ReviewsByErin

 

In recent years I’ve heard great things about Connilyn Cossette’s Biblical fiction, and she was on my list of authors I hoped to try in 2019. I was thrilled to pick up this first book in her Cities of Refuge series, and it did not disappoint.

Our story opens with Moriyah, an Israelite woman who lives a fairly solitary life due to an event in the past having left her face with a horrible scar. Moriyah wears a veil whenever she is in public and mostly keeps to herself. Now that her father is getting older he has decided it’s time to find a husband for Moriyah, and she will need to be brave and vulnerable in building the relationship.

Things quickly become complicated when she meets the man who has agreed to the betrothal, and furthermore when an accident claims the lives of two young boys.

This book’s setting is fascinating. Not just the focus on the Cities of Refuge, but the look at how things might have been for Israel under the leadership of Joshua as the tribes went in to conquer the Promised Land. This book is post-Jericho but before the Israelites were fully settled in Canaan.

Although this was the first book in a new series, it frequently referenced people and events from Cossette’s previous series. I did not have trouble following along, but I feel it might be even more enjoyable if you have read her Out From Egypt books. Overall I’d recommend this for anyone who enjoys Biblical fiction, and look forward to reading more from this author myself.

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Kaitlin Covel's debut novel Atoning For Ashes comes out next month. Intrigued by this Regency story set in Cornwall, I've been making my way through an Advance Reader's Copy. Be watching for my review soon! Kaitlin has agreed to drop by today and answer some questions for the blog.

Welcome, Kaitlin! I've enjoyed getting to know you as we get ready for the release of your book. 😊

Q: When did you first know your writing was more than just a hobby?

A: The library was my favorite place as a child. I would haul my overflowing bookbags out of the library each month and devour as many titles as I could after school every day. That was the beginning of my publishing dream when I started to envision my own novel on the library’s bookshelf. It wasn’t until I was 12 though that the dream began to take shape. My creative writing assignment developed into my first efforts at a novel. I realized then that writing was a part of me, and I haven’t stopped writing novels since. Writing is my biggest source of expression, and if I did not write often part of me would wither away.

Q: Your novel is based in Cornwall, England. What inspired you to choose this setting?

A: I love the sea, and I’ve always dreamed of having a house on the coast. I’ve grown up in Maine, and some of my favorite memories include ocean trips. After I read Julie Klassen’s novel, The Tutor’s Daughter, I knew the Regency novel I was plotting had to be based in Cornwall, England. Winston Graham’s Poldark series was set only several decades prior to my novel, and it was one of my favorite research resources to familiarize myself with Cornish culture and history.

Q: I love Julie's work and Poldark, too! A consistent theme in Atoning for Ashes is unconditional love. Why did you choose this theme?

 

A: God’s identity is love, but I think we tend to see His love through the lens with which we have been loved by other human beings. It is only when we break free from this warped perception that we can begin to fully comprehend the unconditional nature of His love for us. His love is not contingent upon our successes and failures. Both my hero and heroine are freed by the knowledge that our identity in His sight is Beloved.

Q: Does Atoning for Ashes have a theme verse?

A: Yes, it is Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Q: What inspired the characters of Josie and Charles?

A: One of my favorite novels of all time is The Scarlet Pimpernel. I’ll never fail to be touched by the ending after Percy’s and Marguerite’s history of unrequited love. I freely admit that my tall, handsome blonde hero is inspired in part by Sir Percy Blakeney. My heroine Josie, however, I would say is the culmination of every woman, both fictional and real, that I have ever admired.

Q: If your readers only could gain one thing from reading Atoning for Ashes, what would you want it to be?

A: That everyone has ashes in their life...the ashes of broken dreams and scarred pasts. We serve a God whose love has redemptive power. He calls all of his children Beloved. He wants to atone for our ashes, even if they are the result of our mistakes, and redeem our future. Our God pursues the broken with arms of healing. All we have to do is stop running away. If we seek His face, He is faithful to heal our brokenness.

Q: What is your ultimate goal to achieve in your career as an author?

A: The ultimate goal in all of my writing is to glorify my Savior. My heart’s desire is that my writing would serve as a channel for His love to flow through and reach many hearts. Jesus Christ desires to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. If just one person was inspired to have this personal relationship with Him or walk closer with Him because of my writing, I would be eternally grateful.

Thank you for visiting with us today, Kaitlin!

Be sure to visit Kaitlin's website, and click here if you are interested in pre-ordering Atoning for Ashes.

 

It's a perpetual problem readers face, isn't it? How to read all the books we want when there are so many wonderful ones out there. Here are ten that I'd planned to read last year, because I own all of them in paperback or e-book, but somehow other stories always got in the way.


  "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott
I've wanted to read this classic for a long time, so at the beginning of 2018 I set it as one of my reading goals. However, I waited until late in the year to start it and the language was just too Old English. It will languish unread on my Kindle for a while longer.

"Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery
While I've read Anne Shirley's story several times, I wanted to go through it with my reading group in the fall. Unfortunately life happened and they did read and discuss it, but I fell behind and was not able to devote time to this story.

  Anything written by Courtney Walsh
I've read some of Courtney's stories and enjoyed them, and then when I met Courtney in person in April 2018 I knew I needed to read more. I collected several throughout the year, but somehow never got around to them. I've already remedied this in 2019, though!

The last few Culper Ring Books by Roseanna M. White
I'm intrigued by the setting and I enjoyed the first couple stories, but I never got around to finishing the series.

  "Sons of Blackbird Mountain" by Joanne Bischof
I know, I know - it's Joanne Bischof and it's going to be amazing! I will be fitting this one in as I can.

"The Mayflower Bride" by Kimberley Woodhouse
The idea for this series - stories of women spanning America's history all written by different authors - is one I'm excited about and hope to have the chance to read soon.

  The "Hawthorne House" series by Kristi Ann Hunter
I love Regency fiction and I've liked the two novellas by Kristi Ann Hunter that I've read in the past. I'm sure I'll enjoy the full-length stories, too!

"The Regency Spies of London" series by Melanie Dickerson
Melanie Dickerson is one of my favorites, and again, I love Regency stories, so I'm somewhat disappointed I've never yet gotten around to these!

  "Lady Jayne Disappears" by Joanna Davidson Politano
This debut novel won widespread recognition and some awards, and I really want to see what everyone is talking about. Suspense is not my preferred genre, but I enjoy a good one every now and then.

Anything written by Carol Moncado
Carol is in my local ACFW group and I've picked up a number of her stories. This is another case where she does not write my preferred genre, but I want to support her in her writing.


Find more Top Ten Tuesday posts at That Artsy Reader Girl.

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Olivia Rutherford has done everything in her power to shed the past and her old identity. She's changed her hair, her style, and her name. She has assumed a socialite persona and is trying to move in the right circles to allow her art career to take off. No one must ever truly get to know her. Her hard work might be beginning to pay off, but then she's commissioned to capture artwork for the one place she believes she must wholeheartedly avoid: Yosemite National Park.

Despite her protestations, her manager Frank insists that this Yosemite gig will set her on a fast track towards success and fame. While all Olivia really wants is to find a way to provide for the needs of herself and her teenage sisters, she feels like she has no choice but to follow through on the opportunity.

Having spent nearly three years trying to recover from the gossip that forced him to leave the ministry, Clark Johnson loves his work as a trail guide. He might not have a congregation, but he still communes with God every day through His beautiful creation. When he's tasked with escorting an artist who looks like nothing more than a shallow flapper and a small entourage of her friends, Clark realizes he's going to need all his faith and plenty of patience to put up with the citified group.

As we all know, the past often refuses to stay buried, especially if you're treading on familiar paths. Olivia comes to recognize the call of real beauty, real authenticity as she explores the grandeur of Yosemite. She's never been in more danger of being exposed, and quickly realizes that more than financial harm may come her way if her secret becomes known.

I enjoyed everything about this book. It's set in 1929 at a beautiful location, so it's got all the right points for this reader. I loved Clark's sustaining faith despite his own questions, and Olivia's strength in the midst of her brokenness had me cheering for her right away. This book has compelling characters, a fair amount of action, and a mystery that will keep you guessing. I'd recommend it for all historical fiction fans.

Check out the video below for a view of the natural Firefall at Yosemite, or click here if you're interested in purchasing this book.

Hannah Richards has dreamed of the day she could open her own dress shop. She arrives in Coventry, TX, with great joy and anticipation. She'll have to live frugally until she's accepted in the community, but she is ready to to give it a go.

The last thing Coventry needs, according to one J.T. Tucker, is a newcomer selling fancy goods that will entice women to discontentment and a desire to live above their means. Having watched his mother leave his father for a wealthier man, J.T. wants to avoid that kind of heartbreak and humiliation for other families. He has nothing against Miss Richards, and in fact he can't quite match his preconceived prejudices with her open manner and the way she can make friends with anyone, but he has every objection to her chosen profession.

The community is slow to do business with a newcomer, but Hannah is determined to win them over. She develops a close friendship with J.T.'s sister Cordelia, which frustrates the liveryman even more. She can't figure him out - he's helpful and conscientious but they also seem to fall into an argument each time they meet.

Soon it becomes clear that someone with more nefarious motives wants Hannah out of town. Can she keep herself safe and find acceptance in the community even with all the challenges?

I enjoyed the interplay between the two main characters a lot, their differing viewpoints offering a lot of room to explore the issue of enjoying everyday beauty versus being strictly practical in all things. Both Hannah and J.T. have a lot of strengths, including a dedicated faith and shows itself in the way they live their lives. This was an excellent debut novel for Karen Witemeyer in 2010, and I'm glad I had the chance to go back and read it here in 2019!

 


I've noticed that my favorite contemporary stories tend to have characters with great pain in their lives. Perhaps a few secrets hidden off to the side, too. I believe it's because they call out to me in the pain I have known, in the heartbreak and loss and things you can't just say out loud in front of everyone. In stories like this, it's the vulnerability and the hope that dares to shine through that gives me joy and leaves my heart feeling stronger for having spent time with these fictional people.

"It's the ones with the bruises and scars that have the most amazing potential for greatness." Seven months previously Julia was the victim of date rape and is now preparing for the arrival of a baby who was the result of the attack. Her friends have mostly retreated, unsure of how to relate to Julia as a single mom and even doubting her claims on the baby's parentage. Thankfully she has a large and loving family to support her, and she keeps her days full with running her bakery and getting her great-aunt's home ready to sell.

"...Sometimes God uses what we least expect to bring us what we need the most." Henry traveled to Appalachia to hear local flavor as he prepares to compose the score for an upcoming movie. This quiet British fellow is rather knocked off his feet by the loud and friendly country folk he meets - as well as the kind and gentle pregnant woman from whom he is renting a room. While his high society mother has always chided Henry for being an introvert, when he's around Julia they find deep ways to communicate, including through their shared love of music.

Julia's heart has been badly wounded, she carries haunting memories that make her hesitate at even the thought of a relationship, and she is dealing with the challenges of single motherhood. It doesn't seem like the right time to become romantically involved, yet there's something about Henry that draws her. Could God bring something beautiful out of the shattered pieces of her heart?

I loved how gently this novel dealt with several different heart-wrenching issues. Things like going to counseling were portrayed in a positive light. There is a whole cast of colorful side characters, but it's the soft hues of gentleness emanating from Julia and Henry that truly light up the story. This novel is a gem and proves that the best things in life are never easy, but God makes a way through rough paths, even if the destination is not what we ever expected.

Running along the deep emotional themes is a historic mystery in need of solving, and the most adorable meet cute I've ever read. There's lots to love here!

I recently read three stories from this novella collection, being on a western kick to end 2018, and thought I'd share my thoughts with you.




"A Cowboy Unmatched" by Karen Witemeyer
Neill Archer left his home two years ago on a quest to prove himself. Now he's almost ready to return, but his trip is delayed when he is hired by an anonymous benefactor to repair the roof of a widow's house. He isn't prepared when the widow is young, very pregnant, part Comanche, and in a heated long-standing battle that may be more than she can win without his help.





"An Unforeseen Match" by Regina Jennings
Grace O'Malley's world is disappearing - literally. With blindness encroaching, Grace has had to give up teaching and is trying to settle into the cabin that has been provided for her. Things sure would be easier if she didn't have to live by herself. When a passing cowboy agrees to help with a few things around the cabin, the two find they share a lot in common - including some surprising things that may drive them apart.




"Meeting Her Match" by Mary Connealy
Life keeps jerking the rug out from under schoolmarm Hannah Taylor's feet. Hannah has taken great pride in being a discreet behind-the-scenes matchmaker, but now that she's in such a vulnerable place herself, the women of the town turn the tables and try to make sure Hannah is taken care of by someone who has long loved her from afar.

Find out more thoughts on any of these stories by clicking on their titles.




No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

Loosely based on real-life events, this story deals with a lot of deep and thought-provoking issues, including some that are often swept under the rug. School districts merge and tensions of every kind run high in the lives of three different women.





Who I Am With You by Robin Lee Hatcher

It's tempting to hide from the past when it is full of pain. Pregnant widow Jessica doesn't want anyone to know that before he died her husband was about to leave her, and Ridley is fresh off a political scandal. Poignant and captivating.




Falling For You by Becky Wade

There's one person Willow Bradford never wanted to see again, and that's the man who is now back in her life. While she carefully maintains a perfect exterior, it may be time to face the things she has kept so deeply buried.