BORN in Paris during the 1848 revolution, Leonie Michel's early life is blighted by illness, drama and tragedy. But as she grows into a beautiful woman, the glittering capital of France's Second Empire opens up to her.

Her father, a brilliant doctor, develops a miraculous cure and Leonie starts mixing in high society. She meets celebrated writers, artists and musicians, not to mention the heroes of the French Army and their gilded women.

The Emperor Napoleon III is enchanted by her and encourages her ambition to become an actress. But danger and repeated heartbreak lie ahead and even worse is to follow when the Prussians invade France and besiege Paris.

Leonie's family and friends are caught up in the fighting and the vicious civil war that follows. In her quest for peace and happiness, Leonie flees to England where her path again crosses that of the Emperor.

Tony Boullemier was born in 1945 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in north east Englandand educated at the city'sRoyal Grammar School and Reading University. He trained as a reporter with the Newcastle Journal and at 23 joined the Daily Express in London where he became one of Fleet Street's youngest sub-editors. Read More>>

Why he wrote Leonie and the last Napoleon
All journalists are convinced they have a book in them. They just need time and inspiration. Tony was lucky to have the time. And even luckier when inspiration arrived in the shape of a battered old diary, handed down to him after his father died. Read More>>