily leaving. I am solely responsible for these opinions.

Friday, March 6, 2020


"Like Flames in the Night"
By
Connilyn Cossette


Connolly Cossette has become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. Her ability to create vivid, historically authentic world with a wonderful memorable cast of characters.

Synopsis - 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.
Fresh off the battlefield, Loyal returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. He goes to hunt down the killer. When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises can Tirzah convince Loyal to fight along side her.

My thoughts -" Like Flames in the Night" is the last book in the "Cities of Refuge" series. It's a stand alone book, but I would recommend reading all of the book's. It is a very enjoyable read from the very first book to the very last one. In "Like Flames in the Night", we get to see some of our old friends from previous book's. It was so hard to say goodbye to these amazing friend I've come to love. There is intrigue, adventure and love for family, friend's, new relationships and most importantly God.

I will recommend this book to family and friends.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars

I received complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was under no obligation to write a review. All thoughts and feelings are mine

Intrigue. Spies. Mercenaries. Vengeance.

Like Flames in the Night is an amazing story that kept me thrilled from the opening sentence to the final period. As Tirzah followed her calling from God and infiltrated the house of the Aramean commander in Shechem to spy out his secrets, I was fascinated. Imagining what it would have been like for this godly woman to be exposed to the debauchery of the people subjugating her land and yet serving them humbly in order to not call attention to herself. Then, to add to her dilemma, saw the wives as just that. Women. Not enemies. And knew that the intelligence she was gathering could result in the death of their husbands. I loved Tirzah's strong faith, courage, and determination! She had such a strong sense of competition as well.

Liyam was quite strong and brave as well, yet he was so broken by grief and a desire for revenge. He knew he had the right to seek the blood of the man who killed his daughter and had every intention of shedding it. Until he learned that mercy is greater than justice.

One of my favorite images from this story was when Tirzah was speaking to the Levites and showing them how a single flame, when joined by hundreds of others, could create a fire that is unstoppable. Not only was this a wonderful picture for those men of what things could look like if they banded together and allowed the flame of their faith to be kindled and grow, it was an amazing picture of our faith as well. We should not hide our light or allow it to burn alone. . .

I am sad to see the end of this series. At least what I assume is the end.

If you have not read any of the stories in the Cities of Refuge series, I encourage you to read them first. While not entirely necessary, it will give more context and depth to Like Flames in the Night. Besides, they are so good you won't want to miss them anyway!

Like Flames in the Night is a story worthy of a great deal of praise. All it takes is a spark to start a fire. Tirzah is that spark. With her determination to serve, her willingness to sacrifice for the good of her people, and a deep-rooted love for God, she takes on a task only she can handle: to spy in the stronghold of the Aramean commander.

Liyam is grief-stricken and bent on vengeance, a true force of nature who will stop at nothing to see his daughter’s death avenged. But what Liyam sees as evil will take him on a journey beyond the pain.

There is a deep spiritual message within these pages. We are all precious, and we all have a talent. How we use that talent is up to us, but God always has a purpose in mind.

Tirzah and Liyam’s strengths and weaknesses will come into play again and again. As the fourth book in a series, I was able to keep up with the story, even though I’m certain some of these characters can be found in previous novels. Connilyn Cossette does a wonderful job of immersing the reader in the story with heartfelt characters and deeply grounded settings.

A beautiful story, wrapped in God’s grace, with a remarkable reminder that vengeance belongs to Him.

I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

"Justice without mercy was tyranny, and mercy without justice was lawlessness. Yahweh had created both to work together, for his glory and for our good."

This book's powerful words will remain with you long after its last words have been read. The soul-stirring journey of Liyam's heart will have you weeping, rejoicing, and cheering as he's gently led to understand God's justice, mercy, and forgiveness. The two first-person point of view from Tirzah and Liyam flows seamlessly to create a masterpiece that melds biblical account, historical account, and brilliantly creative fiction during the time of Aramean occupancy of the Promised Land and Othniel's uprising against the Arameans.

The author has a gift of bringing the biblical period to life in full color and her characters, with their tangible emotional burdens, will grab your heart from page one. The author balances the responsibility and commitment of the Israelites as a community through Tirzah's life with the personal responsibility and commitment of a single follower of Yahweh through Liyam's life to create an incredible picture of what a righteous generation looks like. The cities of refuge, where this four-book series takes place, offer justice and mercy to those who need them the most, and Liyam has to engage in physical and emotional battle all over the Promised Land to finally comprehend God's perfect justice and mercy.

I love that this book ties in the author's book Wings of the Wind from the previous series Out of Egypt with this series. Though this book is the final book of this current series, it can be read as a stand-alone, especially because the author provides timely recaps of the secondary characters' stories without slowing down the plot. If you have been following the series, you will love the glimpses of Moriyah and Darek's clan and delight in how Eitan and Malakhi grow up to be respected leaders of their people. There is plenty of action, suspense, and intrigue as Tirzah and Liyam cloak themselves in the world of espionage to further the cause of obtaining their people's freedom. Liyam and Tirzah are unforgettable, two of my favorite book characters of all time.

If you enjoy biblical fiction, this book (and the series) is a must read. The impeccable research, well-crafted plot, memorable characters, and trustworthy faith lessons found in this book will make you a fan of Connilyn Cossette, too, if you aren't already.
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.