A Refuge Assured
Written by Jocelyn Green
Narrated by Carine Montbertrand
4.5/5
()
About this audiobook
Jocelyn Green
Former military wife Jocelyn Green is an award-winning author of multiple books, including Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives, and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front, which inspired her Civil War novels Wedded to War and Widow of Gettysburg. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Military Writers Society of America, Christian Authors Network, and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with her incredibly supportive husband and two adorable children. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
More audiobooks from Jocelyn Green
A River Between Us Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Mark of the King Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Free to Lean: Making Peace with Your Lopsided Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 5 Love Languages: Military Edition: The Secret to Love That Lasts Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to A Refuge Assured
Related audiobooks
The Lacemaker Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What I Promise You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWedded to War Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Mosaic of Wings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dreams of Savannah Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Veiled in Smoke Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shadows of the White City Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Tea Chest Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tidewater Bride Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Heart's Appeal Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Rebel Heart Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5As Dawn Breaks Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Spy of Richmond Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yankee in Atlanta Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Crossed Lines Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5An Hour Unspent Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love's Reckoning Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Prince of Spies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Widow of Gettysburg Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lost Heiress Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Drawn by the Current Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Reckless Love Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yesterday's Tides Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5For Such a Time Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Life Once Dreamed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Circle of Spies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Heart Adrift: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yours Truly, Thomas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Captain's Daughter Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Lady Unrivaled Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christian Fiction For You
Hind's Feet on High Places Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Great Divorce Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lamb Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Divine Comedy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stranger in the Lifeboat: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lilith Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Redeeming Love Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pilgrim's Progress: Updated, Modern English Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Water Keeper Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This Present Darkness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sugar Birds: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When Crickets Cry Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tale of Three Kings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Green Ember: The Green Ember Book I Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Harbinger II: The Return Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Vintage Christmas: A Collection of Classic Stories and Poems Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Six Creepy Stories by Edgar Allan Poe Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chasing Fireflies: A Novel of Discovery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Visitation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Voice in the Wind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5As One Devil to Another: A Fiendish Correspondence in the Tradition of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Oracle: The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Babel: The Story of the Tower and the Rebellion of Man Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book Of Jasher: The Authentic Annals of The Early Hebrews. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Letter Keeper Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Trial: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Circle Series: Black/Red/White/Green Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for A Refuge Assured
22 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I'm pretty sure that met all my high expectations. And exceeded them in some ways. This book was just so beautiful, and I will definitely be reading more by this talented author!
The characters. Just wow! The MCs, Vivienne and Liam, both had such depth, and were such real, relatable characters. I loved Vienne's willingness to serve others and provide for herself and others, yet it wasn't in a feministic way. And Liam . . . he was such a gentleman, and his struggles with rightwrong in regards to freedom and the Revolution . . . so good! Henri was also adorable! The first scene in his POV threw me off a bit, but I actually really liked getting into his head and hearing his perspective. The supporting cast was also fabulous.
The writing. My word! I absolutely fell in love with Green's beautiful writing style. Her descriptions were so vivid and had me feeling like I was living in the story, yet they weren't overly wordy.
The story. So so good! Initially it took me a little bit to get interested, but after a few chapters, things really started picking up and I couldn't put it down. The comparisons between the American and the French Revolutions were so fascinating and enlightening. I feel like the time period and setting this book is written in (1790s America) is not touched upon a whole lot in fiction, so it just made it all the more fascinating. I loved the amount of rich history Green throws into the story. I love learning something new while reading fiction, and Green kept the history far from dry or boring.
The romance. *happy sigh* So beautiful! This is exactly the kind of romance I love to read - slow, sweet, and beautiful.
I really don't have much to complain about with this story, but if I were to mention one thing, it would be the dialogue. It felt slightly too modern for the time period at times, but not terribly so.
All in all, I absolutely loved A Refuge Assured, it is definitely getting a place of honor on my bookshelf! Highly recommended, especially if you love beautiful historical romance.
One more note: That cover is swoon-worthy gorgeous! You definitely need to get a paperback copy if you read this book! <33
CONTENT NOTE: I would recommend this for ages 16 for descriptions of violence and adult themes. During the beginning, there are some descriptions of violence pertaining to the French Revolution that were pretty graphic. I skimmed over most of them. Also, Vivienne's mother is a prostitute, and had Vivienne out of wedlock. There are mentions pertaining to that, and her mother suggests Vivienne become a courtesan as well at a point. Also a few semi-detailed kisses. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was another novel I chose to read because of its beautiful front cover, and I really enjoyed learning about the French Revolution and the struggles the aristocrats faced when they arrived in America. The book was well-researched with a well-written plot.Vivienne was a strong, determined and very likeable character who escaped the France after her beloved aunt was guillotined for making lace for Marie Antoinette. I admired the fact that she wasn't afraid of hard work, willingly took care of an orphaned child and wanted to move forward in her new home so it would not be just another Paris, as many of the aristocrats were trying to achieve. Instead she embraced the desolation of the land and learnt first to survive, then thrive, despite the harsh realities and setbacks she had to continually endure. I also liked Liam who was dependable, intelligent, kind and stubborn. He genuinely strived to do what was right although sometimes he struggled with the grey areas in his life. He and Vivienne's romance was charming and believable, and I was cheering for them from the start.However, my favourite character was young Henri who became Vivienne's charge when his mother died. He was very well-written and such a charming child. I felt sorry for his loss and his desire to be reunited with his best friend. There was also a touch of mystery surrounding him as people began to wonder if he was or was not, the young French King, Louis-Charles.Rich in history with political and personal tensions, strong characters, triumphs and failures, and a well-paced plot, A Refuge Assured was an enjoyable read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jocelyn 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.(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green, is a wonderful, terrible, haunting story of orphans, guarded hearts, and an unusual view of the French Revolution. I have never actually heard of the French Revolution in which case there is any sympathy for Louis VXI and Marie Antoinette. Green takes the time to straighten out a few misconceptions and share a recent finding I’d never heard.Sadness ruled inside me as I read about the savagery of the French Revolution. Green well portrays the beauty of nature, Paris, and eventually, America. Yet she also conveys the fear that is begotten in the streets of Paris and meant for the king and his courtiers. I connected very well with Vivienne and felt the fear of The Age of Reason, a fear as strong as an inescapable skunk odor. This fear can be felt, tasted, and smelled before the tragedy actually descends. Transversing the ocean brings temporary relief, but as in real life, Vivienne’s fears and enemies catch up with her. While there is not yet any guillotine in America, there are the Jacobins, ready to turn in any who might be loyal to the French crown. Two men are like leeches to Vivienne. Does either have her best at heart? What of Liam, the Irishman?“Hold your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Perhaps that would be one piece of advice I would give both Liam and Vivienne. Who can be trusted? This question permeates the book. Finally, both Liam and Vivienne find the greatest One in Whom to put their faiths. Green does a masterful work as she shows that those who don’t know and understand history are doomed to repeat it. In America, with the Revolutionary War just over, a new unrest has started over a whiskey tax. Americans are ready to revolt, following the example of the French in their revolution, who followed, to some degree, the example of the Americans’ rebellion against England. I will read this book over many times. It is worth it. Highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. No positive review is required, and all opinions are solely my own.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5From the very first page of A Refuge Assured I was enthralled with the grace of word-smithing that the author used to describe people, places, and events. Beautiful! They came alive. You felt the wind, saw the grass sway, experienced the cold. This is not a book to skip through. No, you'll want to savor the writing. Not only the writing, though, as you will find Jocelyn Green is an astute researcher and conveyor of the history that makes the story realistic. The time shortly after the end of the American Revolution was a harsh time for the newly formed country. People were trying to settle into life in this brand new land and politics and governing were in the formative stage. At this time across the Atlantic, the country of France was experiencing its own revolution. It was a bloody, horrific time for aristocrats, royalists, and even merchants who plied their trades with the hated upper class.This story is not about the war on the battlefield with guns, cannons, and sabras. It is a war of conflict, fear, exile, petty differences, new politics, and misplaced directions. It is hard. It is fearful. It is a beautiful rendering of the times.Some major points in the story are:--French Revolution--Mystery of the child-king, the Dauphin--Whiskey Rebellion and America's resistance to the excise tax on whiskey--Expatriates of France settling into a hidden community tucked away in the wilds of Pennsylvania as DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own, alone, and are freely given.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This has to have been one of my favorite books so far this year. I did not want to put this book down. I did not know much about the French Revolution or the refugees that made it to the United States. This taught me a lot about this time period in the United States. I knew nothing about the Whiskey Rebellion until I read this book. I loved the characters. I look forward to many more books by Jocelyn Green. I received this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.