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Shelter of the Most High
Shelter of the Most High
Shelter of the Most High
Audiobook11 hours

Shelter of the Most High

Written by Connilyn Cossette

Narrated by Rachel Botchan

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

Captured by raiders to be sold as a slave, Sofea narrowly escapes their ship and finds herself stranded on the shores of Israel. Bargaining her way to a city of refuge, she finds herself in an even more dangerous situation. Can she find safety in this city of strangers, accept their God as hers, and be satisfied with His justice instead of her own? The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan. Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a City of Refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood and chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing her into the danger of his past. As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Will they break free from the shackles of the past in time to uncover the betrayal and save their lives and the lives of those they love?
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 2, 2018
ISBN9781980005056
Author

Connilyn Cossette

Connilyn Cossette (www.connilyncossette.com) is a Christy Award and Carol Award-winning author whose books have been found on ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas, their home.

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Reviews for Shelter of the Most High

Rating: 4.747368421052632 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The storyline of God’s love, mercy, grace and restoration in this book makes one realize, He is a loving Father to His children and offers such hope to the listener.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Another gem of biblical fiction from Connilyn Cossette, Shelter of the Most High does not disappoint. As the story of Sofea and Eitan unfolds on the pages, the history of the cities of refuge comes to life, once again, in captivating detail. Add to this the page-turning drama of danger, betrayal, murderous intent, and of course, romance, and this latest novel from Connilyn Cossette is not one to easily put down. Shelter of the Most High kept me reading late into the night, eager to discover what would happen next. It’s a book I highly recommend and is sure to be on my list of favorites for the year, right next to A Light on the Hill. Thanks to the author, I received a complimentary copy of Shelter of the Most High and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    “The Almighty Creator spoke your being into existence. How could you be anything less than precious?” This is a quote to end all quotes for me, one I want to memorize, because it is TRUTH.What a wonderful, yet chilling, story Connilyn Cossette has penned in Shelter of the Most High. As always, I especially pay attention when a book has a double-entendre title. Well- done from the start!Cossette takes the reader back to the time in Israel’s history when Israel has just entered the Promised Land, captured much territory, and now their revered leader Joshua is ready to die. One of Israel’s traveling spies, Darek, finds Sofea and Prezi, malnourished and greatly abused, on an island. Taking them back to his family, Sofea and Prezi slowly heal as they are assimilated into a large family whose God is so very different from their own.Cossette is a new-to-me author that I can’t wait to begin reading more, starting with the first and soon-to-come third book of this series. This book, although book two of a series, stands well on its own. Spell-binding could describe Cossette’s writing. Once started, it was hard to stop reading. Perhaps gritty also describes Cossette’s style. Not in language, but the physical abuse, carnage, and false god worship may turn a few delicate stomachs.What else, besides the compelling storyline, history immersion, and sweet romance make this a great book? Themes of unrelinquished guilt, undeserved mercy, and unconditional love. If you have not tried Cossette’s Biblical fiction, or at least not Shelter of the Most High, I strongly invite you back to Cossette’s ancient Israel, the Cities of Refuge, and the Great Sea.I was given a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. No review was required, and all opinions are my own.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a wonderful series. I did not want to put this book down. This was a fantastic biblical fiction story. This story showed what Sofea felt when she was taken from her home and ends up with people she doesn’t know and can’t understand. Eitan learns many lessons also. This was one of my favorite books written in 2018. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I don't know where I've been, but I can't believe I have not read a book by this author. Her silky smooth textured writing places readers right in the midst of the story. Sofea is a wonderful character with great passion. As she escapes with her cousin Prezi, the author transports us back in time. It was hard to read how Sofea and Prezi had been treated and to discover what had happened to their village. I loved how determined Sofea was to keep her cousin safe . I'm not sure how brave I would be to jump off a ship but when faced with danger, but Sofea knew they must jump or face death.Eitan is a young man who has not been allowed to from leave his city because of a grudge someone has against him. It is evident as you read the story that revenge fuels several characters. I liked how Eitan and his family took Sofea and Prezi in and made them feel safe. There was a bit of uncertainty between the cousins of their new home but at least they were not out in water or wandering around without shelter to protect them.I loved getting to know each character but I have to say Prezi was my favorite. Her quiet disposition was refreshing and I loved how she was hungry to know who God was. I loved how the story flowed and the mystery surrounding Eitan. Someone is out to harm him and will do anything to lure him straight into the path of death.I loved this story and how seamless the author incorporated biblical truths throughout the story. It is also a beautiful story of people seeking forgiveness and acceptance. I loved the adventure Eitan took when he found out Sofea and Prezi were in danger. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save them. A great reminder that we also had someone who gave their life to save us. I highly recommend this story filled with historical facts and a lesson in hope.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    My expectations were high going into “Shelter of the Most High”, and I have to say that I was not disappointed. Connilyn Cossette is now on my list of favorite authors, and you can bet that I will be bumping all of her books to the top of my pleasure reading list. I am eager to explore Moriyah’s story in “A Light on the Hill”, and although it is not necessary to read it first, I am sure that it offers background information that would enhance the reading experience of the second book. “Shelter of the Most High” holds its own as a standalone, however, and takes off with a flying leap right from the very beginning. There are no lulls in this story! With a diverse cast of characters and a vulnerable but determined heroine, the plot resembles a wheel hub with spokes fanning out from it, each intriguing and skillfully connected to the whole. Sanctuary cities are a hot-button topic in today’s political climate, and the concept of a city of refuge, while clearly different in implementation, connects the reader to the narrative and makes the story more contemporaneous. The other issues that unfold augment this connection. Some of the characters suffer from PTSD, and the reality of transitioning from one culture to another, overcoming language barriers as well as foreign customs, is very convincingly portrayed. Romance plays a role also, and one of the most poignant elements in the novel is the faith journey that the characters embark upon. Sofea and Eitan were the main protagonists, and the story is told from their alternating points of view in the first person, but this tale belongs just as much to the secondary characters. Cossette truly achieves a well-rounded narrative in which all of the characters’ lives echo throughout the pages and enrich those of the hero and heroine. This is Biblical fiction done well, on par with the works of such authors as Tessa Afshar. Highly recommended! I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and NetGalley and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This well written story has opened my eyes to the importance of the cities of refuge describe in the Old Testament of the Bible. For one who had accidentally killed another person, living in these cities meant life and not death. Revenge could not be served as long as they remained within its protective walls. Such was the life of Eitan, his mother Moiyah as well as many others. Through no choice of their own, Sofea and Prezi found themselves in this curious city. Was it possible that Yahweh plucked them from the sea to reside forever in this shelter of the most high? Leaving the sorrow of their past behind, the girls realize that God values them and that He has been with them every step of this torturous journey. Can they, along with Eitan, finally experience peace? I received this fantastic ebook from CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What do I look for in a good Biblical novel? Evidence of in-depth research, characters and setting that match scripture and the culture of the time, a plot that is not only plausible, but points me to further study, and finally, a message that speaks of God’s truth applicable to my life. All of that is exactly what I got from Shelter of The Most High by Connilyn Cossette. This intriguing novel opened up a time in Israel’s history that is often neglected — the era between the conquest of the promised land and the time of the Judges. Based upon the law passed down by Moses and the purpose of the cities of refuge, Shelter of The Most High depicts a time and place I knew little about and made me want to dive into what Scripture has to say about it. The story revolves around Sofea, a girl stolen from her home and lost in a new land, and her interactions with the people of Kedesh, primarily the family of Eitan, a man brought to the city of refuge as a young boy. I found Sofea’s perceptions of those who followed Yahweh fascinating. Her point of view is informed by the pagan worship she grew up with, including human sacrifices and depraved acts. Her knowledge of Yahweh grows as she interacts with His followers. At first she is skeptical and scared — What sort of bizarre religion did these people hold to? (p. 105). But she is drawn to a God who inspires devotion through His kept promises and provision. That message spoke volumes to me. In our modern world, believers are often the first, if not the only, view of Jesus for non-believers. There is romance, intrigue, and danger in the pages of Shelter of The Most High too, making this a page-turner. It should be noted that this book is the second in the Cities of Refuge series and contains spoilers for book 1, A Light on The Hill. I recommend you begin at the beginning and enjoy two wonderfully written novels. Fans of Lynn Austin will especially enjoy these books.Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    “The Almighty Creator spoke your being into existence. How could you be anything less than precious?”How can this be the first Connilyn Cossette book I have read? How could I have spent these past few years as an avid reader of Christian Fiction in such ignorance of the pure delight that is Connilyn Cossette’s writing? Wow, Shelter of the Most High totally blew me away. Kedesh, one of the cities of refuge during the time of Joshua, came to life in the pages and drew me in immediately. I love the way the author melds historical and Biblical facts with believable and realistic fiction to expand and stretch the reader’s horizon. The writing is beautiful and emotional, the plot is complex yet tightly woven, the characters are truly unforgettable, and the faith lessons are relevant. Sofea, along with her cousin, is a foreigner stranded amongst the Israelites in the city of Kedesh. Eitan is a young man sentenced to Kedesh for events that transpired eleven years ago. Reading Light On a Hill (book one in Cities of Refuge) prior to this book will help the reader understand the events chronologically. However, even without having read the first book, I was able to piece together the pertinent background from the first book by reading this one. Sofea is a fearful yet curious, loyal, determined, tender soul who has to learn a new way of life - from language to religion. Eitan is impulsive, strong, impatient yet kind, generous, loving, dedicated and fun. They both have different fears and hurts from their pasts to overcome as God gently works on their scarred hearts. Their romance is slow and sweet even as their budding friendship is threatened by evil intentions of others and their own insecurities. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, you don’t want to miss this book. It’s a must read!I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I received this book for free from the publisher (Bethany House) in exchange for an honest review. This book is the second in a series and I did not read the first book. Like a lot of Christian fiction series, the first book centers on one of the characters in this book. The fact that I did not read it did not hinder my comprehension of the story. Anything that happened in the previous book was explained fully in this one, so it it totally possible to read this as a stand-alone. This was also my first time reading biblical fiction so I had no idea what to expect or if I would even like it. Luckily, I ended up really enjoying it. The book captured my interest from the very first page. We are immediately thrown into the action of when Sofea and her cousin are kidnapped by pirates. Sometimes books can take too long to get the actual storyline, so I was happy to see this book get right to it. As a whole, this book had quite a bit of action and excitement which I wasn’t expecting (but loved). There was a really good balance of the religious elements. I never felt like it was too much or too preachy. It was woven into the story beautifully. The only thing that prevented me from giving this 5 stars was that I didn’t connect much with Sofea. I wanted a little bit more from her. I connected with Eitan no problem, but Sofea not so much. All in all, this was an exciting tale and if you are looking to get into biblical fiction, consider picking up this book/series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I’ve read many of Connilyn Cossette’s stories and have never been even the slightest bit disappointed. She paints beautiful scenes, showcases intricacies of historical times, and creates memorable (fictional) backstories for biblical characters in history.Shelter of the Most High is book two in the Cities of Refuge series. If you haven’t read the first in the series (A Light on the Hill) this still presents a full story and won’t leave you feeling as if you’ve missed something. I was pulled in immediately.I connected with Sofea, and Eitan was easy to sympathize with. Their romance is unique and satisfying, even though a bit slow moving at times. Their story brought the Bible times to life, as the dangers and fears of that era are so different from what we experience today.This is a beautifully told story of sacrifice, hope, and God’s healing. Whether you normally read Biblical fiction or not, I think you’ll enjoy this inspirational historical read.I can’t close out this review without mentioning the cover art. It. Is. Stunning. A cover is, in my opinion, incredibly important. After all, it’s what initially pulls me in. And wow—did this cover hook me! My favorite cover art of the year.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette is the second book in her Cities of Refuge series. Written from Sofea and Eitan’s points of view the story takes place in Kedesh, a city of refuge. Sofea, daughter of a pagan high priest, is from the island of Sicily. After she is kidnapped, she ends up in Canaan. Eitan, after suffering a childhood tragedy, has grown up in the city of Kedesh. When they meet will they be able to put the past behind them and move into a future blessed by Yahweh? I really enjoyed this book. It had everything you could want in a story; pirates, murder plots, romance, forgiveness and mercy. The way Darek loved Moriyah was very touching and sweet. The words of Eleazar, the High Priest, to Sofea were very powerful. It got me to thinking about how everything is ordained of God and nothing happens without His knowledge. We can rest in the Shelter of the Most High. I can’t wait for the next installment.I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.