Located in the Champagne region of France, Chateau Fouche-Leblanc has produced a highly coveted champagne for two hundred years. In 1939, France declares war on Germany and in anticipation of a Nazi occupation, Gabrielle has hidden bottles of their premium blend. She will do whatever it takes to protect her family and their legacy. Little did she know what that would entail.
Gabrielle's grandmother, Josephine, has lived through and survived one war. She is an extraordinary woman who feels her time is limited and that her mental capabilities are waning. She will not allow this to be a deterrent and she will put into play her own form of resistance. Helene, Josephine's daughter-in-law and Gabrielle's mother, is the most glamorous of the three women and she takes on perhaps the most dangerous role of all. At all costs, she must protect her secret.
Told in the voices of these three women, their stories are richly narrated. Their perceptions and observations are beautifully presented. When a German officer takes up residence in their home, an already precarious situation escalates. Their determination to take whatever risks needed to survive is made obvious over and over again. As the story races to its conclusion, there are moments of despair and horror. Secrets are revealed and there are surprises.
THE WIDOWS OF CHAMPAGNE by Renee Ryan is a memorable story. Beautifully and skillfully told, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026