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Cities of Refuge #1
A Light on the Hill
Though Israel has found relative peace, Moriyah has yet to find her own. Attempting to avoid the scorn of her community, she's spent the last seven years hiding behind the veil she wears. Underneath her covering, her face is branded with the mark of the Canaanite gods, a shameful reminder of her past captivity in Jericho and an assurance that no man will ever want to marry her.
When her father finds a widower who needs a mother for his two sons, her hopes rise. But when their introduction goes horribly wrong, Moriyah is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the newly established Levitical cities of refuge, she is wildly unprepared for the dangers she will face and the enemies—and unexpected allies—she will encounter on her way.
When her father finds a widower who needs a mother for his two sons, her hopes rise. But when their introduction goes horribly wrong, Moriyah is forced to flee for her life. Seeking safety at one of the newly established Levitical cities of refuge, she is wildly unprepared for the dangers she will face and the enemies—and unexpected allies—she will encounter on her way.
323 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
1420 people are currently reading
6839 people want to read
About the author
Connilyn Cossette
22 books2,674 followersConnilyn Cossette is a Christy Award-winning and bestselling author of stories that illuminate the ancient world of the Bible, in hopes readers will dig deeper into the Word and encounter the Great Storyteller himself within its pages. She is blessed to be the adopted mother of two graduated homeschoolers and is a recent breast cancer survivor. She and her husband of nearly thirty years live just north of Charlotte, NC when they aren't traveling around, exploring the world together!
Connect with her at ConnilynCossette.com
Connect with her at ConnilynCossette.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 765 reviews
March 3, 2018
I wasn’t sure if Connilyn Cossette could top herself, but I enjoyed A Light on the Hill just as much as her previous release. She’s become one of my favorite authors, so I was eager to get my hands on her new series opener. I’ve never read any other Biblical or historical fiction novels set during the time of the book of Joshua, nor any that had anything to do with the cities of refuge. I was intrigued by this premise for sure and feel that it works on so many levels. Because it’s not been touched on a lot (at least not that I’ve read), it feels very fresh and new even within an ancient setting.
All of the elements of this story are equally strong and combine beautifully. Strong characterization, a deep sense of place, and a slow-burning romance are all a part of this wonderful story. The characters are multifaceted, with fully realized motivations and realistic emotions. Moriyah’s character arc is wonderful to experience. Additionally, the details and descriptions of the setting are engrossing. I especially loved the descriptions of the landscape as they traveled. Their emotions are palpable. I could feel the tension between the characters and Moriyah’s fear as they tried to reach a city of refuge. The plot is full of action, as well as the perfect amount of quieter moments and introspection. The rising action is steady through the climax of the story, and the ending is bittersweet, yet satisfying in many ways.
The faith element is a key part of the story and beautiful to behold. I truly feel like I learned something about ancient Israelite practices under the Mosaic law. It was especially neat because I had just finished reading Leviticus. The descriptions of the camp, the rituals of the sacrifices, and the meaning behind them took on a deeper importance as I experienced them through the eyes of the Moriyah.
Readers of stories that take place during Bible times are sure to love this latest offering from Connilyn Cossette. A Light on the Hill is a triumphant story of mercy and hope. Happily, book two is already set to release for this fall, so there’s plenty of time to give this one a read and be ready for the next release. A Light on the Hill is on my favorites list for 2018, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion.
All of the elements of this story are equally strong and combine beautifully. Strong characterization, a deep sense of place, and a slow-burning romance are all a part of this wonderful story. The characters are multifaceted, with fully realized motivations and realistic emotions. Moriyah’s character arc is wonderful to experience. Additionally, the details and descriptions of the setting are engrossing. I especially loved the descriptions of the landscape as they traveled. Their emotions are palpable. I could feel the tension between the characters and Moriyah’s fear as they tried to reach a city of refuge. The plot is full of action, as well as the perfect amount of quieter moments and introspection. The rising action is steady through the climax of the story, and the ending is bittersweet, yet satisfying in many ways.
The faith element is a key part of the story and beautiful to behold. I truly feel like I learned something about ancient Israelite practices under the Mosaic law. It was especially neat because I had just finished reading Leviticus. The descriptions of the camp, the rituals of the sacrifices, and the meaning behind them took on a deeper importance as I experienced them through the eyes of the Moriyah.
Readers of stories that take place during Bible times are sure to love this latest offering from Connilyn Cossette. A Light on the Hill is a triumphant story of mercy and hope. Happily, book two is already set to release for this fall, so there’s plenty of time to give this one a read and be ready for the next release. A Light on the Hill is on my favorites list for 2018, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion.
October 15, 2025
LOVE. A fast-paced, romance-filled, beautiful historical biblical fiction!!!
April 29, 2018
Another gorgeous Biblical novel from Connilyn Cossette! This one kept me up far too late and was handily finished within 24 hours. Who needs to do housework?
March 9, 2018
A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette is a unique and beautiful read! It is the first book to a new series called CITIES OF REFUGE, but it does connect to the debut series by this author. In fact, we meet the main character of this book, Moriyah, in Wings of the Wind!
Connilyn Cossette does a masterful job with writing fiction set in Biblical times! She brings history to life, and we get a glimpse of heroic historical figures such as Moses, Miriam, and Joshua. Plus, her fictional characters are always so authentic and likable. I was so excited to get to read further about Moriyah! Though she is much older than when I last "saw" her, it was wonderful to see more of her story. It was hard, but worthwhile. And fun, at times. Moriyah has to work through a lot, but she has a sweet and spirited personality. And Darek! Oh, I quite liked him. *smiles* There were a lot of characters I really enjoyed in A Light on the Hill.
For a good portion of this book, I was reading eagerly (sometimes late into the night.) Loving going on this journey with Moriyah. Watching her fall in love. Seeing the manliness, and brute skill and strength of Darek, but also the tenderness and sense of humor. Cannanites, lions, cities of refuge, travel ... excitement, tragedy, danger, mercy. Though sometimes my heart constricted at the seemingly injustice and harshness of the law, A Light on the Hill was ultimately such a beautifully and tenderly redemptive story. It was intriguing learning more about this time in history - particularly concerning the Jews' culture - and I was ultimately satisfied with how things ended.
The end-ish of the book got a little heavy on the romance aspect. I would have rather it didn't focus on that so much, and I didn't approve of/appreciate some of the unmarried couple's actions toward each other, though ultimately Moriyah
Overall, Connilyn Cossette delivers another fabulous and heartfelt story. I can't wait to read more by her!
I received a copy of A Light on the Hill from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Connilyn Cossette does a masterful job with writing fiction set in Biblical times! She brings history to life, and we get a glimpse of heroic historical figures such as Moses, Miriam, and Joshua. Plus, her fictional characters are always so authentic and likable. I was so excited to get to read further about Moriyah! Though she is much older than when I last "saw" her, it was wonderful to see more of her story. It was hard, but worthwhile. And fun, at times. Moriyah has to work through a lot, but she has a sweet and spirited personality. And Darek! Oh, I quite liked him. *smiles* There were a lot of characters I really enjoyed in A Light on the Hill.
For a good portion of this book, I was reading eagerly (sometimes late into the night.) Loving going on this journey with Moriyah. Watching her fall in love. Seeing the manliness, and brute skill and strength of Darek, but also the tenderness and sense of humor. Cannanites, lions, cities of refuge, travel ... excitement, tragedy, danger, mercy. Though sometimes my heart constricted at the seemingly injustice and harshness of the law, A Light on the Hill was ultimately such a beautifully and tenderly redemptive story. It was intriguing learning more about this time in history - particularly concerning the Jews' culture - and I was ultimately satisfied with how things ended.
The end-ish of the book got a little heavy on the romance aspect. I would have rather it didn't focus on that so much, and I didn't approve of/appreciate some of the unmarried couple's actions toward each other, though ultimately Moriyah
Overall, Connilyn Cossette delivers another fabulous and heartfelt story. I can't wait to read more by her!
I received a copy of A Light on the Hill from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
March 7, 2018
4.5 stars
A very well-written and researched book set in the early days of tribal Israel, in the first decade after the crossing of the Jordan and fall of Jericho, dealing with settling into the new land. The details are beautifully researched and engaging, never dragging despite the wealth of historical detail.
Moriyah is an engaging character. While her life is very difficult, it’s easy to like her and root for her because of her tendency to put others first and her pleasant voice as a narrator (the story is written in first person from Moriyah’s POV). The descriptions are lush and nearly visible from the reader’s seat. Honestly, two comparisons (robin’s-egg blue sky and “barged into”) were intrusively regional/modern, but aside from those, the narration is pretty flawlessly ancient-culture in flavor. Comparisons are to local plants or events and the cadence of the story easily evokes the feeling that the reader has stepped into the past.
I’m not much of a “biblical fiction” reader because I feel like so many authors are presumptuous with their portrayal of Bible characters and I can’t turn off the argue switch and agree with their interpretations. This story, while set in Biblical times, does not attempt to reimagine Biblical figures, but instead is set as a true historical fiction in a historic culture. It’s simply older than most of my reading generally is! Shout-out to Andrea for suggesting Connilyn Cossette as a good author to try!
Thanks to Bethany House Blogger review program for a review copy. A favorable opinion was not required.
A very well-written and researched book set in the early days of tribal Israel, in the first decade after the crossing of the Jordan and fall of Jericho, dealing with settling into the new land. The details are beautifully researched and engaging, never dragging despite the wealth of historical detail.
Moriyah is an engaging character. While her life is very difficult, it’s easy to like her and root for her because of her tendency to put others first and her pleasant voice as a narrator (the story is written in first person from Moriyah’s POV). The descriptions are lush and nearly visible from the reader’s seat. Honestly, two comparisons (robin’s-egg blue sky and “barged into”) were intrusively regional/modern, but aside from those, the narration is pretty flawlessly ancient-culture in flavor. Comparisons are to local plants or events and the cadence of the story easily evokes the feeling that the reader has stepped into the past.
I’m not much of a “biblical fiction” reader because I feel like so many authors are presumptuous with their portrayal of Bible characters and I can’t turn off the argue switch and agree with their interpretations. This story, while set in Biblical times, does not attempt to reimagine Biblical figures, but instead is set as a true historical fiction in a historic culture. It’s simply older than most of my reading generally is! Shout-out to Andrea for suggesting Connilyn Cossette as a good author to try!
Thanks to Bethany House Blogger review program for a review copy. A favorable opinion was not required.
January 30, 2022
January has been so good to me this year. I've read so many amazing books so far, but I never thought I would come to enjoy Biblical fiction as much as I have. This book was dazzling and captivating - it didn't take long for me to get hooked on the story! Nothing in this book went the direction I thought it would, and I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I adored Moriyah and how she grew in her faith, and came to the realization that God did not abandon her in her hardship, but it was she who had built the wall between them in her shame. I was surprised by the level of romance in this book, but I'm not mad at it! I thought it was very sweet and developed nicely... and I do love a happy ending. :) I really look forward to reading the next in this series!
July 5, 2025
4 stars
A Light on the Hill is the first book I’ve read by Connilyn Cossette, and I enjoyed it a lot. Moriyah is a strong heroine, and I only wish her ending didn’t feel so rushed. As a whole, this was great!
A Light on the Hill is the first book I’ve read by Connilyn Cossette, and I enjoyed it a lot. Moriyah is a strong heroine, and I only wish her ending didn’t feel so rushed. As a whole, this was great!
Audio book source: Audible Plus
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Rachel Botchan
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 11h 11m
February 1, 2018
I am so thankful Connilyn Cossette is not hiding her talent underneath a bushel and instead sharing her gift of writing with readers.
Her fourth novel, A Light on the Hill, is the beginning of a new series: Cities of Refuge. A deviation from her prior series that became quickly apparent in this novel is an increased focused on Fictional characters rather than a retelling a portion of the Bible. Fans of Biblical Fiction do not despair! Connilyn has taken Joshua 20 and the description of cities of refuge along with historical details and woven a lovely tale that takes readers back to 1399 BC Israel.
Moriyah's story is packed with both heart and action. I was a bit surprised (and pleased) by the amount of action that occurred in the pages of A Light on the Hill.
I have a guess on who will be the focus for the second book of the series. I hope I'm right! In any event, I eagerly anticipate the next in this new series.
My gratitude to publisher Bethany House for a complimentary copy of A Light on the Hill. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
Her fourth novel, A Light on the Hill, is the beginning of a new series: Cities of Refuge. A deviation from her prior series that became quickly apparent in this novel is an increased focused on Fictional characters rather than a retelling a portion of the Bible. Fans of Biblical Fiction do not despair! Connilyn has taken Joshua 20 and the description of cities of refuge along with historical details and woven a lovely tale that takes readers back to 1399 BC Israel.
Moriyah's story is packed with both heart and action. I was a bit surprised (and pleased) by the amount of action that occurred in the pages of A Light on the Hill.
I have a guess on who will be the focus for the second book of the series. I hope I'm right! In any event, I eagerly anticipate the next in this new series.
My gratitude to publisher Bethany House for a complimentary copy of A Light on the Hill. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 24, 2020
This book was just okay for me.
Since this book carried over from the previous series by the same author, there are several mentions throughout to the Rahab incident which was not represented accurately to the biblical account. I will not go into details here, as the inaccuracies are much more prevalent in Wings of the Wind; for more information, see my review of that title. Though the inaccuracies were mostly glazed over in this book, this still bugged me and, along with the idol worship and derogatory terms, dipped my rating to three stars.
There were consequences for a character’s lying. Finally! I feel like this is something not highly focused on, but lies are not okay and there are real consequences in life. I’m so glad this book spoke truth on this.
The journey and hope for freedom from accidental sin was lovely. We all mess up, sometimes without meaning to. There is still Hope for us in those moments, and His name is Jesus. We serve a grace-giving God, and I’m so grateful He’s quick to forgive when we realize we’ve sinned, admit that sin, and turn our backs on the sin. Y’all, this heartfelt remorse and repentance was on beautiful display within this story. Moriyah’s heart ached at her accidental sin, and seeing her yearning for hope was completely relatable.
Content: idol worship, derogatory terms, rape (only spoken of), tattoos, alcohol and drunkenness
Since this book carried over from the previous series by the same author, there are several mentions throughout to the Rahab incident which was not represented accurately to the biblical account. I will not go into details here, as the inaccuracies are much more prevalent in Wings of the Wind; for more information, see my review of that title. Though the inaccuracies were mostly glazed over in this book, this still bugged me and, along with the idol worship and derogatory terms, dipped my rating to three stars.
There were consequences for a character’s lying. Finally! I feel like this is something not highly focused on, but lies are not okay and there are real consequences in life. I’m so glad this book spoke truth on this.
The journey and hope for freedom from accidental sin was lovely. We all mess up, sometimes without meaning to. There is still Hope for us in those moments, and His name is Jesus. We serve a grace-giving God, and I’m so grateful He’s quick to forgive when we realize we’ve sinned, admit that sin, and turn our backs on the sin. Y’all, this heartfelt remorse and repentance was on beautiful display within this story. Moriyah’s heart ached at her accidental sin, and seeing her yearning for hope was completely relatable.
Content: idol worship, derogatory terms, rape (only spoken of), tattoos, alcohol and drunkenness
December 31, 2019
This was my first Connilyn Cossette novel, and I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audio version. The narrator did a great job making the characters' voices fit and bringing the story to life. Great characters, realistic issues, meaningful themes. Very well written!
March 14, 2023
Loved it!!
This is my first book to read by this author, and I absolutely loved it! I happen to be reading my Bible chronologically and am reading about the cities of refuge. Ms. Cossette has brought that to life for me in this fictional tale. I will be reading the whole series. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
This is my first book to read by this author, and I absolutely loved it! I happen to be reading my Bible chronologically and am reading about the cities of refuge. Ms. Cossette has brought that to life for me in this fictional tale. I will be reading the whole series. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
February 2, 2021
I love Christian fiction, so there's a possibility I'm being biased, but I really loved the hesitancy on his part to quickly judge. I liked that No one jumped the gun except her betrothed, but that's to be expected considering the circumstances. All in all, I liked the action, the plot and the characters. I thought it was a pretty well rounded book. I'm glad I checked it out.
July 28, 2018
A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette
Genre: Bible times, Christian fiction
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: 7 years after Jericho fell
Location: Israel and Canaanite land
Main Characters:
Moriyah: Twenty year old branded on her face at Jericho
Darek: Brother to Moriyah’s betrothed
Raviv: Moriyah’s betrothed
Yuval: Moriyah’s father’s faithful servant
Ora: Moriyah’s best friend
Eitan: Little boy Moriyah cares for
At thirteen, Moriyah had been branded on her face with the symbol of the goddess, Ashtoreth; a crescent indicating she was a temple slave in Jericho. Able to escape from her captors she lived a simple life with her father on his vineyard. As a Hebrew this brand was a shameful thing. She kept her face veiled and was considered unsuitable for marriage.
Seven years later, her father finds someone to marry her, but the simple life she knew would change with one huge mistake. She was on the run for her life to a city of refuge where her pursuers could not kill her. The brother of her betrothed (the accuser) and her father’s faithful servant are seeing to it she makes it to Kedesh before she's killed so she can stand trial.
I learned a lot about cities of refuge which God set aside for someone involved in accidental manslaughter. Outside the gates blood vengeance of the perpetrator was allowed by law.
When we read of the cities of refuge, we are reminded that God is a God of mercy as well as justice. In the provision of a place of safety within the boundaries of the promised land, we find a truth of mercy, refuge and freedom that applies to our life in Christ.
Feb 13, 2016 Article by Ken Summers
There is a striking similarity between the refuge found in these cities and the refuge of our personal salvation in Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews says "...That...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us." This letter is written mostly to Jewish Christians, and the writer is constantly quoting from the Old Testament. He's referring to cities of refuge and picturing them as our salvation in Jesus Christ.
God also provided cities of refuge to be strategically located so that there would be easy access to them, and the gates were never to be locked. In our lives Jesus makes Himself totally accessible when we acknowledge our desperate need.
This was such a good book. Wonderful characters and impactful lessons to be learned all the way through. Looking forward to more from Connilyn Cossette.
Genre: Bible times, Christian fiction
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: 7 years after Jericho fell
Location: Israel and Canaanite land
Main Characters:
Moriyah: Twenty year old branded on her face at Jericho
Darek: Brother to Moriyah’s betrothed
Raviv: Moriyah’s betrothed
Yuval: Moriyah’s father’s faithful servant
Ora: Moriyah’s best friend
Eitan: Little boy Moriyah cares for
At thirteen, Moriyah had been branded on her face with the symbol of the goddess, Ashtoreth; a crescent indicating she was a temple slave in Jericho. Able to escape from her captors she lived a simple life with her father on his vineyard. As a Hebrew this brand was a shameful thing. She kept her face veiled and was considered unsuitable for marriage.
Seven years later, her father finds someone to marry her, but the simple life she knew would change with one huge mistake. She was on the run for her life to a city of refuge where her pursuers could not kill her. The brother of her betrothed (the accuser) and her father’s faithful servant are seeing to it she makes it to Kedesh before she's killed so she can stand trial.
I learned a lot about cities of refuge which God set aside for someone involved in accidental manslaughter. Outside the gates blood vengeance of the perpetrator was allowed by law.
When we read of the cities of refuge, we are reminded that God is a God of mercy as well as justice. In the provision of a place of safety within the boundaries of the promised land, we find a truth of mercy, refuge and freedom that applies to our life in Christ.
Feb 13, 2016 Article by Ken Summers
There is a striking similarity between the refuge found in these cities and the refuge of our personal salvation in Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews says "...That...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us." This letter is written mostly to Jewish Christians, and the writer is constantly quoting from the Old Testament. He's referring to cities of refuge and picturing them as our salvation in Jesus Christ.
God also provided cities of refuge to be strategically located so that there would be easy access to them, and the gates were never to be locked. In our lives Jesus makes Himself totally accessible when we acknowledge our desperate need.
This was such a good book. Wonderful characters and impactful lessons to be learned all the way through. Looking forward to more from Connilyn Cossette.
February 14, 2022
Just a gorgeous book, cover to pages. This was my first biblical fiction read & I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I thought it would be hard for me to picture the setting & characters but surprisingly it was not. I felt hooked on the story & connected to Moriyah almost instantly. This book delivered in character depth, plot interest, & romance. The romance was so sweet. I would have loved to have seen even more but it definitely delivered. The author is very knowledgeable about the biblical historical era (tribes, culture, traditions etc.) & I felt like I was learning as I read.
I listened to this book & the narrator was wonderful. I was fully engaged the whole listen.
I still would not call biblical fiction a favorite genre of mine, but after this gorgeous novel I plan to read more from Connilyn. Thank you Lang girls (Gina & Lori💓) for the recommendation & getting me out of my comfort zone!
I listened to this book & the narrator was wonderful. I was fully engaged the whole listen.
I still would not call biblical fiction a favorite genre of mine, but after this gorgeous novel I plan to read more from Connilyn. Thank you Lang girls (Gina & Lori💓) for the recommendation & getting me out of my comfort zone!
January 24, 2018
Cities of Refuge. It is not a topic in the bible that I have read much about, but the history surrounding it fascinated me. This is a new series by this author, but previous characters from other books came up very briefly. This is a completely new series though. I will say that I was really impressed once again by this author's talent in her writing.
So, in my reading Tessa Ashfar, Mesu Andrews, this is another one to add to the pile of must haves, must reads. She brings you into the time period, makes you feel the people and live there among them. You will see, feel and taste with the characters as if you were experiencing it with them.
As a side note, I did look up Oleander and yes, it is very poisonous. I hope I never come in contact with it... I will leave that tidbit for you to ponder as you run out and pre-order this book.
This book was obtained through NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.
So, in my reading Tessa Ashfar, Mesu Andrews, this is another one to add to the pile of must haves, must reads. She brings you into the time period, makes you feel the people and live there among them. You will see, feel and taste with the characters as if you were experiencing it with them.
As a side note, I did look up Oleander and yes, it is very poisonous. I hope I never come in contact with it... I will leave that tidbit for you to ponder as you run out and pre-order this book.
This book was obtained through NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.
October 22, 2021
I never would’ve picked this book up it if it wasn’t highly recommended by my mom! Mom knows best right?!
Both my mom and I never tried to read a Biblical HF because we always assumed (shame on me for assumptions) the author would take liberties and write from the perspective of real people from the Bible. I’d rather God’s Word speak for itself than have someone’s imagination expound upon scripture so I never even tried to pick up a book like this.
ANYWAY…this book doesn’t do that at all! The main characters are fictional and it was simply a really interesting, creative, well-written story! It was very romantic and had a lot of depth and honesty.
The whole reading experience was such a pleasant surprise! (Mom was right! 😉) Though this time period isn’t necessarily my favorite, I think I could grow to really enjoy reading about it with the awesome Historical Biblical facts Connilyn inserts into it.
I’m actually on to the second book in the series Shelter of the Most High and at the moment, to me, it’s even better Than this one! So excited to have found a new author who writes with depth and great character development.
Both my mom and I never tried to read a Biblical HF because we always assumed (shame on me for assumptions) the author would take liberties and write from the perspective of real people from the Bible. I’d rather God’s Word speak for itself than have someone’s imagination expound upon scripture so I never even tried to pick up a book like this.
ANYWAY…this book doesn’t do that at all! The main characters are fictional and it was simply a really interesting, creative, well-written story! It was very romantic and had a lot of depth and honesty.
The whole reading experience was such a pleasant surprise! (Mom was right! 😉) Though this time period isn’t necessarily my favorite, I think I could grow to really enjoy reading about it with the awesome Historical Biblical facts Connilyn inserts into it.
I’m actually on to the second book in the series Shelter of the Most High and at the moment, to me, it’s even better Than this one! So excited to have found a new author who writes with depth and great character development.
March 18, 2018
Oh, my goodness! Where do I begin with this story?
Connilyn Cossette is an author I watch new releases for. Each story grows on the next and the world just blossom.
A Light on a Hill is the first of this new series, Cities of Refuge. It is a bit of spin off from her previous series, but still stands alone. If you haven't read any of the previous books, it's ok, but, you will want to read her other books.
This story follows Moriyah. She is a young woman who has a very nerve racking experience as a teenager. The experienced changed her and made her want to be reclusive, however, her father wants her to be looked after. She wants to be an obidiant daughter, but with her life, she is hesitant. You can feel what she feels as you read this story. There is so much newness she has to go through. In all of it, her faith grows and her passion for those she cares about remains strong. Following Moriyah through it all was a great journey.
With the incidences that occur in this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Following Moriyah through these new lands of Israel was very interesting. We know about the walls of Jericho that fell down, but what happened after that? Connilyn Cossette took the information that the Bible provided and the research she did shines through. Her characters jump off the page. You want to route for certain ones, and then hope for others to do something else.
The character introduced into this story were great! It offered new eyes to known Biblical stories.
I honestly can't wait for the next book in this series to come out! If you are a fan of Biblical fiction, this is a book you can't miss.
On a side note, I bought, in addition to the review copy I was given, the audio book. The narrator was phenomenal and kept the story moving with a wonderful reading.
Thank you to the Author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted @ https://wordsfromabookaholic.blogspot...
Connilyn Cossette is an author I watch new releases for. Each story grows on the next and the world just blossom.
A Light on a Hill is the first of this new series, Cities of Refuge. It is a bit of spin off from her previous series, but still stands alone. If you haven't read any of the previous books, it's ok, but, you will want to read her other books.
This story follows Moriyah. She is a young woman who has a very nerve racking experience as a teenager. The experienced changed her and made her want to be reclusive, however, her father wants her to be looked after. She wants to be an obidiant daughter, but with her life, she is hesitant. You can feel what she feels as you read this story. There is so much newness she has to go through. In all of it, her faith grows and her passion for those she cares about remains strong. Following Moriyah through it all was a great journey.
With the incidences that occur in this story, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Following Moriyah through these new lands of Israel was very interesting. We know about the walls of Jericho that fell down, but what happened after that? Connilyn Cossette took the information that the Bible provided and the research she did shines through. Her characters jump off the page. You want to route for certain ones, and then hope for others to do something else.
The character introduced into this story were great! It offered new eyes to known Biblical stories.
I honestly can't wait for the next book in this series to come out! If you are a fan of Biblical fiction, this is a book you can't miss.
On a side note, I bought, in addition to the review copy I was given, the audio book. The narrator was phenomenal and kept the story moving with a wonderful reading.
Thank you to the Author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted @ https://wordsfromabookaholic.blogspot...
March 8, 2018
This book is the first in Connilyn Cossette's new series Cities of Refuge.
If you are new to this author, let me first tell you that her books are amazing! But I truly believe, to get the best experience, all her books should be read in order.
This might be a new series, but I consider it a spin-off of her Out of Egypt series. This book focuses on Moriyah (a secondary character from Wings of the Wind). I really appreciate how this author truly connects all of her books together even though the main character in each book is different. I have never read a series quite like hers.
As for this particular book, I don't want to say too much, because it would be too easy to give out spoilers. I will only say that up to the very end, I really didn't know how this book could get a happy ending. I loved the characters and the story and highly recommend the book!
Thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of the book. It did not affect my review.
If you are new to this author, let me first tell you that her books are amazing! But I truly believe, to get the best experience, all her books should be read in order.
This might be a new series, but I consider it a spin-off of her Out of Egypt series. This book focuses on Moriyah (a secondary character from Wings of the Wind). I really appreciate how this author truly connects all of her books together even though the main character in each book is different. I have never read a series quite like hers.
As for this particular book, I don't want to say too much, because it would be too easy to give out spoilers. I will only say that up to the very end, I really didn't know how this book could get a happy ending. I loved the characters and the story and highly recommend the book!
Thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of the book. It did not affect my review.
February 6, 2018
Why I Choose This Book:
Folks. Miss Connilyn's writing is amazing. Goodness, y'all. Her Biblical fiction has drawn me in from the very first page every single time. When her last trilogy ended I was really sad because I REALLY wanted there to be a fourth book that featured one of the characters from the third book in the trilogy. Therefore, when I saw she had another series going, I jumped at the chance to be one of the earlier reviewers. I decided to go into the book totally blind - not even allowing myself to read the back cover before diving in. (And when you see the blurb floating around on the internet it's hard to resist!)
What I Thought:
I may or may not have squealed and grabbed the arm of the person next to me out of pure joy when I read the first paragraph and realized that ALOTH (A Light on the Hill) featured the exact character I wanted. Moriyah was just a girl of 13 in the last book of Miss Connilyn's, but now she's all grown up and a far cry from the confident person I remember from her youth.
The writing is beautiful - the descriptions whisked me away into the Promise Land and plopped me there with such force I didn't want to leave. I've traveled a lot in life, but this book makes me want to travel even more. Reading about walking through the vineyards was the next best thing to actually doing it, but now that I've read the book, I want to go and experience it for myself. The details of all the Middle Eastern food were so delightful and made me so hungry for it that I made my family stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, and za'atar bread for supper one night. It was delicious and made Moriyah's world come alive so much more to me.
As far as the storyline itself goes, I enjoyed it. There were twists and turns and things I hadn't expected. (Going into the book blind really helped with that.) Previously I'd read there were some pretty great plot twists in the book, but when I asked a friend of mine who was reading the book, she just kinda shrugged the question off. Therefore, when I got to the major plot twist, I was mind-blown. As in, I went and found people who I knew wouldn't be reading the book and sat down and told them all about it because I had to share it with someone. It was amazing and unexpected, and at first, I couldn't hardly imagine it had actually really happened.
For some reason, I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more than the second. I'm not sure why that is, except there was a little more romance in the second half, and sometimes that annoys me slightly. (In all books - not just this one.) The first half of the book was a five-star read, which for me is VERY unusual, and the second half mellowed the book down to four stars. I have a feeling though that most people would enjoy the second half just as much as the first.
Now I can't hardly wait for the next book in the series. Miss Connilyn's books always make the Bible feel more alive to me, and this book was no exception. Her research is fantastic and makes me want to do researching of my own. Her details are superb and craft style remarkable.
Conclusion:
Y'all, I have a feeling I should probably end this review before I write an entire book myself. Overall it was a clean book. At the same time though, there are mentions of the various Canaanite cities that were still around during the book of Joshua and the immorality that went on in them, temple prostitutes (never going into detail), and a small amount of violence. There's also a fair amount of time when an unmarried man and woman travel alone together - it's out of necessity and nothing happens, but I do wish that wasn't as common of an element in books like this...
Stay tuned, y'all, for an author interview coming up later on this month!
Rating:
I’m giving The Light On the Hill 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who has ever read Biblical fiction - or if you haven't read it and have thought about giving it a try.
*The author gave me a book so I could review it, but I would have found or bought a copy somewhere if she hadn't ;)
Folks. Miss Connilyn's writing is amazing. Goodness, y'all. Her Biblical fiction has drawn me in from the very first page every single time. When her last trilogy ended I was really sad because I REALLY wanted there to be a fourth book that featured one of the characters from the third book in the trilogy. Therefore, when I saw she had another series going, I jumped at the chance to be one of the earlier reviewers. I decided to go into the book totally blind - not even allowing myself to read the back cover before diving in. (And when you see the blurb floating around on the internet it's hard to resist!)
What I Thought:
I may or may not have squealed and grabbed the arm of the person next to me out of pure joy when I read the first paragraph and realized that ALOTH (A Light on the Hill) featured the exact character I wanted. Moriyah was just a girl of 13 in the last book of Miss Connilyn's, but now she's all grown up and a far cry from the confident person I remember from her youth.
The writing is beautiful - the descriptions whisked me away into the Promise Land and plopped me there with such force I didn't want to leave. I've traveled a lot in life, but this book makes me want to travel even more. Reading about walking through the vineyards was the next best thing to actually doing it, but now that I've read the book, I want to go and experience it for myself. The details of all the Middle Eastern food were so delightful and made me so hungry for it that I made my family stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, and za'atar bread for supper one night. It was delicious and made Moriyah's world come alive so much more to me.
As far as the storyline itself goes, I enjoyed it. There were twists and turns and things I hadn't expected. (Going into the book blind really helped with that.) Previously I'd read there were some pretty great plot twists in the book, but when I asked a friend of mine who was reading the book, she just kinda shrugged the question off. Therefore, when I got to the major plot twist, I was mind-blown. As in, I went and found people who I knew wouldn't be reading the book and sat down and told them all about it because I had to share it with someone. It was amazing and unexpected, and at first, I couldn't hardly imagine it had actually really happened.
For some reason, I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more than the second. I'm not sure why that is, except there was a little more romance in the second half, and sometimes that annoys me slightly. (In all books - not just this one.) The first half of the book was a five-star read, which for me is VERY unusual, and the second half mellowed the book down to four stars. I have a feeling though that most people would enjoy the second half just as much as the first.
Now I can't hardly wait for the next book in the series. Miss Connilyn's books always make the Bible feel more alive to me, and this book was no exception. Her research is fantastic and makes me want to do researching of my own. Her details are superb and craft style remarkable.
Conclusion:
Y'all, I have a feeling I should probably end this review before I write an entire book myself. Overall it was a clean book. At the same time though, there are mentions of the various Canaanite cities that were still around during the book of Joshua and the immorality that went on in them, temple prostitutes (never going into detail), and a small amount of violence. There's also a fair amount of time when an unmarried man and woman travel alone together - it's out of necessity and nothing happens, but I do wish that wasn't as common of an element in books like this...
Stay tuned, y'all, for an author interview coming up later on this month!
Rating:
I’m giving The Light On the Hill 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who has ever read Biblical fiction - or if you haven't read it and have thought about giving it a try.
*The author gave me a book so I could review it, but I would have found or bought a copy somewhere if she hadn't ;)
April 2, 2025
Connilyn Cossette's writing style is so lyrical it begs to be read out loud. Exquisite descriptions about life and customs in biblical times -- I swear this author must have a time machine because she gets it right every time. At least, I feel like it's right for the time period. Even the dialogue. Not being in possession of a time machine, I can't say for certain. :-) But though I'm not widely read in the biblical fiction genre, I will always find room on my TBR pile for this author's novels. They are irresistible!
And interestingly enough I knew nothing about Levitical cities of refuge until a few weeks ago when my pastor mentioned them in a sermon. Totally fascinated me and then, a short while later, this book shows up on my doorstep. How cool is that? And it's the first book in the Cities of Refuge series so there's lots more good reading ahead. Oh -- and to make this even more special for fans of Cossette's Out of Egypt series, Moriyah was a secondary character in Wings of the Wind. Love that bridge between series.
And what an action-packed adventure! The author constantly surprised me with a new twist, an unexpected turn. The whole story is told from Moriyah's first person point of view and it was easy to instantly relate to and root for this vulnerable young woman who has already suffered so much. Her personal faith journey is inspiring as she goes from living in the shadows because of her scars to becoming a light that transforms people -- including herself. Because it isn't until Moriyah has the courage to look beyond her scars that she can finally live up to her potential.
This would make an awesome book club selection because there's such depth for discussion within these pages. I mean, don't we all have scars in some form or another? Visible or invisible -- things that hold us back and drag us down? And there are great discussion questions at the end of the book. The kind that make you really think. And stretch. I love it when I connect with my faith through fiction the way I did with this book. Makes for a life-changing read...if you dare to exercise Moriyah size courage!
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/04/02/a...
And interestingly enough I knew nothing about Levitical cities of refuge until a few weeks ago when my pastor mentioned them in a sermon. Totally fascinated me and then, a short while later, this book shows up on my doorstep. How cool is that? And it's the first book in the Cities of Refuge series so there's lots more good reading ahead. Oh -- and to make this even more special for fans of Cossette's Out of Egypt series, Moriyah was a secondary character in Wings of the Wind. Love that bridge between series.
And what an action-packed adventure! The author constantly surprised me with a new twist, an unexpected turn. The whole story is told from Moriyah's first person point of view and it was easy to instantly relate to and root for this vulnerable young woman who has already suffered so much. Her personal faith journey is inspiring as she goes from living in the shadows because of her scars to becoming a light that transforms people -- including herself. Because it isn't until Moriyah has the courage to look beyond her scars that she can finally live up to her potential.
This would make an awesome book club selection because there's such depth for discussion within these pages. I mean, don't we all have scars in some form or another? Visible or invisible -- things that hold us back and drag us down? And there are great discussion questions at the end of the book. The kind that make you really think. And stretch. I love it when I connect with my faith through fiction the way I did with this book. Makes for a life-changing read...if you dare to exercise Moriyah size courage!
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/04/02/a...
March 5, 2018
Oh my goodness! Where do I even begin?! A Light on the Hill is the first book that I’ve read by Connilyn Cossette and it won’t be my last! I recently found out that this is an indirect continuation of Wings of the Wind (from the Out of Eygpt series) which I have immediately added to my TBR!
If you’re looking for an intense page-turner, then you’ll want to check this one out. It takes place in the Cities of Refuge as found in Joshua. I personally thought this was unique and original because I know next to nothing about the Cities of Refuge. The author’s thorough research shines throughout the novel, bringing history to life.
Moriyah will forever be one of my favorite characters. Actually, I don’t think there was one character found in the book that I didn’t like! Even hateful and vengeful Raviv. My heart broke for him rather than hating him. Oh and Darek. I developed a crush on that man. He is the kind of man who is compassionate and walks away from his peers to help a stranger in need. Then there’s Yuval who is like a brother to Moriyah and will do anything to protect her. They are all very real characters that readers will be able to identify with.
I loved how much growth each character develops throughout the novel. We first see Moriyah as this timid and scared young woman who hides behind her veil and blossom into a confident woman who knows the Lord is on her side.
What I loved most of all was how Connilyn Cossette tied in the perfect balance of mercy and justice of God. The author shows how Jesus, our great High Priest, who took our sin upon Himself and became our eternal sacrifice from the condemnation of sin and death. There are also themes of fully trusting God even when it might mean having your life taken from you.
A Light on the Hill is truly mind-blowing and I cannot wait for the next novel in store! Highly recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you’re looking for an intense page-turner, then you’ll want to check this one out. It takes place in the Cities of Refuge as found in Joshua. I personally thought this was unique and original because I know next to nothing about the Cities of Refuge. The author’s thorough research shines throughout the novel, bringing history to life.
Moriyah will forever be one of my favorite characters. Actually, I don’t think there was one character found in the book that I didn’t like! Even hateful and vengeful Raviv. My heart broke for him rather than hating him. Oh and Darek. I developed a crush on that man. He is the kind of man who is compassionate and walks away from his peers to help a stranger in need. Then there’s Yuval who is like a brother to Moriyah and will do anything to protect her. They are all very real characters that readers will be able to identify with.
I loved how much growth each character develops throughout the novel. We first see Moriyah as this timid and scared young woman who hides behind her veil and blossom into a confident woman who knows the Lord is on her side.
What I loved most of all was how Connilyn Cossette tied in the perfect balance of mercy and justice of God. The author shows how Jesus, our great High Priest, who took our sin upon Himself and became our eternal sacrifice from the condemnation of sin and death. There are also themes of fully trusting God even when it might mean having your life taken from you.
A Light on the Hill is truly mind-blowing and I cannot wait for the next novel in store! Highly recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 9, 2018
Wow! A new author to add to my list of favorites.
A Light on the Hill is a fantastic beginning to a new series. The setting is 1399 BC Israel centering on the beginnings of the cities of refuge mentioned in Joshua 20. I was not prepared for the immediate immersion when I as the reader was drawn into the story. The author had my interest peaked in the very first paragraph. Ms. Cossette descriptive use of prose appeals to the senses, allowing the reader to step into Moriyah's world.
Moriyah is a memorable character, impressing me with her strength and courage. But most importantly, with her loving heart. Having been scarred at an early age, she seeks to help others that have been victims of violence or neglect. She has spent many years hiding behind her veil, but is her isolation providing her shelter or is it a self-inflicted prison?
An unexpected tragedy sends Moriyah on an incredible adventure as she seeks refuge. This story has many unpredictable twists and turns. I loved the hero of the story. He had an canny way of providing a mirror for Moriyah, allowing her to see behind her scars. He is one of my favorite heroes in biblical fiction.
This is an incredible story of mercy. The symbols of the veil and refuge were meaningful for this reader.
One of my favorite quotes: "Mercy is not earned," I said, pulling the words from the center of my soul, where I knew Yahweh had placed them. "It is gifted."
I eagerly anticipate the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
A Light on the Hill is a fantastic beginning to a new series. The setting is 1399 BC Israel centering on the beginnings of the cities of refuge mentioned in Joshua 20. I was not prepared for the immediate immersion when I as the reader was drawn into the story. The author had my interest peaked in the very first paragraph. Ms. Cossette descriptive use of prose appeals to the senses, allowing the reader to step into Moriyah's world.
Moriyah is a memorable character, impressing me with her strength and courage. But most importantly, with her loving heart. Having been scarred at an early age, she seeks to help others that have been victims of violence or neglect. She has spent many years hiding behind her veil, but is her isolation providing her shelter or is it a self-inflicted prison?
An unexpected tragedy sends Moriyah on an incredible adventure as she seeks refuge. This story has many unpredictable twists and turns. I loved the hero of the story. He had an canny way of providing a mirror for Moriyah, allowing her to see behind her scars. He is one of my favorite heroes in biblical fiction.
This is an incredible story of mercy. The symbols of the veil and refuge were meaningful for this reader.
One of my favorite quotes: "Mercy is not earned," I said, pulling the words from the center of my soul, where I knew Yahweh had placed them. "It is gifted."
I eagerly anticipate the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 15, 2020
Can you believe it guys I finished it and ending up enjoying the rest of the story. I still think the story is far fetched and unbelievable but I really enjoyed the love story of the main characters. Also I really love the story of the boy she ended up adopted!! I thought the ending was well written and enjoyable to read. I gave it here 4 stars, but for me if I could would have given it 3 1/2 stars. I don’t know if I will read the sequels? Anyone out there thinks that it’s worth it?? Would love your opinion? Personally I’m glad I finally read it!!!
April 4, 2020
Cossette brings another beautiful story, which is unpredictable. The blend of history + action + romance + Moriyah's introspection is done really well. I wish I had the audiobook to add another dimension to this story. I truly missed Sarah Mollo-Christensen since I have associated both Cossette and her together and reading this book brought Sarah's voice in my mind.
August 27, 2018
Cossette has an extraordinary way of bringing Canaan 1406 BC to life. She paints a vivid canvas of the people, places and landscapes. I enjoyed the plot twist, romance and adventures. I did feel like Moriyah was not remorseful by what happened to Raviv’s sons. I understood her desperate flight but I think if I had done that I really couldn’t live with myself. A Light on the Hill is the second book I've read by Cossette. If you like biblical fiction, check this one out!
November 7, 2024
It's impossible to not give this one all the stars! Needless to say, my love for Connilyn's books has been reignited. RTC
September 1, 2018
A Light on the Hill is the first book in Connilyn Cossette’s new Cities of Refuge series. I think some of the characters featured in her previous Out from Egypt series, Counted with the Stars, Shadow of the Storm, and Wings of the Wind. I haven’t read any of the Out of Egypt series, but didn’t feel I missed anything.
A Light on the Hill is an insight into the life and culture of the times of the Old Testament—in this case, the years after the nation of Israel first arrived in the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. And it does point to Jesus. The cities of refuge represented a revolutionary idea. An accused criminal could seek and gain mercy, instead of being subject to the cultural retribution of an eye for an eye, a life for a life.
But the theme of A Light on the Hill is definitely Christian. Justice, or mercy? Love, or hate? Forgiveness, or retribution? While Biblical fiction isn't Christian fiction per se, good Biblical fiction reinforces the fact the Bible is one story, with the Old Testament foreshadowing the New Testament. This is additionally reinforced by the main characters, most of whom have chosen to follow Yahweh rather than being born Hebrew.
I don’t read a lot of Biblical fiction. It seemed to fall out of favour for a while, and my interest got pulled in other genre directions. But A Light on the Hill easily equals those early Biblical fiction stories I read from authors like Francine Rivers and Angela Hunt.
The story does take a while to get going—the first quarter is background, introducing the characters and setting up the situation that will force Moriyah to flee for her life. However, even this background is an interesting and necessary introduction to life in Shiloh in the early days of Israel.
The writing is strong. It’s an unusual choice to write historical fiction in first person, but it works because it takes us deep into Moriyah’s mind, and that enables us to relate to her. After all, we all have hidden scars of one sort or another. The characters are well-drawn, and the plot is full of suspense as we journey with Moriyah, hoping she’ll reach her objective, yet worried she won’t.
A Light on the Hill a story of judgement as the people of Shiloh judge Moriyah based on her external appearance to the point she hides away from people and from life. It’s also the story of mercy, as Yahweh has already established the means for Morihay to be accepted and saved.
Recommended for fans of Biblical fiction, or for those who would like to better understand the times of the Bible. Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
A Light on the Hill is an insight into the life and culture of the times of the Old Testament—in this case, the years after the nation of Israel first arrived in the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. And it does point to Jesus. The cities of refuge represented a revolutionary idea. An accused criminal could seek and gain mercy, instead of being subject to the cultural retribution of an eye for an eye, a life for a life.
But the theme of A Light on the Hill is definitely Christian. Justice, or mercy? Love, or hate? Forgiveness, or retribution? While Biblical fiction isn't Christian fiction per se, good Biblical fiction reinforces the fact the Bible is one story, with the Old Testament foreshadowing the New Testament. This is additionally reinforced by the main characters, most of whom have chosen to follow Yahweh rather than being born Hebrew.
I don’t read a lot of Biblical fiction. It seemed to fall out of favour for a while, and my interest got pulled in other genre directions. But A Light on the Hill easily equals those early Biblical fiction stories I read from authors like Francine Rivers and Angela Hunt.
The story does take a while to get going—the first quarter is background, introducing the characters and setting up the situation that will force Moriyah to flee for her life. However, even this background is an interesting and necessary introduction to life in Shiloh in the early days of Israel.
The writing is strong. It’s an unusual choice to write historical fiction in first person, but it works because it takes us deep into Moriyah’s mind, and that enables us to relate to her. After all, we all have hidden scars of one sort or another. The characters are well-drawn, and the plot is full of suspense as we journey with Moriyah, hoping she’ll reach her objective, yet worried she won’t.
A Light on the Hill a story of judgement as the people of Shiloh judge Moriyah based on her external appearance to the point she hides away from people and from life. It’s also the story of mercy, as Yahweh has already established the means for Morihay to be accepted and saved.
Recommended for fans of Biblical fiction, or for those who would like to better understand the times of the Bible. Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
April 22, 2023
*Started and finished the audiobook in 2 days 😅
LOVED:
- the tension between Miriyam and Darek!
- The prologue IMMEDIATELY captures you into the story.
- You are immersed into the cultures and the FOODS (!!!)
- Ora- She was wise and hilarious!
LIKED:
- The plot twist that makes her flee to a city of refuge was so unexpected and really set up the gravity of the situation.
MEH:
- The part where she has to disguise her identity made me feel conflicted because they had to blatantly disobey the laws of God (not harming anyone though) in order to protect themselves…
- I just finished reading Pearl in the Sand that day by Tessa Afshar, which has similar time period and themes. I absolutely loved that one and I don’t think it was fair of me to read this right after that one.
LOVED:
- the tension between Miriyam and Darek!
- The prologue IMMEDIATELY captures you into the story.
- You are immersed into the cultures and the FOODS (!!!)
- Ora- She was wise and hilarious!
LIKED:
- The plot twist that makes her flee to a city of refuge was so unexpected and really set up the gravity of the situation.
MEH:
- The part where she has to disguise her identity made me feel conflicted because they had to blatantly disobey the laws of God (not harming anyone though) in order to protect themselves…
- I just finished reading Pearl in the Sand that day by Tessa Afshar, which has similar time period and themes. I absolutely loved that one and I don’t think it was fair of me to read this right after that one.
July 6, 2025
A Light on the Hill was my first book by Connilyn Cossette, and it definitely won’t be my last.
The story centers on Moriyah, a young woman marked by a traumatic incident that sets her on a journey toward one of the Old Testament’s Cities of Refuge. Moriyah’s journey is one of courage, healing, and faith.
Audiobook source: Audible Plus
Narrator: Rachel Botchan
Length: 11h 11m
The story centers on Moriyah, a young woman marked by a traumatic incident that sets her on a journey toward one of the Old Testament’s Cities of Refuge. Moriyah’s journey is one of courage, healing, and faith.
Audiobook source: Audible Plus
Narrator: Rachel Botchan
Length: 11h 11m
April 2, 2024
Reread 2024 ✨
Reread once again because I’m in such a busy season, time for reading is a luxury so why not spend it on the very best of books?
Reread 2022 ✨
I can't believe I've read this book so many times (don't let me goodreads fool you, I've definitely read it more than 3 times) and never reviewed it here yet! Let me fix that for you all. Warning: this will be long because each reread shows me more depth and more to love... so get comfy, we'll be here a while.
A Light on the Hill is the first biblical fiction book I’ve read – and while we’re at it, loved. I’m not a fan of when authors take real biblical people and fictionalize their stories. Connilyn does not and instead, she writes about fictional people in biblical times and wow, does she excel at her niche. I may have read her books out of order, but A Light on the Hill will always be my favourite from the author and quite simply, it’s on the shelf along with my other all-time favourite reads.
The beauty Connilyn is able to bring to life is incredible. I can envision what Kedesh looked like in 1399 BC, walk the paths Moriyah and her father did in the vineyards, savour the stillness – the shalom – of the moment by the pools (ch.29 y’all. you’re welcome in advance)… it’s as if Connilyn took a spotlight and shone it on a hidden life I never knew about.
Moriyah is a character with indescribable complexity, one who endured hardships that left her with scars both physically and emotionally, yet strives to thrive within it. Even though she struggles with self-consciousness because of her scars, she doesn’t let it come in the way when she needs to save a friend. She’s a character I feel like I need to take notes from, to emulate her in some way. She’s come such a long way and at certain points in the story I just want to give her a hug and say, “but look how far you’ve come!” I wish we could be best friends. Like seriously. I think we could get along so well together. And yes… I’m aware she’s fictional; don’t go questioning my sanity.
I loved the message of mercy seen in this story. While the story feels dark and desperate at times, hope prevails through the ending, albeit bittersweet. Ahhh after reading this book, I need to go reread Eitan’s story because oh, that poor boy. While we don't get Darek's POV, his internal struggles are not hidden from the reader. We see him fighting with his innate sense of upholding and preserving justice, with his ever-growing desire for mercy.
I especially loved how Moriyah would choose justice, choose to listen to God, even though it meant letting go of Darek. The strength and faith she had makes her such a role model. But again, the result is a beautiful example of how God so wonderfully chooses mercy over justice for us.
I still feel like I have so much more to say, because I haven’t even touched on the side characters, the interesting facts I learned (dancing ceremonies in the desert??), or even Darek (the best hero ever!!). I’ll stop here though, as I could honestly go on forever about the book.
To wrap it up, A Light on the Hill is a one-of-a-kind, fresh and beautifully written story of mercy and loving-kindness that I absolutely enjoy reading again and again.
Reread once again because I’m in such a busy season, time for reading is a luxury so why not spend it on the very best of books?
Reread 2022 ✨
I can't believe I've read this book so many times (don't let me goodreads fool you, I've definitely read it more than 3 times) and never reviewed it here yet! Let me fix that for you all. Warning: this will be long because each reread shows me more depth and more to love... so get comfy, we'll be here a while.
A Light on the Hill is the first biblical fiction book I’ve read – and while we’re at it, loved. I’m not a fan of when authors take real biblical people and fictionalize their stories. Connilyn does not and instead, she writes about fictional people in biblical times and wow, does she excel at her niche. I may have read her books out of order, but A Light on the Hill will always be my favourite from the author and quite simply, it’s on the shelf along with my other all-time favourite reads.
The beauty Connilyn is able to bring to life is incredible. I can envision what Kedesh looked like in 1399 BC, walk the paths Moriyah and her father did in the vineyards, savour the stillness – the shalom – of the moment by the pools (ch.29 y’all. you’re welcome in advance)… it’s as if Connilyn took a spotlight and shone it on a hidden life I never knew about.
Moriyah is a character with indescribable complexity, one who endured hardships that left her with scars both physically and emotionally, yet strives to thrive within it. Even though she struggles with self-consciousness because of her scars, she doesn’t let it come in the way when she needs to save a friend. She’s a character I feel like I need to take notes from, to emulate her in some way. She’s come such a long way and at certain points in the story I just want to give her a hug and say, “but look how far you’ve come!” I wish we could be best friends. Like seriously. I think we could get along so well together. And yes… I’m aware she’s fictional; don’t go questioning my sanity.
I loved the message of mercy seen in this story. While the story feels dark and desperate at times, hope prevails through the ending, albeit bittersweet. Ahhh after reading this book, I need to go reread Eitan’s story because oh, that poor boy. While we don't get Darek's POV, his internal struggles are not hidden from the reader. We see him fighting with his innate sense of upholding and preserving justice, with his ever-growing desire for mercy.
I especially loved how Moriyah would choose justice, choose to listen to God, even though it meant letting go of Darek. The strength and faith she had makes her such a role model. But again, the result is a beautiful example of how God so wonderfully chooses mercy over justice for us.
I still feel like I have so much more to say, because I haven’t even touched on the side characters, the interesting facts I learned (dancing ceremonies in the desert??), or even Darek (the best hero ever!!). I’ll stop here though, as I could honestly go on forever about the book.
To wrap it up, A Light on the Hill is a one-of-a-kind, fresh and beautifully written story of mercy and loving-kindness that I absolutely enjoy reading again and again.
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