Shelter of the Most High {Book Review}

The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan.

Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a city of refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood, yet chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing her into the danger of his past.

As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Can they uncover the betrayal in time to save their lives and the lives of those they love? 

My second dip into Biblical fiction and I am pleased to say that this time went WAAAAY better than the last one.

The characters were very well done. The story switches POV's between Eitan and Sofea, and they both had very good character arcs. No secondary characters acted like secondary characters so that was very good. Each character had their flaws and seemed so real.

Something kinda funny is that I was reading the Book of Joshua and there is a mention of the Cities of Refuge. So I found it really cool that this book was based in one of the Cities of Refuge. Everything was very believable and I love the little descriptions Cossette gave. Whether it was just describing how good Moriyah's bread was, or how what chores Sofea and Prezi did. I loved it.

The plot was very intriguing! There was nothing that sort of "gave it away" and the plot twist really surprised me (actually not really but that's because I flip through a book before reading so I saw that. If you don't do what I do, then it will surprise you. It actually still surprised me xD)

So there is a bit of insta-love, but not really since Eitan and Sofea can't really talk to each other till about halfway through the book? Anyways, the romance was really well done and very swoon-worthy.

I absolutely loved the message of this book. I don't really want to give it away, but the message was so inspiring. The message of the book has been something I've struggled with, and I just loved this reminder.

The only tiny problem I have with this book is that it did drag a bit in the middle before the action starts. Like, you had a bunch of action in the beginning, and then you just have this middle section where nothing really happens except Eitan and Sofea's relationship is established, and then you have the closing action that brings the story around.

Eitan and Sofea kiss a few times and Moriyah and Darek kiss. They don't get overboard.

The phrase "temple whore" is used as an insult a few times I think? But it's clearly an insult.

The way Raviv's sons died is explained quite vividly.

Sofea and Prezi are beaten at one point in the beginning.

Sofea has some flashbacks to what her father used to do as a pagan high priest, and it's honestly disgusting. So I just wanted to throw that out there.

I really enjoyed this book, so I'm rating it. . .

5 stars!

A quick note, this is actually the second book of the Cities of Refuge series, and while it probably would have been helpful if I had read the first book, it wasn't exactly necessary.

Have you read Shelter of the Most High? Do you want to? What is your favorite Biblical fiction book? 

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Know the Novel {Part One: Introductory}

The amazing Christine @ Musings of an Elf has created a new link-up called Know the Novel! It's going to have three parts and this is the first!

I really like these questions so I can properly introduce The Scroll of Wisdom! Let's get to it!


1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?

As some of you may recall, last Nano I worked on a novel called the Crown of Light. This is the first book in that series. What really sparked the idea for this is when I decided to link The Crown of Light and Courage For Those Who Have None. Then I changed the worldbuilding a bit. I added in the Magical objects for each country and decided that Myragi and Zirrith (the two countries in Courage For Those Who Have None) used to be one country. I originally hadn't intended to pursue it further but I kept thinking "Why did Myragi and Zirrith go their separate ways?" And The Scroll of Wisdom was born. It's kinda funny (if you think about it) that this book is about the separating of Myragi and Zirrith (previously known as Ilia Couragis) when the MC is a prince from Ilia Scriptura.

2. Share a blurb!

Prince Kile of Ilia Scriptura knows that he will never be king, that boring job is left to his brother. But when a strange turn of events happens and Kile is made the Crown Prince, how will the prince who has lived in frivolity all his life govern the wisest kingdom in Ilia?

3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?

The first half of the story is set in Ilia Scriptura and the second half is set in Ilia Couragis. My favorite thing about Ilia Scriptura (and we really only see the city of Scriptura) is that it's so secure. There has never been a murmur of dissent against the monarch because they can never doubt that whoever is ruling is the rightful ruler. It's so organized and peaceful. My favorite thing about Ilia Couragis is that it's so wild. Only one-fourth of the country is populated and it gives Ilia Couragis a wild feeling. The people are so passionate and fiery, the Northerners even more than the Southerners.

4. Tell us about your protagonist.

I did this post last week so there's a lot of info about Kile there. But I'll just say some things for the sake of answering this question. Kile is the Prince Royale (which essentially means that he is second-in-line to the throne) of Ilia Scriptura. Stuff happens and he becomes the Crown Prince. Read that post I linked to learn more about him!

5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?

*cough* Well, there isn't a really clear-cut antagonist. I mean like it kinda switches and I can't explain more because #spoilerschildrens.

6. What excites you the most about this novel?

Besides the plot, I'm really excited about the characters and the world. I've done a lot of worldbuilding (still need to do more) and I'm super excited about the world.

7. Is this going to be a series? Standalone? Something else?

This is book one in a 5 book series. As you know I started writing book 3 before book 1 even crossed my mind.

Ehehe

8. Are you plotting? Pantsing? Plansting?

Plotting. I find that I'm more creative and don't get writers' block the more detailed I am.

9. Name a few things that makes this story unique.

I....don't know.....I haven't written this yet and yeah...But something I hope that makes it unique is the story world.

Yeah

10. Share a fun “extra” of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you’ve made, a special theme you’re going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!)

I'm going to share a screenshot from my Pinterest board (which you can find if you follow me on Pinterest) and my Spotify playlist :)

How's your Nano planning going? What are you most excited for in your novel? What are you writing for Nano? Tell me everything! 

100th Blog Post + Some Inspiration

Can you believe it??

This is my 100th BLOG POST??

Woah

#mindblown

I mean, it seemed like forever ago that I posted this mess of a post, and now I'm on post 100

Jeez

How time flies

Anyways, 100 posts seems somewhat monumental so I just wanted to say that this was post 100 and to thank all of you for reading and commenting on my blog posts. All of you know how nice it is to see that someone either commented or followed.

So yeah, thank you my lovelies <33

If you have taken/or are taking Mother of Divine Grace's Medieval European History & Lit. you'll remember reading (or you may be reading it now) Chesterton's The Ballad of the White Horse.

(for those of you who haven't read or heard of The Ballad of the White Horse, it's about how King Alfred of England drove the Danes out of England after a devastating loss)

Anyways, I haven't finished it yet, but I'm enjoying my first read with Chesterton. This isn't a review, so let me give you that bit of inspiration that I promised.

At the beginning of the epic, Alfred is desperate and has no hope. Like I mentioned earlier, he has just suffered a devastating loss (on Christmas no less). He is moaning and groaning and then Our Lady appears to him.

She gives him a comforting speech that says that he might not win in this world, but he will win in the next.

The whole passage is really beautiful, but there is one line that just gives you chills (and if you've read Regina Doman's The Shadow of the Bear, you'll recognize this)

She says:

"But the men signed of the cross of Christ

Go gaily in the dark"

Wow. Just think about that for a second and read it again.

"But the men signed of the cross of Christ

Go gaily in the dark"

I'm getting chills right now.

We, as Christian's, are the men signed of the cross of Christ. The world is dark and scary, but we must go gaily in the dark.

Sorry that this was a bit short and random, but I hope you enjoyed it! Have you read The Ballad of the White Horse? Did you like it? If not, you should read it! 

Let's meet some peoples! {The Language of Worlds Linkup}

Well hello my lovelies, I hope you are having a GREAT day! I'm feeling really positive for some reason, which is kinda weird since I'm super tired and kinda overwhelmed?

Oh well

Gotta take these moments as they come!

ANYWAYS

I'm going to be doing the Language of Worlds Linkup for two of my characters from The Scroll of Wisdom.

I know in my wrap-up post I listed some posts that were going to happen this month, I don't think that all of those are gonna make it, as I kinda want to make this month more about writing and The Scroll of Wisdom as Nano is coming up.

Now that I've got that off my chest, let's go!

Prince Kile of Ilia Scriptura

1. What does your character fear the most?

What Kile fears the most is not being noticed. As a child, when it was most necessary that his parents love him and nurture him, he was often ignored or told that his brother (as heir to the throne) was more important. That's why he does reckless things (at least in the beginning). He wants his parents' attention, even if it's negative attention.

2. How would they handle it if they were to face their fear?

Well, he has. Like I said earlier, Kile was bypassed as a child in favor of his older brother. But he has gained it again (somewhat) by doing things he knows his parents disapprove of. But if he were ignored again, Kile would just keep doing worse and worse things, still trying to get someone's attention.

3. Do they want to get married? Why or why not?

He does! Kile knows that in a marriage, each spouse has to pay attention to the other. But Kile is also very protective of women ('specially when it comes to one little pumpkin) when he sees that they are in trouble. One thing his parents did instill in him is the knowledge that women should be cherished, protected, and valued. He also wants someone to love him for who he is and love that person back.

4. What is their love language (i.e. words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, quality time, acts of service)?

Well, if you couldn't tell from above, Kile needs people to TELL him that they love him. So words of affirmation is his love language.

5. On a scale from 1 (messy) to 5 (organized), how do they rate?

I'm going to have to say a 2 :P He is not the most organized of people.

6. How do they feel about debates/disagreements?

Kile gets kinda uneasy when in a debate or disagreement. That's because he usually feels like he's too stupid to convince the other person (which is not true). So he just gets angry and stalks off.

7. What do they bring to a battle (figurative or literal)?

The desire to find out who is in the wrong/right. Even if he is in the wrong. Towards the end of the book, when stuff happens, Kile starts to wonder if he is on the right side, and if the rebels really have a good reason to, you know, rebel.

8. What's their favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Kile loves to eat any type of fruit. Normally his breakfast just consists of fruit and he'll have a heavier meal at noon.

9. How do they treat themself after a long day?

If he isn't going out, you can find Kile with a book. Not many people know that, but Kile enjoys pleasure reading.

10. What do you most want readers to glean from this story?

What I want people to take away from Kile's story is that not everyone is how they appear on the outside. To many people, Kile is a disgrace to the House of Rowan and Ilia Scriptura. But to the precious few that actually know him (which, now that I think of it, is basically no one), they know that all he really wants is his parents' attention and to be valued.

Princess Zoe of Ilia Couragis 

1. What does your character fear the most?

That someone will hurt someone she loves. Or that she'll fail her people. Zoe has a lot of drive and passion that she hides behind a simple smile. If you get on her bad side, oof, I would not want to be in your shoes.

2. How would they handle it if they were to face their fear?

I think that Zoe would at first break down and have a good cry, and then get up, dust herself off, and get down to thinking how to protect her family and do her people good.

3. Do they want to get married? Why or why not?

She does. Zoe loves loving people (if that makes sense). And she loves being loved.

4. What is their love language (i.e. words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, quality time, acts of service)?

I think it would be words of affirmation. She is (sometimes) very vocal about her love for people.

5. On a scale from 1 (messy) to 5 (organized), how do they rate?

A 5. She can't stand for anything to be out of its place and it drives Zelia (her twin) crazy when she goes on a cleaning spree.

6. How do they feel about debates/disagreements?

Zoe loves debating and arguing. She is very confident in her abilities to persuade people and she almost never loses.

7. What do they bring to a battle (figurative or literal)?

Zoe brings a heart to do what is right. If it benefits other people and if she is truly wrong, then she will admit that she was wrong. She also has a really fierce spirit and will fight to the end.

8. What's their favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

She loves eating bread for breakfast. Fresh bread that is still hot inside and that melts butter because it just came out of the oven (and now I'm hungry....)

9. How do they treat themself after a long day?

She plays the harp for hours. Sometimes with Zelia playing the flute, or sometimes just by herself.

10. What do you most want readers to glean from this story?

That you can make a difference. I can't say much more because of spoilers, but yeah, you can make a difference in the course of history.

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning about my characters! Are you ready to learn more? How is your Nano prep coming along? Are you doing Nano? 

~ September Wrap Up ~

Well, school has been beating me but sometimes I beat it (take note: sometimes). Overall it hasn't been going THAT bad but man, dividing polynomials are weird.

Violin is going pretty well. I have a competition in 4 weeks so somewhat freaking out. I have a solo in orchestra, playing violin 3 in Vivaldi's Violin Concerto for 4 violins.

Dance is also going fine.

I'm going to homecoming on the 20th so I'm VERY excited about that.

- The House Carpenter, Eleanor Tomlinson -

- Love Like This, Lauren Daigle -

- Cool Kids, Echosmith -

- I Like Me Better, Lauv -

- Escondida, Jorge Blanco -

An audiobook of A Noble Masquerade. Oh. My. Goodness. I loved the book but hearing it in the audiobook version almost makes it more hilarious xDDD

I ONLY READ 4 BOOKS THIS MONTH WHAT????????

Cranford, Elizabeth Gaskell; Victoria: Portrait of a Queen, Catherine Reef; Heartless, Marissa Meyer; Everything She Didn't Say, Jane Kirkpatrick

Loved

Heartless: Well this book sure lived up to its name. It left me heartless. But it was also sooooo good. And it was heart-wrenching in like the good kind of way??

Everything She Didn't Say: This was sorta unexpected xD I had low expectations for this read for some reason?? Anywho, find my review here!

Liked

Cranford: I had seen the miniseries and really enjoyed it! I was slightly confused because I thought that this would also cover Dr. Harrison's dilemma and Lady Ludlow and all that jazz, but it was just about the good ol' ladies of Cranford.

Victoria: Portrait of a Queen: I absolutely love Queen Victoria, this is was a good book with some info not only on her but on the happenings at the time.

Disliked

WELL NONE CAUSE I ONLY READ 4 STINKIN' BOOKS THIS MONTH

Books I Hope To Read This Month

Shelter of the Most High, Connilyn Cossette; Hidden Peril, Irene Hannon; The Ranchero's Love, Nancy J. Farrier; The Big House on Adam's Street, Alberta Sparks; Amish Celebrations, Beth Wiseman; Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell; The Centurions Wife, Jannet Oke & Davis Bunn; Victoria, Dasiy Goodwin; A Murder is Announced, Agatha Christie;  'Tis, Frank McCourt; Teacher Man, Frank McCourt; Junia, Michel E. Giesler; Grain of Wheat, Michael E. Giesler; An Inconvenient Beauty, Kristi Ann Hunter

Poldark



Just started watching this and it is very good! (*coughskippingsomescenesofcoursecough*)

Secretariat



We watched this with the fam and it is soo good xD I have to admit that my heart was pounding a few times!

The Crown



On the second season of this and had to take a short break from it. It covers some pretty heavy material and isn't as light and fluffy as Victoria

Death Comes To Pemberley



I really liked this one xD I always enjoy seeing (or reading) what other people think happen after Jane Austen's novels. Too bad she didn't write sequels.

And some other things but I can't remember what they are............

I was working on my novella, but have put that to the side as I start to prep for Nano. I have the summary and the bare bones outline (so I have to go fill that out) and I've been plodding through worldbuilding.

I'm hoping to finish soon and get started on character sheets. I made crests for all my royals and I really like how they turned out.

I changed my blog look and domain so yay!!

Stats

Pageviews this Month: 578

Followers: 38 (welcome to you newcomers!!)

Posts this Month:

Judah's Scepter And The Sacred Stone {Book Review}

Some of My Favorite Period Drama Couples

Back To School Tips

Everything She Didn't Say {Book Review}

New look coming soon!

Welcome Back!

Let's Celebrate! {Tag}{Picture}{Snippets}

I SHALL RULE THE WORLD

Tolkien Blog Party 2018!!

Most Popular Post:

Tolkien Blog Party 2018!!

Upcoming Posts:
*titles subject to change*

RIP It or SHIP It (Period Drama Edition) {Tag}

Be A Rebel #3: Culture of Comparison

The Funniest Tag Evah Feat. A  bery special guest

Shelter of the Most High {Book Review}

Let's Meet Some Peoples

13 Reasons Why. . .You Should Watch Downton Abbey

The Ranchero's Love {Book Review}

The Cake Flavored Book Tag {Tag}

How was your September? Can you believe that there are only 3 months left in the year?? What are you most looking forward to this month?