☕ Book Break ☕ | A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green

Vivienne Rivard is a successful lacemaker in Paris, with clients among the aristocracy. Until the French revolution forces her to flee for her life. She manages to escape to America where through tragic circumstances, becomes the fill-in caretaker for young Henry, who she suspects may be Louis Charles, the young king.

This was a captivating story. I loved all of the history. I would say it’s more American history than French history. It had plenty of intrigue, danger, complicated interpersonal relationships with numerous characters. I had no idea there had been a town named Asylum where people from the upper classes of French society came to be safe from the revolutionaries.

A bit of a love triangle. Vivienne had a complicated parentage, resulting in some complicated relationship issues she had to deal with. She suffered tragedy, betrayal, and loss, but also found love and support in places she didn’t expect. Lots of human interest and intrigue plus romance.

The subject matter piqued my curiosity and made me want to search for more books about the people who lived through the French revolution.

An entertaining read about a historical time period I should read more about.

Drop your recommendations for fiction set during the French Revolution below, please!

☕ Book Break ☕ | The Jewels of Halstead Manor (Ladies of Devon) by Kasey Stockton

I stumbled across it in the library as a bonus borrow. I also found the full audiobook on the author’s Youtube channel and put the link below.

Listening to this novel was a pleasure.

Julia returns to England after receiving a letter from her Uncle Robert, but before she arrives at her uncle’s castle, she encounters an injured man and assists him. As it turns out this is Nick, her distant cousin and her uncle’s heir. When she arrives at her uncle’s, he is less than welcoming.

Julia’s path has been difficult. If adults in her life had made better choices when Julia was a child, things would’ve gone better for her, yet she never feels sorry for herself. But don’t think she’s a goody-two-shoes or saccharine. She has backbone. She’a also very practical, a girl with a cool head on her shoulders. As you can probably gather, I liked this character!

The writing is excellently executed. There’s romance, family issues, a mystery, and all the things to keep me eager to find out about Julia’s future.

I don’t read a ton of books in this particular type of setting, but I will definitely read the rest of the books in the series, and any others by Kasey Stockton.

Ancient Castle with Hidden Passages

Mystery

Strong Female Lead Character

Romance!

Wonderful Supporting Characters

Great Plot

A Clean Read

Historical

This one feels like a comfort read that I might return to. I like it very much.

Go check out this FULL audiobook on Youtube. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cover Reveal of JOANN Apron Strings Book Five!

Things are getting real, y’all! Joann will be available for pre-order soon. I enjoyed writing this story set in the 1960s. Stay tuned for more about how the book came about, research, and other book related announcements!

Twenty-four-year-old Joann Kincaid’s life ambition is to one day run the family’s general store in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. It’s 1965 and the times may be a-changing, but Joann’s father is stubbornly hanging on to old-fashioned views about what he wants for his daughter. She’s just as determined to prove she’s a capable businesswoman.

In the past, she entertained romantic dreams alongside her vision for the store but discarded those notions when her high school sweetheart, Nathan, left for college. Now he’s back to reestablish his family’s farm—and a relationship with Joann. She still loves him but isn’t sure she can trust him.

As the conflict in Vietnam escalates, there’s a real possibility Nathan could be drafted. Should Joann pursue her lifelong dream to continue her family’s legacy? Or give Nathan a chance to prove he’ll be her true and committed love before it’s too late for them?