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Château de Verzat #1
Her Own Legacy
A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts
Headstrong Countess Joliette de Verzat prefers secretly managing her family’s Loire Valley château and vineyards to the cut-throat politics of Versailles. For nearly three centuries, generations of families have toiled to produce Château de Verzat wines, and their homes and livelihoods depend upon Joliette. But ancient laws block her from inheriting property—unless she is widowed.
Revolution erupts. Thousands of women march on Versailles. Caught in the battle, Joliette risks her own life to save her lover’s. She flees to Paris, blazing with hatred for aristocrats, where she discovers her illegitimate half-brother, Henri—the secret rightful heir who disdains the nobility to which he unknowingly belongs.
As insurrection mounts, Joliette faces heartbreaking choices. She must risk all that she loves and trust the people she has saved to save her.
Headstrong Countess Joliette de Verzat prefers secretly managing her family’s Loire Valley château and vineyards to the cut-throat politics of Versailles. For nearly three centuries, generations of families have toiled to produce Château de Verzat wines, and their homes and livelihoods depend upon Joliette. But ancient laws block her from inheriting property—unless she is widowed.
Revolution erupts. Thousands of women march on Versailles. Caught in the battle, Joliette risks her own life to save her lover’s. She flees to Paris, blazing with hatred for aristocrats, where she discovers her illegitimate half-brother, Henri—the secret rightful heir who disdains the nobility to which he unknowingly belongs.
As insurrection mounts, Joliette faces heartbreaking choices. She must risk all that she loves and trust the people she has saved to save her.
570 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2022
13 people are currently reading
5590 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 31, 2022
This is a delightful first installment of the Chateau de Verzat series! It made my inner history geek giddy with excitement.
Set in France in 1786, the book opens with Grandmaman telling her granddaughter, Joliette, that “wine flows in your veins” but one doesn’t have to get too far into the book before noticing that author Debra Borchert has a love of French history flowing through hers! We lovers of historical fiction can tell (sniff it out, really) if an author has simply researched a topic or if it is a part of their DNA! It’s understandable, then, that this book oozes authenticity.
Joliette has a tremendous burden to shoulder. For almost three hundred years, generations of families have worked to produce the Chateau de Verzat wines and their existence, physically and financially, depends on Joliette. If she can make it past one more hurdle, being widowed, she can inherit her family’s Loire Valley chateau and vineyards. The problem? She’s not married. Yet.
While the ancient laws of inheritance may be shaping her future, the politics of Versailles soon shape Jolitte’s present - the French Revolution erupts. Will the new law that results become an answer to Joliette’s problem or will it simply complicate things? Borchert takes readers through a lady-in-waiting experience at Versailles, the Woman’s March on Versailles, storming the Bastille, the power of a lettre de cachet, the views of the philosophes, and the experience of desperately trying to earn a living and maintain a legacy while the country is in upheaval. My inner history buff was excited. I loved the reference to coloured heels! The Compte has answered a question I’ve had for years.
Borchert gives readers plenty to ponder and I love that in a book. She explores doing the wrong thing for the right reason, inadvertently contributing to our own demise, marrying for love or convenience, and untangling the web of family inheritances.
I can't wait for book two!
I was gifted this book and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Set in France in 1786, the book opens with Grandmaman telling her granddaughter, Joliette, that “wine flows in your veins” but one doesn’t have to get too far into the book before noticing that author Debra Borchert has a love of French history flowing through hers! We lovers of historical fiction can tell (sniff it out, really) if an author has simply researched a topic or if it is a part of their DNA! It’s understandable, then, that this book oozes authenticity.
Joliette has a tremendous burden to shoulder. For almost three hundred years, generations of families have worked to produce the Chateau de Verzat wines and their existence, physically and financially, depends on Joliette. If she can make it past one more hurdle, being widowed, she can inherit her family’s Loire Valley chateau and vineyards. The problem? She’s not married. Yet.
While the ancient laws of inheritance may be shaping her future, the politics of Versailles soon shape Jolitte’s present - the French Revolution erupts. Will the new law that results become an answer to Joliette’s problem or will it simply complicate things? Borchert takes readers through a lady-in-waiting experience at Versailles, the Woman’s March on Versailles, storming the Bastille, the power of a lettre de cachet, the views of the philosophes, and the experience of desperately trying to earn a living and maintain a legacy while the country is in upheaval. My inner history buff was excited. I loved the reference to coloured heels! The Compte has answered a question I’ve had for years.
Borchert gives readers plenty to ponder and I love that in a book. She explores doing the wrong thing for the right reason, inadvertently contributing to our own demise, marrying for love or convenience, and untangling the web of family inheritances.
I can't wait for book two!
I was gifted this book and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 20, 2022
‘Wine flows in your veins’ - A colorful visit to the French Revolution
Author Debra Borchert shares her love for France and French culture and history in her debut novel, the initial volume of a promised series. Her depth of understanding her subject matter is enhanced by her careers as an actress, a clothing designer (she is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology), a marketing and public relations professional with articles published in the leading newspapers, and an oenophile and epicure.
Using a refreshing view of the role of women at the time of the French Revolution, Debra has sculpted a historically rich and entertainingly sound, articulate, and thoroughly entertaining initiation of a very promising series. Her depiction of place, atmosphere, aristocracy, and origin of the French viticulture are on target, providing an educational as well as compelling read. The apparent ‘primary focus’ is the Château de Verzat vineyard in the Loire Valley and impact on Joliette’s inheritance and her family members. How the French Revolution alters the fate of the vineyard provides a superb tour of the times, leading to an understanding of both a hint of the feminist movement of the future and the scars on French life, related in a compelling and richly entertaining manner. The continuation of this series is eagerly anticipated!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Author Debra Borchert shares her love for France and French culture and history in her debut novel, the initial volume of a promised series. Her depth of understanding her subject matter is enhanced by her careers as an actress, a clothing designer (she is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology), a marketing and public relations professional with articles published in the leading newspapers, and an oenophile and epicure.
Using a refreshing view of the role of women at the time of the French Revolution, Debra has sculpted a historically rich and entertainingly sound, articulate, and thoroughly entertaining initiation of a very promising series. Her depiction of place, atmosphere, aristocracy, and origin of the French viticulture are on target, providing an educational as well as compelling read. The apparent ‘primary focus’ is the Château de Verzat vineyard in the Loire Valley and impact on Joliette’s inheritance and her family members. How the French Revolution alters the fate of the vineyard provides a superb tour of the times, leading to an understanding of both a hint of the feminist movement of the future and the scars on French life, related in a compelling and richly entertaining manner. The continuation of this series is eagerly anticipated!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
September 4, 2022
I’m in awe of the amount of research the author did to write this book and depict the setting of the story a little before, during and after the French Revolution, you feel like you are a spectator in a first row of history.
But not only do we learn about Paris and the circumstances that lead to the revolution, we also learn about the wine production of a family vineyard on the Loire Valley and the woman that has set her eyes on keeping it alive regardless of the dire circumstances happening in the country.
Because of the vast amount of details and descriptions that the author provided in the book the reader feels like part of the story.
Can’t wait to read the following book in the series.
But not only do we learn about Paris and the circumstances that lead to the revolution, we also learn about the wine production of a family vineyard on the Loire Valley and the woman that has set her eyes on keeping it alive regardless of the dire circumstances happening in the country.
Because of the vast amount of details and descriptions that the author provided in the book the reader feels like part of the story.
Can’t wait to read the following book in the series.
September 2, 2022
Excellent story - really interesting information on 18th century France is subtly worked into it. Great sense of time and place. I loved the descriptions! The characters were believable and engaging.
I enjoyed the book very much and look forward to more.
"I received a free copy of this book via The History Quill Book Club"
I enjoyed the book very much and look forward to more.
"I received a free copy of this book via The History Quill Book Club"
October 11, 2022
A tremendous descriptive story with well-thought-out characters. I love how the author takes us from the twelve-year-old Joliette right after she loses her grandmother and is the only one left that can take care of the family's winery (because wine flows in her veins). Unfortunately, the laws aren't made to help her.
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the French Revolution, as Joliette is thrown right into the middle of it when she goes to Paris, where she discovers Henri (her half-brother).
Sadly, they have to flee, and even though they both know they won't return, they still hope.
I hope too that there will be a second book.
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the French Revolution, as Joliette is thrown right into the middle of it when she goes to Paris, where she discovers Henri (her half-brother).
Sadly, they have to flee, and even though they both know they won't return, they still hope.
I hope too that there will be a second book.
November 28, 2022
Throughly enjoyed the storyline and read
September 9, 2022
I LOVED this book. Taking place in pre-Revolutionary court, both in Paris at and the court of Versailles, this was super atmospheric. It follows two POVs - that of Henri, a fatherless young man hoping to find his way in the world and Juliette, the wealthy heiress to a vineyard. Then when their paths cross… magic. (Although probably not in the way you're thinking. This is NOT a romance.)
The plot is fast paced and interesting. There's rarely a dull moment. The characters are interesting and sympathetic too. I liked Henri, but absolutely adored Juliette, who struggles to find a way to preserve her family's heritage as winegrowers/makers while also knowing that she's tasked with making a good marriage. Both are exceptionally interesting and sympathetic characters.
I also loved the writing in this. The descriptions of the vineyard, court life, and Paris were so vivid that I felt like I was there.
If I had a single complaint, it's that this is clearly part of a series, so ends in a way that isn't super resolved. But then, with a book I enjoyed this much, I'll probably check out the sequels anyway, so that isn't much of a complaint.
The plot is fast paced and interesting. There's rarely a dull moment. The characters are interesting and sympathetic too. I liked Henri, but absolutely adored Juliette, who struggles to find a way to preserve her family's heritage as winegrowers/makers while also knowing that she's tasked with making a good marriage. Both are exceptionally interesting and sympathetic characters.
I also loved the writing in this. The descriptions of the vineyard, court life, and Paris were so vivid that I felt like I was there.
If I had a single complaint, it's that this is clearly part of a series, so ends in a way that isn't super resolved. But then, with a book I enjoyed this much, I'll probably check out the sequels anyway, so that isn't much of a complaint.
April 29, 2023
This is an exceptionally well written book. Based in the era of the French revolution, it moves in and out of Paris throughout the entire plot.
Characters are outstanding, and carry the book. In fact, I would call it a character based story .
It’s easy to read, with a plot moving along very quickly.
An enjoyable book that I recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Characters are outstanding, and carry the book. In fact, I would call it a character based story .
It’s easy to read, with a plot moving along very quickly.
An enjoyable book that I recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 11, 2023
Her Own Legacy (Château de Verzat Book 1) by Debra Borchert is an elegantly written book. This is a riveting story taking place during the French revolution, highlighting the tumult and challenges of that time. Within the context of social upheaval and war, the author has constructed an appealing story with plenty of historical detail and challenges for the characters. You get a sense here of the two sides to the Revolution, both for the wealthy and the less fortunate. The characters are so well rendered, the scenes are well-described, giving you a true sense of time and place, while the pace of the story is solid and keeps you engaged. Joliette de Verzat is a great character, one you will empathize with. Overall, a great historical read.
September 27, 2022
Joliette de Verzat, a young woman belonging to a French aristocratic family, is dedicated to upholding her family’s legacy, Château de Verzat Wines. The de Verzat family owns a vineyard in the beautiful Loire Valley, far removed from the intrigues of Versailles. She was trained by her loving paternal grandmother, grandmaman, to care for the business. When that good lady passes away, the business is inherited by her father who could care any less. He would rather bask in the pomp and grandeur of Versailles. Joliette wants to take control of the vineyard but the problem is that her father doesn’t take her seriously. Moreover, she is not even his heir. It isn’t as if she could ever inherit anything as a single woman. As the French Revolution begins, she goes to a hostile Paris where she uncovers Henri, her illegitimate half-brother.
Debra Borchert’s "Her Own Legacy," the premier book in the Château de Verzat series, is a masterfully woven tale about a young woman’s fight to maintain a three-hundred year legacy. We follow Joliette’s journey from the French countryside with its vivid descriptions of wine-making to the glistening halls of Versailles where she serves as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. Finally, we experience the horrors of the Reign of Terror and the struggle for women to have some agency in a time where they possessed barely any rights. Borchert cleverly tells her tale through the eyes of Joliette and her half-brother, Henri, a young boy who is cynical about the aristocratic legacy to which he belongs. He is a young boy who has faced all kinds of hardship living with his impoverished mother, a woman who had an affair with the Comte de Verzat.
Not only was this book beautifully written with wonderful prose and picturesque descriptions but the characters had a genuine humanity to them. I simply loved the descriptions of the vineyard and the world of the eighteenth century. Reading this novel was an immersive experience where I could simultaneously appreciate the author’s realistic depictions and level of detail. It is apparent that Borchert did her due diligence in research. It certainly shines through her writing and, as a historical fiction reader, this is something I loved. The overall pace of the story was good and it kept me engaged for most of the time. The only criticism I can think of was that some of the dialogue came across as being somewhat awkward at times. Other than that, this was a delightful read about a time of real horror. I eagerly anticipate the the second installment of the Château de Verzat series.
As a fun aside, Borchert includes a recipe for Soupe Poireaux-Pommes de Terre (Leek & Potato Soup) at the back of the book. In addition, there is a neat section with discussion questions to help one think more deeply while reading "Her Own Legacy."
I graciously received an advanced reader copy of "Her Own Legacy." I received a free ARC for an honest review. No money was given for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Debra Borchert’s "Her Own Legacy," the premier book in the Château de Verzat series, is a masterfully woven tale about a young woman’s fight to maintain a three-hundred year legacy. We follow Joliette’s journey from the French countryside with its vivid descriptions of wine-making to the glistening halls of Versailles where she serves as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. Finally, we experience the horrors of the Reign of Terror and the struggle for women to have some agency in a time where they possessed barely any rights. Borchert cleverly tells her tale through the eyes of Joliette and her half-brother, Henri, a young boy who is cynical about the aristocratic legacy to which he belongs. He is a young boy who has faced all kinds of hardship living with his impoverished mother, a woman who had an affair with the Comte de Verzat.
Not only was this book beautifully written with wonderful prose and picturesque descriptions but the characters had a genuine humanity to them. I simply loved the descriptions of the vineyard and the world of the eighteenth century. Reading this novel was an immersive experience where I could simultaneously appreciate the author’s realistic depictions and level of detail. It is apparent that Borchert did her due diligence in research. It certainly shines through her writing and, as a historical fiction reader, this is something I loved. The overall pace of the story was good and it kept me engaged for most of the time. The only criticism I can think of was that some of the dialogue came across as being somewhat awkward at times. Other than that, this was a delightful read about a time of real horror. I eagerly anticipate the the second installment of the Château de Verzat series.
As a fun aside, Borchert includes a recipe for Soupe Poireaux-Pommes de Terre (Leek & Potato Soup) at the back of the book. In addition, there is a neat section with discussion questions to help one think more deeply while reading "Her Own Legacy."
I graciously received an advanced reader copy of "Her Own Legacy." I received a free ARC for an honest review. No money was given for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
June 10, 2024
In Her Own Legacy, Debra Borchert tells the story of an aristocratic heiress whose life intersects with a lowly commoner in the most unlikely of ways during the French Revolution. The result is an immersive dual narrative of two spirited individuals who have much more in common than the country in which they live. Together they stand to inherit a thriving chateaux and vineyard in the Loire Valley. But will tradition prevail when The Terror ousts the nobles?
What I especially loved about this book is Borchert’s attention to historical detail. I learned things I didn’t know about the French Revolution, the small things that affected people in harsh ways. The hunger, the threat of anarchy, the sense of powerlessness… all felt very real. Borchert writes with wonderful compassion.
The assembly of characters also intrigued me. I became attached to the main characters and the secondary characters, who added much color to the story. Borchert is an excellent plotter. Every chapter brings new twists, and each character played a key part. The swift pace of the story keeps the reader engaged until the very end. There also is a strong sense of place throughout the novel. Paris, Versailles, and the French countryside come alive, especially Paris’s underground tunnels!
This is a book I highly recommend. I read book two in the Chateau de Verzat series before reading Her Own Legacy, which is the first in the series, but having already read book II (Her Own Revolution) did not affect my enjoyment of this story. Both stories stand on their own.
What I especially loved about this book is Borchert’s attention to historical detail. I learned things I didn’t know about the French Revolution, the small things that affected people in harsh ways. The hunger, the threat of anarchy, the sense of powerlessness… all felt very real. Borchert writes with wonderful compassion.
The assembly of characters also intrigued me. I became attached to the main characters and the secondary characters, who added much color to the story. Borchert is an excellent plotter. Every chapter brings new twists, and each character played a key part. The swift pace of the story keeps the reader engaged until the very end. There also is a strong sense of place throughout the novel. Paris, Versailles, and the French countryside come alive, especially Paris’s underground tunnels!
This is a book I highly recommend. I read book two in the Chateau de Verzat series before reading Her Own Legacy, which is the first in the series, but having already read book II (Her Own Revolution) did not affect my enjoyment of this story. Both stories stand on their own.
September 29, 2025
I love reading historical fiction set in France, and Her Own Legacy doesn’t disappoint, especially as it is set against the backdrops of a French vineyard and of Paris on the eve of the French revolution. The story is told from two points of view: Henri who is the bastard son who inherits the winery and Joliette, the legitimate daughter who knows how to run it. I recommend this book, the first of three in the series, to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in France.
October 2, 2024
Read as part of the 2024 Indie Author Project.
This book was okay. Technically written well, but not my cup of tea. I wasn't really engaged by the story, which, considering it took place during the French Revolution, is saying something. It was also very Feminism 101. I just don't think I was the target audience for this book.
This book was okay. Technically written well, but not my cup of tea. I wasn't really engaged by the story, which, considering it took place during the French Revolution, is saying something. It was also very Feminism 101. I just don't think I was the target audience for this book.
November 23, 2022
We are proud to announce that HER OWN LEGACY by Debra Borchert has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
June 29, 2024
Historical telling during the 1700's French Revolution. With complex issues of the period. Characters that are well developed and endearing. As the first installation in a series, I am excited for the next book!
January 29, 2023
Good book great story just highly disappointed with the ending.
dnf
September 6, 2023DNF @ 3% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway. These seemed like a nice story, I just wasn't that intrigued by it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews