Review of A Refuge Assured

Title: A Refuge Assured  

Author: Jocelyn Green 

Chapters: 36 Plus Epilogue 

Pages: 413

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction/ Christian Historical Romance 

Rating: 5 stars 

A Refuge Assured is the first book that I have read by Jocelyn Green.  Though it won't be the last book.  Though I love American history some of the events in the book I wasn't familiar with mostly the events dealing with the French Immigrates. The Whiskey Rebellion I knew about, but the French immigrates I didn't, which is sad that it wasn't thought in any of my history classes in school.  But what makes it even worse is that these French immigrates seeking refuge in America is also part of my family's history but I didn't even know it till I started researching my family tree for a library class I was taking. 

Vivienne Rivard has fled Revolutionary France a lace maker by trade who just so happens to be related to Liberty Lawson from the The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz love how those two books are tied together, she has to find a new means to support herself in the United States and the young boy left to her care. She discovers a talent for baking.  Which leads her to find a job as a baker at the Tavern owned by Tara.   It's there that she meets Tara's brother Liam Delaney a militiaman and veteran of the American Revolution.  After the war and saving money by working as a teacher in order to buy his own land.  After the horrors he saw in the war.   Just ad Vivienne wants to forget the horrors she saw during the French Revolution.  She also can't understand why American citizens are celebrating the Revolution because unlike the American Revolution which was mostly bloodless in the sense that it was fought on the battlefield.  Vivienne watched women and children including family members die by the guillotine simply for being lace makers. 

I've loved history since I was a kid, with the Revolutionary war and Colonial America being the favorite time period as well as the state history of my state. Once I got to high school and took three years of high school French which I can still read and somewhat translate but can't speak a lick French history also become a favorite and this book has both.  I am looking forward to reading other books by Jocelyn. 

Reading this week

Reading this week

Finished

Rodeo Standoff by Susan Sleeman

A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell

Falling for You by Becky Wade

Read Herring Hunt by V.M. Burns

Currently reading

Non-fiction reading

Getting ready to read

The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep

Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillian

When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley by Brian Bird

Love and Luck by Jenna Welch Evans

Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley

Classics

Audio on the way to work

Reviewing

Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

No Cure for the Dead by Christine Trent

Reviews Posted this week 

When Trains Collide Blog Tour

Where Trains Collide Blog Tour

Title: When Trains Collide

Author: Amber Stokes 

Chapter: 7 plus Epilogue

Stars: 4

When Trains Collide is Amber Stokes newest novella, though it’s novella it is a sweet read that includes a train journey, a lighthouse and second chances.  Trisha Knolane just happens to be Derek’s sister from When a Star Falls.  Burn out from the school semester Trisha on a whim books a train ride in order to surprise her friend with a visit.   But the train gave her more than she bargained for; she runs into her ex-boyfriend Paul Benson.  And what follows is an adventure as well as two people finding out that forgiveness and second chances are possible as all things are possible with God.  

I found myself relating to Trisha being stressed out with school and needed a break, as well as not knowing what I want to major in and second guessing myself. I actually changed my major three times. First I wanted to be a vet, than a nurse, and finally I ended being a Criminal Justice major who now works a library.

     I have read everything Amber has written I enjoy her books, novella’s and the fact that Faith and a relationship with Jesus plays a big part in Amber’s novels.   We had a bit of a wait for this novella, but the wait was actually worth.  To me this book was published at the right time. I do look forward to what else Amber has up her sleeves.  When Trains Collide has two of the things I love train travel and lighthouses, which is funny because I live in a land locked state, with lots of lakes. As well as a state that doesn’t have passenger trains other than a dinner train. I just think that taking at least an overnight train journey would be awesome. Taking a train cross county either the U.S. or Canada is on my bucket list. And again I look forward to reading whatever Amber has next for us.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Book

Inspirational Contemporary Romance Novella

Two hearts racing in different directions will meet where trains collide.

Burned out and disillusioned with her chosen career path, Trisha Knolane gives in to impulse and hops on a train bound for Oregon, eager to escape the stress of college for a few days. But what begins as a fun little adventure takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that her ex-boyfriend is also on board.

All her hopes and dreams had once centered on Paul Benson. Now, when Trisha doesn't know where her current track will lead, Paul’s reappearance in her life only complicates matters and sparks difficult questions.

Questions that could change the course of her life.

A heartfelt and thought-provoking contemporary romance novella, Where Trains Collide faces the uncertain season of new adulthood head on and shows that sometimes a path of broken dreams can lead to life’s best destination.

Purchase for $.99 on Amazon! | Add to Goodreads

Author Bio

Amber Holcomb (Stokes) is an indie author and freelance editor living below the majestic mountains of Montana with her adventurous husband. Previously, she worked in marketing for a Christian publisher for nearly three years. Her passion for books compelled her to earn a bachelor’s degree in English and now fuels her work with words in this new season of life.

You can learn more about Amber’s books, sign up for her author newsletter, join the Amber’s Gems street team, and more at www.SeasonsofaStory.blogspot.com.

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway!

In celebration of this new novella, enter for a chance to win a $15 Amazon.com gift card! Giveaway is open internationally (to anyone age 18 or older who can receive an Amazon gift card via email). Void where prohibited.

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Review of Flowers and Foul

Title: Flowers and Foul Play: A Magic Garden Mystery 

Author: Amanda Flower 

Ch: 40 plus Epilogue 

Pg: 320

Florist Fiona Knox

Chief Inspector Neil Craig 

Hamish 

After her fiancé leaves her on the eve of her wedding and she receives news that her godfather has died Florist Fiona Knox leaves Nashville for Scotland and her inheritance. She wasn't planning on finding a dead body in the flower garden once she arrived.  Now she has to figure out who done it before herself or the elderly caretaker Hamish is locked up for murder. 

I've read other books by Amanda Flower and enjoyed most of them.  Flowers and Foul Play is an all new series set in Scotland.  Complete with a magical flower garden and a small village in Scotland.  For a first book in a series the book moved along at a pretty good pace not to slow or fast.  With Amanda's other mysteries I've read I wasn't able to guess of the suspect was and that was nice. I like mysteries that keep me guessing right up until the end.  I am looking forward to the next book in in the series. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

Reading this week

Finished

When Hope Prevails by Janette Oke

Where Trains Collide by Amber Stokes (review book)

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar (review book)

Her Texas Family by Jill Lynn

Lord of the Pies by Nell Hampton

Currently reading

Rodeo Standoff by Susan Sleeman

A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell

Non-fiction reading

Getting ready to read

The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep

Falling for You by Becky Wade

Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillian

When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley by Brian Bird

No Cure for the Dead by Christine Trent

Love and Luck by Jenna Welch Evans

Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley

Classics

Audio on the way to work

Reviewing

Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

Read Herring Hunt by V.M. Burns

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week 

June TBR

Rodeo Standoff by Susan Sleeman

A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell

The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep

Falling for You by Becky Wade

Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillian

When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley by Brian Bird

No Cure for the Dead by Christine Trent

Love and Luck by Jenna Welch Evans

Falling For you by Becky Wade

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Eight Women of Faith by Michael A.G. Haykin

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills