Book Titles:
Her Own Legacy (Book 1)
Her Own Revolution (Book 2)
Series: Château de Verzat
Author: Debra Borchert
Publication Date:
HOL: 9/1/22
HOR: 7/14/23
Publisher: Le Vin Press
Page Length:
HOL: 568
HOR: 422
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Title and Author Name:
Her Own Legacy, Book 1 of Château de Verzat
Her Own Revolution, Book 2 of Château de Verzat
Debra Borchert
Blurb:
Her Own Legacy:
A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts
Determined to inherit her family’s vineyard, Countess Joliette de Verzat defies society’s rules, only to learn of her illegitimate half-brother, the rightful heir.
Her Own Revolution:
A Woman Forges a Treacherous Path to Save Hundreds from the Guillotine
If Geneviève Fouquier-Tinville had the same rights as a man, she wouldn’t have to dress like one. A suspenseful page-turner led by a renegade heroine whose compassion for innocent people leads to both loss and love.
Buy Links:
Her Own Legacy will be only 0.99 in the UK, CA and AU stores from March 5th – 15th, 2024!
Universal Buy Links:
Her Own Legacy: https://books2read.com/u/bWYod1
Her Own Revolution: https://books2read.com/u/m0aJVl
Series Buy Links:
Author Bio:
Debra’s the author of the Château de Verzat series that follows headstrong and independent women and the four-hundred loyal families who protect a Loire Valley château and vineyard, and its legacy of producing the finest wines in France during the French Revolution. Her Own Legacy published 2022, Her Own Revolution published 2023, and Her Own War will be published in 2024. A passionate cook, she also wrote a companion cookbook to the series: Soups of Château de Verzat, A Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution, 2023.
A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she weaves her knowledge of textiles and clothing design throughout her historical fiction. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and standard poodle, named after a fine French Champagne.
Author Links:
Website: https://debraborchert.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/debraborchert
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/debraborchert/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Debra-Borchert/author/B00CSW9MH0
Book Excerpt:
Her Own Legacy, Versailles, December 13, 1788
Joliette Meets Guillaume
Maman guided me toward a man so old, he could be my grandpapa. My arms tensed. She could not possibly think that old man appropriate.
Papa strode toward us. “May I have your first dance, ma princesse?”
Relief washed through me.
Maman frowned. “Bring her right back. She has many introductions.”
He took my hand and led me toward a group of dancers.
“Merci, Papa,” I whispered.
He winked, led me to the lead position, and danced me about the Galerie. As the lead couple, we whirled with and between the dancers. Papa’s warm smile and strong leading steps relaxed me, and I enjoyed myself. He led me to greet the last couple. I turned to offer my hand to the next gentleman and his green eyes—bright as grapevines during bud break—startled me.
I forgot the movement and faltered. I searched to locate Maman. Had she seen? She would have me dancing twelve hours a day after this.
Without missing a beat, he rescued my wayward hand and adroitly led it to its next position. My hands grew moist inside my gloves. His steps and arms were strong, like Papa’s, but dancing with Papa had not made me breathless. The mirrors spun shards of light as he led me through the twisting rosettes. I dizzied as he returned me to Papa. Perspiration coated my face, and I fluttered my fan to dry it.
The man wore a frock coat and breeches of pale lavender silk with tiny bouquets of violets—so delicate and fine I expected them to have a scent—embroidered along his cuffs and hem. His ensemble resembled that of our King, yet the silk puckered beneath the embroidery—the fabric was inferior. He was working hard to fit in at Court, yet every courtier would notice his black shoes—without red heels. He had not been presented.
The allemande at an end, he turned to my father and bowed deeply. He unfurled from his bow and straightened to Papa’s height. “Comte de Verzat, I believe you are acquainted with my father, the Baron Pricaud?”
Papa’s eyebrow rose. “Ah…oh, yes, you are…?”
“Guillaume Pricaud.” He bowed, again. “It is an honor to meet the man who produces the finest wines in France, if not the world, Monsieur le Comte.”
Finest in the world? I leaned closer. The sounds of conversations, laughter, music all faded. His eau de Cologne smelled woodsy with a hint of lime.
Papa gave a tight smile. “May I present my daughter, Mademoiselle Joliette de Verzat?”
He bowed. My hand, of its own accord, sought his. As he held my fingers, his lips brushed my hand ever so gently. Damned protocol requiring gloves.
“Your mother’s beauty shines from within you, Mademoiselle.”
Words sat in my mouth like melting chocolate. I was supposed to thank him, but I could not summon a word. I held the fingers his lips had caressed.
“You remember my father, Comte?”
“We knew each other many years ago, when we were your age.”
Pricaud reached into his frock coat and withdrew a thick blue leather purse. “He asked me to deliver this.” With both his hands, he held it out to Papa. “My father wishes me to express his humble gratitude for your patience.”
Papa put up his hands. “Eh…that was so long ago. All is forgotten.”
“Not by my father.” He continued to present the purse.
Why did Papa refuse him? Pricaud’s demeanor, his manners, his tenacity, all impeccable. Neither of my parents could find fault with Pricaud. Nor could I. He never glanced at the emeralds at my neck. He knew of the Verzat legacy. Why had I not seen him at Court before?
“There is no need.” Papa shook his head.
Maman’s skirts brushed against mine. “Pardon, Monsieur.”
Pricaud withdrew the purse and dropped into a deep bow.
Maman inserted herself between me and Monsieur Pricaud, but she did not extend her hand. “My daughter and I have been summoned by the Queen.” She held my elbow and drew me away. “Forgive us, please.”
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