Every time I read a novel by Jocelyn Green I think she can't write anything better, and then she does! I love her well researched and interestingly written stories so much.

In "A Refuge Assured" I really had my first good look at the French Revolution and it has certainly whet my appetite for more information from that era. I also learned quite a lot about the early Americas, the Whiskey Rebellion (never heard of that before!), and Asylum, PA. Fascinating.

The characters in this novel are so very true to real life, which is something I appreciate in a good historical novel. Life wasn't perfect in the "olden" days and having a good picture of that life is so helpful to me in learning from the past.

A Refuge Assured is a tale that drops you in France just in time for the Revolution. It introduces you to our players in this story as it carefully weaves the chaos of 1792 Paris into its backdrop. A terrible time filled with terror, and hunger and death. Meet the lovely Vivienne lacemaker to the Queen, Marie Antoinette herself at a time when even making lace can make you lose your head! 

These characters are believable and likable (or easy to despise in the case of the bad guys). Feel the terror of this young woman as she struggles to survive the chaos and the blood-soaked cobblestone streets of Paris and find a way to live on.

Jocelyn Green shows readers a fascinating glimpse of revolutionary France and post-revolution America in A Refuge Assured.  Between the shocking violence and gore of the French Revolution, the struggle to establish an American government, and the complicated relationship between the two countries, I learned a great deal that challenged my view of history.  While I understood Green's graphic and realistic portrayal of the French Revolution, I wonder if she also over-romanticized the toppled French monarchy.  Did they deserve gruesome deaths?  No.  Were they innocent of wrongdoing?  Equally, no.  Perhaps my rebellious American roots run too deep, but I had a difficult time feeling compassion for the "poor, displaced" French aristocrats who found themselves still living in luxury in America.  Vivienne's choice to live among and align herself with them sat ill with me.  Such a decision seems to fly in the face of her hard-working, determined, and self-sufficient character.  That said, Vivienne was otherwise a worthy protagonist, and Liam a perfectly swoon-worthy male lead.  With compelling characters, plenty of intrigue, and wonderful historical detail, A Refuge Assured is certainly worth reading.

Hauntingly beautiful! Jocelyn Green delivers another riveting story with the skill of a master craftsman. She masterfully weaves the story of refugees from the French Revolution seeking asylum in Pennsylvania, as our young country struggles in its' infancy with such controversial events as the Whiskey Rebellion.
While there is much historical detail, it never overshadowed the story. The author artistically pens images of early American life with words that appeals to all of the senses. I found her characters to be endearing, in spite of their many flaws.
This is a story filled with heart-breaking loss and triumph that rises above tragedy. It is a story of relationships and loyalties. It is a story of finding one's moral compass. It is a story of forgiveness. But most importantly, it is a story of finding home, family, a refuge....and knowing all along one can always find refuge and strength in God.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

What an endearing and engrossing story!!
I'm completely in awe of the author's research and craftsmanship.

Vivienne Rivard has seen her beloved France torn apart. And who would have guessed her profession as a lacemaker destines her to the guillotine. And so she is forced to run for her life to America, a country that's just gone through their own revolution and might just be finally enjoying the peacefulness long fought for.

But a world divided is what she encounters. When justice and equality don't meet expectations, what are the costs people will be willing to take once again? This upside-down world breaks Liam Delaney's heart, who ardently fought for revolution and second chances. Until when will he be able to see pointless violence still coating his beloved land without voicing against it?

Enthralling. Deluge. Gutwrenching. Solemn. These are words that come to mind when I think about this book. To read it and not pause, reflect, and feel for each story told is to close yourself from empathy.
I loved how the author chose different point of views to tell the story. It enriched, infuriated and kept it on the edge of my seet many times being one to see a greater picture than just what the main character was seeing.

The place Vienne expected to be her refuge will come with more surprises and responsibilities than she could ever imagine. But life is a choice and justice and lawlessness, forgiveness and bitterness, anger and gentleness are not on the same side, one must chose here to stand.  And Liam (oh endearing, even if slower-than-a-slug Liam), alongside a young boy, a one-eyed man and a freed slave might be just be with whom she'll finally figure out where to find refuge Or, better yet, in Who.

He fought for revolution. She was outcasted because of revolution. Can they still find common ground?

"Law and liberty. Order and freedom. It was all a tangled mess".
A deluge. That's a perfect word to describe this book.
The fight for liberty is for equality, freedom, justice. Or isn't it? If we stop and look at the costs can this truly be what was fought for?

Vivienne Rivard and Liam Delaney were on different sides of revolutions oceans apart. Who would dream the influence one would have on the other? So, when Vivienne arrives in America as a refugee, will she truly find the refuge she's after? Or will a country deeply scarred by separatism, now between its own people, bring violence to Vivienne's life once again?

The setting of this book is a world in madness. Countries that will never be what they once were or what they were expected to become. People grieving what was left behind, having to come to terms that their expectations might never be. There seems to be no time to take a breath, enjoy the peacefulness brought by ardently fought liberty. Injustice and persecution seem to never go away. Will there ever be a respite? And how can one finally find sanctuary with deception lurking at every corner?

The description and setting of this book are amaaaaazing! Truly, it was like I could feel every emotion, taste all the tavern's goodness, hear the wilderness surrounding Asylum.
The plot is completely absorbing and realistic. It's gutwrenching and heartbreaking at times, but also solemn and pleasant as you see the faithfulness with which the characters take up a task and forgiveness being wound into lives tainted by loss and abandonment. 
And the romance. Though Liam might be slower-than-a-slug suiter (not to act, mind you, but to notice he has a chance), he's quite endearing. And his honorable ways might just tip Vivienne over the edge as to her independent life. Believe that a partnership and friendship might just be possible for the most unlikely people.

“God is the creator, is He not?” she had said. “So when we create, even if it is a mere length of lace and not the stars in the heavens, we honor Him. We bear His likeness when we work.”
                                                                                           -Tante Rose

Jocelyn Green once again stuns us with a riveting tale of two people from very different backgrounds striving to make a new life for themselves. Vivienne Rivard, a strong, courageous young lacemaker from the courts of Paris escapes Revolutionary France just in time to save herself while Liam Delaney, a young Irish American who fought during the Revolutionary War, struggles with a changing young America. 

The story moves at a rapid pace through Revolutionary France to the shores of Philadelphia where Vivienne lands in the spring of 1794.  As their paths intersect in Philadelphia, both characters have their core values and morals tested. Vivienne grapples with a lack of self-esteem due to her parentage and the frightening effects of the Revolution on her personal life. Liam battles with an overwhelming sense of  responsibility for family and a conflicted conscience regarding independence and a need for laws and taxes in the new government. 

Once again I enjoyed Ms. Green’s use of historical detail about an obscure place in American history, French Azilum, Pennsylvania. The settlement was very real and existed along the banks of the Susquehanna River. Her many historical particulars included are the Whiskey rebellion, French Azilum, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Marie Antoinette. 

Morals and integrity are displayed throughout the story which also leaves the reader with a comforting sense of inspiration and faith. The themes of family, home, belonging, and responsibility stand strong all through the novel. Read this intriguing tale of the post Revolutionary War America to find out how Vivienne and Liam find a way to move on with their lives during a complex time in history. I loved this book and hope you will too! A truly inspiring read for fans of historical fiction, inspirational fiction, and romance!

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
5/5

I really loved reading this story. Historical Fiction at it's finest. Half way though the novel I found myself googling the Whisky Rebellion, and at the end I was looking up information on the French Azilum (or Asylum) in Pennsylvania! What a fascinating ride from Paris to Pennsylvania. So much of the framework of the story comes straight from the pages of history. From the French Revolution to the place for French refugees seeking Asylum in America, this novel expertly weaves themes of revolution, tyranny and freedom in the story line, as well as having the characters discover who they are in light of family, faith, and all the political upheavals happening around them. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I would be surprised by a twist. I really enjoyed A Refuge Assured and highly recommend it!

Another wonderful book by Jocelyn Green "A Refuge Assured". Rich in history, it is set during the French Revolution and the Whiskey Rebellion in America. Vivienne Rivard escapes from France because she has no more family and she is a lacemaker. A profession that is no longer acceptable and will lead to her death. But America isn't safe either especially after her friend dies and she agrees to care for her son. People believe he could be the young king of France in hiding and that puts both their lives in danger. She meets Liam Delany who helps get them to safety, or so they think. So many things happen in the book affecting the lives of many. A wonderful story. Looking forward to more books from Ms. Green.

I received this e-book from the publisher/author for my review. All opinions are my own.

Once again history has come alive to me in reading this fabulous book. It is rich in detail about what the world was like at that time. The French Revolution was felt as far away as America. Paris was red with the blood of the martyers when Vivienne fled to Philadelphia. Fascinating to me, were the feelings of some of those who lived in America and their willingness to carry out dastardly deeds that should have horrified them. The Whiskey Run and mail delivered by horseback were all part of life at that time, as was the settlement of lands many miles from the busy cities. Was there to be a refuge for those that needed it the most?
I received an early copy of this book from Netgalley with no obligation to post a positive review.

Jocelyn Green does a remarkable job of writing page-turning historical fiction with ample action and romantic interests.  She accomplishes this while still allowing her strong personal faith to shine through the actions and thoughts of the characters.  Her new novel, A Refuge Assured, follows this tradition.   Vivienne Rivard is a lace maker in France during the French revolution.  She is forced to flee for her life to America.  She is creating a comfortable life for herself in America when custody of a small boy is forced on her.  Her life is once again in danger when the lad appears to be Louis-Charles, the “Lost King”.  Ill equipped to take care of a small child, she struggles to make a home and protect him in this new country.

Although the people in this story are fictional, the places, events and emotions are real.  The plot is sufficiently complex to keep you engaged but not so much as to confuse you.  It is well thought out and there is enough unpredictability to keep you turning pages.   The three main characters are well developed and you are engaged with them, feeling their hopes, fears and sentiments.

I loved this book and couldn’t stop reading.  Ms. Green writes a wonderful novel that can be enjoyed by all ages, young and old and I highly recommend it.

I have been eagerly looking forward to reading this book. The combination of the French Revolution with the struggles of the early American government captured my attention and <I> A Refuge Assured </I> delivers and exceeds my expectations. 
The book is filled with historical detail, but it's never overwhelming. The plot is quick paced and interesting, and the characters will linger after the last page is closed. 
I enjoyed every word of this book and eagerly await her next one!

A Refuge Assured, written by Jocelyn Green, is another lovely read by this author. From the lace being made in France to the lace being made in a small refuge in Pensylvania, we are taken on a journey of words at the ends of our fingertips as each page turns to see, hear, and experience the trauma of the French Revolution that didn't cease when these French escaped to America. We also felt the deep relationships that were built, crushed, wished for, and sometimes saw them successful in not just passion of country but of heart. From innocent children to grown adulterous men, we saw God's protection and plan worked out each step of the way.
My favorite characters were Vivienne as she is the epitome of a strong courageous woman. And Liam...yep, just have to love him! He was a school teacher, turned militiaman, turned farmsteader... willing to help grow minds, grow crops,  and of course, defend those who needed it most. He gave up so much and still was willing to give more. The exact man I'd want for my daughters! <3
This is a heavy historical read with just the right amount of romance. It's not a light read. It is lovely in all aspects. It is truly inspirational in that God never gives up on people. Just like thread is on a bobbin waiting to be used for the queen's lace, so are we to be turned into what He wants us to become because of His great love for us. 
I was given an ARC by the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

In her second novel about French immigrants to the New World, Green takes us into the horror of the French Revolution and the reign of terror—where a woman can lose her head because she makes lace. Vivienne Rivard, daughter of a courtesan, and raised by her lacemaker aunt, manages to escape her aunt’s fate by fleeing to the mother she scarcely knows. As the violence intensifies, her mother’s condition worsens. Vienne discovers an invitation from one of her mother’s friends to escape to America. When he mother passes away, Vienne takes it as a sign that she should escape before some neighbor turns her over to the Committee and Madame Guillotine. 

When she arrives at the coast, her mother’s friend is not what she expected. She manages purchase passage to Philadelphia, where she hopes to start a new life—free of the tyranny of the revolution that has taken everyone she knows from her. 

William Delaney, Irishman, carpenter, soldier, and faithful brother, worries about his younger cousin’s involvement in the whiskey trade. He worries that Washington’s nascent government, not understanding the needs of farmers in the west, will cause Finn and other farmers to openly rebel against the tax on whisky. And Liam has seen enough of war and revolution. He only wants to settle peacefully on his tract of land outside the remote village of Asylum and work the land of his dreams. 

William and Vivienne cross paths in Philadelphia, when he defends her from the unwanted opinions of a Jacobin who lauds the Revolution at a party. Vivienne distrusts anyone who fails to understand the depravity of the Revolution. 

As Vivienne struggles to find her place in America, circumstances seem to conspire against her.  Can she find safety in her new country? Who can she trust in a world where everything is not what it seems? 

Rich with historical research, the reader comes away with a better understanding of the French Revolution and the Whisky Rebellion (who would have thought to connect the two?).