Friday, May 26, 2017

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette #BookReview #BookGiveaway

***Please read giveaway rules carefully.***
Wings of the Wind
From the Back Cover:
Alanah, a Canaanite, is no stranger to fighting and survival. When her family is killed in battle with the Hebrews, she disguises herself and sneaks onto the battlefield to avenge her family. The one thing she never counted on was surviving.
Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior, is shocked to find an unconscious, wounded woman among the Canaanite casualties. Compelled to bring her to a Hebrew healer back at their camp, he is soon confronted with a truth he can't ignore: the only way to protect this enemy is to marry her.
Unused to being weak and vulnerable, Alanah submits to the marriage--for now. As she comes to know and respect Tobiah and his people, however, she begins to second-guess her plans of escape. But when her past has painfully unanticipated consequences, the tentative peace she's found with Tobiah, the Hebrews, and Yahweh is shaken to the core. Can Alanah's fierce heart and strength withstand the ensuing threats to her life and all she's come to love?


The Main Characters:
Alanah and Tobiah, two fierce warrior-hunters—one Canaanite, one Hebrew. The conflict between them is overwhelming, too overwhelming for them to have any kind of future, except for the mercy Tobiah shows. Though imperfect in his humanity, as are we all, he is such a beautiful picture of Jesus, as we should all hope to be. Tobiah’s foremost traits as he relates to Alanah are his patience and protectiveness, the last of which translates into the all-too relatable flaw of his need to control circumstances. Contrasting Tobiah’s gentleness, quiet personality, and warm-toned, bear-like description, Alanah is colorful with her bright red hair, flashing blue eyes, sassy mouth, agility, rough Canaanite ways, and a deeply wounded heart. Watching them react to one another and the circumstances which bring them together was fascinating to me.


The Secondary Characters:
We get to revisit beloved characters Shira and Kiya as well as others. Tzipi serves as a strong antagonistic force, but her motives pulled at my emotions and I sympathized with her. Though we never see him alive during the front story, Shimah and his death play a vital role in the development of his family and Alanah as well.


The Romance:
With these two outdoorsy types—not to mention that they’re sworn enemies—courtship takes on a unique form as they get to know one another while traveling and generally surviving in the desert. Whereas we saw music, then the tending of children and lambs, play major parts in drawing together the lead characters of the first two books in this series, Alanah and Tobiah fall in love by hunting game together, rescuing small desert animals, and engaging in verbal sparring. She has much to learn of Hebrew ways, and Tobiah’s role as teacher, protector and provider, affords her many opportunities to learn to respect him, though she still sees him as a warrior and therefore a predator. Tobiah is altogether intrigued with Alanah’s fierceness, her unusual appearance, and the mystery surrounding her presence on the battlefield. As he gains her trust, he delights in unraveling her stitched-up past and discovering the true woman living inside this wildcat he has rescued.


The Pace:
The pages in a Connilyn Cossette book turn with uncanny ease. 😊 I sit down to read a section or two, and, when I return to my surroundings, I’ve read three chapters. There is an inexplicable and unrivaled delight in falling into a story that sweeps you away, and the Out From Egypt Series accomplished this without fail.


The Faith Element:
Many CBA books contain meaningful references to faith, others have characters struggle with spiritual issues throughout the story, and yet others show the presence of God living and moving in the characters’ lives, producing what I can’t put into words beyond calling it a “God moment.” The Out From Egypt Series envelopes all these things. Seeing the Old Testament events unfold as Biblically recorded, and experiencing along with the characters the provision and care of Yahweh for His people renews my hunger to study the Word of God and makes me grateful for how God has worked in my own life. This series brought me encouragement, conviction over my own failings, and most importantly it brought me to the point of worship. I haven’t often run across a book that reminds me of the awe-inspiring workings of God, miracles both big and yet infinitely quiet, so much that I’m compelled to look up from the book and give praise to my Creator and Redeemer. The two other books like this that readily come to mind are Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love and Joanne Bischof’s The Lady and the Lionheart. As a rule, I read Christian fiction to enjoy the unfolding of clean fictional plots while learning new applications of Christian principles. But on the occasions where I’m surprised by an impromptu worship moment, I consider it a delightful blessing! A heartfelt thank you to Conni for pointing us toward the Lord and extolling the wonder of Who He is!


The Stakes:
Readers' hearts will race alongside the hero and heroine as they fight to preserve their own lives, the future of two nations, a group of heart-wounded little girls, one woman’s hope, the life of an unborn child, a young woman’s virtue, a tenuous mother-daughter relationship, and several women from permanent imprisonment, torture, and sexual abuse in a pagan temple.


The Author’s Trademarks:
Other than authoring page-turning, faith-filled books that keep me nibbling my nails over whether the characters will finally find peace, Connilyn Cossette has a knack for incorporating historical details into the character’s actions so they captivate the reader while moving the story forward. Her heroes also stand out to me, each unique while owning admirable depths of gentleness, faith, and rugged masculinity.
 

The Overall Impression:
As a reader, this story took me on a journey into a “living history” of a world I’ve read about, but never deeply explored. The plot is compelling and the characters ones to cheer for. I also loved how the relevant issue of human trafficking is visited in one of its earliest forms and brought to the table for modern consideration. Later on in the book, readers will recognize characters and cities from a well-loved Bible story and be swept up with the leads in their quest for survival. Fans of Biblical fiction and historical romance alike will be delighted with this series!


The More Factor:
I’m most eagerly awaiting the cover-reveal for Conni’s fourth book, first in her Cities of Refuge Series, featuring Moriyah, a vital character from Wings of the Wind! I've wanted to read fiction surrounding the cities of refuge for some time, and am doubly excited that they will be coming from Connilyn Cossette's pen!




GIVEAWAY:
I’m giving away one e-copy each of the FIRST TWO BOOKS in the Out From Egypt Series, Counted With the Stars and Shadow of the Storm (pictured below), to one winner. Comment on the blog with your email address to enter! International entrants welcome! Giveaway ends June 2, 2017. GIVEAWAY EXTENDED TO JUNE 3, 2017!!!




*I received a complimentary copy of this book, and have voluntarily and most happily provided my honest opinion in this review. 😊

16 comments:

  1. Both books sound so good! Thanks for offering the chance to win them!

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    1. Hi, J.M.! Sure thing! I loved these books and am excited for others to get a chance to read them too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Books so great. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Hi, Kim! Got your name in the drawing!

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    2. Hi, Kim! Got your name in the drawing!

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  3. I have heard a great deal about this author, but haven't had a chance to read her books yet. Thank you for the chance to win the first two books! Lovely review :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  4. P.S. I'm sharing this giveaway on FB & Twiiter.

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    1. Hi, Trixi! These books are so good. I hope you get the chance to read them soon! Putting your name in the giveaway. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  5. Sounds great! I love reading and think these books will be good reads.

    sonia67bones@gmail.com

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  6. Hi, Sonia! So glad you stopped by! Best wishes in the giveaway here! I'll look forward to seeing you more over on the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group! :)

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  7. Great review!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I absolutely LOVED Counted with the Stars!!! Books 2 and 3 are on my TBR list! Fabulous review!! Loved the comparison with Rivers and Bischof! Thanks for the giveaway!

    cyndilou83(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I have this book on my shelf waiting to be read--after reading your review, I may have to move it closer to the top of the pile!

    beckyritta[at]gmail[dot]com

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  10. I've been hearing such great things about these books. I haven't read any of her books. I'd love to win some!

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    1. My email address is whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  11. This is a great book series. I'm eager to read this new addition. Would love to win. roemerfarm at frontiernet dot net. Blessings!

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