The Widows of Champagne - by Renee Ryan (Paperback)

About the Book

Champagne, 1939: Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family's future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouchâe-Leblanc's most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn't the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal...A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle's mother, Hâeláene, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich's thirst for the finest champagne. There's even more at stake than Hâeláene dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret...and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France.Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine's deep faith leads to her own path of resistance. Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy...

Book Synopsis

"History, drama, and passion as effervescent as the resilient LeBlanc women and the champagne that bears their name. I highly recommend!"
--Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

In this captivating story of resilience, three generations of women battle to save their family's vineyard from the ravages of WWII.

Champagne, 1939

Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family's future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouché-Leblanc's most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn't the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal...

A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle's mother, Hélène, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich's thirst for the finest champagne. There's even more at stake than Hélène dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret...and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France.

Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine's deep faith leads to her own path of resistance.

Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy...


A must-read novel from Love Inspired: Stories to Uplift and Inspire.

Review Quotes

"History, drama, and passion as effervescent as the resilient LeBlanc women and the champagne that bears their name. I highly recommend!"
--Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

"The Widows of Champagne is a standout among its historical fiction peers. The struggles, betrayals and fear of war-torn France is a moving backdrop to a story whose heart is centered around the complicated love between mothers and daughters, and the sacrifices one makes for survival."
--Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

"The Widows of Champagne is a riveting novel of WWII France. I held my breath many times as the three generations of widows negotiated the treacherous landscape of war. Highly recommended."
--Robin Lee Hatcher, Christy Award-winning author of Make You Feel My Love

"With complex characters and a stunning setting, The Widows of Champagne will sweep you into a wartime story of love, greed, and how one should never underestimate the strength of the women left behind. I couldn't put it down. Fans of Kristin Hannah will love it!"
--Donna Alward, New York Times bestselling author

"Exquisitely crafted, masterful storytelling. Do not miss this book!"
--Heather Burch, bestselling author of One Lavender Ribbon

"A story of valiant women, detailed in its research, moving and tense."
--Natalie Meg Evans, author of The Dress Thief