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An ounce of courage. A split-second leap of faith. Together, they propel two young women to chase a new life--one that's reimagined from what they might have become. In turn-of-the-century America, a young girl dreams of a world that stretches beyond the confines of a quiet life on the family farm. With little more than her wit and a cigar box of treasures to call her own, Mable steps away from all she knows, seeking the limitless marvels of the Chicago World's Fair. There, a chance encounter triggers her destiny--a life with a famed showman by the name of John Ringling. A quarter of a century later, Lady Rosamund Easling of Yorkshire, England, boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her life is planned out for her. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties in the grandest ballrooms the country has to offer. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling. When Rosamund's path crosses with Mable's and the Ringlings' glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, instead choosing the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers' circus. A novel that is at once captivating, deeply poignant, and swirling with exquisite historical details of a bygone world, The Ringmaster's Wife will escort readers into the center ring, with its bright lights, exotic animals, and a dazzling performance that can only be described as the greatest show on earth!"-- "What is revealed when you pull back the curtain of the greatest show on earth?"--… (more)
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John and Mable Ringling and the life and lives that they touched. The circus life unfolding and making us feel like we are part of their world. Very exciting life with all the ups and downs.
If you enjoy
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.
Lady Rosamund Easley’s life has been mapped out for her by her parents and societal expectations. But Rosamund wants to really live her life and takes a journey of discovery across the ocean and into the equally exciting and frightening world of the circus. Twenty-five years earlier, Mabel Burton left her safe, small town world to discover life. The women’s stories intersect as they endeavor to live a life of love.
Ca' d'Zan (home of John and Mabel Ringling)
Ca’ d’Zan (home of John and Mabel Ringling)
I have to admit that The Ringmaster’s Wife started out rather slowly for me. Although really I liked both of the main characters, fictional Rosamund and historical Mabel Ringling, I had trouble connecting with their stories. Not sure if it was me or not, but I struggled with staying focused. Then about half way through the book, my attention became riveted to this story told against the backdrop of the lights, sounds, and scents of the circus. Cambron again shows her painstaking research with wonderful descriptions of the people, places and sights of the late 19th and early 20 century America. The circus came to towns all across the country via the train, and I felt the excitement of those days. Cambron also does a great job of unveiling the real life behind the glitz and glamor, the oddities and extravaganza, that was the circus. As Rosamund muses on p. 191 ” . . . how peculiar it was that her surroundings weren’t so peculiar after all. They included real people. With real hearts and giving natures few ever saw.” The underlying theme of the book is not just following a dream but of ” . . . cultivating the courage to live it out day after day”. Whether you ride bareback, fly through the air, or go after more practical endeavors, it’s important to continue the quest through hardship, trials, disappointments and victories, small and large. Two love stories will make romance fans happy — the fictional relationship between Rosamund and circus boss Colin and the real life romance of John and Mabel Ringling. The Ringmaster’s Wife is also a book that will make you go back to Google time and again — you just have to see the many images of Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringling’s home in Sarasota, Florida.
(As an aside, one scene features my father’s hometown, Altoona, Pennsylvania. If the events depicted are in fact true, my father would have been 7 years old at the time, and I am sure he would have been excited to know that the circus had come to his hometown. Unfortunately, he passed away over 23 years ago, so I cannot ask what his experiences were.😦 )
So what is the final takeaway for this book? I liked it. Fun for fans of the circus, rich details for history buffs, and satisfying for romance fans, I can recommend The Ringmaster’s Wife.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to LitFuse and Thomas Nelson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I loved how the author weaved history and fiction together to give us a story filled with sorrow, hope, expectations, trust, faith , forgiveness and devotion. I enjoyed reading about how Mable met John Ringling. It was fascinating to read how the circus started and all the behind the scenes that took place. Mable was a kind and giving woman. She loved the circus and knew how important it was to her husband. What I liked most about her was how she didn't like the limelight. She was content in being on the sidelines and doing things behind the scenes. She didn't want any recognition for who she was or what she did. She was a true humble woman who graced the circus world with her warmth and integrity.
Rosamund who is a fictional character in the story finds herself traveling to retrieve her beloved horse who has been sold to Colin to use in the circus. Their chemistry was instant it seemed and I really liked how the characters had a fierce loyalty to their dreams. Rosamund is a very experienced horse rider and has been doing tricks on her horse with ease. Colin was very keen on her abilities and is determined to get her into the show. Will Rosamund leave the luxury of her life and fall in love with the circus? What dangers will she face ? Will Colin be able to win Rosamund's trust?
I loved the history at the back of the book. It is very detailed and really brought the story to a remarkable visualization of everyone that was involved in the beginning of the circus. There were a couple of things that really stood out to me in the book. I loved Mable saying this,"Maybe He's always been here, we just haven't really looked to see Him. Maybe there's something bigger at work than the two of us." We don't know our future, but with His direction He will guide us if we allow Him to. The characters all had dreams, just like we do. Can we trust God to help us see our dreams come true?
"It's never too late to be what you might have been."
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.
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Mabel and John, and Rose and Colin were fabulous protagonists and I found myself caring for them deeply, especially Rose, the daughter of an English aristocrat who left the restrictions of her life to become a circus star.
The scene that touched my heart was when Colin played the violin for Rose to help her overcome her nerves being in the centre ring for the first time. It was truly touching and brought tears to my eyes.
My one complaint about this book was the parallel stories. In other books I've read by this author, they have been a strength but, this time they did not work. The time the changes between time periods were choppy and the stories were too close together. In fact, they had merged by the end of the book.
However, despite this, "The Ringmaster's Wife" was an entertaining read and I loved being transported into the life of the Ringling Brothers' Circus.
The characters are well thought out and the story moves full circle. The only thing that I was not a fan of is the flipping chronology. Just a personal preference. Highly recommend.
I most enjoyed that this book got me interested in who the Ringling brothers were and learning more of their story. It was pretty solid as far as a historical romance goes, but not one I think I'll long remember.
Fans of historical romances, the 1920's, circuses, and clean, Christian fare will find this an enjoyable read.