Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette {Book Review}

Hey Gems!!!

Happy Release Day to Connilyn Cossette for Like Flames in the Night! I read this book and decided to also commemorate one of my favorite series by doing a reading vlog. Hope you all enjoy the review and vlog!

This is book four in the Cities of Refuge series. I have read the first three books; A Light on the Hill; Shelter of the Most High and Until the Mountains Fall.

Having been blessed with the opportunity to be apart of the launch team for the fourth and final book I'm excited to share my thoughts of it with you all.

Again, Happy Release Day to Conni for Like Flames in the Night.

Let's dive into my review now that I've gushed about this release!!! I hope my review is helpful to you!

Title: Like Flames in the Night
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Series: Cities of Refuge #4
Age: Adult
Genres: Biblical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Publisher: Bethany House
Source: eARC & Paperback
Purchase: Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle | Audible | Christian Book
Synopsis:

Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander's kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.

Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached. Strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.

When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam's thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he's come to love?

My Rating:

I finished this book on February 25th and I am JUST writing this review. This book need to simmer in my mind so that I could structure this review. There are so many points, many loved characters, phenomenal moments that I don't know where to begin. Connilyn Cossette has ended such a phenomenal series with such a fantastic book. This conclusion in one word was SATISFYING . All my questions were answers, we see a close to the beloved family and it combined all four books + Wings of the Wind (book three from Out from Egypt trilogy) in a brilliant way.

Like Flames in the Night centers around Tirzah, the youngest daughter and baby of Moriyah and Darek's children. The love interest is Liyam who is the son of some very important characters from Wings of the Wind. There is the return of Moriyah's bestfriend and husband, the return of Nessa and the mention of Gidal in this book. We get a closer look into the lives of Eitan and Malakhi. We get mention of Chana and Abra. Every thing was smooth sailing.

I will say this book did have its moments when it slowed down pace wise and I almost felt the need to skip and scan, but I pushed through and read it. This book is filled with romance, comedy and action. The Israelites are being led by Othniel in taking back the Promised Land (read Judges 3). I loved that we got to see inside and hear about other cities of refuge as well.

Focusing now on each character...

Tirzah is the youngest daughter and baby of Moriyah and Darek. She's a combination of Moriyah boldness and Alanah's courage. She's sassy, smart, determined, hardworking and outright hilarious. She works as a spy for her people in the stronghold of Shechem and Kedesh. I loved seeing her maneuver and scheme to help her people in getting the Promised Land back. She had her moments of stupidity, but I overall enjoyed her so much!

Liyam is the youngest and baby of some prominent characters from Wings of the Wind. I LOVED him! He did have his moments were I wanted to jump through the book and slap him upside his head. He was stuck on vengeance as a kinsman redeemer. I loved seeing him learn more about God through his personal struggle. I loved his craziness as well when inside the walls of Shechem. I loved him!!!

The romance was absolutely comical to me. I mean from strangers to pretend lovers to marriage of convenience to a real marriage. I loved the pairing of Liyam and Tirzah!! They balanced each other out well. They helped edify one another especially when it came to their grief and pain -- I LOVED IT!!

Malakhi wasn't my favorite in Until the Mountains Fall because I wasn't attached to him, but I LOVED him in this book. Eitan is still my pudding!! I love him so much, but he got crazy LOL.

Moriyah and Darek are definitely one of my top 5 biblical fiction couples. I love the way they communicate, I love their romance, I love their parenting, I love that they love helping others. Let's not forget Baz -- I just need a Baz in my life to keep me going!

Alanah & Tobiah are my favorite from the Out from Egypt trilogy. I am so happy that they were included and brought back into this series in a major way. Nessa even returned with her babies and I loved it!

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this book and all the others! If you choose to read this as a standalone you can BUT I recommend reading these books in this order:

1. Wings of the Wind - Moriyah at a young age and a major life change.
2. A Light on the Hill - Moriyah as an adult dealing with the consequences of her younger years.
3. Shelter of the Most High - Eitan who is the son of Moriyah and Darek.
4. Until the Mountains Fall - Malakhi who is the youngest son of Moriyah and Darek.
5. Like Flames in the Night - the conclusion which brings all the previous books together while centering on Tirzah, the baby of Moriyah and Darek's children.

Reading Vlog

If you have not done so already, go snag a copy now!!!

Blessings,