Shelter Of The Most High - Connilyn Cossette

"Explain." The firm demand provoked a shiver to slide down the centre of my back. My father would have had no leniency for even the thought of such a thing, so I expected none now.

"Please," I said, as I sank to my knees in front of the elderly man, my head down and tears spilling over. "I have no choice. They kill her if I do not do this awful thing - she is all I have." My tongue stumbled over the hasty explanation, clumsy words tumbling over themselves in a mad dash of panic. "I deserve no mercy... I have no sacrifice except my blood. But please... ask Yahweh to protect Prezi, her life is more important than me."

A large palm curved beneath my chin and I squeezed my eyes shut, anticipating the pressure of his hand squeezing like a vise and the haughty sneer of a man whose eclipsing power far overshadowed anything my father could have even imagined. But instead of crushing my jaw in an iron grip, Eleazar gently lifted my face, waiting until my eyes fluttered open in surprise.

"What makes you think your life is worth so little? The Almighty Creator spoke your being into existence. How could you be anything less than precious?"

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We all have those moments where we just need a bit of encouragement from God. For once in my life, I slowed down and decided to read a book slowly. Rather than skimming because I can't wait for the end, I read. Seriously, read the book.

My life has been crazy for the last few weeks. I have been struggling with things I never thought I would worry about. My body image, my self worth. Words and pictures were coming into my mind in a way I have never experienced. Not that I've never experienced self-doubt, but you know how sometimes something comes at you harder than ever. That has been the past few weeks.

I remember crying in my car a few days ago, begging God to wrap his arms around me and comfort me. And do you know where I found that comfort? When trying to escape in a book. God lifted my face and waited for me to open my eyes in surprise.

"What makes you think your life is worth so little? The Almighty Creator spoke your being into existence. How could you be anything less than precious?"

Both of these two series have effected me profoundly. I'm not sure if Connilyn was meaning to, but every character in the last five books she has written has spoken straight to my heart.

Kiya -- learning to trust an unknown God

Shira -- forgiveness and healing from past sins

Alanah -- grateful and humble submission

Moriyah -- confidence in the body and life that God has given me

Sofea -- self-worth

Shelter of the Most High is the second book in Cossette's trilogy, Cities of Refuge. This book picks up eleven years after Moriyah's escape to Kedesh, when Eitan, her adopted son, is now a man.

Sofea, the protagonist, comes from an Island off the coast of Tyre. When her village is attacked by pirates and Sofea and her cousin Prezi are taken prisoner, they find themselves in a foreign land with a foreign language. After managing an escape, the two girls find themselves battered and broken, washed up on the shores of Tyre, where they are found by Moriyah's husband - Darek - and his men. After realising that they will die without help, Sofea and Prezi travel with Darek to Kedesh, where they are welcomed into the beautiful inn.

Sofea and Prezi come from a village that does not prize women, in fact, women are expendable - being more useful as sacrifices to their pagan gods than as valued people. This led Sofea to believe that Moriyah considered her a slave who was to work until she earned her freedom.

As the narrative unfolds, Sofea learns about Yahweh, the God of the Israelites and the Torah where he revealed his good and perfect plan for those who follow Him.

Though trial and tragedy seem to be around every corner, Sofea learns to submit to God and recognise how much He personally cares for her. She is not a slave. She is not a sacrifice. She is beloved.

Shelter of the Most High is a story of redemption, love, trust, hope, and forgiveness. As you turn each page, you will be captivated by the characters of and love story unfolding between Eitan and Sofea. As he learns self-discipline, she learns how to open her heart - to not just Eitan, but to God.

This emotional journey will leave you guessing every step of the way, but it will leave you feeling satisfied, loved, hopeful, and treasured.

I could not recommend this series enough and I cannot wait for the third instalment to this captivating series.

I would like to thank Connilyn Cossette and Bethany House Publishers for working with me and sending me an early copy of the e-book.

I will definitely be ordering a hard copy!!

- Michaela.