“…highly recommend the whole series.”— Historical Novels Review “...multifaceted...sustained intrigue...effervescent... A compelling wine tale...”— Kirkus Reviews A captivating tale of courage, betrayal, and resilience set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution To save her world, she must risk losing it. Chateau Verzat’s vineyards have sustained generations, but ancient laws forbid unmarried women from inheriting land. Countess Joliette de Verzat secretly manages her estate, haunted by the fear of losing everything for herself and her people. Revolution erupts, chaos descends. She risks her life to save her forbidden lover amidst the turmoil and flees to Paris where she uncovers a shocking truth: her illegitimate half-brother, Henri, is the rightful heir. Now hunted by her father’s killer, Joliette must trust those she has saved to protect her and help her reclaim her legacy. But as she faces impossible choices and dangerous enemies, she must also confront her own desires and the true meaning of family. For fans of strong women and forbidden romance, Her Own Legacy is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for self-determination. Experience the passion and turmoil of a woman defying tradition to claim her rightful place. "Countess Joliette de Verzat is determined to preserve the legacy of her family's vineyard in Debra Borchert's captivating novel, Her Own Legacy , the first book in the Château de Verzat series. The young Countess fearlessly navigates the obstacles of her destiny - duty to the Queen, laws prohibiting her inheritance, a forbidden love, the discovery of an illegitimate brother, and war. When the French Revolution erupts, armed and hungry citizens march towards the Versailles palace - leaving the formidable Joliette to battle for her Verzat legacy, life, and love. With an equally eloquent and dynamic tone, the novel is an immersive piece of historical fiction - both thorough and concise in historical detail - which stands up against other works of this storied time. Charming, gracefully written, with moments of true excitement, Borchert's historical work is a marvel." The Indie View , ★★★★★ "This accomplished historical novel finds a young woman making her own choices as revolution sweeps France. Readers who love stories of determined women seizing opportunities history too often denied them will relish Joliette's story. " Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor's Pick "Borchert's passionate tale is the first installment of the Château de Verzat series. ...multifaceted...sustained intrigue...effervescent... A compelling wine tale ..." Kirkus Reviews Her Own Legacy listed as one of the " Top 5 Paris Based Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2023!" Parisian Niche "A beautifully written novel. Borchert makes you want to read the next book in her series ." Historical Novel Society Magazine "Borchert's passionate tale is the first installment of the Château de Verzat series. ... multifaceted...sustained intrigue...effervescent... A compelling wine tale ..." Kirkus Reviews " Top 5 Paris Based Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2023 !" Parisian Niche "This accomplished historical novel finds a young woman making her own choices as revolution sweeps France. With an equally eloquent and dynamic tone, the novel is an immersive piece of historical fiction—both thorough and concise in historical detail—which stands up against other works of this storied time. Charming, gracefully written, with moments of true excitement, Borchert's historical work is a marvel ." Independent Review of Books, Finalist 2022 SPR Awards "A wonderfully written story. Her Own Legacy is a hidden history lesson as well as a beautiful read. Perfect for those who love history, romance and well written stories—and I can't wait for the next one ." The Good Life France 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 , etc. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and independently.  She is the author of the Château de Verzat series that takes place during the French Revolution and in which characters do the wrong things for the right reasons, and the companion cookbook, Soups of Château de Verzat: A Literary Cookbook & Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution . 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 Historical Novel Society Editors' Choice, Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor's Pick , and many five-star reviews.