To Dwell Among Cedars - (The Covenant House) by Connilyn Cossette (Paperback)

This book had me held so deeply in its grasp that now, having finished it, I’m having trouble forming a coherent string of thoughts to be able to even compose a worthy review. It touched me so deeply that I found myself blinking away tears a time or two, only to feel a bubble of laughter rise amidst the tears, wrought by one or another of the characters’ timely remarks! Eliora (a.k.a. Arisa) was such a relatable character and I just loved getting to know her and being able to share in her thoughts, worries and discovery of the Almighty! She will definitely live on as a very memorable heroine long after you’ve finished this novel. Ronen, too, was a deep, insightful and unforgettable character that I’m loath to part with. And Natan (a.k.a. Lukio)! That boy! Frustrating and yet understandable, I can’t wait to find out what lies in store for him in book two of this duology, Between the Wild Branches! Having read through Connilyn Cossette’s Cities of Refuge series and now this book, To Dwell Among Cedars, I’ve definitely determined that this author is one to look out for from both a Biblical and historical fiction aspect, as well as if you’re a lover of romance, adventure and rivetingly insightful lessons on the nature, character and love and acceptance of God for all who let Him in!

This was a beautiful story that touched deeply my heart! She is definitely my favorite Biblical Fiction Author! This book is the first book in the Covenant House Series and it introduces two special characters: Arisa and Lukio, two philistine siblings with very different personalities. This is Arisa’s, later named Eliora, story. I have to say that the story was beautiful and deeply touching. I loved the abundant historical details and the descriptions that made me transport me to Israel in that particular difficult era. I loved the historical approach to what could have happened during the time the Ark was returned from the Philistines, and how the author explains at the end what is based on the Bible, what is based on historical discoveries and what is what she calls her artistic license to imagine how things could have been. Eliora and Ronen are deep and beautiful characters and there’s significant character growth in the story. Eliora is kind and selfless to the core, but she has to trust Yahweh’s unconditional love for her, as well as her family’s love, in spite of her foreign (and enemy) origins. I loved how Ronen helps Eliora see that she doesn’t have to work so hard to please a family that already loves her freely. And how he realizes later he may have the same struggle in regard of his uncle and cousin who took him in. Yoela and Elazar were a beautiful example of a loving family that honors God with their daily lives. Natan is a complex character, but I won’t say much about him as he’ll have his own story in the next book. Eliora has to learn to accept that she can’t control her brother but that, while loving him dearly, she has to let him go so that he can freely accept what he’s been given. The story has enough action and pace to keep you captivated until the last page. The setting, the plot and the characters are so vivid that I didn’t have any trouble imagining everything. It made me wish all the more to visit Israel some day! The message the story brings, of love, kindness, redemption, forgiveness is truly inspiring. I can’t wait for Lukio’s story! My heart ached for him in this book and he deserves to discover what true love and freedom is. I vividly recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not. This is history, and a beautiful retelling of it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher but wasn`t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Book Review--"To Dwell Among Cedars" by Connilyn Cossette is the first book in The Covenant House Series. After reading this amazing story I am finding it hard to wait until July 2021 when Book Two will be released! This Christian Fiction Historical Romance, based on the biblical events in the book of Judges and 1 Samuel, begins in Philistia in 1070 BC. The story's main characters are a Philistian girl named Arisa and her brother Lukio. This story was quite interesting to me as I had not read much about that part of biblical history regarding the Philistines and their pagan culture. I did realize they were enemies of Israel and that they had captured the Ark of the Covenant during a battle, yet hadn't read much about the details of the events surrounding that. So, it was very interesting to learn about their life and customs, even though it was very unsettling to me to read about their pagan rituals and sacrifices. Arisa and Lukio were being raised in their Aunt's home after their mother had died giving birth to Lukio, and they were being cared for by a Hebrew slave women named Azuvah. This old Hebrew slave told them many stories about Israel and about their One True God. She sang them songs in Hebrew and taught them to speak Hebrew. This would be something that would be very valuable to them in their future years. Later in the book we meet another main character, Ronen, an Israelite, who is a Levite. It is very interesting to see how various events lead Arisa and Ronen to meet. As you read through the story you will come to see that only God could have arranged their meeting and worked all the things that happened in their lives together for good. This book will capture you as you are immersed in Connilyn Cossette's amazing imaginative fiction that she pairs with her deep historical research and biblical facts, to bring drama, suspense, tears, laughter and sweet romance together creating a unique 5 star story that you won't want to end. There are also 10 Questions for Conversation located at the end of the book that are very thought provoking either for yourself or for use in a book group. I was given a free copy of this book by Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own.

My last pick for my top 10 reads for 2020. Ms. Cossette continues to take Biblical Fiction to greater heights and brings it to life. I find it mesmerizing and would have devoured it in one setting but due to eye surgery and not having my glasses yet I had to read it in small settings and savor it. The characters are so real and I can’t imagine how amazing it would have been to see The Ark of the Covenant. The writing sweeps you into Old Testament times and you want to stay awhile longer like visiting with a best friend. Eliora is a beautiful soul who seeks to please others while her brother Lukio searches for his place in a land he doesn’t quite fit in. I can’t find the words to describe it adequately except maybe it reminds me of the beautiful prose of the Psalms. The research that went into this is impeccable. This is a must read. I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Once again, I am amazed with Connilyn Cossette's ability to transport me back to biblical times and open my eyes to truths shared in the Holy Bible. To Dwell Among Cedars begins in Philistia in 1070 BC and Cossette immediately captured my attention with her imaginative tale of what might have occurred during the attempts to recover the Ark of the Covenant, as she bases her story on scripture from 1 Samuel 4 and 1 Samuel 6. Fascinating characters and her wonderful descriptive powers are the keys to this intriguing tale of adoption, forgiveness, a return to faith, and the beginning of a sweet love story between Eliora (Arisa), a Philistine girl, and the Levite musician Ronen. Eliora's brother Natan (Lukio) is also an important part of To Dwell Among Cedars and I am looking forward to learning more about him in the next book in The Covenant House duology! I recommend To Dwell Among Cedars to all who enjoy biblical fiction and Christian romance. You won't be disappointed! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. There was no obligation for a favorable review and no monetary compensation was given. These are my own thoughts.

To Dwell Among Cedars falls into the fantastic fiction category. Few writers can take a portion of Scripture and create a fictional story that lures the reader back thousands of years into a captivating story the way Connilyn Cossette does. Connilyn well researches ancient history, and because of those historical elements, the reader feels alive in the story, walking among the cedars, inhaling the fragrance of Eliora’s garden and enjoying ancient Hebrew culture. Connilyn weaves sweet romance, human frailty, family devotion, intrigue, mystery, and adventure into a page turner read. Arisa and her brother, Lukio (two of the main characters) are Philistine orphans. The Hebrew slave woman in their uncle’s home teaches them as young children the ways of God, the Hebrew language and tells them to follow the Ark of God. And, they follow the Ark at the appropriate time and enter Israelite land. Ronnen, a young Levitical musician, discovers the pair and brings them to the family in the area where the Ark has come to rest. Eliora and Natan (their new Hebrew names) are adopted by the family and embraced as their own blood kin. The books leaps forward a few years, and Ronnen re-enters the story. He rekindles his friendship with Eliora and Natan, and becomes a helper to the family. Ronnen is captivated by Eliora’s essence and begins having feelings for her. However, Ronnen was sent on a mission by his uncle, a mission that may destroy his relationship with Eliora and her adopted family. The adventure that ensues at this point of the book makes it hard to put down. The book is highly entertaining! Connilyn beautifully weaves faith into her books. She grabs a snippet of Biblical history and creates an incredible story around that portion. I am always astounded and captivated by her creativity. (She truly has a writing gift!) And, I always learn a lot about ancient Biblical history by reading her books. Connilyn is an incredible wordsmith and knower of the human heart. She weaves these abilities into her story. The reader’s heart strings are pulled awake as Connilyn develops each character well. I love how Connilyn tackles deep, human issues; such as, Eliora lives in mental chains of servitude to a family that loves her. Ronnen struggles deeply with wanting to please his uncle and doing the right thing (which would go against his uncle’s wishes). Natan feels like an outcast and thus, makes poor choices (his final poor choice leaves the reading hanging over the edge of the cliff, aching for the next book). Thank you, Connilyn, for transporting me to Ancient Israel for a few hours. I am highly excited to read Book 2 of The Covenant House series. Needless to say, this book is a MUST READ. You will not be disappointed.

To Dwell Among Cedars is the first in a new series from biblical fiction author, Connilyn Cossette. The events of this book take place in the period of time after 1 Samuel 6, when the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant on a cart drawn by two milk cows. The author asks the question, “What if someone other than the kings of Philistia followed that strange parade? . . . what if it was two children? . . . what if it was two Philistine children?” I appreciated the imagination behind this question and enjoyed the chance to learn more about a culture and period of time that I was more unfamiliar with. The two Philistine children that the author imagines are Arisa and Lukio, and the book hinges on their sibling relationship and transition from orphaned Philistines to adoption into an Israelite home. But not just any home! Eleazar of 1 Samuel 7 adopts them. The same Eleazar who is given charge of the Ark at Kiriath-jearim. Arisa becomes Eliora and Lukio becomes Natan as these two children learn to become members of their new family under the shadow of the Ark. The themes I found most compelling in this book were those of adoption and sibling loyalty. Eliora and Natan must learn what it means to go from orphaned to having a home, and the author uses this imagery to show the beauty of God’s adoption of us into His family. I also appreciated the strong sibling relationship and enjoyed all the setup given to the siblings back in the Philistine city of Ashdod. Especially since this is a series, it felt important to have a thorough understanding of what the siblings were coming from, as this also helped inform their different reactions to their new home. Whereas Eliora feels a strong pull to the Ark and is overjoyed with her new home and family, Natan’s experience is vastly different, and the varied reactions to their new home, family, and faith, was another deeply compelling element to the book. This book was different than what I’m used to in biblical fiction in that it focuses on a time period on which the Bible is silent. Also, the politicized nature of the Ark and the plot to remove it from Kiriath-jearim and reinstate it elsewhere was confusing. The original High Priest, Aaron, passed the priesthood down through his son Eleazar, but this switched to his other son’s line, Itamar, only to go back to Eleazar’s line at the time of David. The author uses this switching of succession as a point of contention in the book. But from what I can tell, this politicized contention between Itamar and Eleazar’s line is imaged from extra-Biblical writings. Plausible? Yes. But not strictly factual. All of the main action in the book revolves around this point, with Ronan, Eliora’s love interest, being a part of the plot to remove the Ark. If all of this sounds confusing, it is! I wonder how much of this could have been helped with a more detailed explanatory note at the front of the book (rather than the back) as well as a list of characters. Because this book deals with a more obscure portion of Scripture and with subject material that is based more on conjecture, the reader would have been served better with more upfront, detailed historical information. Despite the confusion, however, this was a lovely read with some excellent themes and relationships that felt believable. Readers of both historical and biblical fiction will enjoy this book, but I would recommend some upfront reading in 1 Samuel and to also read the Note from the Author in the back of the book before reading the story. A big thanks to Bethany House for the opportunity to read this book for review! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was so excited to find out that Connilyn Cossette has a new series coming out at the end of this year. I was even more so when I had the opportunity to read the first book from The Covenant House series, To Dwell Among Cedars. I was not disappointed. I thought it was a great read. I loved the history and the author’s ability to vividly bring this story to life. I could not put it down and took no time to read. It is so very good. I am giving To Dwell Among Cedars a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy Biblical fiction. I look forward to the next installment from The Covenant House series. I received To Dwell Among Cedars from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

To Dwell Among Cedars is another captivating Biblical fiction book from talented storyteller, Connilyn Cossette. Her books are fascinating stories, rich with detail that take readers right into the scenes of Scripture. Readers will love this fictional account of a young Philistine girl. Arisa follows the Ark of the Covenant during its return to Israel after its earlier capture by the Philistines. The story unfolds with subsequent events as a faction of Israelites scheme to remove the Ark to another site. The characters have depth and reality. Their emotions and strengths resonate well with readers. And what is a good fiction book without a romance? Readers are entertained with that as well. The development of Arisa/Eliora and Ronen's relationship quickly drew me in. The historical lessons are blended well with lessons about family struggles and learning to value oneself because of who (or Whose) you are and not because of what you can do. To Dwell Among Cedars is the beginning of a new series, The Covenant House, and I fear the wait for the next book will be a long one. I received a copy of the book from the publisher, and a favorable review was not required. The opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed Connilyn Cossette’s newest novel, To Dwell Among Cedars. Arisa/Eliora captured my imagination at the beginning and I quickly became invested in her story. Eliora’s devotion to Yahweh and the Ark of the Covenant undergirds all that she does. Such dedication set an encouraging example to those around her and for the reader. I loved journeying with her as she learned her true value and I rooted for her as she arose in boldness when necessary. While Eliora shines in To Dwell Among Cedars, the story has a substantial romance thread between her and Ronen. Ronen’s quest to move the Ark of the Covenant to a different location besets their blossoming love. This difficulty added a layer of tension to their unexpected and beautiful love story. To Dwell Among Cedars is the first installment in The Covenant House series by Connilyn Cossette. I am eager for book two. Five stars! Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

"Follow the Ark, Arisa. Do not turn to the right or to the left, and do not stop until it dwells among cedars and you are sheltered in perfect peace." Urged to flee Philistia before being forced to slave among lascivious temple priests, Arisa and her younger brother Lukio follow the curious gold box belonging to the Hebrews, as it makes it way out of Ashdod. Their childhood servant, a humble Jewish woman named Azuvah, had whispered stories about Yahweh all their lives, but hearing about Him and believing in Him were two totally different concepts. Tired, hungry, and homeless the two siblings happen upon a celebratory welcome for the revered Ark of the Covenant, only to become eye-witnesses to the magnificent holiness of the One true God. Years pass following the adoption of the two orphans into a kind and compassionate Hebrew family. The talented Levite musician Ronen, who initially rescued Eliora (her new name) and her brother, returns to Kiryat-Yearim to discover that the scared little waif who clung to his back has turned into a very beautiful young woman. But Ronen's task in Eliora's home is not a pleasant one, for he is virtually a spy, working silently for an opposing Levite faction whose primary goal is to purloin the Ark in order to transport it back to the fully restored tabernacle. Urged by his cousins to use his masculine charm to extract information from Eliora regarding the Ark's location, Ronen quickly finds himself torn between the God he thought he knew about and the God that Eliora serves with her whole heart. This author's ability to bring Scripture to life is astounding; capturing the beauty of the Old Testament with resounding joy, the book's powerful imagery paints landscapes of love, honor, and sacrifice, its characters exude the fragrances of flawed humanity who bow humbly before a God who not only sees and hears, but loves and forgives; a God who grafts the weak into the branches of the strong, and a God who writes His own song upon every heart, . "There is no song more beautiful than the one the Creator is composing with every note of your life, one he's been weaving together even before your first breath." I receive a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

a book review of Connilyn Cossette’s latest release, To Dwell Among Cedars. With it, she launches a new series: The Covenant House. I was so excited when I came across this novel; I have really enjoyed Cossette’s previous novels–I’ve read all of them–and looked forward to diving in to this one. To Dwell Among Cedars is set during the time that Samuel is a prophet/judge before the nation of Israel has a king. This is moving right along from her first novel, set during the exodus out of Egypt. This follows the story of a Philistine girl who travels to Israel after the Ark of the Covenant was captured by her people and subsequently returned to the Israelites, and intersects with the Levitical priests who take care of the Ark upon its return. Maybe it was because it is setting up an entire series, or because of the transitional time period in which is was set, but this particular story didn’t grab onto me like others by Cossette. I was confused by a lot of the events in the first part of the book; it seemed as if 3-5 chapters went by before I could even figure out what the main character’s name was. The connection between the Philistine girl and the Israelite who first meets her was hard to follow for me, and I found myself confused as to what was happening, where it was happening, when it was happening, and who was there for many scenes of the book. The chemistry between the characters didn’t pop for me, and overall this novel just left me scratching my head. However, based on all the other novels I’ve read from this author, I fully intend to read more of this series and whatever else she may write! It’s just this particular story that didn’t make sense to me, and I still highly recommend this author. Thank you to Bethany House publishers and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive. *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Author Connilyn Cossette always writes a solid story that is a pleasure to read, and that is the case again with To Dwell Among Cedars. I really enjoyed reading this story, and am looking forward to its sequel! Cossette immerses her readers in the scenes that take place. I felt the terror of an earthquake, the horror of a plague, the comfort of love, and the awe inspired by God's presence and judgement. This book was written in first person from two perspectives. Cossette manages this format well, and it allows the reader to understand the characters' motivation. What I enjoyed about the characters was that they were committed to doing what was right, based on what they knew. And as their knowledge increased, they were willing to make changes in their thought processes, convictions, and actions. Eliora was brave and committed to taking care of her younger brother. Ronen was kind, but had lost his first love for Yahweh. Both are great characters, but the real hero of this story is Azuvah. Azuvah had been kidnapped from her Hebrew family by Philistines when she was eleven years old. She continued to pray to God in Hebrew, and recite the Bible passages she had memorized, and remember the historical accounts of her people. She eventually became the nursemaid to Eliora and her brother Natan, and not only kept them physically safe when they were young, but would recite the prayers, the Tenach, and the teachings to the children so they learned them and learned Hebrew as well. Eliora's trust in Azuvah and Azuvah's faith in Yahweh saved her life and gave her the direction she needed at critical moments in her life. There are many life lessons to be learned in this book, naturally as the story unfolds. I highly recommend it for readers of Biblical fiction. Readers of Cossette's work will enjoy this as thoroughly as her previous novels. I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, for review purposes. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Although the entire city of Ashdod seemed to have been shaken, the Hebrews’ Ark had not moved. Perhaps the God of the Hebrews had not been bested after all. When you start, you won’t want to stop reading this incredible story of two orphaned Philistine children who did just as their nanny had told them - Follow the Ark. Starting in Ashdod where the gods of the Philistines were no match for the Ark, the importance of this symbol is seen throughout the book. The Ark has stood the test of time - from the wandering in the wilderness to its current resting spot among the cedars. The author has such a wonderful way with words that I could almost see the hills and smell the cedars. The description of the views were enough to to make you wish you were there. Life had been tough for Arisa and Lukia, but perhaps this had prepared them for their adoption into a Hebrew home and family. Rescued by a young Levite apprentice, their terror turns into a haven of blessing. Realizing that they have been grafted into a new family creates many problems for one, but not the other. Learning to believe that God will be with them wherever they go is a lesson not easily grasped, but vital to their future. This ARC was received through Baker Publishing Group and Bethany House Publishers. The impression and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

"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.