Book Title: Her Own War
Series: Château de Verzat Series, Book #3
Author: Debra Borchert
Publication Date: July 14th, 2024
Publisher: Le Vin Press
Page Length: 438
Genre: Historical Fiction
Her Own War
Debra Borchert
Blurb:
As Napoleon Rises from the Ashes of The French Revolution, One Woman Dares to Spy Against Him
Sentenced to eight months in an insane asylum for the crime of impersonating a man, Geneviève LaGarde fears giving birth in a filthy cell will mean 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.
Buy Links:
This title will be on #KindleUnlimited for the first 90 days.
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bodVqZ
Author Bio:
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. She has been honored with a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice, Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor’s Pick, and many other five-star reviews.
Author Links:
Website: https://debraborchert.com/
Twitter: @debraborchert
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Debra-Borchert/author/B00CSW9MH0
“Fans of historical fiction will find this novel a most captivating read.” —Kirkus Reviews“For fans of Stephanie Dray's The Women of Chateau Lafayette.” —Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor's Pick
“A compelling story of love, war, and fierce family loyalty. While the narrative stays true to the social mores of the French Revolutionary era, Borchert gives her readers powerful and active female characters who often cunningly use conventional gender expectations to conceal their real motives and actions. Fans of historical fiction will find this novel a most captivating read.” —Kirkus Reviews“
Readers of historical fiction with a strong current of love and loss will enjoy watching both Louis and Geneviève fight their own battles in hopes of reuniting—and reunifying their ravaged country. Sweeping, passionate portrait of the everyday lives in Bonaparte's France.” —Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor's Pick
“Set against the tumultuous backdrop of war-ravaged France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the novel masterfully merges historical accuracy with fictional storytelling, plunging readers into an immersive and authentic world. Geneviève's strong-willed nature and unwavering determination make her an intriguing protagonist. Her interactions with others, particularly Louis and Aurélia, reflect themes of resilience, human connection, and the complexities of personal relationships. The dialogue crackles with wit and the smooth pacing and the tight plotting keep readers invested. Simply un-put-downable.” —The Prairies Book Review“
With meticulous attention to detail, Borchert grounds her portrayal of wartime experiences in historical context and realism, drawing upon thorough research and actual events to vividly depict the trials of the era. Throughout, the book explores a myriad of themes, such as family, identity, resilience, human connection, and the complexities of personal relationships while raising questions about the price of war, the boundaries of morality, and the impact of violence on individuals and communities. An absolute stunner.” —BookView Review
“The divisive tragedy of war pulls a fearless fighter from the vineyard to the front lines in Her Own War by Debra Borchert, a gripping and lyrical work of historical fiction.” —SPR
Book Excerpt:
The Château de Verzat Kitchen
“Welcome home!” Tante Nicole, blue eyes bright as stars, hurried to me.
Her gown was shiny with wear, but she was every bit as elegant as the day I’d met her. Her silvery white hair gleamed in the candlelight.
She embraced me. I pressed myself into her warmth, inhaling her lilac scent. “I’m sorry for my stink,” I whispered.
She hugged me more fiercely, then pulled back and looked deeply into me. “We were all so worried.”
Tears pricked. I squirmed trying to hide my shaved head, but her strong arms stilled me. Her loving gaze reminded me of my maman, making me long for her terribly.
“Papa!” Louisa’s screech and laughter shimmered like a bell. She ran from the doorway and leaped into Louis’s arms.
I held my breath. She would be angry with me if she learned I played a part in her father’s absence. Yet, she would need all the love I could shower upon her. In my heart, I knew all my love would never make up for her missing Louis. I gulped some wine.
He kissed Louisa and tossed her up in the air, catching her with a dramatic swoop. Her giggles rang against the stone walls. “Geneviève and I have a surprise for you.” He led her by the hand and sat her upon the table facing me. He joined us.
Louisa leaned toward me, picked up the ruffle of my bonnet, and whispered, “Tante Gen, what happened to your hair?” Her eyebrows scrunched together.
“You don’t like my new coiffure?” I patted my head, pretending to adjust luxurious curls.
She giggled. “No.”
Louis clamped his hands around Louisa’s waist and sat her in his lap. “We shall tell you about her hair this evening. Now, we have a surprise for you.”
She held her cheeks. “What?”
Louis looked at me, pride brimming in his eyes. “Geneviève is going to have a baby.” He looked at his daughter. “You are going to have a baby brother or sister.”
Louisa clapped her hands. “Where is the baby?”
“The baby is in Geneviève’s tummy.” Louis gently patted my belly.
Louisa’s mouth dropped open. “You ate the baby?”
Tante Nicole’s peel of laughter yanked a laugh from me.
“No. The baby is growing inside Geneviève,” Louis explained.
“How did it get in there if she didn’t eat it?”
I tried to put on a serious face, but seeing Tante stifling her laughter, mine escaped.
Louis blushed. “When the baby grows big, it will be born.”
“When, Papa?” Louisa’s blue-green eyes sparked with wonder.
Louis pushed out his lower lip. “In the summer, sometime.”
“Is it summer tomorrow?”
He shook his head. “It is when the grapes are almost ripe.”
Louisa’s face grew serious. “That is a long time to wait.”
“It is.” I chewed a bite of mushroom to stop my imagining the vendanges without Louis.
“I can’t wait.” Louisa snuggled into her father.
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Thank you so very much for the invite. And for including that humorous excerpt from Her Own War.
Merci beaucoup! Debra
Thank you for hosting Debra Borchert today, with an enticing excerpt from her intriguing new novel. Her Own War. Take care, Cathie xo The Coffee Pot Book Club