Review & Giveaway: Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

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Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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?

What an intense story!  I could hardly take my eyes off the pages as I followed the story of Alanah, a Canaanite woman who disguises herself as a man in order to sneak onto the battlefield and avenge her family against the Hebrews.   Alanah is so wounded by the abandonment of her mother and the fact that she is the daughter of a prostitute.  She's had a hard life growing up in a houseful of brothers and a society that is inundated with prostitution and sacrifice to false gods.   When Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior, finds her wounded on the battlefield and takes her back to his camp to find a healer, he sets in motion a series of events that will lead to a lot of tears, pain, forgiveness, love, hope, healing, and the end of the Hebrews journey through the wilderness.  

I loved Alanah!  She is so fierce and wary, but at the same time she's tender-hearted and loyal enough to put herself in danger time and time again.  I love her journey to faith and healing.   And Tobiah!!  Oh my!  This Hebrew warrior is a worthy hero.  He falls quickly for this fierce Canaanite woman and does his best to keep her safe, guide her to faith, and show her a love that she's never experienced before.

I loved the inclusion of Shira from Shadow of the Storm.  Along with Shira, Nita (another great woman of faith) and Moriyah, Tobiah's best friend's sister, God works in Alanah's life to bring about healing and redemption to this wounded soul.  And I loved how the twist in the middle of the book leads to the inclusion of the story of Jericho in this book!

This is a stunningly beautiful book that will carry you along with the Hebrews through the wilderness.  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cringe at the danger, and you'll thrill with the hope of a beautiful love story and and the healing and miracles that only God can bring.

I don't feel like I have the adequate words to describe how good this series has been!  I don't read a lot of Biblical fiction, but this author does an awesome job of bringing to life the stories of the Bible and sharing great life lessons along the way!   You don't want to miss out on these books!  I can't wait for the next series!

*Thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book.  I was not paid or required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Connilyn Cossette is a homeschooling mother of two with a passion for writing stories of timeless grace. She hopes to draw readers into a personal encounter with the rich ancient world of the Bible and spark curiosity that will lead to digging deeper into the truth of the Word. Her novel Counted With the Stars won the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semi-finalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. She lives near Dallas, Texas. Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com and on

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~

What inspired the "Out of Egypt" series?
My own personal bible study into Exodus did! I was fascinated by the line in Exodus 12:38 about the mixed multitude going with the Hebrews and began imagining who these people were and why they would turn their backs on Egypt and voila! Kiya was born. I wasn't even planning to write a book when I envisioned her and I certainly did not foresee that I'd be working on my fifth book for Bethany House 8 years later! I'm still pretty shocked honestly.

Have you ever been to the locations of the books?
Not yet! I'm going in November with fellow author Cliff Graham's tour group and cannot wait!!

Which of your characters do you relate the most to? And why?
Shira for sure. Being a mother by adoption I experienced a lot of the emotions Shira did while struggling with infertility. Grief, pain, jealousy etc. There were times when her scenes were painful to write and I did so with many tears. Music is also my heartbeat, especially in worship, so I identify with her in that way. The one main difference is her backstory which I have never experienced so that was difficult to work through. It was very hard to hurt poor Shira!

Who was the easiest character to write and why?
I would say that Alanah the heroine in Wings of the Wind might have been the easiest, mainly because she was really fun to write. She is VERY different from Kiya and Shira, she's a tough chick with a hard shell so she was a fun character to explore and her personality was very clear in my mind from the very first chapter.

The most difficult?
Honestly Tobiah, the hero in WOTW, has probably been the most difficult so far. Its the first time that I wrote in a male POV so there was a learning curve, since we all know that men definitely think differently than women! I am really grateful to have Tammy L. Gray as one of my writing partners because she's great at writing guys and was excellent at catching when Tobiah started sounding a little too girlish for a big burly warrior;) But I ended up falling in love with Tobiah the more I got to know him. I hope you do too!

Did you, in any of this series, have moments when you thought the book wouldn't work or you hit an obstacle so strong you almost gave up? If so, what helped you get past that and go on to finish and publish these books?
Yes, like I said before Shira's book was super tough. I did not have any idea where I was going with it and by the time I got to 50% I realized it bored me. It was so broken. I had scrap most of it and start over. But I am so glad that I did, it ended up being so much deeper than I had planned. I pushed my own boundaries and challenged myself in new ways, spilled more of myself onto the page, and it ended up being a really enjoyable and positive emotional experience. Having fantastic writing partners that encouraged me and helped with sparking ideas was essential in reworking that story and getting past the discouragement and the question of whether I even had the ability to write a second story after CWTS.

What are your hobbies?
Well other than reading.... I love to sing and play keyboard/ sing backup on our worship team when I can and I do love to draw and paint but I haven't had time to do much of that at all in the past couple of years.

Favorite decadent dessert?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. It seriously tastes like my grandma's cookies (and the recipe got lost after she passed away) so I love indulging in that whenever I make to the CCF.

2 Prizes!
I am giving away my review copies of the Out From Egypt series by Connilyn Cossette.  I am also giving away a Kindle copy of Book 2 - Shadow of the Storm.  That means one winner will receive all THREE books (paperback) in this awesomely epic Biblical fiction series and one winner will receive a digital copy of Book 2!!

Please keep in mind that these are review copies that I have read so they are in excellent condition but gently used - not brand new.   Also, due to the fact that these are complementary review copies, if you enter and win this contest, you are agreeing to not sell these books!  For all other giveaway rules, please see my Disclosures & Policies page.

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Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Rachel from Smiling Book Reviews. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Review: Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette

Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the Depth of the Storm's Shadow, Only Truth Can Light Her Way

Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai, upon which rests the fiery glowing Cloud containing the shekinah glory of God. When the people disobey Yahweh and build a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to learn the arts of midwifery. Although her mother wishes for her to continue in the family weaving trade, Shira's gifts shine brightest when she assists with deliveries. In defiance of her mother, Shira pursues her heart's calling to become an apprentice midwife.

When a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself bound to a man who betrayed her, the caretaker of three young children, and the target of a vengeful woman whose husband was killed by Shira's people, the Levites. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira will come face-to-face with the heartbreak of her past that she has kept hidden for so long. How can she let go of all that has defined her to accept the love she's denied herself and embrace who she truly is?

I was really excited to get the opportunity to continue following the Hebrews journey out of captivity and this book didn't disappoint.  The thing that makes this story so interesting (besides the fact that Connilynn Cossette is such an awesome writer!)  is that it brings to life the possibilities of what life was like after the Hebrews left Egypt.  The fact that it wasn't just Hebrews was also interesting to me.  It wasn't an easy journey and there were no perfect people.  But where there is sin and corruption and abuse, there is also redemption, repentance, and healing.

In this book we get to read Shira's story.  With an outward strength and compassion for others, Shira has come through slavery and an attack that stole her innocence and her future.  But inwardly she still struggles and mourns the things that cannot be.  Her struggle with the calling of being a midwife brings to life the heartbreak of her past as well the hope of a future that she wasn't sure was possible.  It also brings her into direct contact with a woman who will do anything to avenge the death of her husband at the hands of Shira's people, the Levites.  Good and bad, life and death, hope and despair - what will win in the lives of these two women and their families?

As for the hero, I was a little conflicted about him.   His actions cause grief for Shira that follow them for a while including affecting the way his family treats Shira.  Nevertheless, once he seeks forgiveness, he becomes the man of God that Shira needs.  Will she open her heart to him after his betrayal?

It was good to read more about Kiya, Eben, and Jumo.  Jumo's miraculous healing continues to be a source of wonder and joy for their families and Kiya and Eben are happily married even though Kiya still faces some prejudice from some of the Hebrews.  Kiya and Shira continue to grow closer and Kiya is a source of strength for Shira in the tumultuous days to come.

With great depth and dramatic twists, the author tells the hopeful story of a journey to freedom, the lessons learned along the way, and the turning of a nation to the one true God who delivered them.  You won't want to miss this 2nd book in the Out From Egypt series!

*Thanks to the author & Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book. I was not paid or required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Connilyn Cossette is a homeschooling mother of two with a passion for writing stories of timeless grace. She hopes to draw readers into a personal encounter with the rich ancient world of the Bible and spark curiosity that will lead to digging deeper into the truth of the Word. Her novel Counted With the Stars won the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semi-finalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. She lives near Dallas, Texas. Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com and on

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~

What inspired Shadow of the Storm?
SOTS was actually the third book that I wrote in this series. The concept for Book 3, Wings of the Wind, came to me first. But as soon as Shira appeared in Counted with the Stars I knew I wanted to find out more about her and her perspective on God and the Exodus. Of course, there were no plagues to work with this time, so I dealt more directly with Shira’s personal struggles and her misconceptions of her own identity. During this time there was a lot of doubt, rebellion, confusion and a fair amount of questioning God among the Hebrews and foreigners, so I used Shira’s slow path toward healing to depict some of these struggles. Our hero too, struggles with consequences of poor decisions and his own failings but comes to realize that even his messy past and broken pieces can be made into something beautiful, just like Shira, and the nation of Israel.

What was your favorite part about writing this story?
The research for this story was really enjoyable. Since I am an adoptive mom, never having given birth and certainly not familiar with midwifery, I spent lots of time reading, watching videos and documentaries, consulting with a midwife, and talking with friends who experienced midwife-attended births. I learned so much about the birthing process and came to deeply appreciate the heart of those who pour their lives into the support of pregnant women, in any capacity.

What aspects of yourself did you write into Shira’s story?
Although Shira has endured a horrific act of violence that I have not, she and I share a commonality—our children entered our lives by adoption, not biologically. Writing from the perspective of a woman whose body was barren and yet her heart full of maternal yearnings was in some ways easy, since it my own experience, and in some ways difficult, in that I had to dig back into some of those feelings of grief, pain, and even jealousy that I struggled with in my seven years of waiting to be a mother. Shira is also a bit like me in that we both tend to bury our hurts and put on a happy face, either from fear of rejection or to not “bother” others with our problems. Like Shira, I’ve been learning to let down my walls and be vulnerable and also to see my own storms as blessings that make my roots grow deeper and stronger.

SOTS deals with some difficult subject matter, why did you chose to delve into these topics?
As I was studying Exodus, something that repeatedly came floating to the top was the women at heart of the story—their suffering, their wounds, and their courage. From Shifra and Puah, the midwives who stood against Pharaoh’s edict, to Miryam who watched her brother’s long, curvy journey towards his ultimate calling, to the myriad nameless women who served as slaves beneath the harsh and evil hand of Pharaoh and the Egyptians who oppressed them, murdered their children, and treated them as property. We know from history and even from current events, evil men who seek to dominate and oppress others are the most ruthless and disrespectful to women and children. Shira’s experience in Egypt was no doubt quite common among the Hebrews. I hope to show that women who have endured even the most brutal treatment can experience healing in God’s love, can be used to bless and heal others, and are precious in the sight of our heavenly Father. Broken pieces can be made into something beautiful.

What spiritual themes do you want readers to take away from SOTS?
Above all my desire is for readers, especially women, to dig into the Word of God. My imaginings about the Exodus journey are just that, creations from my mind, and not in away way meant to replace the truth of Scripture. Whenever a reader reviews one of my books and says it made them go back and read the story again with a fresh perspective, I rejoice. But with regards to SOTS, my hope is that Shira’s story will inspire readers to remember how precious they are to Yahweh, how trials and tribulations are ultimately for our good; they cause us to run to our Abba, make us dig deeper into the foundation of the Word, and reveal strength and endurance that we did not know we possess. The overall spiritual theme though, is that God can take your broken pieces—those wounded, ragged, messy parts of us—and turn them into something beautiful.

What is Shadow of the Storm about?
Shadow of the Storm is the story of Shira, Kiya’s Hebrew friend from Counted with the Stars. Shira is living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai among the other Hebrews and foreigners but is still struggling with the wounds of her past in Egypt. When the chaos during the terrible Golden Calf incident provides her with a chance to assist a midwife she becomes fascinated by the process and hopes to become a midwife herself. However, her mother, who was also wounded in Egypt and very protective of her daughter, has other opinions. Shira uncharacteristically bucks against her mother’s tight grip and steps out to explore midwifery. But when a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira blames herself and gives in to fear and doubt to walk away from the path she had felt so called to follow. She finds herself caring for three motherless children, bound to a man who betrayed her and the target of a women who will do anything to fill the hole in her own heart. Just as the nation of Israel is struggling to break free from a past of slavery and false identity, Shira will be forced to decide who she is and who God is making her to be.

How does the Out from Egypt series continue after Shadow of the Storm?
I am very excited about the third book in this series, Wings of the Wind. It takes place nearly forty years after Shadow of the Storm, near the end of the wilderness wanderings. Although most people, as I did, tend to fast forward from the Golden Calf to the walls of Jericho falling, there was actually quite a bit of information about what happened in the months leading up to the Hebrew’s first step into the Promised Land. Wings of the Wind is the story of Alanah, a Canaanite woman whose family has been killed during a battle with the approaching Hebrews. Desperate, alone, and with a heart full of vengeance Alanah disguises herself as a man to go out and fight the Hebrews. But she never expected that she would survive the battle. Wounded, she is found by Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior who has just lost his closest friend in battle, and taken back to camp. To protect her, Tobiah must obey the laws put forth in Deuteronomy 21 that give Hebrew men the right to take a Canaanite wife, if she submits to certain stipulations, like shaving her head and mourning her family for 30 days before the marriage is make complete. When events from her past rush into focus, fragile trust and newfound faith in Yahweh will be put to the test and will set off a chain of events that places Alanah at the center of one of the most iconic battles in history. Alanah is very different from Kiya and Shira in many ways, but I think readers will see early on why she was so much fun to write. And Tobiah, ah….well, you’ll just have to wait and see why he’s my favorite hero so far.


Great Q&A!  Thanks, Connilyn!! :)

Coming in Spring 2017:

Wings of the Wind (Out from Egypt #3)

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?

Review: Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Story of Love, Desperation, and Hope During a Great Biblical Epoch

Sold into slavery by her father and forsaken by the man she was supposed to marry, young Egyptian Kiya must serve a mistress who takes pleasure in her humiliation. When terrifying plagues strike Egypt, Kiya is in the middle of it all.

To save her older brother and escape the bonds of slavery, Kiya flees with the Hebrews during the Great Exodus. She finds herself utterly dependent on a fearsome God she's only just beginning to learn about, and in love with a man who despises her people. With everything she's ever known swept away, will Kiya turn back toward Egypt or surrender her life and her future to Yahweh?

I absolutely loved this book!  Telling the story of the plagues and the Hebrew's exodus from Egypt from the viewpoint of an Egyptian was brilliant.   The story of Kiya, who is sold into slavery by her father, will grab at your heart and keep you glued to the pages.

Kiya's life is thrown into chaos when her father loses his fortune and is forced to sell Kiya in order to save her mother and brother.  Her new mistress is cruel for reasons that Kiya doesn't understand until later.  When a young Hebrew slave befriends Kiya, she is hesitant to accept the friendship of a foreigner.  But Shira is persistent and wins her over.  It is this friendship that later provides a refuge for Kiya and her mother and her brother when all the firstborn of Egypt dies.  Kiya and her family leave with the Hebrews and begin a journey that will forever change their lives.

Kiya's relationship with Shira's brother, Eben, is tumultuous at first but as she grows in her knowledge of the Hebrew's God and through the trials of their journey, they slowly bond and learn to trust one another.  Will they also find a love that will carry them through the tragedies of life?

The supporting characters are well done and add a lot of depth to the story.  In particular, Kiya's brother Jumo.  He is disabled and looked down on by his people.  His mother fought to keep him alive when he was born and has continued fighting to keep him going through the cruelty of the Egytians.  When the Hebrews accept Jumo and Eben in particular, befriends him, it goes a long way in softening Kiya's heart and showing her the love of God.

The emotions run deep in this book.  There are some plot twists that will surprise you and some developments that will make you cry, but as you come to the end of the book you will leave feeling satisfied and anticipating the next one!! :)

*Thanks to Bethany House and the author for a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own*

View all my reviews

Connilyn Cossette is a homeschooling mother of two with a passion for writing stories of timeless grace. She hopes to draw readers into a personal encounter with the rich ancient world of the Bible and spark curiosity that will lead to digging deeper into the truth of the Word. Her novel Counted With the Stars won the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semi-finalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. She lives near Dallas, Texas. Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com and on

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~

Q:  What inspired you to write Counted with the Stars?
A:  Counted with the Stars was inspired by a study I was doing on my own into Exodus and the roots of my faith. I ran across the verse in Exodus 12:38 that said “a mixed multitude went up with them.” I thought to myself—who were these people that went with the Hebrews on the Exodus? I wondered whether some of them might be Egyptian and what would have inspired them to follow an invisible God into the wilderness when all they had ever known were the gods of Egypt? Kiya’s story began as a product of my own curiosity about the motivations by those we would call “Gentiles” who journeyed with the Hebrews.

Q:  How has writing a book affected you?
A:  One thing I never considered when I began to write a book was how much it would affect me personally. Due to a number of circumstances and the choice to be a stay-at-home-mom, I did not finish my teaching degree. I love being at home with my children and began homeschooling them when my son was in Kindergarten. But honestly, I had labeled myself “just a housewife” and figured that my family would be my only sphere of influence and ministry. But pursing the dream of being an author has changed my perspective on many things, not the least being that my dreams were not too big for God. I have found new confidence in myself and my God-given talents. I have opened myself up to new exciting ways that the Lord is leading me in developing a platform to minster to women. And I have discovered that although there were valleys that I walked as a young woman, God is using all my experiences and trials in my writing to speak truth and life into other people’s lives. And most of all, I have realized that God is using my writing to refine me spiritually, in ways I never could have predicted.

Q:  What is the most interesting thing you’ve discovered about Ancient Egypt?
A:  The culture of the Ancient Egyptians is foreign to us; the worship of many gods, the mixture of magic and medicine, the mummies and gilded sarcophagi. But what I discovered was how much they were like us. Egypt had its own celebrity culture, where the royals were placed on high pedestals, worshiped as gods, and everything from their cosmetics to fashion was emulated by the average Egyptian. They dyed their gray hair, slathered anti-wrinkle cream on their skin, and wore clothing that emphasized narrow waists and broad shoulders; they were obsessed by youth and beauty. The Pharaohs even made sure that depictions of themselves were edited to make them look their best—let’s call it an ancient version of Photoshop. They were also a highly educated people who valued knowledge in mathematics, languages, and architecture. Their art and craftsmanship was highly advanced; they were making colored glass and intricate metal and wood pieces that defy the idea that early men were ignorant and unskilled. They loved music and dancing, wrote love poems, and scribbled bits of gossip and jokes on shards of pottery. They were real people who laughed and loved and wondered who they were and where their place was in this vast universe.

Q:  What is the strangest thing you have discovered about Ancient Egypt?
A:  I would have to say that the strangest thing I’ve researched would be Ancient Egyptian medical practices. Some of it is really fascinating, like the fact that the kohl eye-makeup that they wore on their eyes wasn’t just for looks; the ingredients actually protected their eyes from infection. But some of it is just plain weird and stomach-turning. In the Ancient Egyptian mind, medicine and magic went hand in hand, so a lot of the prescriptions used pretty gross things to ward off evil spirits. If my doctor ever said, “Let’s try slathering you with some crocodile dung, or perhaps some goat’s blood and smashed tadpoles,” I might think about choosing a different physician. And yet, these were some of the treatments recommended by the medical papyri. However, although we may remember the Ancient Egyptians for the strange practice of mummification, but they were actually very advanced in many ways, performed complicated surgeries, and utilized things like wild honey to treat wounds, which modern science has proven has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. But still, no crocodile dung for me, thank you very much.

Q:  What do you want readers to get out of Counted with the Stars?
A:  Kiya’s story is, in many ways, the story of all of us who were once in bondage to sin. Like Kiya, there is a point where God confronts us with a choice, will you accept the free gift of salvation and turn away from your idols? Or will you cling to the world in which you are comfortable and refuse to surrender to God? As we all do, Kiya struggles with laying aside the idols she has long held in esteem and allowing the Lord to speak love into her life. When we hold tightly to the world we cannot receive the abundant blessings God has for us. And above all, I hope that the reader will see the marvelous grace that Yahweh shows his people from Genesis to Revelation and on every page in between.

Q:  How does the Out from Egypt series continue after Counted with the Stars?
A:  The next book in the Out from Egypt series is Shadow of the Storm, which is a continuation of the Exodus journey, but from the point of view of Kiya’s Hebrew friend Shira. As I wrote Counted with the Stars. Shira became one of my favorite characters and I was eager to discover more about her, and her journey in the wilderness. Shira will be forced to deal with the wounds of her past and take steps toward an uncertain future, while learning about who she is and who God created her to be. The third book in the series, Wings of the Wind, brings us forward in time to the year before the Hebrews enter the Promised Land. This book is from the point of view of Alanah, a Canaanite woman, who is determined to avenge the family killed by the Hebrew invaders by stepping onto the battlefield herself. When she is captured by a Hebrew warrior and her deepest fears become real, Yahweh will reveal himself and his plan for her life in a mighty way—a way that will affect not only the Hebrew conquest of the Promised Land, but the very bloodline of the coming Messiah.

Q:  What do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?
A:  I am a voracious reader. I tend to read at least one or two books a week, and even more when I am not against a deadline. Historical fiction tends to be my go-to genre, but I will read pretty much anything if it is written well and keeps my attention. Since becoming a writer I’ve gotten to be much more picky about what I read, so if a book can keep me up all night, you know its a good one. My all-time favorites are Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables, but I am a great fan of Liz Curtis Higgs, especially her Scottish stories based on the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel from the Bible as well as Francine Rivers for her Mark of the Lion series which inspired me greatly as I began to write Counted with the Stars.


Thanks, Conni! :)

Coming in October 2016:

Shadow of the Storm (Out from Egypt #2)

In the Depth of the Storm's Shadow, Only Truth Can Light Her Way

Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai, upon which rests the fiery glowing Cloud containing the shekinah glory of God. When the people disobey Yahweh and build a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to learn the arts of midwifery. Although her mother wishes for her to continue in the family weaving trade, Shira's gifts shine brightest when she assists with deliveries. In defiance of her mother, Shira pursues her heart's calling to become an apprentice midwife.

When a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself bound to a man who betrayed her, the caretaker of three young children, and the target of a vengeful woman whose husband was killed by Shira's people, the Levites. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira will come face-to-face with the heartbreak of her past that she has kept hidden for so long. How can she let go of all that has defined her to accept the love she's denied herself and embrace who she truly is?