It’s the year 1805 and Napoleon Bonaparte is on a mission to conquer and rule the eastern regions of Germany and Prussia. Annaelise Theiss, daughter of a German winemaker and a former Parisian aristocrat, is caught between her mother’s loyalty to the new French Regime and her father’s inclination towards the ideas of Enlightenment from German philosophers and the American Founding Fathers. Amidst a web of espionage and spying against the emperor, Annaelise is a young heroine who witnesses conflicting messages and experiences the remnants of the former French aristocracy while on a visit to a distant cousin in Bavaria with her family. As she matures, she becomes entangled in mystery and deception, her journey leading her to the simplicity of winery and brewery life in Alsace-Lorraine and The Pfalz in Germany where she connects with her German heritage.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Annaelise falls in love with a brave French officer, Captain Hans Roster.  The story is replete with unforeseeable events of mystery, deceit, and love that significantly impact Annaelise’s life, leaving her to grapple with unexpected situations and make difficult choices. These events shake her convictions, causing her to question her beliefs and allegiances, and ultimately transform her into a different person.

Equestrian scenes play a significant role in transporting the reader back in time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation, and taverns and inns were the usual stopping points between cities, often serving as secret meeting places. From grand ballrooms to intense battle scenes, this captivating story is based on actual historical events and is sure to keep readers engaged with each chapter. A sequel is also in the works.