A Bakery in Paris

From the author of The School for German Brides,this captivating historical novel set in nineteenth-century and post-World War II Paris follows two fierce women of the same familygenerations apartwho find that their futures lie in the four walls of a simple bakery in a tiny corner of Montmartre. 1870: The Prussians are at the city gatesintent to starve Paris into submission. Lisette Vigneau–headstrongwillfuland often ignored by her wealthy parents–awaits the outcome of the war from her parents’ grand home in the Place Royale in the very heart of the city. When an excursion throws her into the path of a revolutionary National GuardsmanTh├⌐odore Fournierher destiny is forever changed. She gives up her life of luxury to join in the fight for a Paris of the People. She opens a small bakery with the hopes of being a vital boon to the impoverished neighborhood in its hour of need. When the city falls into famineand then rebellionher resolve to give up the comforts of her past life is sorely tested. 1946: Nineteen-year-old Micheline Chartier is coping with the loss of her father and the disappearance of her mother during the war. In their absenceshe is charged with the raising of her two younger sisters. At the hand of a well-meaning neighborMicheline finds herself enrolled in a prestigious baking academy with her entire life mapped out for her. Feeling trapped and desperately unequal to the task of raising two young girlsshe becomes obsessed with finding her mother. Her classmate at the academyLaurent Tanetmay be the only one capable of helping Micheline move on from the past and begin creating a future for herself. Both women must grapple with losslearn to accept loveand face impossible choices armed with little more than their courage and a belief that a bit of flouryeastsugarand love can bring about a revolution of their own.