The Ringmaster's Wife is the latest novel by Kristy Cambron. In this book the readers get to travel around the country and across "the pond" with our characters as they follow their dreams. Armilda Burton is a farmer's daughter in Moons, Ohio. She wants more out of her life (she is seventeen). Armilda decides to leave the farm and change her name (start fresh). Armilda becomes Mabel Burton and travels to Chicago, Illinois. Mabel finds a position at the World's Fair Columbian Exposition in Chicago. One day she encounters a nice man named John. They walk around the fair and have a good time, but then he is gone. Years later Mabel and her friend, Sally Rivers (a singer) are working in Atlantic City when she encounters John again. John is John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers. We get to see how these two come together and create magic!
It is 1926 in Linton, North Yorkshire, England and Lady Rosamund Easling is rushing home. She ends up with her car in the lake and she is trapped inside. Colin Keary rescues Rosamund from the car that is quickly filling up with water. Rosamund hurries off, but they are destined to meet again. Colin and his friend, Ward Butler show up at Easling Park that evening. Rosamund comes down to the dinner party and there he is. Thankfully, Colin does not mention rescuing her from the lake. During dinner Rosamund finds out that her father is selling her black Arabian horse, Ingénue, given to her by her brother, Hendrick (he died during the war). Colin is there to finalize the purchase. Colin works for John Ringling and his circus. Lord Denton (her father) has to sell the horse to pay his gambling debts, and he is also forcing Rosamund to marry Lord Oliver Brentwood (for money). Rosamund uses Ingénue to do trick riding and bareback riding (her brother taught her) at local fairs and such. Rosamund has a choice to make. She can stay and do what her parents expect of her or she can run off and join the circus! Read The Ringmaster's Wife to find out what choice Rosamund makes. Will she follow her dreams?
The Ringmaster's Wife takes us from 1889 through 1929. We get to see how Mable and John found each other and lived their lives, how Rosamund joined the circus, and how the Ringling's found and helped Colin. It was interesting to see how the Sarasota estate came about (it is now the John and Mabel Ringling Museum). The book was interesting, well-written, and held my attention. There were a few slow bits (like when Rosamund doubted herself), but overall a good book to read and enjoy. It has a Christian theme but it is very light (focuses on forgiveness, trusting in God and his plan for our lives, redemption). I found the second half of the book more entertaining than the first (it focuses on the circus). At the end of the book it provides information on the Ringling Circus (how it came about, the brothers, and the history). I give The Ringmaster's Wife 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. I will always provide an honest and forthright review no matter how I obtain the novel.
It is 1926 in Linton, North Yorkshire, England and Lady Rosamund Easling is rushing home. She ends up with her car in the lake and she is trapped inside. Colin Keary rescues Rosamund from the car that is quickly filling up with water. Rosamund hurries off, but they are destined to meet again. Colin and his friend, Ward Butler show up at Easling Park that evening. Rosamund comes down to the dinner party and there he is. Thankfully, Colin does not mention rescuing her from the lake. During dinner Rosamund finds out that her father is selling her black Arabian horse, Ingénue, given to her by her brother, Hendrick (he died during the war). Colin is there to finalize the purchase. Colin works for John Ringling and his circus. Lord Denton (her father) has to sell the horse to pay his gambling debts, and he is also forcing Rosamund to marry Lord Oliver Brentwood (for money). Rosamund uses Ingénue to do trick riding and bareback riding (her brother taught her) at local fairs and such. Rosamund has a choice to make. She can stay and do what her parents expect of her or she can run off and join the circus! Read The Ringmaster's Wife to find out what choice Rosamund makes. Will she follow her dreams?
The Ringmaster's Wife takes us from 1889 through 1929. We get to see how Mable and John found each other and lived their lives, how Rosamund joined the circus, and how the Ringling's found and helped Colin. It was interesting to see how the Sarasota estate came about (it is now the John and Mabel Ringling Museum). The book was interesting, well-written, and held my attention. There were a few slow bits (like when Rosamund doubted herself), but overall a good book to read and enjoy. It has a Christian theme but it is very light (focuses on forgiveness, trusting in God and his plan for our lives, redemption). I found the second half of the book more entertaining than the first (it focuses on the circus). At the end of the book it provides information on the Ringling Circus (how it came about, the brothers, and the history). I give The Ringmaster's Wife 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. I will always provide an honest and forthright review no matter how I obtain the novel.
The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron is a beautiful story of two strong women in the enticing environment of the Ringling Brothers Circus. The story starts off slow, and the ending of the book is seeped in melodrama much like the action in a Big Top. In between though is a story that immerses me in the world of the circus and the lives of these two women. Memorable characters, a memorable setting, and a love story make for an engaging summer read.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/06/the-ringmasters-wife.html.
Reviewed based on a publisher's galley received through NetGalley
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/06/the-ringmasters-wife.html.
Reviewed based on a publisher's galley received through NetGalley
Another fabulous read by this fine author! Skillfully drawing back the curtains, she reveals the mysterious lives of the colorful and courageous people who made the Big Top their home in early 20th century America. A wonderful portrait of the real-life Mable Ringling, how she graciously influenced those around her to pursue their own dreams, and joyfully live their lives to the fullest.
"Having a dream is easy. It's being brave enough to walk the journey every day that sets you apart from the crowd."
(An ARC of the book provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
"Having a dream is easy. It's being brave enough to walk the journey every day that sets you apart from the crowd."
(An ARC of the book provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
There are some novels where five stars are not nearly enough. The Ringmaster's Wife is just such a book.
I could not put this story down. Work was neglected, household chores weren't even a figment of a thought and all I could do was turn page after intriguing page. The language drew me into the story with a tender hand hold and wouldn't let me go. The characters wrapped their way around my heart and whispered their story with command and grace. The description, oh the description that took me into the Big Top and into the world of a circus from an exciting and frightening decade of change.
A few paltry words of my own are a pitiful attempt to say what all I loved and why I couldn't dare stop reading. The moments in between were long and filled with thoughts of revisiting this circus, to find out what would happen with beloved Rosamund and Colin, John and Mable.
A circus story of yesteryear with so, so much more to offer the reader. But ultimately a tale that will twine it's way around your heart and refuse to part. An absolute favorite.
I could not put this story down. Work was neglected, household chores weren't even a figment of a thought and all I could do was turn page after intriguing page. The language drew me into the story with a tender hand hold and wouldn't let me go. The characters wrapped their way around my heart and whispered their story with command and grace. The description, oh the description that took me into the Big Top and into the world of a circus from an exciting and frightening decade of change.
A few paltry words of my own are a pitiful attempt to say what all I loved and why I couldn't dare stop reading. The moments in between were long and filled with thoughts of revisiting this circus, to find out what would happen with beloved Rosamund and Colin, John and Mable.
A circus story of yesteryear with so, so much more to offer the reader. But ultimately a tale that will twine it's way around your heart and refuse to part. An absolute favorite.
