A Refuge Assured

by

Jocelyn Green!

Description

Lacemaker Vivienne Rivard never imagined her craft could threaten her life. Yet in revolutionary France, it is a death sentence when the nobility, and those associated with them, are forced to the guillotine. Vivienne flees to Philadelphia but finds the same dangers lurking in the French Quarter, as revolutionary sympathizers threaten the life of a young boy left in her care, who some suspect to be the Dauphin. Can the French settlement, Azilum, offer permanent refuge?

Militiaman Liam Delaney proudly served in the American Revolution, but now that the new government has imposed an oppressive tax that impacts his family, he barely recognizes the democracy he fought for. He wants only to cultivate the land of his hard-won farm near Azilum, but soon finds himself drawn into the escalating tension of the Whiskey Rebellion. When he meets a beautiful young Frenchwoman recently arrived from Paris, they will be drawn together in surprising ways to fight for the peace and safety for which they long.

Biography

Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage. 

The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. 

Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.

Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, Toblerone chocolate bars, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville. 

Visit her at jocelyngreen.com, and receive a free gift when joining her e-newsletter mailing list at jocelyngreen.com/subscribe.

My Perspective ~

It is sometimes difficult to write an adequate review for an eloquent story such as A Refuge Assured. A deeply emotional experience is how I reflect upon my reading of this book. Ms. Green has a gift with words that is poetic in nature, and strong in substance. A powerful novel plagued with adversity while fingers of beauty intertwine like silk threads evolving into lace. This is a tough one. I'm finding it difficult to describe something that is an experience, personal and unique to each individual.

An historic novel developed with depth and character, this story has obviously been well researched. A history lesson through fiction, my eyes were opened to the ravages in revolutionary France throughout the 1790s. Escape to America is an improvement, but not without harsh revelations. Descriptive and detailed, characterizations and landscape are well represented.

This deeply moving story moves along at a rapid pace while affording the reader adequate time to experience the plot through well depicted images. Numerous emotions are evoked, creating a host of reactions throughout this novel. I highly recommend this novel that contains a multiplicity of events and experiences. It is without a doubt Ms. Green's finest novel to date! 

Disclaimer: I received this book with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

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