"It is not the perfection that matters...it is the love of the one who created it." (259)
Title: Shadow of the StormSeries: Out of Egypt, Book 2
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Genre: Biblical Historical Fiction
Genre: Biblical Historical Fiction
In the Depth of the Storm's Shadow, Only Truth Can Light Her Way
Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai, upon which rests the fiery glowing Cloud containing the shekinah glory of God. When the people disobey Yahweh and build a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to learn the arts of midwifery. Although her mother wishes for her to continue in the family weaving trade, Shira's gifts shine brightest when she assists with deliveries. In defiance of her mother, Shira pursues her heart's calling to become an apprentice midwife.
When a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself bound to a man who betrayed her, the caretaker of three young children, and the target of a vengeful woman whose husband was killed by Shira's people, the Levites. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira will come face-to-face with the heartbreak of her past that she has kept hidden for so long. How can she let go of all that has defined her to accept the love she's denied herself and embrace who she truly is?
Within six months, Connilyn Cossette & Bethany House gave us not only Book 1 of the Out of Egypt series, Counted With the Stars (I absolutely adored), but also Book 2, Shadow of the Storm. And let me tell you how they opened my eyes and heart to what life for the Hebrews were. We read Exodus and learn of the 40 year journey, the manna and the pleading at Mt. Sinai, but the author gave us the story from the eyes of several women, not leaders, nor prophets. In Shadow of the Storm, during the first year into the wilderness, the multitudes not only flourished, but multiplied, and with more people, discourse and uncertainty erupts, leading to paganism and distrust.
As Shira steps into a role of midwifery, we learn more about her past, and how she came to meet Kiya, our main character in Book 1. And during her trips to different camps, what she sees and learns about those of different tribes and their thoughts on Yahweh, the God that brought them out of Egypt. In Book 1, Shira strikes me as someone who's not afraid of many things, who is brave like Eben, her brother. In Shadow of the Storm, we are introduced to the softer side, the timid and self-doubt side of Shira. We see the side that she normally hides from others, but struggles internally, as a woman. How she lets those storms in her life cloud over her reminds me of how we let trials be stumbling blocks in our journey with Christ. It's interesting how the author focused in on Shira, yet it also communicated a broad spectrum of obedience during difficult times. Not only obedience but trust, for Shira, for the Hebrews and for us readers.
Insightful and resourceful, Shadow of the Storm, is as powerful as Counted With the Stars were, as a story, and as one to reread and gain understanding. I look forward to the third book in the series, Wings of the Wind.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
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When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Her novel iCounted with the Stars won the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semifinalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. Although a Pacific Northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas.
I LOVED this book!!! So, so, so, good!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it?!!
DeleteThis series has been amazing so far! Connilyn Cossette is an incredible writer!! The romance is so perfect and I've learned so much from these books. I'm so happy I discovered this series!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Jamie. The covers alone gets you "in the book" and then the story, the romance the message.. whew! You know what I mean?!! =) Thanks for dropping by!
DeleteThis series is on my wish list.
ReplyDelete