"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

"The Lost Castle" by Kristy Cambron - three moving storylines interwoven around a French chateau

When Ellie's grandma, dying of Alzheimer's, reveals hints of a life Ellie never knew existed, she takes an impulsive trip to France to find out the rest of her story. Viola spent part of WWII hidden near a crumbling French chateau, a castle that had been burned once during the French Revolution, and then again not long before WWII. This is the story how the lives of three women--in the present, WWII, and the French Revolution--were profoundly affected by the fairy tale-like castle, Chateau de Doux Reves.

My problem with there being three storylines is that I wish they could each be a novel in their own right. But doubling or tripling the length of the book would work too. (For the record, this is my biggest complaint with the book--it simply wasn't long enough. I wanted more.) The three storylines are nicely interwoven, tied together by the crumbling, neglected castle.

Ellie's storyline--the present--was perhaps the hardest for me. She's dealing with her dying grandma, and it is only two years since I lost my own grandma, who was named Violet (very similar to Ellie's grandma Viola) and also also took part in WWII (though safe in a Nebraskan airplane factory, not with the French Resistance). So that aspect of it hit a little close to home. But I could also sympathize with Ellie's journey, as I also, on my first trip overseas, visited France, and it was definitely an experience.

Vi's storyline--WWII--is the most suspenseful and danger-filled. Her adventures in France, what brought her to France--all are exciting. I had a pretty good inkling where this story was going from early on, so I spent the story steeled for what I was pretty sure was bound to happen. And I was basically right.

Avaline's story--the French Revolution--was my favorite, in part because of my long love of The Scarlet Pimpernel and partly because it felt the most fairy-tale-ish, but mainly because I really liked her character. She's smart and makes a point to understand the politics of the day, but she's also incredibly generous--both unusual for a young woman of her station. She's also very honorable; even after her injuries and being separated from her fiance, she remains true to him.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the free e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Lost Castle
1. The Lost Castle
2. Castle on the Rise
3. The Painted Castle

"Fairchild's Lady" by Roseanna M. White

The novella sequel to her Ring of Secrets, Roseanna M. White focuses on the unlucky-in-love British officer General Isaac Fairchild.  For anyone who has read Baroness Emmuska Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel (and subsequent novels), I highly recommend this novella, which sets up and commences the French Revolution.  Like the Scarlet Pimpernel himself, Fairchild knows that trouble is brewing between the citizens and aristocrats of France, and he is on a mission to whisk a woman and her daughter safely to England before revolution breaks out. 

While in Ring of Secrets we glimpsed Fairchild's gentlemanly demeanor and sense of honor, in this novella we see why Fairchild is general material - he is wise, strong, unafraid to fight for right, and able to learn from his mistakes. Though he is an officer and will defend those in his protection with his life, his sorrow over war is very clear.  I found him a man worthy of great respect.

The historical aspects of the novella are intriguing - we glimpse the corrupted morals of the French aristocracy - after all, Julienne is trapped in a betrothal with a cruel and powerful man whose own wife is not yet dead, and it is acceptable! - and the aristocrats' obstinate refusal to believe that anything could change their way of life, even a mere peasant rebellion. 

My main complaint is that it is a novella and not a full length novel.  Admittedly it is one of the best action-packed novellas I have read, and the romance fits the pace of the story, but I feel we miss out on more of the character development, particularly Julienne, since at least we are acquainted with Fairchild from Secrets.  For that, I give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

The Culper Ring:
1. Ring of Secrets
1.5. Fairchild's Lady (novella)
2. Whispers from the Shadows
2.5. "A Hero's Promise" (short story)
3. Circle of Spies