Because You Loved Me

by Christa Allan

New Orleans
1841
Ever since her parents died of yellow fever when she was a child, Charotte LeClerc has lived with her grandparents, who rarely speak of their son and his wife. They are on the verge of negotiating a marriage contract with a suitor, a man Charlotte loathes, when they discover that she enjoys the company of Gabriel Girod, a young Creole man.
Her future hangs in the balance as her grandparents choose between keeping secrets or revealing a truth they've known since before her birth -- a truth that will make the difference between a life of obligation and a life of choice for Charlotte.

(PLEASE NOTE: This novel was originally published as Love Finds You in New Orleans)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical Romance, Christian Historical Fiction, Historical

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2012

About the author

NEW RELEASE: SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
OCTOBER 11, 2016

A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day,Christa writes stories with heart, humor and hope. Her novels include: Walking on Broken Glass, Threads of Hope, The Edge of Grace, Test of Faith, All They Want for Christmas.

Christa's essays have been published in The Ultimate Teacher, Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lovers Soul and Chicken Soup for the Divorced Soul. Christa is the mother of five, a grandmother of three, and a recently retired teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in New Orleans.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent story...but too many despicable characters.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the history seemed to be well researched, I had a hard time connecting to the immature flibbertigibbet of a heroine and didn't enjoy the constant references to the voodoo culture, one of my least favorite things about New Orleans.

Win some, lose some, I guess!

[LINDA BOURG · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book just did not hold my interest but i muddled through. For me it had to much about the history of New Orleans and slavery. I am not into historical romances, so this one just wasn't for me.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Love Finds You in New Orleans, Louisiana" has one of those love stories that charmed its way into my heart.

Set in a period and history of setting that is rich in culture, both of the main characters have much going against them. It's a time corroded with prejudice and bad feelings just because someone has a different color skin.

The research is thick and rich through the entire story. The city and all its richness definitely became a character. I especially enjoyed how the backstory of the characters were woven through their present lives. Giving little teases and tidbits before the surprise ending.

At times the romance literally felt as though it could not succeed. That is so hard to make feel real in a romance and through the entire story I was kept wondering and guessing. There were a few "little" things that distracted me from the story. Most of the chapter breaks or endings, felt a bit abrupt and at times the story felt lost in all the secondary details.

Over all I enjoyed this novel. It has that great blend of mystery, likeable characters, and a romance that actually led me to believe it might not succeed. Love triangles and corrupt lives hurting our hero and heroine. A rich tapestry of story.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy to review.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! Started reading and couldn't put it down. When I had to take a break ( get back to reality...cook dinner, etc.) my mind wandered back to the book, thinking, "I wonder what's going on with Lottie..." ha ha! I was intrigued with the many character relationships and sometimes I had to go back a few pages to see who was who, but that was no biggie. Christa Allan does an excellent job transporting the reader back in time to the Antebellum Period in New Orleans with her vivid descriptions of the clothing, culture, society, and not to mention, food. Half way through the book I started craving a "creole calas" and cafe au lait, but instead settled for Hubig pie and a regular cup of coffee.

P.S. I won this book on Goodreads!

[Laura Love Parris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Christa for opening my eyes to the streets of New Orleans during the mid-1800s. Not only did I enjoy the inspiring story of Lottie and Gabriel but I was attracted to this period of history. I live in the area of New Orleans and pride myself on knowing the history of this area. Well I must admit I learned a thing or two from your book. This was the first time I have read a light Christian romance novel. I found it to be very refreshing and entertaining to read. I will recommend the novel to my book club as a monthly selection. There is so much to discuss and debate about this time period in our history. Good Read!!

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read many of the LFY series, this one disappointed me. The setting and the plot line had lots of potential but just didn't seem to hit the mark. First, I found very little Christian thread throughout this one compared to all of the others I have read. Second, the plot line didn't seem well developed and was repetiive in places. The story repeatedly talked about the 6 foot skirts and all the problems they caused. The characters were not well developed either, and I never felt a strong connection to them. Overall this book just did not hit the mark for me as a reader.

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Orleans in the 1800's. Christa takes you into the Antebellum Period, and into the lives of Lottie and Gabriel. The streets of New Orleans bustle with activity, you can picture the clothing, smell the food, hear the noise. She makes it all come alive.
The romance between Lottie and Gabriel is one that you cheer for. They have so much going against them and you want them together.
This would be a great summer read! Grab a copy and tuck it in your bag.
Thanks Christa for the review copy!

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enlightened with learning about the difficulties in the social classes in regards to have any african american blood in your genetics. It was a fun historical novel.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because You Loved Me by Christa Allen is a beautifully written historical romance. This story is set back in the 1840s and is about a young woman who lost her parents to yellow fever and is taken in by her grandparents. Charlotte is of age to be married and her grandparents are looking for suitable matches for her. Charlotte tries so hard to be accepted by her grandmother and be approved of but nothing seems to work. Charlotte spends time with a young man by the name of Gabriel, a young Creole man. Gabriel and Charlotte have feelings for each other but Charlotte is conflicted on what to do with those feelings. She wants to be with Gabriel but knows that that is not something that would be possible because of their differences in race and class. Charlotte is also walking a dangerous path by helping to teach orphans how to read. It's frowned upon and she knows she risks going to jail but she persists nonetheless. But when Charlotte's grandparents learn about her feelings for Gabriel what will that mean in connection to her marriage?
Because You Loved Me is the first book by Christa Allan that I have read and I absolutely loved this book. It flows so smoothly and is so beautifully written from start to finish. The author does such a good job bringing the historical elements and aspects into this story. You almost feel as though you are back there in that time with them watching this story unfold from the various perspectives. The fact that even though Charlotte's parents are no longer alive, I like that she still takes the time to write them letters as if they are.
The only thing that I had a bit of an issue with in this story is how Charlotte acts. When I first started reading this book I honestly would not have thought that she was about to turn 20 years old. The way that she sounds and even acts at times is more in line with that of a younger or middle teen. So, when I learned that she was 19 about to be 20 I was more than a bit surprised. Other than that this book appears to have been professionally edited and proofread and very well done.
I really do hope that this author writes more historical romance stories. I do love them and this is one is going to be one of my favorites for sure. This story is unique, beautiful and romantic but not so romantic that you need a break from it here and there. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading more of this author in the future.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful historical romance! I loved the setting in New Orleans, where I was born. The story is about the challenges of a forbidden love between a young white woman of noble birth and her lifelong friend, a man of mixed race. The book showcases the time period in the 1800's when wealthy white men had mistresses of different races that they took care of in lives of privilege, along with their children that resulted from the affairs. It's a time when men and women of color were not considered equal to those of white birth. Lottie is a young woman who is expected to be presented to society, so that she can be married off to the wealthy man of her grandparent's choosing. When she realizes she really loves her long-time friend, Gabriel, she is heartbroken, because she knows she can never be with him. He is the son of a colored woman and her provider, a white man of noble birth. It gets really suspenseful in the story, as Lottie starts helping slaves find the road to freedom, and she also helps others learn to read, which is illegal. It's amazing the circumstances she finds herself in, and it's a book that is very hard to put down. I highly recommend this one.

[Cathryn Johansson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I love to pair reading with my travels, and we were in New Orleans for a wedding last fall. As much as it pains me to give a poor rating to a book, I just felt this one was disjointed, choppy and hard to follow. There is too much French that isn't explained, and the ending felt terribly rushed. What's more, I could not reconcile the so-called Christians (as the author was writing them to be devout) with their behavior. It was not a matter of sanctification, it was more a matter of hypocrisy and not having lifestyles that I would consider of a redeemed believer.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hated to see the story end

The author says she wasn't sure she could write historical fiction ... but I am so glad she decided to try! This was a wonderful story full of history. I could taste the sweets, see the buildings, feel the weight of the gowns! Such a fascinating time period -- one that few of us probably know anything about. Lottie's story will stay with me.

[Bean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Louisiana French prerequisite

A background in Creole or at least high school French should be a prerequisite for this book. I have neither and I struggled to get through this book, even with Kindle’s dictionary!

[A.J. Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will be swept back in time with this novel! My favorite part of this story was...well, it was all of it. The characters, the setting, the attention to historical detail-all of these components woven together to craft a beautiful story.

[Martha Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lived this book!

[etherealfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited e-book

[Doreen Nicolet]

Didn't like. Don't read this author.

[KANDI AULTMAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read this book numerous times

And keep reading it. Love that it takes you back to the 1840’s. I love history. Loved how it takes you back in time. And you feel like your in Lottie’s shoes. You also understand a lot from her point of view. It could even change mindsets.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be quite honest, I was expecting something much different than what I actually got in this book. I had to grind my way through it, and while it was interesting to see Pre-Civil War New Orleans, it seemed to me that the author focused too much on the racial discrimination part of the story, to the point where the plot got lost in it. Often times, I was confused by language used in the story, and often times there was no context to refer back to in order to figure out the meaning of the foreign word used. A glossary of words would have been very helpful, but none was provided! It made for a huge distraction in a book that seemed plagued with problems. It at least had a happily ever after, but the ending was so sudden, I was left wondering what happened to other characters in the story. All I can say is that I'm glad it is finally over and that it is most definitely not worth re-reading.

[Joanne Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this very much. cared so deeply for the characters.

[Carol]

It was okay but not riveting like I expected.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel set in 1840s New Orleans explores the issues of white Creole marriages with free women of color.

[Stephanie Delfico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is such a charm! Its cute, and charming in the "old southern" way. I liked the story around it, and how it folds in at the end. Good book for a cold winter day!

[Bertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved It - Great Christian Romance - Couldn't put it down

[Jess H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Found it a little slow moving.