Author of the Month: Connilyn Cossette
If you’ve been following me for a little while, you’ll know I am a mega-fan of Connilyn Cossette. Biblical fiction is my favorite sub-genre in the Christian fiction realm, and while there are several phenomenal BibFic authors that I love, Connilyn is the queen of them.
I first discovered Connilyn shortly before her debut novel was released. I saw Counted with the Stars on a Goodreads list of most-anticipated Christian Fiction releases and instantly fell in love with the eye-catching cover (which is still one of my favorite book covers ever). When I ordered the book later that year, I devoured it. The story captured my attention and vividly brought to life the Exodus account from a unique point of view.
From that time on, I knew I had to read anything else Connilyn came out with. I eagerly awaited the release of Shadow of the Storm, Book #2 in her Out from Egypt series. I fell in love with the character of Shira perhaps even more than I had with Kiya in the first book. Just like with that book, Connilyn brought the Bible to life in a way that connected with my heart in a profound way. But unlike the first book, the Biblical events Shadow of the Storm revolves around are more obscure, which made this a unique read!
The Out From Egypt series finished with a bang in Wings of the Wind, which jumps ahead forty years to the end of Israel’s wilderness wanderings and the fall of Jericho. This book helped me understand so much about God’s reasoning for commanding the Israelites to kill everyone in the land of Cannan. That sounds so harsh, especially for a God who is supposed to be a loving God, but the way Connilyn deals with this topic makes it much easier to wrap your head around. It’s hard to explain what I mean, so you’ll just have to read the book yourself to find out!
I was quite honestly heartbroken to bid farewell to Kiya and Eben, Shira and Ayal, Alanah and Tobiah, and the rest. BUT I was excited when I found out that Connilyn’s next series would tell Moriyah’s story. Moriyah is introduced as the best friend of Alanah in Wings of the Wind, and, without giving any spoilers, let’s just say… what happens to her in that book makes you really want to know how the rest of her story will unfold. In Book #1 of the Cities of Refuge series, we meet back up with Moriyah several years later and follow her on an adventure after her quiet life takes a shocking and unfortunate turn.
The next three books in the series revolve around some of Moriyah’s children. Each one of them were phenomenal, but I must say that my very favorite of the series is Until the Mountains Fall. Seriously, ALL the tears!!
Note: I read Until the Mountains Fall and Like Flames in the Night after starting this blog, so reviews are available for both! Click HERE for Until the Mountains Fall and HERE for Like Flames in the Night.
Earlier this year, Connilyn contributed a book to the Ordinary Women of the Bible series by Guideposts. Each book in the series covers, you guessed it, a little known or even nameless woman in the Bible, and each one is written by a different author. I haven’t read Connilyn’s book, The Healer’s Touch-or any of the books in this series yet-but it’s definitely on my to-read list!
You know what else is on my to-read list? Connilyn’s upcoming release, To Dwell Among Cedars! This one is so exciting, I even included the blurb below for you to read what it’s about!
Eight years ago, when the Philistines stole and then surrendered the ark of the covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora left her Philistine homeland to follow the ark to the community of Kiryat Yearim. There, the family she was adopted into has guarded the ark at the top of a mountain in seclusion.
Ronen is a Levite musician determined to return the ark to Shiloh, where his tribe believes it belongs. He never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he’s tasked to deceive.
As Ronen’s attempts to charm Eliora lead them in unexpected directions, betrayal leaves Eliora with strained family ties and Ronen questioning his own loyalties. Ultimately, Eliora and Ronen are caught up in the battle for the soul of Israel and its future under the leadership of Samuel, the last judge before the era of the kings begins.
Isn’t the cover gorgeous? It’s so different from her other books, but very striking! I am counting down the days until this book-which will be the first in a duology-releases in December!
So, if you’ve never read anything by Connilyn before-or perhaps have but have yet to read her full backlist-did you see anything that caught your eye? I sure hope so! As always, you can click on each book cover in this post to view that book on Amazon.
Happy Reading, friends!