Tag: circus

Book Review: The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 302 pages
Author: Joanne Bischof
Publisher: Mason Jar Books
Release Date: August 1st, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia.

Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.

As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

TOOK ME BY PLEASANT SURPRISE.

I saw this around recently and felt drawn in enough to give it a go. And Y’ALL. It surprised me in the best ways. I truly ended up loving this romance and story.

The circus setting was perfect. I liked how the good and bad was shown in the historical context of the time period. I thought things were handled with care and I loved learning more about how things were run with traveling circuses and all of the great people you can meet along the way.

Romance wise, I was swooned away by Charlie. It’s a fast paced romance (when they commented on the time that had passed I was shocked it had been so quick). Yet, the insta love nature was drawn out in the right ways that I did still feel the connection between Charlie and Ella. They were super sweet together and both had a lot of character growth.

There are clear Christianity aspects that I thought aligned well with the tone of the plot. Many aspects of forgiveness and realizing your true worth in the face of things out of your control. There’s quite a few hard topics that are addressed and I think both sides of this merged well.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Langauge: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: rape (happened prior to book, but mentioned and vaguely recounted), loss of a baby (briefly mentioned)

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Book Review: The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Kimberly Duffy
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In 1911, Mabel MacGinnis is Europe’s strongest woman and has performed beside her father in the Manzo Brothers Circus her entire life. But at his unexpected death, she loses everything she’s ever known and sets off in the company of acrobat Jake Cunningham for America in hope of finding the mother she’s just discovered is still alive.

Isabella Moreau, the nation’s most feted aerialist, has given everything to the circus. But age and injury now threaten her security, and Isabella, stalked by old fears, makes a choice that risks everything. When her daughter Mabel appears alongside the man who never wanted to see Isabella again, Isabella is forced to face the truth of where, and in what, she derives her worth.

In this evocative novel from Kimberly Duffy, the meaning of strength takes center stage as the lives of three circus performers become entangled beneath the glittering lights and flying trapeze of Madison Square Garden.

INCREDIBLE.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It kept me completely entertained and I wanted nothing more than to continue picking it back up. I loved the setting and the storyline and all of the themes woven in.

Mabel was a wonderfully beautiful FMC. I loved the exploration of beauty and strength and what it means to work hard and find your home. I loved every side of her and seeing her growth throughout the book brought out all the feels. Alongside that, Mabel’s romance with Jake? LOVED IT. A perfectly angsty slow burn build of these two recognizing all of the feelings they had for one another. When that moment finally came together I was giddy. I love books like this.

Isabella’s post partum depression rep brought me to tears. The way it was portrayed in a time period that wasn’t as forgiving squeezed my heart. It felt raw and honest and I loved seeing her journey too. It wasn’t all sunshine and high places and I appreciated every facet of her point of view too.

The circus setting was really cool and I loved the way it was used for the characters deeper stories. The passion the performers had and the strength it took to find that balance in life. I loved every minute of this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a father, brief assault, physical altercations, near death experiences, loss of a spouse (recounted), post partum depression and general depression depictions

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Book Review: Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult contemporary
Length: 384 pages
Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman
Publisher: Ink Road
Release Date: March 10th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Harley Milano has dreamed of being a trapeze artist for as long as she can remember. With parents who run a famous circus in Las Vegas, she spends almost every night in the big top watching their lead aerialist perform, wishing with all her soul that she could be up there herself one day.

After a huge fight with her parents, who continue to insist she go to school instead, Harley leaves home, betrays her family and joins the rival traveling circus Maison du Mystère. There, she is thrust into a world that is both brutal and beautiful, where she learns the value of hard work, passion and collaboration. But at the same time, Harley must come to terms with the truth of her family and her past—and reckon with the sacrifices she made and the people she hurt in order to follow her dreams.

SOME GOOD.

I liked this book. I did, just some main character issues that were hard to continue to look past as the book went on.

Harley was so intensely selfish, the entire book. Everything she did hurt someone around her and she would acknowledge this, but then do nothing to work on changing and growing from her choices. Maybe by the end were some new insights from Harley. By then though, I was over her attitude and her treatment of others.

I did love the circus theme. It’s a small sub-genre I also enjoy. I like the setting and all of the magical acts and characters that come with it. Harley’s coworkers were fun and helped find her footing after she had ran off.

The romance was cute! I enjoyed the slow movement and how it didn’t overtake the story since this wasn’t a romance at its heart. Harley had to learn a lot while she was on her own and did at least get something out of it.

Harley, biracial, often felt disconnected with her cultures and a large family pulling her different ways. I really liked this diversity aspect and conversations she had with herself and others. I loved that by the end she had started to find herself and where she fit in and how she could feel like she was apart of her family.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult contemporary fiction
  • Language: some mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content warnings: some suicide ideation, and discussion of mental health (anxiety and depression)

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