Any author’s first book--even published years late--is the dearest to her heart and this is mine, La Belle Christiane.
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. :-)
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!
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 fiction and I didn’t know them or follow them. I still think it’s a good story and I’ve revised it and am revising and improving it once more. Also I didn’t want it to sit ignored on my shelf forever.
So now that authors can publish their own books, I did so!
Here's the scoop on my firstborn.
Can the 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.
La Belle Christiane will be a free ebook on kindle later this month April 27 through May 1st so mark your calendars! Or click this link and add it to your Wish list.
And about me:
USA Today Bestselling author, Lyn Cote has written over 40 books. A RITA finalist and a Carol Award winner, Lyn writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and historical novels. Visit her website/blog at http://www.LynCote.com and find her on Facebook, GoodReads and Twitter.
So do you enjoy family sagas--stories that follow a family for generations?--Lyn
I do like family sagas, and I loved this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean. I loved family sagas too!
DeleteI love family sagas, Lyn. Looking forward to this book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Josie.
DeleteCongratulations on your firstborn! :) I understand your writing adventure as I have two kiddos myself and started writing when they were young, though not as young as yours. I love your book cover and the story sounds intriguing! I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are enjoying your kiddos!
DeleteCongratulations!! Writing with young kids is such a challenge. Family sagas are fun to read!
ReplyDeleteYes, but my kids grew up seeing a mom pursue her dream--a good lesson.
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