Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Jocelyn Green & A Refuge Assured

Posted February 8, 2018 by meezcarrie in Author Interview, Christian, giveaway, historical, Jocelyn Green, romance / 85 Comments


I am so delighted today to welcome Jocelyn Green back to the blog! During the Art of Writing conference last year, I had the privilege of staying with Jocelyn and Bethany House’s Amy Green (no relation). And I discovered Jocelyn’s delightfully subtle sense of humor – she’s hilarious, y’all. (She in turn decided that I smell good. And then we pondered over how these are things you don’t always get to know about someone from just observing them online. So there you go 😉 lol)

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, Jocelyn loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, Toblerone chocolate bars, the color red, and reading on her patio. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

You can also connect with Jocelyn on Facebook and Twitter.

Her new book, A Refuge Assured, released February 6, 2018 from Bethany House.

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.

goodreads button RIMSP amazon button RIMSP B&N button RIMSP


Hi Jocelyn! Welcome back to the blog! I’m always honored to have you here!

Jocelyn: PIE! (Strawberry rhubarb if you have it)

Carrie: oh my goodness – YUM! I knew I liked you 😀

Jocelyn: Hydrangea

Carrie: I like saying that word…

Jocelyn: Easter (the whole point of everything)

Carrie: Yes! Yes! Such a celebration day. He is risen indeed ♄

Jocelyn: Oh my word, just one?? Drawing out of a hat of favorite songs here: Blessed Be the Name

Carrie: Love that one!

Q: Tell me some good books you’ve read lately.

Jocelyn: My pleasure! I will hold myself back from gushing about each one, but here are several I have read and loved recently: The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz, Burning Sky by Lori Benton, The Swan House by Elizabeth Musser, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry. . . I could seriously go on. I just started reading Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks, too, and I’m hooked already.

Carrie: So many great books out lately!

Q: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever Googled while researching a book?

Jocelyn: Ha! When I was working on Widow of Gettysburg, I wanted to fact check something I thought I’d read somewhere, so I did a Google search for “turpentine” + “maggots” I did confirm that turpentine kills maggots, which was relevant for the doctor in the field hospital
. But I am quite sure my editor and I decided we didn’t need to show readers quite that much truth in that scene.

Carrie: LOL!! Thank you 😛

Q: The Whiskey Rebellion often gets buried in the shadow of the American Revolution. What inspired you to make this part of Liam’s story & what is something interesting you learned while researching it?

Jocelyn: You’re right, it totally does get buried. I wanted to include it in the story because it shows that after America won its independence, it wasn’t a happily ever after scenario by any means. Veterans hadn’t gotten paid, and now they were being taxed in a way that felt just as tyrannical as the Stamp Act. So, how does a citizen balance law and liberty? Freedom and order? Poor Liam really struggled with these questions, and in so many ways, Americans are still wrestling with this balance.

One interesting thing I learned while researching the Whiskey Rebellion was that some of the people opposing the whiskey tax were so inspired by the French Revolution taking place, an article in a Pittsburgh newspaper actually suggested the guillotine as a way to silence their opponents.

Carrie: Oh my! I’m glad that idea didn’t take off…. lol.  And this: “how does a citizen balance law and liberty?” So timely.

Q: One of the reviews I’ve read for A Refuge Assured mentions that the effects of the French Revolution didn’t go away just because the French fled to America. How did this shape Vivienne as you brought her to life on the page?

Jocelyn: Right. Vivienne lands in Philadelphia after she flees France, and she finds, to her surprise, that most of the city is absolutely wild with support for the French Revolution. She wants to forget about the turmoil in France, but she can’t get away from it. Things really heat up for her when a boy is put in her care who—shoot! I almost spoiled the story. I’ll just say that Vivienne’s perspective of law and order clashes with Liam’s, and she really proves to have both moral and political resolve.

Carrie: That surprises me that Philadelphia was so into the French Revolution – I don’t think I ever learned that in history class! Fiction teaches too, y’all!

Q: What do you most want readers to take away from A Refuge Assured?

Jocelyn: The primary theme is that of finding refuge in the Lord, when no physical place of safety seems to exist. But a secondary theme popped up through a character I didn’t plan on creating: Armand, the father from whom Vivienne had been estranged her entire life. The two flee France together, and through their relationship, a picture of reconciliation emerged. At one point Armand says to Vivienne, “One is never too old for a father’s love.” None of us are ever too old –or “too far gone”—for our heavenly Father’s love, either. And that is the greatest reconciliation story of all time. If that’s what readers take away from the novel, I will be thrilled.

Carrie: Oh yes! So thankful for His love & restoration. Amen ♄

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me again! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.

Jocelyn: I’m in the throes of writing a new novel! It’s set at the height of the French and Indian War, in Montreal, Quebec, and points between. The heroine is half French, and half Mohawk. It’s unlike any other novel I’ve written. Coming in 2019!

Carrie: EEP!! (muppet flailing) YAY! Can’t wait!


Jocelyn is offering a copy of A Refuge Assured to one of my readers (US – paperback or ebook, International – ebook. Void where prohibited by law.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What about you? What interests you most about Jocelyn and/or A Refuge Assured?

Tags: , , ,

85 responses to “Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Jocelyn Green & A Refuge Assured

  1. Perrianne Askew

    It sounds like she has crafted a rich story that spans oceans, so that intrigues me. I didn’t realize the US Took sides in the French Revolution. Thank you for the awesome interview and giveaway opportunity.

  2. Fun reading all about you “behind the scenes”, so to speak. You mention things you don’t always know about someone from just observing online. Well, I guess I didn’t know how to identify you, even with a picture. I’m the one who came up to you at the Northwestern Writers’ Conference in St Paul last year and asked if you knew who Jocelyn Green was, because I wanted to tell her how much I was enjoying her book. Lol! Anyway, I’m looking so forward to reading the new one, and I can’t wait to read your French & Indian War novel. It’s one of my favorite historical periods. I have a “Voyageurs” coming out with LPC this fall that begins in Montreal as well (circa 1804) and involves a Metis girl (French/Ojibwe). From your list of faves, I’d say we have a few other things in common as well. God bless, and write on!

    • LOL! I remember that, Naomi! It really is hard to identify someone in a crowd when all you have to go on is a tiny FB profile picture. That was a delightful meeting. Best wishes on your upcoming story, too! Sounds great!

  3. Dana Michael

    I would say that what interests me most is the historical facts that she is including in the story. (also the romance) Sounds wonderful!

  4. Paula S.

    Hi, girls! I just love this part of American History! Jocelyn makes it so interesting! Thanks for your awesome interview. You are always so creative with your questions!

  5. Kay Garrett

    Everything about “A Refuge Assured” fascinates me. Love the storyline, everything I’ve read about it and the author. I love the way history can be woven into suspense and excitement and not made to be the dread most associate with it. I’d just love to get my hands on a copy and excited about the prospect of possibly actually winning a copy.

    Thanks for the interview. It made me smile to learn her favorite flower was the same as mine. I liked seeming that she’s not squeamish about doing the research for her books to make them accurate to the time frame.

    • Hello, fellow hydrangea lover! It really is the most lovely flower out there.

      LOL No, I’m not squeamish about doing the research but I have learned not to start with Google Images. Yikes!!

  6. Karen

    I used to live just over an hour outside of Philly, and the city is absolutely amazing! I love all of its history, and I love that some of that has been preserved for us! Reading about the bumps and hiccups that our country has had from the beginning is so interesting to me. It’s my favorite time period!

  7. Carrie, this interview was so fun! Thank you for hosting me – and for making me laugh with all your responses to my responses. Speaking of pie, I had some last night. Strawberry rhubarb. It’s how I celebrate almost anything, including the launch of a book!

    Speaking of strawberries… is that you I smell from here, Carrie? Mmmmm, yum!

    • Carrie

      LOL!! We need some strawberry rhubarb pie the next time we are together. I’ll bring the strawberry scent free of charge 😉

  8. Stephanie

    I’ve read ALL of Jocelyn’s fiction titles, and I love her attention to detail! It just shows how much work she puts into researching! A Refuge Assured interests me most because of the subject and time period! I can’t wait to read it!

  9. Anne Rightler

    I Enjoy historical fiction a lot! Cannot wait to read this one. My mom used to make wonderful strawberry rhubarb pie. Yum! Thx for sharing.

  10. So excited about this new release! Mark of the King was one of my favorite books last year. Plus, I just finished Frantz’ The Lacemaker and I’m curious to know the connection between these two stories. And now, I’m intrigued about the French/Mohawk heroine of Jocelyn’s next book.Why does 2019 seem so far away?!

  11. Wow this sounds like a great story. I read The Mark of the King, and expect no less from this author. I love reading historical fiction. There is so much to learn about that era.

  12. I just love reading a historical fiction novel, and learning so much about history! Jocelyn’s book excels at this–I just started reading and am so hooked)
    I also enjoyed reading this interview. It’s always fun to get to know a bit more about an author.

  13. emilee

    The history and the fact that I really enjoyed The Mark of the King is what most interest me about your new book. For your favorite song were you referring to the old hymn? If so that is also one of my favorites. I also love The Love of God and many other oldies.

  14. Patty

    I read The Mark of the King last year, my first book by Jocelyn!It ranks up there with some of the best historical fiction I have read. For that reason alone I am interested in this book=)

  15. Laura

    I am looking forward to reading this! So my question would be- Is your ideal Strawberry Rhubarb pie latticed topped or not? And do you eat it fresh out of the oven or chill first? 🙂 We enjoy our pies in my families!

    • LOL, Laura, this is an important question! My ideal is not lattic topped, but regular crust, because I do love a good crust, so the more of it, the better. I enjoy warm fruit pies, but not SUPER hot and runny. It has to “set” a bit before cutting into it. 🙂

  16. Trixi

    I just recently read Laura Frantz’s The Lacemaker and since this is also about lacemaking, I want to get to know more about the history. And I just love historical fiction so there’s that too 😉

    Thank you for the giveaway chance!

  17. Winnie Thomas

    A Refuge Assured is definitely going to be on my top reads list for the year! It is amazing! Do yourself a favor and read it–soon!

  18. Tracey Hagwood

    I feel so behind other readers not having read a Jocelyn Green book, but I plan to rectify that very soon. I read The Lacemaker and I believe I also read somewhere Frantz’s character and Jocelyn’s know each other because of their lace making, but that’s the only connection between the books, still fun.
    Thanks for a chance to win this intriguing book!

  19. Janet Estridge

    Our library readers love Jocelyn’s books especially Miss Betty who will be thrilled to get this book, if I win it.

  20. Debbie Clatterbuck

    I did not realize Jocelyn wrote the book Widow of Gettysburg until this interview. I read it in 2013 and somehow forgot who wrote it. I also recently read The Mark of the King by Jocelyn and enjoyed it. I love historical books. I love history. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway. Good luck everyone.

  21. I absolutely loved The Mark of the King and I will admit to checking my USPS Informed Delivery dashboard at least once a day, keeping an eye on the package that I think is my copy of A Refuge Assured (it has made it to the West Coast…just a few more days!). 😀

  22. Connie Scruggs

    I haven’t read anything set in this time period, so that really interests me. I didn’t like history classes in school, but I love learning about it through well researched novels. I’m just not a fan of memorizing dates, times and facts.

  23. Carrie

    I’m in the middle of the Wedded to War right now, the first book from Jocelyn that I have read. I love the history!

  24. Dianne Casey

    I really enjoyed the description of “Refuge Assured”. I enjoy reading historical fiction and this sounds like a great read. Jocelyn is a new author to me and would like to read her book.

  25. Terrill R.

    I love historic details. As an adult and since home-schooling my kiddos, I fell in love with history. So much more than when I was in school. Jocelyn is amazing with the historical details. Her books are an education with so much more than is ever taught in history classes.

    I would love to know from Jocelyn if the concurrent releases of A Refuge Assured and Laura Frantz’s, The Lacemaker were intentional? Both of your previous releases were concurrent, as well.

    • Hi Terrill! Our publishing houses decide our release dates. So, Bethany House chooses mine and Revell chooses Laura’s, and once we are in a groove, so to speak, having a year between release dates is pretty typical. The fact that our releases come out at the same time was not our (the authors) intention but it sure is our delight. We love to cheer each other on. I have found that most authors are the same way–extremely generous of supporting one another in their work! It’s a wonderful community.

  26. Mallori

    This book sounds intriguing! I love reading books about the French Revolution and have read previous books about lace makers during that time. I am interested to see how Jocelyn approached that tumultuous time.

  27. Tammy Cordery

    The book sounds like a great book to read. It sounds so interesting when you learn about things that happened in the past.

  28. Evangeline

    Thank you for the interview and the synopsis of this book, which sounds very intriguing. I love the primary theme of finding refuge in the Lord. Thanks for the giveaway! ??????

  29. Laura W.

    I like the history I learn in historical fiction. I always found history intriguing, but having it come to life in a story makes it seem much more real. The clean romance doesn’t hurt either. 😉

Leave a Reply