The Exiles: Chantel (The Creoles, Book 1) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Lynn Morris (Author) "Aimee Fontaine looked out of the open carriage and immediately shut her eyes..." (more)
Key Phrases: mon chère, New Orleans, Sister Martha, Lynn Morris (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What do Baptist college professors do when they retire? If they're like Morris, they crank out more than 170 novels for the CBA market and create a huge fan base for their genre fiction. Here, with his coauthor and daughter, the Christy Award winner once again dashes off exactly the type of formula fiction that is the bane of the literary crowd and the joy of his devoted readership. This first book in the proposed four-volume Creoles series is set in Louisiana in the 19th century and follows the lives of one of four girlfriends at a Catholic boarding school. The protagonist of this first volume, Chantel Fontaine, encounters catastrophes that unfold relentlessly: neglect by a gambling, adulterous father; the accidental death of her mother; the supposed death of a sibling; a dashing but unworthy suitor who loves her for her money; an indifferent stepmother; a shoot-out in the bayou; and, of course, romance with a boy-next-door type. Along the way, Chantel discovers that Catholicism does not offer her the hope of her friend Neville Harcourt's Protestantism, and she predictably converts. The years pass quickly (approximately 20 years in less than 300 pages), which makes for sketchy character development. Like cotton candy, this novel's substance is thin, the plot line is treacly and the dialogue is sometimes stiff. Yet all the elements of successful light adventure romance for evangelical Christian readers are here, and Morris's faithful following will likely devour this new series.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Book one of The Creoles Series, captivating novels from bestselling authors Gilbert and Lynn Morris, introduces Chantel Fontaine. Readers follow Chantel through the streets and swamps of Louisiana as she falls in love, faces the loss of both her parents, and searches for the baby sister she thought was lost forever.

The culture of the citizens of nineteenth-century New Orleans was as varied and intriguing as their complexions--French, Spanish, African, and American. As the layers of these cultures intertwine, a rich, entertaining story of love and faith emerges. It is the early 1800s, and Chantel Fountaine, has finished her education at the Ursuline Convent. But the trials and tragedies that preceded her graduation have put her Christian beliefs to the test.

The authors' unique perspective and the distinctive cultural setting make this novel come alive in the minds and hearts of readers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785270027
• ISBN-13: 978-0785270027
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #944,633 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vividly brings a multicultural city of New Orleans to life, April 20, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Book One of "The Creole Series", The Exiles is a romantic novel collaboratively written by Gilbert and Lynn Morris, and set in nineteenth-century New Orleans. Chantel Fontaine is a young and devoutly Christian woman who is searching for love, the strength to persevere, and the baby sister she thinks might be lost forever. The Exiles is confidently recommended as being a truly memorable story which vividly brings a multicultural city of New Orleans to life!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Fresh would be nice, April 16, 2007

By	A. J. Young "A.J. Young" (CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like most of what I've read by Gilbert and/or Lynn Morris, the history that can't be learned from a textbook is the almost-redeeming part. I found myself throughout the story thinking something (more) exciting was about to happen, and then, when the predictable occurred, I was disappointed.

Before I read "The Exiles", it had been a long time since I had read this author. Several years ago, I read an entire series by this duo. After the first two books, the writing came off as repetitive, using the same words in each book to describe the main characters.

In my experience, predictable writing such as this is acceptable, for a period. But that acceptability has worn out it's welcome for this reader.

To make this review more productive: I'd like to see the authors use their knowledge of US history in stories, but to work more on fresh characters and more plot twists. Readers LIKE the unpredictable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars exciting at times, January 23, 2005

By	Becca - See all my reviews

The book was much better in the begining. By the end of the story things were not very exciting and it was very predictable. It made things that would be a really big deal seem like nothing. I got board of the book and was just ready for it to end. Personally it drug on to long! Even though there was the bad things, it was not a horrible book. I would say people who like old time almost real life stories would like this.If you like lots of excitement and suspence than you will not like this book. It's the type of book that people either like lots or don't really like at all.