La Belle Christiane by Lyn Cote

La Belle Christiane is set during the Revolutionary War.  Christiane is the young and beautiful daughter of a famous French courtesan.  She flees her life in France and travels through Canada and the United States meeting many hardships.  She lives on the frontier, on a farm, on a battlefield, and among both the British elite and American leadership, eventually becoming a companion for Lady Washington herself.  She is headstrong and restless: will she ever find lasting love and peace in this new world?


Lyn Cote is a talented author who not only writes stories but also paints vivid pictures of people and places.  Reading this book was like watching a movie!
Honestly, though, I did not like Christiane's character.  She is selfish and impulsive, and her rash decisions often led to turmoil for her and others.  She leaves her infant son for years, while she is searching for a better life for herself, partly because she wants certain luxuries!  As a mother, with an infant son, I cannot relate or understand that decision and at times Christiane's actions seemed unjustified or inconsistent with her character.  In the Kindle edition that I read there were some typos and other inconsistencies.  There was very little Christian theme or message.

I did enjoy the story. I loved the historical setting and the historical characters included.  All of the historical detail (about places, people, clothing, etc) is extremely interesting.  The story moves along quickly with a lot happening.  The minor characters were as vivid as Christiane, and I liked all of them.  My favorite scene is when Emma, a young lady with a hare lip, discovers that she is loved.  The conversation was honest and heartwarming.  I also appreciated the Quaker characters and the love they portrayed.
 
This one was good, but not my favorite. It is definitely worth reading for the historical aspect and it is only $2.99 on Amazon.  I would recommend Lyn Cote's other books as well.  See my review for Her Inheritance Forever.

My thanks to Lyn Cote for provided an e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

Comments

Lyn Cote said…
Thanks for your honest review, Kathy. I understand your feeling about my heroine leaving her child in the care of others. However, she was going into situations where he could easily have become one of the majority of children at that time who died before 5 years of age. In my mind what she did was similar to a teen-aged mother today who gives her child up for adoption. She was not only trying to find a life for herself but for her child. And she made mistakes too and lived to regret them.
But I do appreciate your review and point of view. (You aren't alone.) Let me know when you're free to do another review. Merry Christmas and hugs, Lyn
Lyn Cote said…
Oops! I meant MEGAN! Sorry! This is what comes from trying to do too many things at the same time! I had just been contact by a reader on GoodReads who goes by InspiredKathy. Shaking my head at myself.
Thanks Lyn, I see what you are saying! Thanks. And I would love to review another book...maybe after the Holidays!

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