The moment time stands still as you read the last word of a fantastic book is one of the best and worst feelings in the world. Why do all great books come to an end, and why do authors continue to put readers through the hurricanes of their imaginations only to spit us out at the last moment, leaving us to pick up the pieces? In a matter of a few pages, your heart can go from overflowing with love to breaking! Connilyn Cossette's newest series, The Covenant House, is no exception, though don't let that dissuade you from embarking on a fabulous new adventure into ancient Israel where Samuel is the judge, the Philistines have won a victory over the Israelites, and the Mishkan (temple) has been destroyed. Introducing the new characters and storyline, To Dwell Among Cedars immediately sweeps readers into its raging waters (literally) before taking them into the eye of the storm and then back into the category two hurricane that will only grow stronger as you get closer to the end.

Eight years ago, 1070 BC, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and brought it into the city of Ashdod, throwing it at the feet of Dagon in triumph. However, at the Ark's presence, the Philistines' god is thrust to its knees and plagues wash over their land, forcing them to return their prize to the Israelites. At this time, Eliora and her brother, Natan, flee from their family home in Ashdod and follow the Ark of the Covenant into Israelite territory, where they are rescued by a Levite and adopted into Abinidab's household, whose family was given the charge to protect the Ark.

As the Fall Feast approach and the Levites gather to celebrate, everyone is busy making preparations and organizing the gatherings that will take place. It's a time to be joyful and festive, yet unrest stirs within the Levitical tribe as they argue over where the Ark of the Covenant should be kept and who is the rightful high priest. Believing Samuel is a false prophet and that the priesthood should return to Eleazar's line after the devastating defeat at the hands of Eli, son of Itamar, a plan is forged to steal the Ark of the Covenant and take it to where a group of Levites have begun reconstructing the Mishkan.

Returning to Kiryat Yearim, Ronen is at the center of the plot to steal the Ark. Determined to make his uncle proud and fulfill his duty of uncovering the hidden location of the Ark, Ronen is caught off guard when he is reunited with the Philistine girl he saved as a teenager all those years ago. Now grown up, Eliora is radiant and captures Ronen's attention, testing his loyalties and belief in the mission. Will Ronen and his entourage succeed in their desire to move the Ark? Is he on the right side of God's desires? And, what about Eliora, she's lived among the Israelites for almost a decade, but has she truly found peace and identity?

A powerful story of adoption, covenant, promise, love, and war, To Dwell Among Cedars not only gives Biblical fiction lovers another amazing story to share with friends but is a narrative that will stay in your mind for days and months to come. I still have not recovered from this novel, and I don't think I will until the next book is released (July, please hurry!).

To Dwell Among Cedars spoke to my heart and moved me to praise the Father for all the testimonies He has given us. Though this is a story that will entertain, it will also be an inspiration to draw closer to our Creator and learn who He truly is! While thousands walk away from their faith each year, plagued with doubt, I have never been more convinced of Adonai's realness and presence. Connilyn Cossette did an outstanding job of showing what true faith and servitude looks like, dealing with doubt and identity through protagonists we can all relate to. I loved how each character was given a chance to experience the Holy Spirit, though not everyone accepted this opportunity. Too many authors tend to stay in the New Testament, believing that personal relationships with the Father only began after Jesus' resurrection, but that's not true. God has been using His people since the beginning of creation, and Connilyn Cossette never fails to display this in her novels.

If you have never read Connilyn Cossette and are looking for a thrilling, inspiring, and chain-breaking novel that brings the Bible to life, To Dwell Among Cedars is the book for you! If you are familiar with Connilyn's incredible books, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed by her latest release! Don't miss your chance to experience Eliora and Ronen's journeys into the depths of their souls as they discover what it means to be loved and accepted by a God of forgiveness and promise!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

Connilyn Cossette just keeps getting better and better (which I didn't think possible because she's already so amazing!). This book is the start of her new Covenant House series, set in the time of Samuel. This book follows Arisa (later Eliora) and Lukio (later Natan), who are 2 Philistine children. Their loving Hebrew slave has told them stories of her homeland and taught them her language, which becomes super important when they end up running for their lives following the Ark, that has been sent out of Philistia back to the Hebrews. It is there that they meet Ronen, who becomes important to their story both as children and later as adults. I loved the unique setting of Kiryat-Yearim, where the Ark rested for 70 years before David took it back to Jerusalem, and the characters - some of whom are mentioned in scripture (such as Abinadab and Samuel) and others fictional (such as Eliora, Natan and Ronen), who were all lovely and relatable characters. I loved the message that even a child that was an enemy of the Hebrews could be grafted in to the family of God. I loved the setting - a festival which served as a cover for a sinister plot regarding the Ark. I loved the underlying messages of God's love, grace and mercy. I loved the modern day lessons that we could glean from it, including a super-relevant political infighting that was on the verge of erupting into a civil war. I loved the story-line and character development. I even loved the romance because Ms. Cossette does those so well! There was absolutely nothing about this book that I didn't love. What I loved most was how the author brought a little-known part of the Scriptures to life for me. I will never read that section of Samuel the same way again. I can't wait for Lukio's story next!

Special thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy of the book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

It's such a privilege to have been chosen by Connilyn Cossette to read and review her latest work, To Dwell Among Cedars, as I'm a big fan of hers! I love her books so much compared to other Biblical fiction authors because they centre around events rather than people. By doing that she gives herself a bit more creative license with the story and you don't have that conflict of whether a Biblical character would of really said this or done that. Connilyn Cossette's stories get you excited to go and read the Bible, making the stories and people seem more real and giving you a glimpse of how the mighty works of God would have been experienced by ordinary people. Often when we read the Bible we can just focus on the main figures and forget the hundreds and thousands of other unnamed people who were also witness to those wonderous events. Ronen and Eliora could have been some of those unnamed people that were alive during the prophet Samuel's time. Eliora is a Philistine that witnessed the havoc that the Ark of the Covenant wreaked on the city of Ashdod. Convinced of it's power, she follows it back to it's homeland with her brother, Lukio, and is eventually adopted into a Hebrew family. Ronen is a Levite who has become immune to the power of God, convinced that God's miracles are fabled stories of the past. Their romance is so sweet and special! I loved how even though Eliora so quiet and shy, Ronen sees and hears her, all the time wondering how other men fail to see what an amazing women she is. This story gives us a fascinating look into a part of Biblical history that would otherwise have been skipped over for the next exciting story. While it's mostly fiction, it still opens your eyes to the time of the early prophets and reminds you that the Bible is not just stories but accounts of real events and real people. I'm beyond excited for the sequel of this story where we'll find out what happens to Lukio!

This book is a thrilling addition to the world of Biblical fiction. On the surface, it is such a simple story: broken girl meets broken boy...both experience the power of God. Then there is the layer of it being set at the beginning of 1 Samuel and seeing life through the eyes of the people at the time of Israel's last judge, Samuel. Add in the element of a Philistine perspective. Next comes the story of adoption, both literal and spiritual. Throw in the drama of a plot to steal the Ark of the Covenant. And yet, I haven't even scratched the surface of this amazing book!

The world building in this book is extraordinary and puts you in the heart of the action.

Connilynn Cossette has once again succeeded in creating a masterful novel that leaves you wanting more.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow. Another fabulous book from Connilyn Cossette. The historical background for the story is so fascinating; I was absolutely drawn in by the idea of two Philistine children following the Ark as it's sent back to the Hebrews from the Philistines, who no longer want it after they've been stricken by plagues and pestilences. The idea of different factions within the Levites was also so interesting, with some wanting it to remain at Kiryat Yearim and others wanting to return it to Shiloh. That was an excellent backdrop for Eliora's and Ronen's stories. Cossette did a fantastic job showing why Eliora and Ronen acted the way that they did--how their earlier hurts and traumas really impacted the choices that they made. They were both realistic and likable characters, and I loved seeing the realizations they each came to about themselves, their families, and God. This book is really well-written, and I can't wait to read the sequel.
5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley.

To Dwell among Cedars continues Ms. Cossstte's wonderful overarching series (Out of Egypt and Cities of Refuge) with the first in her the Covenant House series which is a captivating and exciting portrayal of biblical characters and events in the times of the Old Testament, from the times of Moses to the times of the judges of Israel. This time period is often forgotten in Christian fiction writing, but Ms. Cossette excels in capturing her reader's interest as well as in bringing the pages of scripture to life in stories of characters who would have experienced the greatness of God at that time. I appreciate how Ms. Cossette is careful to accurately represent the truth of the Bible while adding a personal perspective of the old testament events from the eyes of a fictional character. Her talent for setting characters in ancient history with realistic troubles, challenges, and characteristics is exceptional and is what keeps readers engaged with her writings. I am a huge fan of Ms. Cosette's works and To Dwell among Cedars continues her excellent work.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written, had believable characters, and had a very intriguing and complex plot full of unique challenges and situations. I loved the way that Ms. Cossette gave some relatable and real struggles to Eliora to deal with in her life, her self-doubt and her sense of not belonging. I appreciated how Eliora was able to overcome these challenges and to be a good role model of the Christian woman. I also enjoyed the relationship between Eliora and Ronan and their struggles and difficulties they overcame. I enjoyed the rich context of this book set in the biblical time of the judges of Israel. There were some small sections towards the beginning of the book where it seemed to be tedious reading, but not for long. Overall, it was excellent and another exciting addition to the collection of Ms. Cossstte's excellent works of biblical Christian fiction.
This book begins with a well-known biblical account of the defeat of Israel and the capture of the ark by the Philistines. When the conquering army takes the ark of God into their cities, God brought great destruction and disease upon the Philistines. Eliora is a young Philistine girl living in the city ravaged by the ark of God. She and her younger brother Natan are spared solely because of God's mercy and His answering the prayers and pleading of an old Hebrew servant woman whom has served as Eliora and Natan's surrogate family. When grave danger makes Eliora and Natan suddenly leave their homeland, they follow the ark as it is surrendered back to the Israelites. When the Israelites first discover the ark, they approach it with irreverence and are struck dead by God's righteous fire. Eliora and Natan are eyewitnesses to this great display of God's power and are frightened, yet desire to stay with the righteous Israelites who come to carefully move the ark to a secluded mountain and guard it.
Eliora and her brother abandon their Philistine homeland and are adopted into a loving Israelite family, the very family who guards the ark of the covenant. Many years later a great feast is held to gather Israelites from many far places to praise and worship God together. One such Israelite, Ronen, a Levite musician comes to rediscover the captivating Philistine girl he rescued many years ago now all grown and even more beautiful than the scared and hungry Eliora he met after the devastating fire of God came from the ark of God.
Ronen has come to Kiryat Yearim for more than just his musical talents. He and many of his friends and relatives are plotting to find the secret place where the ark is to take it by force and bring it back to the temple where it rightfully belongs. Ronen is tasked with getting close to the family that guards and protects the secret hiding place of the ark, but he never expected to have to deceitfully manipulate his attachment to Eliora. Can he truly use her to discover the hiding place of the ark? Will his plotting be discovered? Will Eliora be able to fix the newly-strained family ties that Ronan's betrayal has left her with. Will Ronan be able to go through with his part of the plot? What will happen to Israel? Is there a hope for a peaceful future with the many different factions in Israel? Read this book to find out!
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.

“To Dwell Among Cedars,” by Connilyn Cossette is now among my most favorite books ever. The way that she weaves the storyline for Arisa while staying true to the historical accuracy of the Ark being kept in the home of Abinadab at Kiryat-Yearim is nothing short of amazing. Every possible human emotion is on display as each character is developed to create a scene so vivid the reader cannot help but be immersed. Cossette is truly at her best as she is using her gifts to put the love of God on display for all to see.

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

"We can never guess what may come of our obedience, but that is not for us to know anyhow. We are not the All-Knowing One. We are simply called to 'hear and obey' and to love Adonai our God with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength."

Another incredible, heart-wrenching, soul-stirring Biblical fiction from Connilyn Cossette! To Dwell Among Cedars starts a new series The Covenant House, set during the time of the judges when Samuel starts his ministry. The story starts with the Ark's capture by the Philistines and the subsequent arrival of the Ark at Beth-Shemesh, and unfolds with the years following the Ark being ensconced within the mountain village of Kiryat-Yearim. The author has an uncanny ability to transport you to this faraway land and place you in the middle of the thriving community to see, hear, taste, smell, touch, and feel the daily activities, the novelty of hosting Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) celebration, the unrest and division within the Levites, and the spiritual apathy and ignorance rampant in Israel during that time. Painted on this vivid backdrop, there are profound faith lessons on sense of worth and purpose, God's immeasurable grace and mercy, and the meaning of God's adoption of us as His children. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this book is a must read. It will stay with you long after you've finished the book and have you going back to 1 Samuel 4-7 to see these Biblical passages with fresh eyes.

I loved Eliora, the rescued Philistine girl who becomes adopted into a loving and devoted Levite family that guards the Ark. She's loving and tender with a servant's heart but still struggles with her Philistine heritage and her place within the arms of a loving and gracious Yahweh as well as within her family. Her younger brother Natan (Lukio) grabbed my heart with his impulsive and rebellious ways that are fueled by rejection and resentment and I can't wait for the next book in the series where we'll get to meet the grown-up version of this young man. Ronen is so lovely in his genius and dedication as a Levite musician, devotion and loyalty to family, sense of justice (though sometimes misguided), and tenderness. There is awe, wonder and splendor of Yahweh seen with ethereal beauty of worship within these pages as well as betrayal, sweet romance, and power of familial love.

Definitely in my top 20 reads of 2020! 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.

Connilyn Cossette does it again! She took a story from the Bible that was not well known and brought it to life! I love this author because she dares to do just that, take biblical stories that are not so well known and weave her own ideas into them but staying true to the Word of God and history.

This story is taken from 1 Samuel 4:1-11 where the Israelites, under the High Priest Eli's sons Hophni & Phineas, take the Ark of the Covenant that represents the place where God's presence dwells with His people, into a battle with the Philistines. They did not seek the Lord first, and end up losing the battle to the Philistines, but also lose the Ark to them. The Philistines capture the Ark and trouble ensues for them because of it.

The story picks up in Ashdod, a Philistine city, where we meet two of the main characters Arisa and her brother Lukio, who are orphaned by their father after their mother dies giving birth to Lukio. Arisa and Lukio are cared for by their Hebrew slave who comes with them as they are dumped on their aunt and uncles doorstep. Their aunt and uncle tolerate them but the Hebrew slave Azuvah is the one who loves them and cares for them. She teaches them her language and tells them all about the One True God, Yahweh and all the stories about Him that were handed down from generation to generation to her, and the place where His presence dwells, the Ark of the Covenant.

As the Philistines bring the ark to the city of Ashdod, trouble brakes out majorly for the Philistines and that leads to many of them getting tumors, their main god Dagon's huge stone body being broken by an earthquake, which caused many of the residents of Ashdod have so many problems such as famine and sickness, and that led to Arisa & Lukio's aunt & uncle both dying. After the death of their aunt and uncle, Arisa & Lukio's cousin Mataro wants to send Arisa to be a temple prostitute, and he wants to make money off young Lukio making him fist fight for money. Azuvah risks her own life to save Arisa & Lukio, and tells them to follow the Ark because she knew the Philistines would eventually take it back to the place where it belongs, among the Hebrews, her relatives. The opportunity for escape happens, and Azuvah tells Arisa to "“Follow the Ark, Arisa. Do not turn to the right or to the left, and do not stop until it dwells among the cedars and you are sheltered in perfect peace.” This book tells the story of how Arisa, who takes her brother with her and flees for their lives, obeys and follows the ark back to where it belonged: among the Hebrew people.

This story will weave a beautiful tale of how two Philistine orphans follow the Ark and are grafted into God's family, and how He shows them His love and restoration through a family who looks past their lineage, and who sees them for who they are. It also tell the tale of the Ark as it was brought back amongst the Hebrews and the struggles there were regarding who rightfully should care for it, hence we learn about the Levite Ronen who ends up becoming a very important person in Arisa's and her families lives...but with a plot that will totally surprise you!!

The Lord really touched me personally with this book, but if I share I will give too much away. But through Connilyn's story, God spoke to my heart and encouraged me so much in my own life, and I can't recommend this book enough! This story was fascinating, interesting, unpredictable, beautiful, and just a great story! So please take the time to read this and all.her other books. I pray God will speak to your heart and encourage you as He did me! So worth the time!!!

This is book 1 of a new series. And it's really good. The research involved in this book must have been countless hours to get the biblical chronology correct and the Hebraic names of the characters, etc. I really, really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely be watching for future books in this series.
There was only one thing that confused me a little and that was the story "first person" telling their story. I didn't immediately realize that the chapter "name" was the person who was telling the story in their words in that particular chapter and that changed throughout the book. So once I caught on to that, the confusion was clarified.

This was an excellent book and left me knowing that there is more to the story with a bit of a cliff hanger and I can't wait! This author is wonderful! The book had a little romance, action and kept my attention to the end. I loved how the Bible times came to life! Incredible!

I received an ebook version of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.

I love well-researched Biblical Fiction, and I can always depend on Connilyn Cossette to deliver just that! To Dwell Among the Cedars is an inspiring book that shows the reader what it means to be in covenant with God.

The story centers around Eliora (Arisa), a former Philistine who, along with her brother Natan (Lukio), is raised by a Hebrew slave (Azuvah) in a violent idol-worshipping home in Ashdod. After a terrifying confrontation with their cousin, the Azuvah realizes she must help the children escape to safety. So she says, "Follow the ark. Do not turn to the right or to the left, and do not stop until it dwells among the cedars, and you are sheltered in perfect peace." With those words to guide her, Arisa miraculously finds the ark and follows it to Kiryat-Yearim, where she and her brother are found by Ronen, a Levite musician.

As the year's pass, Arisa and Lukio are adopted into Elazar's family and become Eliora and Natan when they join in covenant with the Hebrews. As they are frequently reminded, they now share in the same inheritance Yahweh provided for the Jewish people through Abraham. And while they are grafted into the family of Abraham and share in the blessings of the covenant, both Eliora and Natan have a hard time believing it.

I loved how this story depicted how the children were grafted into the covenant. It is a stark reminder that those who follow Jesus are also part of that same covenant. A holy covenant with God and one, I think we tend to take for granted.

The spiritual and character development of Ronen and Eliora unfolded beautifully. This is a story with so many lessons and layers that the reader will be dwelling on it long after the last page.

If you like well-researched Biblical Fiction, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!

I received this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers, through NetGalley, for my honest opinion.

This totally different take on a familiar bible story, with a Philistine as the main character, really surprised me. It showed the history of the times in a new light, which is often hard to do, but something I have come to expect from this author. While the story reaches a wonderful conclusion, you are left wanting more of the story, and looking forward to the next book.
The detail of the history of the ark is so telling, that I found I wanted to learn more when I finished.

Connilyn Cossette has brought a Bible time to life again! Love the thread of grace that the author weaved so skilfully through the book. The settings are great. Really love that garden with overflowing bountifulness that the family shares with the community. Love the main female character Eliora and rooted for her.

I had to think about why I only like this book and not love it. It finally dawned on me that while we don’t expect the main male protagonist to be perfect, we all like them to be the hero in one form or another. I felt that he is not a hero here though he may have redeemed himself towards the end.

It's a great start of a series though, and I look forward to seeing how Ronen continues to redeem himself in the next book. Also looking forward to reading how Natan takes the centre stage. He's another character that I am rooting for!

Connilyn Cossettte is a master storyteller, her words holding me under their spell from the first to the last. Have you ever been so captivated by a story, that you did not want it to end?

Eliora's journey both physically as well as spiritually is beautiful written, each page revealing layers of truth that are timeless. This reader appreciated the subtle theme of seeking God's presence in our lives in this fictional account of the Ark's journey into Philistia and its return to the Hebrew people. The author's vivid prose brings to life the discord amongst the Hebrew people during the last days of the judges. Her attention to detail and research bring to life the stories of old. Highly recommend for fans of Biblical fiction.

What keeps me returning to Cossette's books is that within delicately crafted stories, there are timeless truths and insights that speak to me. To Dwell Among Cedars is such a story and I cannot wait to read Lukio's story in the sequel.

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

Another excellent read from Connilyn Cossette! She weaves the stories she writes so gracefully from her meticulous historical research and first-hand knowledge of the geographical area to her beautifully crafted characters to make these stories come to life. I love being able to picture each scene in my mind as if I could reach out and touch each person. And though the book is fiction, there is always truth woven gently in to the story. As with many of her previous books, I was so immersed in the lives of the characters that I was brought to tears at the end.

Highly recommended for any reader who not only enjoys Biblical fiction, but historical fiction in general. And to my great delight every time I pick up one of her books, a good clean romance as well,

I absolutely loved this story by Connilyn Cossette and am so happy that it is the beginning of a new series. The author clearly did a lot of research for this book and discusses some of her findings at the end. I am someone who reads the Bible and doesn’t put too much thought into the unwritten details. The Bible states the Ark of the Covenant stayed with Abinidab & Eleazar for 20 years. Cossette creates a story of what those first eight years may have looked like in the place where the Ark resided. Stories like this get me to realize there were people and events going on around the Ark.

Overall, I loved the story and the characters. They all had their strengths and weaknesses, just as we all do. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I don’t know how she does it, but with every book Connilyn Cossette manages to draw you into the world of Old Testament Israel, and it’s like you’re actually transported there and left my living room behind. Ok I think I partly know how she does it and that is an impressive amount of research, but still, to be able to have a setting like this is just amazing.

Also, tell me the last time you read a book set in the time of the judges, just before Samuel. I couldn’t think of a single one, and that is another reason that makes it so original: she manages to make you look anew at a tiny piece of the Bible. We start as the Ark of Covenant is taken by the Philistines, where it causes great havoc, and the kings decide to return the Ark to the Israelites to stave off the pestilences.

And then she picks two Philistine children as the main focus of the story. And what a story it is... we start off in Philistine itself, with a clear picture of how a heathen culture and religion functioned. It was quite a brutal story, but always with hope, and the children are told to follow the ark, that’s where they’ll feel peace and shelter and that’s exactly what they do. They are adopted in a faithful family who guards the Ark - and grow up. Eliora, the eldest sister and main character, as the nagging feeling that she needs to earn her place and tries to fit in, that she might not be enough, and works from day till night with a smile on her face because she does honestly enjoy it. She grows an amazing garden, and her faith in God is unwavering. Her brother however, is having a hard time. He doesn’t really want to become Hebrew and is quite troubled and has given up om fitting in. As the Jewish feast of Jom Teroea draws near, Levites from all over arrive at the house, among them her former rescuer, Ronen, but he now has a whole other mission as he is charged with finding the Ark and betraying the family that took Eliora in... but meeting Eliora, his heart is torn in two, as they both find healing in each other.

I absolutely loved this story, every minute of it. The characters grew so much and you really felt the affection growing because of that. The conflict was interesting, and you even get a little invested in where the Ark actually is lol! I had some interesting guesses... all in all, I can really recommend this story that has both a lot of depth and adventure.

I received a free copy through Netgalley but it hasn’t influenced my opinions.

If there were an official Connilyn Cossette Fan Club, I could count myself among the founding members. I have followed her writing career ever since I read her tweet in March 2015 where she mentioned the manuscript for her novel based on the Exodus. By April of the following year, I was enthusiastically sharing my review of her debut novel Counted with the Stars.

What I loved then and what keeps drawing me back is Cossette's impeccable gift for storytelling. Each story is a harmonious blend of word choice, pacing, biblical themes, and wonderfully complex characters; and this is true of her latest release To Dwell Among Cedars.

To Dwell Among Cedars is unique for this genre in that it's set between 1 Samuel 6 and 2 Samuel 6 in a period of time where Scripture is silent. Anyone who has read the Old Testament knows the story of how the ark of the LORD was taken captive by the Philistines and then returned on a cow-drawn cart. What if two Philistine orphans happened to follow that cart and how might the presence of the ark have affected the men of Kiriath-jearim or the home of Abinadab where the ark came to rest? These are the questions Cossette posed and then set about fleshing out in her novel. Even though I prefer books in this genre to lean heavily upon the truth of God's word, the author's use of creative license did not detract from my enjoyment.

Knowing the historical context, you would expect to find the themes of God's judgment, sovereignty, and provision. While these are present, the most dominant theme is that of adoption. Cossette uses Arisa (Eliora) and Lukio's (Natan) adoption into a physical family became the foundation for expounding upon the beauty of the believer's adoption into God's spiritual family.  

I would be remiss not to mention Eliora and Ronen's relationship. Following their initial meeting in Beth Shemesh, 8 years would lapse before they would be reunited in the home of Abinadab. In the interim, Ronen would be changed greatly by his uncle's radical beliefs. Unbeknownst to Eliora, God would use the strength of her faith and character to break down the walls of his heart. To me, this spoke to the importance of living faithful and righteous lives.

In closing, I'd like to say that his book held all the admirable traits of Connilyn Cossette's previous novels. If you are not already a fan, the book may appeal to you based on Eliora and Natan strong sibling bond, the beauty of adoption, a predisposition to books that explore the gray areas of Israel's history, or the allure of a transformational love story. In short, I expect this book to appeal to a wide audience.

4.5/5 Stars

I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

TO DWELL AMONG CEDARS is the first novel in the Covenant House series by CONNILYN COSSETTE. I have read and loved all this author;s books, and have been looking forward to reading this one for some time. I am definitely not disappointed. What a truly lovely story of redemption and restoration in which we get a taste of the awesome Presence and holiness of God in His interaction with His people.
With the two Philistine children, we follow the Ark of the Covenant to its resting place among the cedars at Kiryat-Yearim. The children are adopted by Elazar, the Levite who is in charge of guarding the Ark, and his wife Yoela, and treated as part of their large and loving family. Arisa, or Eliora as she is now called, has adopted the Hebrew faith and loves Yahweh and the Ark, which the Hebrew slave, Azuvah, who helped them escape Ashdod, told them to follow. She loves all her brothers and sisters, especially her brother Lukio, or Natan as he is now called, for whom she has felt responsible since their mother died in childbirth and their father abandoned them.
In 1062 BC Ronen, an apprentice Levite, comes to Kiryat-Yearim with a group of Levitical musicians to celebrate Yom Terua, and finds that the young Philistine girl who he carried up the mountain eight years before has turned into a beautiful woman.They have a lot in common, in spite of the fact that he seems to have lost his faith in the miraculous and is hiding a deadly secret - they both feel beholden to the people who have adopted them into their families.
There is intrigue, jealousy, violent disagreement and even idol worship amongst the priesthood. We come across Samuel, the great man of God, with his words of warning and prophetic direction. We are also strongly reminded of the danger of running ahead of the Lord and following man made plans, trying to do things in our own strength.
The novel follows the Bible closely and the fictional characters flesh out the story beautifully, giving us an idea of life at that time for both Hebrew and Philistine through the author's solid research.
I do not want to tell you any more for fear of spoiling the read for you.
I highly recommend To Dwell Among Cedars to anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction. It is a most enjoyable and inspirational read and I am looking forward to the next novel 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.

I can't imagine having to do all the research to craft a Biblical fiction novel. I don't read a lot in this genre because a lot of the stories are dry and really don't capture my attention. But I always make an exception after reading my first Connilyn Cossette novel. She does a wonderful way at crafting unique and memorable characters. I love how she takes a story or an element of the Biblical narrative and transforms it into a lively story. A story that takes me back to Biblical times. A story that comes to life on the pages. A story that makes me want to dive into the Bible more and read more about the story she has expended on. I know Cossette takes liberty with the line because it is Historical fiction, not a new discovery on the topic. With her newest story To Dwell Among Cedars, I love how Cossette took the idea of the Ark of the Covenant and made it come to life before my very eyes. A delightful story. I really had a hard time putting it down. The romance was nice and slow. I loved seeing how she didn't toss out the emotions so quickly. I loved how she allowed it to grow naturally. Overall, Cossette is a wonderful crafter of the Biblical fiction. I have enjoyed all her stories and can't wait to read what she crafts next.

I received a complimentary copy of To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.