A Refuge Assured

Like usual Jocelyn Green writes a captivating story that weaves fascinating characters into a tale that illuminated a little-known period of history and causes me to desire to know more. Her depth of research always shines through.

This is an amazing historical novel. I absolutely loved this book. Listed as general fiction, A Refuge Assured takes place in the 1790s. It's a novel for the Christian market, but is never boring or scrubbed of violence. After all, civil wars, uprisings, and historical rebellions tended to be as bloody during the French Revolution--an event that compelled Vivienne to flee the country she loved. This novel isn't for the faint of heart, or those with impressionable minds. Nevertheless, "A Refuge Assured" by Jocelyn Green is a great read for any year.

I enjoyed Vivienne and her story.
I must admit I learned a lot about lace making that I never knew about.
I do want to mention that I didn't really like the cover because I reminds too much of Laura Frantz's book The Lace Maker. They're very similar.
I do like that Green drew me into her story. I loved Vivienne. Her strength and determination made me admire her.
I think the thing I enjoyed most was how the author put her characters through life events and how they came out much better for it. No one is perfect. I like that Green never makes her characters think they are above themselves. (If that makes any sense).
Green makes her characters realistic and I felt their fear and fight for survival coming out across the pages to me.
I felt like I was fleeing with Vivienne. I enjoyed this story through her eyes so to speak.
I highly recommend this book especially for Greens fans. I'm a fan for life!
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.

Beautiful story!! Jocelyn Green is an amazing author whose books keep on getting better! "A Refuge Assured" is the story of a young French woman who is forced to flee her beloved France due to her being a lacemaker (a crime worthy of death in those days). Vivienne goes through so much as we witness her struggles, trials, and joys in America. I learned so much about the French Revolution and the Whiskey Rebellion from this book. The characters really come alive and will stay with you even after you are done reading. It is definitely a page turner brimming with history, romance, and mystery that will keep you up reading late at night! Wonderful work of Christian Fiction!
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a review copy. A review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

Jocelyn Green has a way of bringing history to life that goes far beyond what we learned in school. Her complex characters demonstrate the realities of life during difficult times in history. I had no idea the horrors of living during the French Revolution even if you weren't royalty, and it's hard to imagine the daily struggles of those who tried to escape and start new lives in America.

A Refuge Assured quickly transports the reader to the side of Vivienne Rivard, a business woman (with her aunt) who provides lace to the upper class women and royalty. Because of her association with them she and all who produce the lace are targeted and she barely escapes to Philadelphia in the late 1700s. The book follows her efforts to start over again in a country that is mostly hostile to French refugees. There are many twists and important secondary characters she interacts with that provide a fascinating tale of the struggle to find peace and security.

And along the way you will discover interesting twists on Alexander Hamilton and the Whiskey Rebellion.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a history buff. One of the things I really enjoy about Green's writing is that her books are NOT historical romances. They are first and foremost intriguing historical stories that may include a bit of romance (because that's real life). The stories are incredibly well researched and always examine God's providence and love in a natural, non-preachy way.