To Dwell Among Cedars

By: Connilyn Cossette

Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross, Rachel Botchan

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Eight years ago, when the Philistines stole and then surrendered the ark of the covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora left her Philistine homeland to follow the ark to the community of Kiryat Yearim. There, the family she was adopted into has guarded the ark at the top of a mountain in seclusion. 

Ronen is a Levite musician determined to return the ark to Shiloh, where his tribe believes it belongs. He never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive. 

As Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora lead them in unexpected directions, betrayal leaves Eliora with strained family ties and Ronen questioning his own loyalties. Ultimately, Eliora and Ronen are caught up in the battle for the soul of Israel and its future under the leadership of Samuel, the last judge before the era of the kings begins

©2020 Connilyn Cossette (P)2020 Recorded Books

Exceptional Biblical Fiction

I have such respect for authors of Biblical fiction and the copious amounts of research they do to bring Scripture to life in a new and illuminating way. Connilyn Cossette excels in creating settings that draw you in, characters that draw you close, and a plot that doesn’t let go.
Central to the plot of To Dwell Among Cedars is the ark of the covenant and specifically the time period from when the Philistines took it to when it was returned on a cart drawn by cows.
But this book is about finding our value in how we are loved and not in what we do to be loved. While remaining true to Biblical teachings of God’s judgement and provision, Cossette takes us deeper into discovering value. Eliora discovers the love of the family that adopted her and her brother is not broken by her or her little brothers actions—neither good or bad. How much greater if God’s love for those he calls children?
To Dwell Among Cedars has a lot happening—from the relationship between Eliora and her brother as well as their adoptive family, the activities around the ark, Ronen’s mission and doubt, and the sweet and gentle romance he develops with the woman he once rescued as a girl—but the story would not be as poignant and moving if any of them.

The narration of this audio book is top-notch, and I loved that there was a separate (male) narrator for Ronen's character.

Not my favorite

This book has left a lot to be desired. I have all of the author's books and this one is my least favorite. It seems as though she took pieces from her previous novels and put them all together, because I found the story line to be very familiar. I often read her other series over because they are that good! But this one will not be included in that list. I am very disappointed in this one. Most, dare I say all of her books have suspense, humor, a twist in the plot line but not this one. UGH! I wanted to like it but it was missing something.
Connilyn's writing style is still great but I just didn't like the story. She is still my favorite Christian biblical fiction author. I will still read the other books in the series even though I didn't like this much.
I am glad that there were both a male and female narrator. That has happened since book 3. I can only hope the next one is better. I am a loyal fan and I still have hope for this series.

Just, Don’t...

This book pisses me off. I start, I give it my full attention, with every intention of being fair, and then, I stop, (because I just can’t anymore); after a day or two, I give it another try, but, enough is enough. This book is told in such a way that is so irritatingly boring and uninteresting...save your money.

Ark of the Covenant's Loss and Return

Having the male and female narrators made a huge, very positive difference.

Eliora/Arisa cares for her brother Natan/Lukio after the death of her mother and separation from their father. They are Philistines from the upper class with high religious connections. So they prove an excellent foil for telling the story of the loss and return of the Ark of the Covenant during the days of Samuel. The political machinations within ancient IsraEl's levite clans is well detailed. Surprised to see the obvious bigotry toward the Gibeonites, who were also servants of YHWH (Josh9:27), thus 4 not 5 stars. Ronen is a great character.

Beautiful wonderful story!

I LOVE this series. The history, details & plot are are all excellent & thought provoking! Brings me closer to the Father! Can’t wait to listen to the rest!
Amazing narrators! Congrats on a job well done! 🙌

Great Book!

Don’t pass up this series! It is a great and the author’s writing flow keeps you interested and waiting to find out what’s next throughout the entire book! Narrators are also great!

Powerful story with deep messages woven throughout

This is the second book I’ve listened to by Connilyn Cossette and I’m again so moved by the depth of truth woven through her stories at just the right time. Truly this is a gifted writer who isn’t just creating a story but hearing His voice and translating his heart through story - just like Jesus did with the parables- in a way that reaches deep.

A powerful story of adoption, covenant, promise, l

The moment time stands still as you read the last word of a fantastic book is one of the best and worst feelings in the world. Why do all great books come to an end, and why do authors continue to put readers through the hurricanes of their imaginations only to spit us out at the last moment, leaving us to pick up the pieces? In a matter of a few pages, your heart can go from overflowing with love to breaking! Connilyn Cossette’s newest series, The Covenant House, is no exception, though don’t let that dissuade you from embarking on a fabulous new adventure into ancient Israel where Samuel is the judge, the Philistines have won a victory over the Israelites, and the Mishkan (temple) has been destroyed. Introducing the new characters and storyline, To Dwell Among Cedars immediately sweeps readers into its raging waters (literally) before taking them into the eye of the storm and then back into the category two hurricane that will only grow stronger as you get closer to the end.

Eight years ago, 1070 BC, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and brought it into the city of Ashdod, throwing it at the feet of Dagon in triumph. However, at the Ark’s presence, the Philistines’ god is thrust to its knees and plagues wash over their land, forcing them to return their prize to the Israelites. At this time, Eliora and her brother, Natan, flee from their family home in Ashdod and follow the Ark of the Covenant into Israelite territory, where they are rescued by a Levite and adopted into Abinidab’s household, whose family was given the charge to protect the Ark.

As the Fall Feast approach and the Levites gather to celebrate, everyone is busy making preparations and organizing the gatherings that will take place. It’s a time to be joyful and festive, yet unrest stirs within the Levitical tribe as they argue over where the Ark of the Covenant should be kept and who is the rightful high priest. Believing Samuel is a false prophet and that the priesthood should return to Eleazar’s line after the devastating defeat at the hands of Eli, son of Itamar, a plan is forged to steal the Ark of the Covenant and take it to where a group of Levites have begun reconstructing the Mishkan.

Returning to Kiryat Yearim, Ronen is at the center of the plot to steal the Ark. Determined to make his uncle proud and fulfill his duty of uncovering the hidden location of the Ark, Ronen is caught off guard when he is reunited with the Philistine girl he saved as a teenager all those years ago. Now grown up, Eliora is radiant and captures Ronen’s attention, testing his loyalties and belief in the mission. Will Ronen and his entourage succeed in their desire to move the Ark? Are they truly fulfilling God’s desire? And, what about Eliora, she’s lived among the Israelites for almost a decade, but has she truly found peace and identity?

A powerful story of adoption, covenant, promise, love, and war, To Dwell Among Cedars not only gives Biblical fiction lovers another amazing story to share with friends but is a narrative that will stay in your mind for days and months to come. I still have not recovered from this novel, and I don’t think I will until the next book is released (July, please hurry!).

To Dwell Among Cedars spoke to my heart and moved me to praise the Father for all the testimonies He has given us. Though this is a story that will entertain, it will also be an inspiration to draw closer to our Creator and learn who He truly is! While thousands walk away from their faith each year, plagued with doubt, I have never been more convinced of Adonai’s realness and presence. Connilyn Cossette did an outstanding job of showing what true faith and servitude looks like, dealing with doubt and identity through protagonists we can all relate to. I loved how each character was given a chance to experience the Holy Spirit, though not everyone accepted this opportunity. Too many authors tend to stay in the New Testament, believing that personal relationships with the Father only began after Yeshua/Jesus’ resurrection, but that’s not true. God has been using His people since the beginning of creation, and Connilyn Cossette never fails to display this in her novels.

If you have never read a novel by Connilyn Cossette and are looking for a thrilling, inspiring, and chain-breaking story that brings the Bible to life, To Dwell Among Cedars is the book for you! If you are familiar with Connilyn’s incredible books, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed by her latest release! Don’t miss your chance to experience Eliora and Ronen’s journeys into the depths of their souls as they discover what it means to be loved and accepted by a God of forgiveness and promise!

Excellent!

I was able to learn about a part of the Bible that I had not heard of before. When I opened my bible and read this section of the Bible, I found it very accurate and interesting. The author, Connilyn Cossette, did an excellent job adding the fictional characters into the Bible story and bringing it to life. Thank You! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I had a hard time setting it aside to complete my tasks.

Multiple Mispronounced Names and Places Grated

I even double-checked my lifelong understanding of pronunciations with searching for "Hebrew pronunciation of _____" and found that, indeed, these narrators were slaughtering the names of people and places repeatedly (like calling Eli the high priest "Ellie", etc). Anyway, it was so frequent a problem I had to take off some stars on narration. Where are the production editors? Why are they not catching this? I have all the audio books by Connilyn Cossette, I believe, and did not enjoy this one as much as the others. Having said that. it was still worthwhile. I think my perception was probably tainted a bit by my irritation with the narrators.

Fantastic story, opens up the Old Testament in your imagination.

Loved this story of adoption, acceptance and being grafted into Gods family. I find the American pronunciation of some names and words distracting …. 😳but manageable!! (Eli pronounced as Ellie is probably the most off-putting!!) Great listen overall and I have immediately downloaded the next book in the series as I want to know what happens!!!