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The American Journey #1

La Belle Christiane

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Can the beautiful daughter of a French courtesan find a love that will last a lifetime?

In the early 1770's, Christiane Pelletier, an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, is next in a line of courtesans who have been favorites at the French court during the reigns of two monarchs. Yet she longs to be the beloved wife of one man, not a lovely piece of human art passed from one noble to another. And the winds of change are sweeping Europe.

After her mother's violent murder, Christiane flees France with her renegade father. In the Canadian wilderness, she survives the shock of leaving a life of wealth and privilege. To escape frontier violence, she moves southward only to become involved in the burgeoning American Revolution. Daughter of a French courtesan to frontier wife to companion of Lady Washington, Christiane moves into the heart of the American rebel elite. But one man in her life can never be forgotten. Once he was her friend. Now he has become her enemy. Will he become her destiny? Only God knows.

Note to my readers:
About La Belle Christiane, my very first manuscript never published till now.
When I began writing my first manuscript, I literally ran after my two toddlers with a clipboard in my hand and wrote whenever they paused. GRIN.
Anyway I wrote that story without knowing anything about the market. In fact, I told myself just to write the book and then I’d think about marketing it. The thought of that was overwhelming at that time. It took me three years of writing to finish my first manuscript-1,000 handwritten pages. Whew!

Then I found out that while it garnered interest from agents and editors, it never found a publisher. I think that’s because there are “unwritten” rules for inspirational and romance fiction and I didn’t know them or follow them. I still think it’s a good story and I didn’t want it to sit ignored on my shelf forever.
So I’ve revised it and polished it till its quality matches what I write now.

However, I’ve grown as a writer and solidified my brand. I want you to know that Christiane is not my “expected” heroine. She comes from a background far different than say, my Quaker heroines and she is trying to find her way to the truth and true love. So if you want just my regular heroine, I suggest you try my novella, “Where Honor Began” and read my Quaker Brides series. Christiane is different and yet very much like my heroines now. But I wanted you to know she’s flawed upfront. Thanks--Lyn

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2011

324 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

Lyn Cote

121 books588 followers
Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.

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5 stars
191 (59%)
4 stars
92 (28%)
3 stars
30 (9%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Jillian.
Author 192 books599 followers
December 1, 2011
Totally enjoyed it. I loved the setting--revolutionary America. The characters are real, likable and stayed with me whenever I put the book down. The historical story--I won't spoil it--held some wonderful surprises, and the romance was top notch. While I'm a friend of Lyn's, that doesn't take away from the fact I found myself carrying my kindle into the kitchen so I could read while making a sandwich because I had to see what happened next! That's my definition of a great read.
Profile Image for SheLove2Read.
3,105 reviews203 followers
July 16, 2014
I am giving up on this at 70%. I just can't make myself finish it. Christiane starts the book as a young 15 year old girl who ran away with her father to Canada, to escape life as a mistress to the French court. When her father dies, she eventually is found by some Indians and taken in (all this happens off screen) and sold to a trapper in a bridal bidding war. If the book had continued in this direction, I would have liked it a lot more. Unfortunately her trapper husband is killed (again offscreen) leaving Christiane with a small child. She travels south and ends up at a colony where eventually she married husband #2, who got himself killed in the Revolutionary War. At the point where it was looking like she was on the prowl for husband #3 is when I lost interest. She'd also done some things I didn't find very cool, even for a YOUNG mother (spoiler I won't reveal) and it just didn't seem to be going in a direction I cared about.

Disappointing read. 1.5 stars for what I did read.
Profile Image for Jean Gordon.
Author 56 books281 followers
July 3, 2012
Anyone who is looking for a great Colonial American saga has to pick up this book. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next one to come out.
Profile Image for Megan.
277 reviews8 followers
March 27, 2012
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.
Profile Image for Cindy.
144 reviews7 followers
March 13, 2019
Revolutionary War

Great granddaughter of French royalty, orphaned, sold buy Indians, first husband killed by a bear, second husband killed in war, taken in by General and Mrs. Washington, captured by red coats...all by age 18.

Enjoyable story with lots of historical detail, non stop drama. A good historical fiction novel in a time period not often visited. I enjoyed and recommend.
Profile Image for Robyn Echols.
Author 5 books28 followers
April 6, 2021
Engaging Story

I enjoyed this romance about the efforts by the characters to find love and safety in spite of dangers and war. Well written with great characters whose emotional responses came through the descriptions and dialogue. A great read.
2,364 reviews12 followers
February 24, 2023
The American Journey Collection: Books 1-4
1. Journey to Victory
4 Stars
I purchased a copy of the full-length clean historical novel Journey to Victory: The American Journey Collection Book 1 by Lyn Cote and this review was given freely.
Long. Easy to read. Interesting characters. Contains violence.
This is the story of the rough and ever-changing life of Christiane Martin who escapes the life of a royal Parisian Cartesian’s daughter to make a new life in Canada. The story depicts the hardship of living on the frontier as well as surviving the revolutionary war as Christiane finds herself captured by the Native American, married to a trapper, married to a farmer, separated from her son, working for the Washington’s during the Revolutionary war, and reunited with her first love, British Captain Eastham.
2. Journey to Honor
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical novel Journey to Honor: The American Journey Collection Book 2 by Lyn Cote and this review was given freely.
A friendship to love story with an eclectic mix of family members.
Set in the early days of New Orleans and including multiple nationalities and stations in life, this is the struggle of Christiane Eastham’s daughter Sarah to rebuild her life and her place in high society despite the stigma of divorce, changing politics, the prejudice against interracial marriage, and the region’s proslavery government. Just when she thinks she has everything a health challenge threatens her happiness.
3. Journey to Respect
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical novel Journey to Respect: The American Journey Collection Book 3 by Lyn Cote and this review was given freely.
Tragic but with heartwarming reunions and a couple from diverse backgrounds who find love and happiness in the Midwest.
Featuring the oldest children from Book two, Tristan and Raphael “Rafe” McKuen, this a poignant story featuring Easterner Eve Holcombe’s father’s death from Consumption, the rush to protect the military and Native Americans from Smallpox, and the further displacement of the local tribes. Contains a strong undercurrent of cultural prejudice.
4. Journey to Peace
3 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical novel Journey to Peace: The American Journey Collection Book 4 by Lyn Cote and this review was given freely.
Bullying and prejudice force the McKuens and their estate workers to move to Texas. There is completion as the McKuen twins find love with the women they are protecting, and Tristan finally marries the woman he loves.
The storyline is good, but it is hard to follow as there are no separations between characters speaking or changes in place and time except for changing paragraphs. I found myself backtracking to determine who was talking.
128 reviews
June 28, 2019
An American Lady

Beautiful 15 year old Christiane Pellitier has run away from France with her father to avoid the plans her Grandmother has for her life. He is murdered as soon as they arrive and she is cared for by an Indian man that helps her find a husband. She marries a fur trapper and he is killed by a bear. She finds herself pregnant and alone so she travels to a village and works in an Inn. Jakob Kruger a German immigrant falls in love with her and marries her and gives her a home and Stepson. The American Revolution starts and he joins believing he will be back in time for the baby but Jean Claude decides to be born now. Their village is attack by Indians hired by the English with a bounty for scalps. Her Stepson and all the villagers are murdered so she runs again. She is starving and exhausted by the time she finds people again. She stumbles into the doorway of a Quaker Meeting with Jean Claude in his carrier on her back and passes out and sleeps for 2 days. She is taken in by Sarah Ann and Josiah Richardson and they take them in as family. They lost their son so Jean Claude fills that hole. Eventually Christiane worries about Jakob and feels he needs her so she leaves the baby with the Richardson's and goes to Valley Forge and finds him. She stays with him until he is killed. She is then asked to be an aide to Mrs Washington and stays on with her and the Army.
Profile Image for Betti.
1,373 reviews37 followers
August 25, 2018
Normally one would read a series in order, starting with the first book. It did not working out that way for this series, and I believe I enjoyed it even more, since I knew what was to come. In this book, the author takes you through the beginning of the struggle for freedom from Great Britain to the beginning of a new country called America! Christiane moves from the country of her birth, France, to the wildness of fur trading in Canada. Life tried to knock her down, but she continued to rise up and move on again. One hero stood out in her life, but was she ever to see him again? Life as a rebel wife was not what she wanted or hoped for...was the war ever going to be over so life would become 'normal' once more? Making decisions without due consideration or the facts brought her into many less than ideal situations. Was it possible that she would ever stop behaving impetuously?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding it hard to quit reading long enough to get anything else done. I received a copy of this book from the author for my perusal. No review was expected and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Katie.
144 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2021
LC’s author’s note states when she wrote this story she didn’t understand the unwritten rules of inspirational fiction. I would motion she still doesn’t. There are ways to put forth the story of a courtesan’s daughter in inspirational fiction. Even infidelity, barrenness, and illegitimacy. This was not it.

I almost DNF, but I rarely DNF (I have issues. It being unfinished will bother me more than finishing and hating every moment 😅). I still have books on my “currently reading” that I’ve been “reading” for years.

That being said, there is no need for the words “b***h” and “b*****d” nor the following quotation: “he felt lightning flash through him. And wonder of wonders, he felt his body preparing to love her. He pictured her lying under him, silken and yielding. A groaning, a pleading welled up inside him.”

😐

Three stars: 1 for an interesting story, 1 for my completion, and 1 for LC’s completion. Negative two stars: 1 for the language and sexuality, 1 for the lack of maintaining inspirational fiction’s unwritten rules and making me take all of LC’s unread books off my TBR pile.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,983 reviews
December 19, 2016
This is a very interesting story set during the American Revolution. It kept me wanting to turn pages. I always enjoy Lynn Cote's writing. She helps the reader travel to, and experience, the time period she is writing about. I didn't like the character of Christiane very much because of some of the choices she made, but yet I still want to read the other books in the series when they come out because I am interested in how her life changes. She made some great choices in escaping France and coming to America, but then seemed to go back and forth between selfishness and compassion for others. This one is different than most Christian fiction because, although it is technically "clean," the choices some of the characters make would be rejected by some Christian publishers even though a great lesson is learned in the end. If you enjoy Christian Historical fiction and/or the American Revolution, this one is for you.

I received a copy free from the author, but was not required to write a positive review.
170 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2018
I’ve enjoyed other books by Lyn Cote, but I think she has surpassed herself with this series. Christiane Pelletier is such a strong, caring, loving character. Not many women could survive the trials she went through—marrying a stranger; seeing her village wiped out; traveling through dangerous territory without protection; the loss of two husbands; and much, much more. I loved her connection to George and Martha Washington, which gives you further insight into these two wonderful people. Even though Christiane finds true love in John Eastham, they are on opposite sides because he is an officer in the British Army. This story kept me engrossed from the first page to the last. It is certainly a book I would recommend to everyone who likes the American Revolution period, especially with the many strong, wonderful characters in this story.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
602 reviews17 followers
March 22, 2021
This was a great read, a real what Will she do next?? Kind of story. It's about a woman who escaped the life planned out for her as a French courtesan, captured and sold by Indians to the highest bidder, loses two husbands and gets into the habit of bolting when things seem to be going wrong. She suffers tragedy and hardship during the American war for Independence and in the continental army camps but never loses the training she received from her mother and grandmother, her natural elegance and automatic high born manners make her a magnet for men and take her into the home and confidence of the Washingtons. Can she keep her resolve to stop bolting and believe the truth when confronted with it?
The next three books, I believe are about her children and grandchildren. I will HAVE to read them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,660 reviews1,227 followers
November 29, 2025
Fascinating tale of a young girl who was found by Canadian Indians wandering the forest lost after her father's untimely death. They kept her for a while, then basically sold her to be married to a fur trapper. The tale continues of her life beginning as near royalty in France, but running away from the life they expected of her. Sometimes fortunate, sometimes unfortunate, her life was not at all what she had expected. Many ups, but also many downs and hardships. But always along the way God provided assistance, although at the time I don’t think she realized it was God’s provision.

This was one of the more complicated stories. I’ve read by Lyn Cote. Generally, there might burying one husband and another one coming along. It was far more complicated than this. But always interesting.
Profile Image for gary loupassakis.
15 reviews
January 27, 2023
good historical background of the Revolutionary War

I learned a lot about the struggles of the everyday lives of the soldiers and their families during the war. The author describes the hardships of the camps and plight of the families extremely well. The way she weaves true to life historical people with fictional characters makes history come alive. I also particularly enjoyed the geography, coming from New Jersey.
The love story was a bit much for me and could have been much abridged. Thought it was overplayed and turned the book into a romantic novel. Found this very disappointing.
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,450 reviews
June 13, 2025
Christiane Martin has left England to escape the royal hoopla her mother is engaged in and traveled to British Canada. Her life takes several turns at the age of 15 when she is taken by Indians and then sold as a bride. When her husband dies shortly thereafter, she heads to the east coast of what is yet to become America. She finds herself involved in the Revoltionary War, another marriage and husband's death, and her life becomes more and more twisted.

This is an interesting and well researched novel that is the beginning of the development of Amerioca. The series will continue to follow the family through 3 more novels which I am looking forward to hreading.
1,174 reviews12 followers
May 8, 2018
Story touched my heart… This Revolutionary War romance is told through the eyes of Christiane Pelletier. Christiane, a very young Parisian woman, has come to America to experience a different life than her mother and grandmother. Throughout the book, Christiane experiences joys and struggles. Due to her impetuous manner, Christiane's experiences are often caused by her own decisions. Many times I am frustrated by her plans to run away. This is a more realistic look at life at a time of war than I have read in a romance. This is a well written book that touched my heart.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,289 reviews17 followers
April 12, 2018
A very well written story of an impulsive headstrong young girl who just keeps making bad decisions. I really did not like Christiane at all. However, the story itself is awesome. Lyn writes in such a manner as to keep one totally engaged and wanting to find out just what is going to happen next. How will all things work out? Will lessons be learned or not??? Highly recommend. I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author. The opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Barbara Thompson.
461 reviews13 followers
April 20, 2018
Journey to Victory by Author Lyn Cote is a well-written book with fantastic characters, keeps your attention and has great romance. The author is amazing in writing her storyline, especially in this time period. Journey to Victory written by Author Lyn Cote is Book One in the Patriots & Seekers series. I recommend reading this book, especially if you love this time period.

I received a copy from the author, but was not required to review it. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
Profile Image for Maria D.
76 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2019
It’s been many many years since I’ve picked up a historical fiction. Very pleased with this one! To be so young and to have experienced so much, Christiane endures tragedies and heartache upon heartache. The words describing her journey made her resilient and strong yet vulnerable. The different loves she allowed herself were felt at different levels. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next historical fiction!
Profile Image for Dianne Sidebottom.
1,433 reviews15 followers
September 29, 2019
I didn't read this series in order but am glad to read the three stories of Christaine, Sarah, Rafe.
Not from USA and I'm unfamiliar with the history but found the stories controversy with sides of war and living through the winter season of hardship believable. Also the damage of not clearing up conversation you heard ear dropping from the source not gossip that wasted many years. History lesson that I didn't mind reading.
150 reviews2 followers
November 23, 2020
Highly recommend

Following this story emotionally wrung me out. I loved the characters and felt saddened by the loss of so many. I was also saddened by the time John lost with Sarah because of an unnecessary misunderstanding. Although there are references about the American revolution, I found the story more interesting when I could draw on my knowledge about some of the battles, winter quartering, British conscription of civilian housing.
6 reviews
March 27, 2025
This is a well written saga of a young girl, who in a few short years, experiences a lifetime of hardships and journeys to the unexpected. Often because of her impetuous nature, she finds herself in many dangerous situations. The story takes place behind the scenes of the American Revolution.
The historical depictions of military life for families was very interesting and eye opening. The story ends happily and I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Barbara G. Graybill.
216 reviews
April 7, 2021
Excellent

Become involved in the life and times of the Revolutionary War. Many people celebrate 1776 as the birth of the United States; few focus on the embittered years of war and hardship that followed. Nor do we see so brilliantly how wealth and privilege kept women in subjugation. A toast to the authors and her characters!
Profile Image for Susi Koornstra.
29 reviews
June 2, 2025
A FABULOUS STORY!!!

My favorite genre is love in the Revolutionary War. This story kept me awake at night and I couldn’t stop thinking about it during the day. Christiane is a thrilling character and I loved her interactions with George Washington and his darling wife. This book had everything I want in a fictional piece in the Revolutionary War. Thank you, Lyn Cote!
Profile Image for Charline Romine.
824 reviews
July 2, 2025
Christiane ❤️ John

This is a very satisfying story of the American Revolution. It has not only made me understand more about the horrible times of battle but the horrors of suffering these brave men and women put forth for their freedom, and ours, their descendants. This is also a passionate love story wrapped in the history of our country. Excellent!
Profile Image for Leana Marie.
Author 2 books
August 28, 2019
This is a vivid historical novel about the revolutionary war period. The main character goes through so much along her journery, as do so many of us this day and age. I highly recommend Lyn Cote's book.
Profile Image for Clara K Page.
773 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2020
Good Book

I haven't read any books on the American Revolution, until this one. I found this book really informative and enjoyed reading about the characters and conditions during this time period.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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