Born into wealth in New Orleans in 1795, Micaela Almonester was married into misery in France sixteen years later. Against a richly woven historical background of two centuries and two vivid societies, Christina Vella unfolds the amazing true account of this resilient womans life--and the three men who most affected its course: her father, Andres, an illustrious New Orleans builder in whose footsteps she eventually followed with great distinction; her father-in-law, Xavier, who for more than twenty years tried to destroy her marriage and seize control of her fortune, eventually shooting Micaela in violent despair; and her husband, Celestin, whom; despite all, she compassionately supported until her death. Adapted as an opera in 2003 by the New Orleans Opera, Intimate Enemies has captured the imagination; and admiration of readers everywhere.