Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette - REVIEWED

About the Book:

In the darkness 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 Mount Sinai. When the people rebel by worshipping a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to assist a midwife. When the experience awakens a new desire in her, she defies her mother's wish for her to continue in the family weaving trade and pursues her heart's calling as an apprentice midwife. 

But when a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself in an impossible situation and bound to a man who betrayed her. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira comes face to face with the long-hidden pain of her past. Can she let go of all that has defined her to embrace who she truly is and believe in a hopeful future?

My Thoughts:
“Quit fighting the hands that are trying to heal you.” (p. 258)

Shira is quite a fighter.  She struggles to accept any good gift, from anyone – God included.  Sadly, I found myself identifying with much of her character.  She senses her gifts and calling, but she struggles to embrace them and use them to bless others.  I greatly enjoyed getting to know this woman and watch her grow and change throughout the novel.

Shadow of the Storm takes the reader into the heart of the Israelite's journey to the promised land.  Readers will experience every smell, sight and sound of life lived at the foot of Mt. Sinai.  Truly, this is a gritty reality, but it is one that shows God’s holiness, righteous anger, and His grace.  Cossette is a master and weaving God’s grace and mercy into this beautiful story and allowing readers to have their faith challenged and grown as the characters in the novel face many and varied trials.  This has to be some of the best-written biblical fiction I’ve ever read!

Every character is well-developed, the relationships are realistic and flawed, the reality of the life lived following a Holy God through the wilderness is breathtaking in both depth and truth.  Cossette know WHO she is writing about, and this story reflect His majesty, holiness, grace and mercy.  Thank you, Connilyn Cossette for such a beautiful gift!!

I cannot recommend this highly enough!

About the Author:

When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Her novel Counted With the Starswon the 2013 Frasier Contest and was a semifinalist in the 2013 ACFW Genesis Contest. Although a Pacific Northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas. Connect with her at www.connilyncossette.com.