The French Passion

Book excerpt: Writing under the nom de plume Diane du Pont, New York Times–bestselling author Jacqueline Briskin brings to life the fury and intrigue of the French Revolution in a spellbinding, sensual novel of passion, betrayal, and love Manon d’Epinay is on her way to Paris to wed one of the most powerful nobles in France, an adviser to King Louis. But en route, her coach is attacked by marauding revolutionaries. To save her family, Manon strikes a devil’s bargain with a seductive highwayman that will seal her fate. For revolution is about to tear France apart—and transform her life forever. The French Passion is the vibrant story of three ardent people at a momentous turning point in history: Manon, a daring, impoverished aristocrat caught between two charismatic men, who does what she must to survive; Andre, whose past is cloaked in mystery and who risks his life to protect the woman he loves as he fights to bring justice and equality to his countrymen; and the Comte de Crequi, bound by the age-old laws of nobility and class, whose passions for his country and for Manon run deeper than anyone could have imagined.