A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green

At Home With The King

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.

JULIA WILSON

 

 

 

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