This is my first book to read by this author and I can say I hope it won't be my last. Green is an excellent writer and I certainly enjoyed this historical inspirational fiction. It was educational  to read of the French revolution and what brought the french to America and also the revolutionary war here in America. The main female character, Vivieene  Rivard  begins her life in France where she is a lace maker for the queen and other aristocrats.  Left all alone and in danger of loosing her life, she flees to America.  There she learns new skills to support herself, as no one is buying lace.  Without wanting to, she becomes involved in things of the revolution that she has no desire to. All the ins and out makes an interesting read,  This is a great book about a little know period in American history. There are also some little known details and perspective on the French Revolution.         
I received a copy from the Netgalley and the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

Vivienne barely escapes the French Revolution with her life. A lace maker, she' is now considered a threat to the rabid revolutionaries who find new ways to satisfy their blood lusts. A letter from a stranger offering safe passage brings her face to face with a long-lost father- a man who dallied with her mother. Together, they sail for America. However, Vivienne quickly realizes that the French are divided in the US. Some sport the hated colors of the revolution and others quietly try to fade away while pining for a lost way of life in France. In time, Vivienne encounters an American patriot, Liam, who supports the Whiskey rebellion. Ideas of freedom clash between the two since both have experienced tyranny. Romance blooms, albeit slowly. It's more of a side note in this historical drama. The plot focuses on family and community relationships. A mysterious child, who may or may not be royal, brings further intrigue and danger. The revolution inclined French are determined to hunt the child down and destroy the last link to the throne.

This novel is wonderful. Heavy at times, yet always thought-provoking. Vivienne brings a unique perspective to the idea of liberty. The descriptions of the French carnage is appalling and chilling when examining current regimes where freedom and thought are suppressed. Vivienne grapples with her relationship with her courtesan mother and absent father. It's a marvelous look at reconciling relationships.

As Vivienne notes, "Good men can make bad choices." Even revolutions can turn evil. A deep theme worth pondering. The end never justifies the mean. In conclusion, Liam is a flawed yet deeply likable hero (Irish, which I love!) and Vivienne is a determined, thoughtful woman wise beyond her years. Highly recommend. 4/5 stars. I was provided a copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Vivienne Rivard has never known the life of the privileged French court. But the French Revolution has not followed the path of its American counterpart, and the country now lives in daily violence, and now she, her aunt, and other artisans that have sold their crafts to the court are in mortal danger. When an offer of refuge in America comes, the young lacemaker takes it, not really knowing who is extending it. Although Vivienne struggles to find a way to support herself in the new American states, she makes a place for herself. As the months pass, she finds that other French refuges are not so eager to put the bloody revolution behind them. Some side with the the revolutionaries, still eager to dispense with anyone who had any ties with the palace. Others wish for the young prince's survival, ready to believe every rumor that he still lives. When Vivienne finds herself guardian for a shy, ill-nourished little boy after his mother dies, she must consider the outlandish possibility that he could be the prince Louis. Helping the beautiful lacemaker find her way in America is Liam Delaney, who had served honorably with General Washington and Alexander Hamilton during America's fight for freedom. As the young republic fights to find its footing, Liam finds himself torn between diverging viewpoints and wonders when one should stand up and fight again.

Jocelyn Green has taken two different events - America's Whiskey Rebellion and France's bloody revolution and shown how they were intertwined I remember the mention of the Whiskey Rebellion in US History courses, but it was just recently that I learned that farmers relied on sales of whiskey because it was more economical to transport than the actual crops. They saw the tax as a penalty against their ability to earn a living. Green aptly portrays the disputes over the fairness of these new laws, all the while telling a great story of strength, moral choices, and love. I received a copy of this title from Netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are mine.

You know that moment when you finish a book and you know that what it spoke to you is not what it did not probably any other reader. Ever. Oh, that doesn't happen to you? Well, perhaps I'm just weird but from random time to time it happens to me. When I sat down to read 'A Refuge Assured' I was expecting an interesting historical romance with a touch of intrigue or even a bit of action-type stuff. I mean, it's the second book about a French lacemaker set around the time of the American Revolution I've read this year. There was the twist of the child who may or may not be the smuggled out future King of France during their revolution. I figured that would bring about that intrigue and actionish stuff. I mean I totally got that book. But that's not what I took away from the book.

Everywhere you go there is greed and envy. No matter what time period of life you look at or what geographical location or even race and creed of people you study; greed and envy. Greed and envy breeds hate. And when a group of people band together in their hate even the innocents are not safe. Any time something is undertaken due to greed or envy then nothing is sacred. Hate brings hate. Individuals may not hate the same things or even for the same reasons but hate is contagious. Hate breeds hate. This book was written, ultimately, because of hate. When people band together through shared hate innocent people stand to lose everything, including their lives, because of it. Hate has no reasoning skills, hate has no rationale, hate fuels itself through added hate. A young woman, Vivienne, sneaks out of France, not with a title or as nobility, but because she is a lacemaker. She is not the object of their hate but an innocent who is running for her life. A child, Henri, who has not yet had time to make enemies of his own or make mistakes to fuel others aggression toward him, but his life is in danger because of who they think he might be. Not who he is but by the thought that he could be the future king of France.

This book gave me amazing characters set with a well-researched backdrop of the French Revolution set in America just after their successful fight for freedom. I see the parallels between the rationale of the separate revolutions and it's hard to understand how to take sides. I'm sure people felt the same way even then. I promise this book is not about greed and envy and hate. That is just the wonky way my mind worked as I read this book. Well told with strong characters and a strong story-line this book is pretty amazing. I'd highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a light historical romance. While it is Christian fiction it is subtly woven into the threads of the story and enhances it overall instead of detracts (which is a pet peeve of mine!).

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House, NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

What I Loved: From the very first chapter, I recalled just why I love Green’s writing so much. She has a way of bringing history, romance, action, and God’s truth together in one enthralling package. A Refuge Assured was a ride from start to finish. The pages kept turning with tension lurking around every corner.
I appreciate how she brings the harsh realities of life to bear on the characters without discrimination. For more sensitive readers, they would like to know that Green has a bit more of a graphic nature. A Refuge Assured deals with some difficult violence in the first few chapters but things mellow out into a more comfortable level. Don’t mistake me, I wouldn’t say it was outside of Christian Fiction bounds, but, for those who are uncomfortable with violence, especially those who are unfamiliar with the realities of the French Revolution, some of those scenes may come as a shock to you. I wouldn’t say Green glorified in the violence but she did bring the reality of it to the reader’s attention.
The spiritual aspect was on the lighter side and only really came into focus at the end of the novel. However, the characters often sought God throughout their trials.
The romance was endearing. But I’d say it was the history that really took center stage. I’m fairly new to the French Revolution so there were new details to learn here. From the start, I felt like I was able to view history through the eyes of someone who walked through it, and that’s what Historical Fiction should do for the reader. One of the rare aspects of the French Revolution was how it colored things here in America. I found this very interesting and learned a great deal about my early country.

Rating and Recommendation: I highly recommend it for those who enjoy general Historical Fiction, fiction featuring the French Revolution or Post American Revolution, and for the Christian Historical Fiction fan. I’m giving it 5 stars.
I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green is an epic Christian historical novel that blends fact and fiction into a thrilling story that grips from the start.
The action moves from revolutionary France to the shores of America. It is about a search for safety and to belong. Forever running and looking over one's shoulder is no way to live. America is fraught with difficulties as the search for Louis Charles continues there. No matter what we are running from or where we are running to, there is no safer place to be than in the arms of Jesus. He can be trusted and always hears us when we pray. "Trust that He hears you when you pray."
Parenting is another major theme. We cannot choose our earthly parents but we can choose God, Our Father who longs to know and love us. He is waiting for us to say yes to Him. He lovingly pursues us. This is mirrored within the story as an earthly father can be seen as a motif for God's pursuit of us. He runs after his child, against all the odds. Rejection after rejection but still he desires the love of his child. And this too is the Father's heart for us. He pursues us relentlessly and will not let us go. Forever looking out for our welfare, whether we realise it or not.
The sins of the parents do not pass to the next generation. "You're not stained by the sins of your parents." Neither are we destined to repeat them.
Fear and distrust are prevalent in times of war. America was flooded by those escaping revolutionary France. There were those too who would not let the distance stop them from pursuing and killing those they believed to be the aristocracy. There were good people too. "Women intent on making a difference, one person at a time." We are called to notice others and to "be instruments of grace in" their lives. In times of trouble, people band together and help where they can.
The characters were comprehensively drawn. They were likable and wove their way into my heart. I cared what happened to them. Real historical figures interacted with fictional ones.
I was educated too in the facts of the French Revolution - how ordinary people had their lives and livelihoods disrupted. Fleeing to America did not necessarily bring safety as some were still hunted down. America was recovering from war with the British and French.
A Refuge Assured was a fabulous read. It entertained, educated and horrified. Minute detail bumped up against the bigger picture to produce a cracking story. A Refuge Assured is a meaty read to really get your teeth into. I loved it.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This is a poignant story rich in history, detail, hardships, overcoming circumstances, and knowing who to trust (besides the Lord, and including the Lord). It’s early in the year, so for me to say this is the best book of the year does not do it enough justice. But it is. Which is too bad for all the other books I am going to read this year, because this is going to be tough to beat.

First, I need to touch on the details. Jocelyn Green is a wealth of knowledge, and luckily for us shares so much of this knowledge with us in this book. The attention to detail she puts in every sentence is outstanding. You can see and feel your surroundings in historic France. You can hear the war in the background in historic Pennsylvania. You can place yourself amongst historic figures like Alexander Hamilton; you can experience what life was like as a lacemaker in a time and place where that was not acceptable; and you can see what it means to leave everything you know and go out into a new world. You should also prepare yourself to learn something new, because you will. Even fiction novels can provide information to what happened in the past. Yes, some of it is dramatized, but it was evident how much time and research that Jocelyn Green put into this book to bring the time period and characters to life.

And bring them to life she did. Vivienne and Liam are wonderfully charming, stubborn, fearless, and brave. You can’t help but cheer them on, both separately and together. I would have loved to bake with Vivienne and hear stories about France, or join Liam in meetings to see his passion for doing what is right. You learn so much about them over the course of the book that you feel like their friend. Their family. In fact, I was so sad to see the book end, because I didn’t want their story to end. But, the great thing is that I still have them with me in this book. I can open the pages and revisit them whenever I want. And trust me, I will!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vivienne lives in dangerous times. As a professional lace
maker during the French Revolution, she knows that she is an easy target for the revolutionaries. After all, has she not made her living working for the aristocracy? More seriously, her own mother is a courtesan- a fact which never ceases to shame Vienne.


When the aunt who took her in is killed on the guillotine, Vienne escapes to look after her mother- but when her mother dies of sickness, Vienne has nowhere left to go. All that she has left is a note to her mother, promising a new life in America, signed with a single letter. When she seeks out the one who wrote the note, she finds both escape from France but also a permanent reminder of what she has lost.




In Philadelphia, Vienne discovers that danger has followed her. Not only that, but the stakes are much higher- and no one, least of all her, knows the complete truth. The one man who might help her has his own reasons for not wanting to do so.

A Refuge Assured deals with interesting questions. Should all laws be obeyed? If people are free to disobey tyrannical laws, what will the outcome be? If some people can be above the law, what does this mean for society? Do good men have an obligation to disobey the law if the law is wrong? For Vivienne and her companions, these questions are not simply interesting points of debate. As they have seen in France, life and order in society depend on the answers to these questions. In Philadelphia as well these questions become important as the colonies are increasingly subjected to laws that cause suffering in every day life. The people making the laws do not seem to consider the needs of the people living in the land.

Although this book was not strongly Christian in its plot, it did contain Christian elements throughout. One thought that did make me raise my eyebrows was the conclusion at the end that the French king, queen, and son were certainly in heaven with God. Without knowing what their relationship with God was like in their final moments, I do not feel as certain that we can come to this conclusion.

As to the plotline of A Refuge Assured, Jocelyn Green did an excellent job building suspense throughout the story. The account itself was well researched and contained many historical details without being cumbersome. I found it to be an enjoyable read. I would rate this book a four out of five stars. I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House in order to write an unbiased review.

A REFUGE ASSURED by JOCELYN KING is a historical romance novel taking place during the French Revolution.
Vivienne Rivard is a young lace maker who has to leave her flourishing shop in Paris. Abandoned by her courtesan mother, Sybille, and her mother's married lover, Armand de Champlain, she feels very alone and frightened when Tante Rose and other lace makers are sent to the guillotine for their association with royalty. She manages to escape France and goes by ship to America, first of all to Philadelphia and then to Asylum, a place where French aristocrats are relatively safe from American revolutionaries who have no idea of what is really going on in France, where the revolutionary oath put reason above God.
Vivienne befriends Martine, former lady in waiting to Marie Antoinette, and her son, Henri, at the boarding house in Philadelphia, and takes care of Henri when his mother dies. There is a great deal of intrigue with respect to Henri, and Liam Delaney helps Vivienne keep him safe. Liam, who built the houses at Asylum and farms his land there, is the only person Vivienne trusts implicitly.
It is interesting to see the turmoil in both France and America at that time in history.

After seeing so many raving reviews for this book I can now see why! Jocelyn Green is a new author for me, but I'm so glad I was introduced! At first I struggled because I wasn't sure where the book was going, but then BAM! Plot Twist! (Nope, sorry not spoiling). In truth, it's enough to see why the author didn't share more on the back cover. When you don't know what's about to hit, it shocks you even more. The drama and characters felt so real that I felt as if I was standing right beside them. More than once I caught myself gasping or shouting "what??" (This comically not uncommon for me, but a clear indicator that the book is good enough to suck me in). The close of the 1700's was a very dramatic time in history felt around the world. There was a lot of violence and upheaval while people desperately hoped for peace and rest. As the author shared in her notes at the end, while the main characters were purely fictional, many of the characters and events were real to the time. I felt history come alive with each of the character's physical and emotional battles a page at at time. 

This may have been my first book that I've read by Jocelyn Green, but I'm sure it won't be my last! She was able to bring history to life in such a powerful way that I can't wait to read her again! 

*I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in hopes of an honest review. Opinions expressed are mine alone.

I love Jocelyn Green! Her stories are just so...full! You read 100 pages and think, what? only 100 pages in? and alllll this has happened?! I love it!

The story of a French girl fleeing to the US and then setting up in a French area of Philadelphia is something I knew nothing about so the history of it was really interesting to me. The mystery surrounding King Louis was thrilling---I had to stop in the middle and Google him b/c I had to know the real story!! :)

I did get a little bogged down with the whiskey rebellion and felt the way the 2 main characters were thrown together in the end was a bit too handy. But I still couldn't put the book down--it was a lovely story!

This book is definitely a page turner and it is so rich in detail- it really transports you. It takes place during the French Revolution and I never thought about the relationship between events taking place in France so soon after our American Revolution and how that affected things. Though it does take time for information to cross the ocean, it does make it eventually and I cannot imagine witnessing the horrors committed or feeling so trapped.

That being said I took issue with Vivienne's character. It just didn't seem realistic to me that someone who had been through what she had would be so naive and trusting. I would think it would make a person paranoid. **SPOILERS** Without giving too much away, let's just say that she ends up knowing something that could make her a serious political threat. Instead of being proactive and having explanations ready or being very guarded about revealing information, she carelessly has candid conversations in public areas (multiple times), confides in people left and right, and ignores red flags. If I had been her, I would have relocated pretty much immediately to some remote, unrelated place, perhaps multiple times. I would have given myself a new history and started over. From scratch. It just didn't make any sense that she would be so unaware of the constant serious threat to herself and others, which made it frustrating to read, when I kept thinking, "How did you not see this coming?!"

Sometimes, stories will sweep you up into an era and a people that both fascinate and stir the heart with truth. This is all the more special when such a story exhibits historical facts and accuracy which are results of detailed research. Author Jocelyn Green’s latest historical novel, A Refuge Assured, is just such a story. Its characters are as vivid as the tumultuous time frame portrayed: the peak of the French Revolution colliding with post-revolution America. With it, Jocelyn has worked her way onto my list of all-time favorite authors! I highly recommend this historical novel (with a hint of romance) to fans of authors like Lori Benton and Laura Frantz.

A Refuge Assured is an emotionally gripping and immersive story of a search for refuge and peace. With high emotions and multifaceted characters, Jocelyn Green knows how to pen a story that appeals to the heart and displays a bright hope. I felt like I was witness to revolutions and cries for liberty!

The plights of Vivienne, and subsequently Liam, are attention-getting and full of natural ups and downs as they face challenges from their environments, political pressures, family stresses, and personal secrets that determine their paths. The added knowledge that so much REAL historical facts and events are portrayed in this story makes it all the more interesting!

What is true freedom? Is it rooted in a government, a cause, authority? Or, is it found as a child of the King, in His will and freedom to choose His path of forgiveness? These are just a few of the questions a reader might ponder when reading A Refuge Assured. This story is more than a narrative on history with relatable characters, it’s an experience of an era, vivid settings, and the hearts of human beings.

Thank you to the author and publisher, Bethany House, for the complimentary review copy of this book. This is my honest review.

This book was rich with vivid imagery and texture. Wonderfully written. As a writer, I'd love to write like that. As a reader, I was swept away.

What a wonderful story! Jocelyn Green brings history to life through her stories. When I pick up a book, I like to be entertained but I also like to learn new things. I didn’t know a lot about the French refugee’s in America or the Whiskey rebellion. Both are fascinating to read. I feel like this story could have really happened. I could see it in my mind’s eye. All the character’s were so real, it’s hard to remember they aren’t actually real people. I liked most of the character’s because some just could not be liked. Joceleyn Green character’s learn important truths of forgiveness, love, second chances and hope . I think we can learn from these character’s as well.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.

I received this book from the publisher to read and give my honest opinion.

A Refuge Assured is a great Historical (being put in the time of the Civil War era.) you not only get the American revolution in this book you get the French Revolution as well. The book mainly takes place in PA (Pennsylvania. What a nice State. You can tell the author really did her research into the Historical content. How fascinating the things you learn in here your heart is pulled into this book by the characters and their lives, and you appreciate what all they had to go through - but they had GOD on their side. What a warm, heartstring pulling book.

An excellent story full of intriguing characters. I had never considered how far reaching the effects of the French Revolution were or the large influx of French refugees that escaped to America. I was totally immersed in post revolution America and the pages practically turned themselves!

I have read most of Jocelyn Green's books, and found her 2017 Christy Award winning novel, "The Mark of the King," one of my favorite new books of 2017. I eagerly anticipated the release of her newest book, "A Refuge Assured," and was incredibly pleased to be selected by the publisher to receive an early release electronic copy of the book for review purposes. As in her other novels, the author's understanding and attention to detail regarding the historical context is excellent. She understands and beautifully paints the context in which her characters spring to life.

"A Refuge Assured" opens in Paris during the Reign of Terror and vividly portrays the heroine, Vivienne, and her perilous escape from France to the supposed safe haven of post-Revolutionary War Philadelphia. As tensions surrounding both the French Revolution and the Whiskey Rebellion arise in the New World, Vivienne seeks refuge in the French settlement of Asylum, where she discovers intrigue and danger still pursue her and those whom she loves. Jocelyn Green crafts beautiful characters who interact with one another authentically. She develops a plausible plot with historically accurate finesse, which lures readers to continue to turn pages. The relationships between characters are developed slowly, thoughtfully, and more naturally than many typical, predictable historical fiction romances. Jocelyn Green develops a delightful supporting cast of characters, as well, and weaves all of their stories together tenderly. I thoroughly enjoyed "A Refuge Assured" and would recommend it to all lovers of clean, wholesome historical fiction.

Jocelyn Green is a talented writer and one I have enjoyed reading in the past; I eagerly awaited this story both for its plot and the unique characters I was sure to find in this latest release. I was in no way disappointed. This fascinating tale focuses on a woman whose livelihood has marked her for death: she makes lace.

The tension is so high in those first few chapters that I had to remind myself to breathe! The descriptions involving the French Revolution are disturbing; Green does a remarkable job of allowing the reader to view events alongside Vienne, experiencing the horror as the mob paraded down the street shouting, "No more king!"

The characters are multi-layered with warring desires of hiding secrets, hurts that need healing, and simple, daily survival. For example, Vienne is an intriguing mix of pride and humility. She wants to provide for her own needs, is unwilling to accept kindness that may come with strings attached, but she is not above any honest work, as a baker or even a scullery maid. She looks to the future rather than living in the past, embracing her new life in Philadelphia, even as she cannot totally leave her past behind, try though she might.

A prominent theme in this novel is relationships, how we interact with those we love: how we deal with disappointment, grief, and pain, the joy that comes from shared bonds and experiences, forgiveness, accepting the past and moving forward unhindered by bitterness and things that we cannot change. I found myself examining my own life, looking for ways I make my journey more difficult by not releasing old hurts to the Healer.

There is a lot of history within these pages that I was ignorant of before reading this book, specifically, the strong reaction to and support of the French Revolution. Notable historical figures were divided on the issue, but learning Thomas Paine wrote both Common Sense, so important in our own history, and Rights of Man for the French made me curious to learn more about the overlap between the two countries. And the French restructuring and renaming of days, weeks, and even years during this time was also something I had not studied before. A trip to my library is in order, and Green has provided some helpful suggestions at the end for those of us interested in learning more.

A Refuge Assured is a beautifully written book about a troubled time in history, peopled with characters that are relatable and realistic. Some of the decisions they face are unthinkable, and Green does not shy away from the ugly to make the reader more comfortable—but she also gives depth and meaningful motivation to the villains, helping us understand a bit more about the circumstances many lived in during this time.

I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially those interested in France and America's ties to that country during this time. Due to some thematic elements in those early, intense chapters, I recommend it for mature teens and up, but the difficult topics addressed are important reading for anyone willing to learn lessons from the past.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a review copy. A review was not required, and all opinions are my own.