Lacemaker Vivienne Rivard never imagined her craft could threaten her life. Yet in revolutionary France, it is a death sentence when the nobility, and those associated with them, are forced to the guillotine. Vivienne flees to Philadelphia but finds the same dangers lurking in the French Quarter, as revolutionary sympathizers threaten the life of a young boy left in her care, who some suspect to be the Dauphin. Can the French settlement, Azilum, offer permanent refuge?
Militiaman Liam Delaney proudly served in the American Revolution, but now that the new government has imposed an oppressive tax that impacts his family, he barely recognizes the democracy he fought for. He wants only to cultivate the land of his hard-won farm near Azilum, but soon finds himself drawn into the escalating tension of the Whiskey Rebellion. When he meets a beautiful young Frenchwoman recently arrived from Paris, they will be drawn together in surprising ways to fight for the peace and safety for which they long.
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Summary
From: Rebecca Maney
Book Title: A Refuge Assured
Book Author: Jocelyn Green
What do you like about this book:
"So when we create, even it if is a mere length of lace and not the stars in the heavens, we honor Him. We bear His likeness when we work."
And so, French lace makers Vivienne Rivard and her Tante Rose, worked tirelessly to create the exquisite lace that graced the clothing and furnishings of the queen herself, until a violent revolution separates them forever. Fleeing France, Vivienne boards a ship bound for America and determines to re-establish herself in Philadelphia where the French Quarter is seething with opinions about the fallen monarchy, unsettling Vivienne's peace of mind about her new home.
Liam Delaney is a patriot of the American Revolution and travels to Philadelphia regularly from his farm in Asylum, stopping to visit his sister at their family's Four Winds Tavern. He cannot help but notice the lovely young woman whom he met briefly at a local ball, but who is now accepting his assistance after an unruly parade crowd injures her escort. Learning about her newly acquired skills in the kitchen, Liam's sister hires Vivienne as the tavern's baker, providing her with much needed income to support herself and the young child she has become responsible for.
As rebellion swirls around an exorbitant whiskey tax, and continued violence causes Vivienne to worry about the mistaken identity of her ward, she is desperate to find a place of refuge. In spite of the fact that she and Liam have politely sparred about the merits of revolution, when lives are at stake will Vivienne concede that Liam is a man to be trusted?
"A Refuge Assured" is a magnificent display of history, expertly knitted into the fabric of a story whose characters are full of courage, intelligence, loyalty and compassion; making them totally unforgettable and fondly remembered.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
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