A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

A Light on the Hill is a beautiful picture of mercy, change, and moving beyond the hard in our lives to find what God has for us. Despite our flaws and things we would wish gone, God is still powerful enough to use us and teach us.
Almost a decade after the Hebrews have entered Canaan and Moriyah is still recovering from her experience in Jericho. Branded as a temple prostitute before the city fell, she has lived the last years in isolation. The only times she ventures from her home, a veil firmly covers her face. Still rumors and speculations fly around the village about her time in Jericho. A husband as never entered her mind. Who would want her, damaged as she is?
Her father has other ideas and secures a marriage for her. But before the vows can take place, disaster of the worst kind strikes and Moriyah finds herself on the run from the very man she was supposed to marry. Her only hope of survival is to reach one of the Levitical cities of refuge and plead for a trial. But getting there will involve facing her past, listening to the God she hasn't heard in years, and trusting a man who might be her undoing.
After meeting Moriyah and starting her story in Wings of the Wind, it was nice to catch up and read her story post Jericho. A Light on the Hill takes place during the Bible book of Joshua and it was interesting to read what life was like in the first years after they finally reached the Promised Land. Besides brief references to places and things mentioned in the Bible, there are no biblical events in this book. The fictional story of Moriyah is woven into the historical setting the purpose of the cities of refuge served and who would flee to them. I also found it interesting that the Canaanites still living in the land were not on the borders but right in the middle. For the rest of Israel's history those pagans would be a thorn in their side and continually lead God's people into sin and idolatry.
I'm a forever fan of Cossette's writing. The words flow through the story with powerful imagery and the plot is far from boring. Weaving together interesting characters, varying viewpoints, and beautiful scenery I would recommend this book to anyone who loves biblical or historical fiction. I'm excited to see where the next book in the series takes us.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by others in any way.