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Refuge  By  cover art

Refuge

By: Dot Jackson
Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
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Publisher's summary

Early one morning in 1929, Mary Seneca Steele spontaneously packs a suitcase, gathers up her son and daughter, and drives away in her abusive and dissolute husband’s brand-new Auburn Phaeton automobile, leaving her privileged life in Charleston behind. It is the beginning of a journey of enlightenment that leads Mary “Sen” to the mountains and mysteries of Appalachia, where she will learn unexpected family secrets, create a new life for herself and her children, and finally experience love and happiness before tragedy will once again test her.

A Pulitzer Prize-nominated author, Dot Jackson has spun a story that will captivate listeners looking for an entertaining saga of self-discovery, family, love, loss, and redemption.

©2017 Dot Jackson (P)2020 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Refuge

Average customer ratings
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Wonderful

I live in Virginia, and part of the Appalachian mountains are here. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a big part of our culture. The story made me want to spend more time in this part of the state. There are some HUGE twists and turns that are very unexpected. Definitely not a happily ever after. But soo interesting all the way through

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19 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Charm and Character

This story will remain one of my all time favorites. Written with emotion and narrated beautifully, the tale flows from the mundane to the horrific, bringing the charm of the Noth Carolina mountain to life.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

TARA?! Lord, Katie Scarlett.

Good-ish story. Too Gone with the Wind dramatic for no reason. Proceed with caution.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow WoW WOW!!

I did not want this to end I had a hard time putting it down for a break, so so good! Hi appreciated that it wasn’t all doom and gloom or all feel good it was real life for that area and that era.

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wonderful and heartbreaking

I Loved this book. now that its over, I feel as if I've lost friends and family. I will listen to this again..its a keeper!

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A wonderfully told story

Refuge, is one of those rare books that grabbed my attention on page one and didn't let go til the very last word of the book was read. The story follows Seneca Steele, a young socialite from Charleston, SC, as she flees her abusive, loser husband and heads for the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina where her father was from. He's talked to her about all his family there and sang songs accompanied by his fiddle about his home. I adored every character in this story. They all seemed so real, so loveable for the most part, and believable, with all their quirks and eccentrics, but so many of them are lost along the way, including Ben Aaron Steele, Seneca's married cousin,. who quickly became the love of Seneca's life. For me, Refuge was a really good story from beginning to end. I love books of the southern Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains genre, so for me it was very enjoyable. I hope y'all will enjoy it too.

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YES!

I can highly recommend this very warm- hearted book. My first high recommendation was 2020. Just listened
again via Audible and I heard so much more
in the text. YES...check this one out!

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26 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Really Good

The narrator gave quite a performance. I enjoyed the story. The ending...meh...but overall really good!

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STUNNING STORY!

Absolutely delightful and beautifully written with an incredibly wonderful narrator. Don’t miss this story of truly remarkable yet familiar characters.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

No depth.

Typically love historical fiction and novels but had trouble with this one. Story moved quickly without much depth to the characters or thr reason things happened. Felt like it just skipped across the top. Eventually just stopped listening which I never do.

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