Connilyn Cossette Books in Order: Every Series and Companion Novella
Connilyn Cossette writes biblical historical fiction set in the ancient world, placing fictional characters within the eras and events readers may recognize from Scripture. Her novels combine historical detail, romance, family conflict, danger, and spiritual themes, often exploring how people respond to difficult choices and unexpected changes.
One useful thing to know before starting is that her books do not all belong to one continuous series. Each series has its own central characters and historical setting, although reading the books in order within a series helps preserve character development and important story reveals.
1. Out from Egypt Series in Order
The Out from Egypt trilogy begins during the Exodus from Egypt and follows characters whose lives are transformed by the journey toward the Promised Land. It is a natural starting point for readers who want to begin with Cossette’s earliest published biblical fiction.
1. Counted with the Stars (2016)
Kiya is an Egyptian slave whose life changes dramatically as the events surrounding the Exodus unfold. After losing the security she once knew, she must decide where her loyalties belong and what freedom might mean for her future. The novel imagines the biblical Exodus through the experiences of a fictional woman caught in the upheaval.
2. Shadow of the Storm (2016)
The second book follows Shira, a young Hebrew midwife living through the dangers and uncertainty of the wilderness journey. Her story explores the struggle to trust God while dealing with fear, loss, and the consequences of painful decisions. The novel continues the series’ exploration of faith and identity as the Hebrew people move toward a new life.
3. Wings of the Wind (2017)
The trilogy concludes with Alanah, a Canaanite woman whose experiences have left her angry and determined to seek vengeance against the Hebrews. When an unexpected encounter forces her into a new relationship with the people she once considered enemies, she must confront the beliefs and wounds that have shaped her life. This final installment brings the series toward the period when the Israelites approach the Promised Land.
Reading tip: Read all three novels in publication order. Their settings and historical progression make the trilogy particularly satisfying as a complete journey.
2. Cities of Refuge Series in Order
Set in the biblical world of ancient Canaan, the Cities of Refuge series explores the lives of people caught between different cultures, loyalties, and expectations. The novels draw on the biblical idea of cities of refuge while developing individual stories of love, belonging, and faith.
1. A Light on the Hill (2018)
The story introduces Moriyah, a young woman whose painful past has left her wary of trusting others. When she finds herself in a situation that forces her to reconsider her future, she must decide whether to keep protecting herself or risk believing that a different life is possible. The novel establishes the series’ interest in refuge, justice, and unexpected love.
2. Shelter of the Most High (2018)
The second novel follows a story shaped by danger, divided loyalties, and the search for safety. As characters face the consequences of conflict and personal history, the idea of finding shelter becomes both a physical necessity and a spiritual question. This installment continues the series’ examination of what it means to offer protection and extend mercy.
3. Until the Mountains Fall (2019)
A young woman and a man from a different background find their lives connected by circumstances neither could have anticipated. Their relationship develops amid political tension, personal obligations, and the challenges of living in a world where family and tribal loyalties carry enormous weight. The novel combines romance with questions of loyalty and the possibility of reconciliation.
4. Like Flames in the Night (2020)
The fourth book brings the series to a close with a story involving danger, difficult choices, and the consequences of earlier events. As characters face threats that test their courage and faith, they must determine what they are willing to sacrifice for the people they love. It completes the series’ exploration of refuge, belonging, and redemption.
Reading tip: Start with A Light on the Hill rather than jumping straight to the final novel. The books are distinct stories, but the shared historical setting and recurring themes make publication order the strongest choice.
3. The Covenant House Series in Order
The Covenant House series moves into the period near the end of the biblical era of the Judges and the beginning of Israel’s monarchy. It centers on a brother and sister of Philistine background who become entangled in the conflict between their original culture and the Hebrew family that offers them a new future.
1. To Dwell Among Cedars (2020)
The first novel introduces a world marked by conflict between the Israelites and Philistines. Its central characters must reckon with identity, family history, and the possibility of belonging to a community different from the one in which they were raised. The story sets up the series’ central question: what happens when loyalty to one’s origins conflicts with the promise of a new life?
2. Between the Wild Branches (2021)
The second book continues the story of people caught between cultures and expectations. Characters face difficult questions about their past, their responsibilities, and the relationships that have come to define their lives. The novel expands on the series’ themes of adoption, identity, and faith in a period of considerable upheaval.
3. Beneath the Sycamore Tree (2026)
The third installment returns readers to the ancient biblical setting explored in the earlier books. It continues the series’ focus on family, belonging, and the choices people make when their histories and loyalties pull them in different directions.
Readers should follow the first two novels before beginning this installment to get the full context of the series.
4. The King’s Men Series in Order
The King’s Men follows four young cousins during the early reign of King Saul, Israel’s first king. The novels mix adventure, romance, family bonds, and military conflict as the cousins face the challenges of a changing kingdom.
The series also has companion novellas about the cousins’ earlier adventures. These shorter stories add context, but readers can follow the four main novels in publication order without treating every novella as a required installment.
1. Voice of the Ancient (2023)
Avidan, the son of a Levite and a Philistine, struggles to understand where he belongs and what his future should look like. When danger strikes close to home, he joins his cousins in the service of King Saul. His journey brings him into contact with Keziah, a young woman fleeing a forced marriage, and their paths become intertwined as they navigate danger and uncertainty.
2. Shield of the Mighty (2024)
Zevi, who was captured by the Philistines as a boy, has grown into a skilled warrior serving in King Saul’s army. A mission takes him back to a place connected to his painful past, forcing him to confront old wounds and unexpected truths. The novel explores how the past can shape a person’s identity even after life seems to have moved on.
3. Splendor of the Land (2025)
Gavriel is a talented soldier whose dark past continues to affect his decisions. After his reckless behavior threatens his future, he is sent on a mission involving a distant tribe and its relationship with the Amalekites. There he encounters Zahava, a gifted goldsmith whose abilities and circumstances have kept her in the shadows. Their story brings together romance, personal redemption, and the dangers of political conflict.
4. Throne of the Heavens (2026)
The fourth main novel follows Mattaniel, a man whose memories of his life before captivity have largely disappeared. Forced into the service of the king of Tyre, he finds his future tied to Elissa, a king’s daughter expected to marry for political advantage. As a conspiracy develops and fragments of Mattaniel’s past begin to emerge, both characters face questions of freedom, loyalty, and the cost of choosing their own path.
The King’s Men Companion Novellas
These shorter works provide backstories and additional adventures involving the cousins, especially Shalem and the other young men before the events of the main novels.
The Wedding Gift (2024)
This prequel follows the boys as they investigate a mysterious missing object connected to a wedding caravan. Their curiosity turns into an adventure that tests their courage and their ability to work together.
The Blind Scribe
This prequel centers on Shalem, who feels left behind by his older cousins after an earlier injury. When a mysterious stranger arrives near the place where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden, Shalem sets out to uncover the truth and finds himself facing a mystery beyond his expectations.
The Hidden Warrior
Another Shalem prequel, this novella begins with a seemingly simple delivery mission that becomes a dangerous search for a legendary treasure. Shalem must learn to trust his own abilities and make difficult decisions as the adventure grows more serious.
Recommended approach: Read the four main novels in order. You can add the companion novellas when you want more background on the cousins, particularly Shalem, without interrupting the central series.
5. Ordinary Women of the Bible
Ordinary Women of the Bible is a multi-author fiction collection from Guideposts Fiction, not a conventional standalone series written entirely by Cossette. Her contributions retell the experiences of women connected to biblical events, focusing on how ordinary people can find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
Cossette’s official site highlights three contributions:
A Mother’s Sacrifice: Jochebed’s Story (2019)
This story focuses on Jochebed, the mother of Moses, and the extraordinary risk involved in protecting her child under Pharaoh’s rule. It explores a mother’s courage and the faith required when the future is uncertain.
The Healer’s Touch: Tikva’s Story (2020)
Tikva’s story draws inspiration from the biblical account of the woman who reaches out to touch Jesus’ garment in search of healing. The narrative explores suffering, hope, and the possibility of finding relief after a long period of hardship.
Rich Beyond Measure: Zlata’s Story
This story follows Zlata, a woman whose faith and circumstances connect her to the larger biblical story. It offers another short, character-centered interpretation of a woman’s experience in the ancient world.
These books are shorter than Cossette’s main novels and can be read independently. Readers who enjoy her approach to biblical fiction may appreciate them as additional stories rather than essential parts of the four main series.
How the Series Connect Across Biblical History
One reason Cossette’s bibliography can be confusing is that the series take place in different periods of the biblical timeline. They are not simply one long sequence with the same cast.
- Out from Egypt begins with the Exodus and follows the journey toward the Promised Land.
- Cities of Refuge explores life in ancient Canaan and the themes of refuge, justice, and belonging.
- The Covenant House moves into the late period of the Judges and the conflict between Israelites and Philistines.
- The King’s Men follows young cousins during the early reign of King Saul.
- Ordinary Women of the Bible offers shorter retellings tied to specific biblical women and events.
If you want to explore her work by historical setting, this overview can help you choose a series. If you want to experience her development as an author, begin with Counted with the Stars, her first published novel, and then explore the other series in their publication order.
Where Should New Readers Start?
There is no need to begin every series at once. Choose the setting or premise that interests you most.
- Start with Counted with the Stars if you want the beginning of Cossette’s published fiction and a story set during the Exodus.
- Choose A Light on the Hill if you prefer stories about refuge, justice, and finding a place to belong.
- Read To Dwell Among Cedars if you’re interested in the conflict between Israelites and Philistines and the complicated question of cultural identity.
- Begin Voice of the Ancient if adventure, family bonds, and the early reign of King Saul sound most appealing.
- Try A Mother’s Sacrifice if you would rather start with a shorter story inspired by a familiar biblical figure.
For a first-time reader, I recommend Counted with the Stars. It is the book that introduced Cossette’s approach to biblical historical fiction and provides a clear starting point before moving into her later series.
About Connilyn Cossette
Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award-winning, bestselling author known for historical fiction inspired by the ancient biblical world. Her writing blends research into biblical settings with fictional characters and emotionally driven stories. Her goal is to help readers engage with the historical world of Scripture while exploring themes of faith, redemption, courage, and belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many series has Connilyn Cossette written?
Her official website features four principal novel series: Out from Egypt, Cities of Refuge, The Covenant House, and The King’s Men. She has also contributed stories to the multi-author Ordinary Women of the Bible collection and published companion novellas.
What is Connilyn Cossette’s first book?
Counted with the Stars, published in 2016, was her debut novel and the first book in the Out from Egypt series.
Should I read Connilyn Cossette’s books in publication order?
Read each series in its own publication order. If you want to explore all her novels, starting with Counted with the Stars and moving through the other series by publication date is a reasonable approach, although the series have distinct casts and can be started independently.
Is The King’s Men series complete?
The fourth main novel, Throne of the Heavens, was released in October 2026 and completes the four-book main sequence. Companion novellas provide additional background on the cousins.
Are Connilyn Cossette’s books based directly on the Bible?
Her novels are works of historical fiction inspired by biblical periods, people, and events. She creates fictional characters and storylines within those settings, so the books should be read as imaginative interpretations rather than literal biblical accounts.
Does Connilyn Cossette write only novels?
No. In addition to her novels, she has written companion novellas and shorter fiction, including stories for the Ordinary Women of the Bible collection.
Which Connilyn Cossette series should I read first?
The Out from Egypt trilogy is a natural first choice because it contains her debut novel and follows a clear historical journey. However, readers drawn to the reign of King Saul or the Israelite-Philistine conflict can start with The King’s Men or The Covenant House instead.
Final Note
Connilyn Cossette’s books are easiest to enjoy when you treat each series as its own reading journey. Start with Counted with the Stars for the Exodus, follow A Light on the Hill for Cities of Refuge, explore To Dwell Among Cedars for the era of the Judges, or begin Voice of the Ancient for the early reign of King Saul. Once you find the setting that draws you in, the companion novellas and shorter biblical stories offer more ways to explore her fictional world.
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