Château de Verzat: Book 3
Publication Date: July 14, 2024
As Napoleon rises from the ashes of the French Revolution, one woman dares to spy against him.
Imprisoned for the crime of impersonating a man, Geneviève LaGarde fears giving birth in an asylum could be certain death for her and her unborn child. Desperate for her release, her husband, Louis, trades his freedom for hers and must join Bonaparte’s army in Egypt.
As Geneviève wages her own war against the tyrannical general, she not only risks her own life but also those of her children and the four hundred families who depend on the Château de Verzat estate. Knowing her desperate actions could cause the government to confiscate the entire vineyard, she sacrifices everything to save her husband and protect the people who become her family. A captivating tale of the power of love, hope, and courage, and the strength of community.
The latter part of the 18th century proved to be a challenging time in France, particularly for nobles. The subsequent power struggle, coupled with the rise of Napoleon, created a dangerous combination.
Author Debra Borchert uses this as the framework for the Château de Verzat series. Her Own War marks the third installment of the series. While I haven’t read any of the previous books, I think the author provides sufficient background information so readers are easily able to navigate the 400+ pages. However, my curiosity was piqued enough to put the others on my “TBR list.”
Geneviève LaGarde is the epitome of a strong and independent female character. Readers gain insight into her back story as someone who is loyal, especially to the vineyard. Just as it appears she and her husband, Louis, will be able to settle down peacefully, a series of events transpire forcing a separation. For someone who firmly embraces a strong moral code, the idea of joining Bonaparte’s army in Egypt goes against everything Louis believes in, but he has no choice. The author skillfully sets the atmosphere of the time period by incorporating the guillotine and other forms of punishment used.
Luckily, a cast of characters is provided at the beginning of the story to identify the many faces who make appearances throughout the pages. While Geneviève and Louis are the primary characters, there are a number of other storylines woven in to illustrate how dangerous life was during this time period. Kidnapping, murder, and even espionage play a role in this saga. Beyond the actual story, there’s plenty of room for reflection regarding circumstances where characters do the wrong thing for the right reason. Geneviève’s decisions often put others in danger, although not her intent.
Her Own War weaves historical details into a powerful story of a woman determined to fight for her family and those she loves.
Debra Borchert has had many careers: clothing designer, actress, TV show host, spokesperson for high-tech companies, marketing and public relations professional, and technical writer for Fortune 100 companies. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Writer, among others. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and independently. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she weaves her knowledge of textiles and clothing design throughout her historical French fiction. Her work has been honored with a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice, Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor’s Pick, and many other five-star reviews.
Hi Amy, Thank so much for your insights. I’m very glad you enjoyed Her Own War. I miss my characters so much, I might have to start another series with the kids as the protagonists! As you noted, The Napoleonic era is fraught with danger! Merci!