"A Refuge Assured" by Jocelyn Green--strong story, richly detailed, and with much to make one think

In revolutionary France, Lacemaker Vivienne Renard finds herself condemned to the guillotine by virtue of her profession, if she should be denounced. Making an escape to America, Vivienne finds herself embroiled in the American Whiskey Rebellion--and still not far from the danger of Jacobite sympathizers. When a young boy who some believe might be the Dauphin comes into her care, Vivienne will do everything she can to care for him, but it's hard to know whom to trust. Liam Delaney finds himself pulled both ways in the Whiskey Rebellion, when all he wants is to own and settle on his own land. Drawn together in the turmoil, will Vivienne and Liam find the peace and refuge they long for?

As always, Jocelyn Green delivers an in-depth historical read that doesn't hesitate to dig into the wrongs perpetrated by humanity. However, as heated as the issues are, they don't take away from a moving and fascinating story.

Oddly, as an American, I knew nothing about the Whiskey Rebellion, yet have studied and read quite a bit on the French Revolution, which made this book an eye-opener. And after reading this, my conclusion about the French Revolution--and now additionally the Whiskey Rebellion--is that this is what happens when God is taken from the picture. In trying to right a wrong, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes"--and in doing so, compounded the wrongs. I can understand Liam's struggle with balancing freedom with obedience to government, because the lines are not always clear-cut. The side in the right doesn't always DO right. And sometimes each side is in the right and wrong at the same time. Conclusion: this is a book to really make you think and reconsider politics versus morality.

While there are a lot of questions in the story, there is also a lot of beauty. I really appreciated how things turn out for Vivienne and Armand. Liam is a fantastic hero--both a rule-follower, yet not afraid to break the rules (odd combination, but he manages it!). The author really fleshes out her world, so that whichever the setting, it feels like we're there with them. A pleasure to read!

Thank you Bethany House for a free book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Related novel: The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz