Between the Wild Branches (The Covenant House #2) by Connilyn Cossette

 

Ten years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he'd been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdod, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.

After a heartbreaking end to her secret friendship with Lukio, Shoshana thought to never see the boy with the dual-colored eyes and the troubled soul again. But when she is captured in a Philistine raid and enslaved in Ashdod, she is surprised to find that the brutal fighter known as Demon-Eyes is Lukio himself.

With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.

My thoughts:

I haven't read the first book in the series, but, still enjoyed this novel.  The story of Lukio and Shoshana is beautifully written although it took me some time to get interested to be honest. Its probably because I should have read the first book in the series. I really got caught up in this book after a few chapters and I loved it more than I thought I would.

Truthfully, I have only started reading Biblical fiction within the last few years and it isn't always a genre I gravitate towards. but, after hearing so many things about this author, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad that I did because Ms. Cossette brought this story to life for me, from the time period she wrote about, the not so good things and al of the wonderful things. I will read more from this author and urge others to do the same.

I received a copy from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.