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.
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 Impressions:
Jocelyn Green has done it again! She’s created an historical romance that is not just fluff, but an intriguing look into a bygone era. A Refuge Assured swept me into the life of Vivienne Rivard, a lacemaker displaced by the fanaticism of the French Revolution. With her livelihood gone and the world gone mad, Vivienne makes her way to America to start a new life free from the terrors of Paris. But safety is never assured when revolutionaries abound even in Philadelphia.
A Refuge Assured has a lot going for it. I loved, loved, loved the characters that became so very real in my imagination. Vivienne is a woman of faith and boldness. She embraces her new country and looks for opportunities to thrive. Liam Delaney, the Irish-born Revolutionary War veteran, is passionate about his country’s liberty and is a determined protector of the vulnerable. The two have a chemistry that fans of romance novels will love. Secondary characters are vividly portrayed and add greatly to the story. But it is the history that captured my attention. Green’s excellent portrayal of the late 1700s of Paris and Pennsylvania reveals exhaustive research on the author’s part. I was never a fan of early American history during my school days, but Green made me want to dust off the history books to find out more about our fledgling country’s struggle to live up to the ideals set forth by the founders. I know history buffs will love her attention to detail. Many of the characters struggle with the true meaning of liberty and freedom, giving this modern reader something to think about. I listened to the audiobook version of A Refuge Assured and was very pleased with the narrator’s skill in giving each character his or her own voice.
A Refuge Assured is unputdownable or, in my case, unturnoffable! 😉 It is a beautifully written novel filled with unforgettable characters and a story that is timeless. It is definitely a highly recommended read!
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
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(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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