"Counted WIth The Stars" Book Review

Fiction inspired by the pages of Scripture is my favorite genre so it was with great anticipation that I began to read "Counted With the Stars" by Connilyn Cossette. Happily I can report that it did not disappoint.

"Counted With the Stars" is the story of an Egyptian slave who lives through the 10 plagues and flees Egypt with the Israelites during the Great Exodus. There is very little talk of Moses (Mosheh) except as rumor. I kind of liked that because in a population as great as it would have been, it's likely how it would have happened. Certainly not everyone would have had firsthand information about what was happening.

The characters were well written and the plot moved along at a great pace. Exposition was masterfully intertwined midst the conflict. Plus, to the best of my recollection, nothing was blatantly scripturally erroneous. Always an extra bonus.

On the cover it says this is Book 1 of the "Out of Egypt" series. I truly hope Book 2 comes out soon. "Counted With the Stars" had a bit of everything - romance, action, adventure, encouragement...  The only small warning I would give is this: While no doubt it was, and is, an issue for female slaves, sexual violence was mentioned. Though not graphic and was in keeping with the story line, for this reason I wouldn't put this book into the hands of a young teen. For adults it gets two enthusiastic thumbs up.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

"The Inheritance" Book Review

Oh dear. I fear I must yet again be less than glowing in my review. As I've said before, life is too short to finish unimpressive books. I finished "The Inheritance" by Michael Phillips for one reason - I was in the middle of a 20 hour car ride and my other reading material was stowed away in my other suitcase which lay at the bottom of the trunk under an impossible pile of luggage. Groan. Might as well keep reading.

So what was so bad about "The Inheritance"?

Page 101.

Before you turn to page 101 and scan for some offending passage, let me explain. Page 101 is when the plot finally, FINALLY begins. The first 100 pages is background bits and pieces. Not only is it background but like the rest of the book, about 25% of the book is written phonetically so that when your brain reads it, it sounds as though said with a Celtic accent (much of the book takes place in Shetland). 25 percent.  You might think this is no big deal but consider the following sentence taken from the pages of "The Inheritance".

"He's descended fae Sally's son Leith. But though I didna ken yer ain grit-grit-grand'mother, Elizabeth was her name, I knew the Auld Tulloch's Sally weel, an' a fine woman she was."

Sure it sounds musical in my head once my brain has translated it but if I wanted to have to work at understanding the book in my hand, my time would be better reading non fiction. And that's just the problem -  too much time is needed to understand what being said instead of simply enjoying the text. No one reads a novel for mental exercise.

On the upside, the characters were well written and I could feel myself inwardly cheering for the good guys and booing against the villains.

However, at the end of the day, if I'd been anywhere other than stuck in the backseat of a car, I would have stopped reading this book around page 75 and moved on. Therefore I can hardly recommend it.

Dear Author, you are a talented writer, well gifted in causing cathartic responses from my heart in spite of myself and I'm only one person with a loud mouth and computer. I know you've likely poured your heart and soul into this book. The next time you pick up a pen, just start the plot on page one and write in plain English. Your talent will shine through.



"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."