The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

by | Sep 11, 2017 | Fiction Book Reviews | 8 comments

About the Book

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, country nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this ill 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.

My Thoughts

LATL 4So…I’d heard nothing but praise, praise and more praise for Joanne Bischof’s novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, which meant I HAD to read it, of course. Well, the hype is certainly well-founded and I’ll tell you why I thought so in just a minute.

First, about the book:

From the first paragraph, this story drew me in with its eloquent writing. Vivid detail, word pictures, and beautiful phrasing enticed me further…and then I met Charlie. I love quirky, and Joanne performed the task of creating a lovable and realistic character raised in a very different world. But…more about Charlie in a little bit.

Spiritual truths in fiction can be a tricky balance beam to tread for an author, but Joanne does it beautifully in both of the main characters’ lives. Both are scarred. One by a ruthless act of a selfish man and the other by a forced choice to save the lives of another. These ‘scars’ seamlessly display a beautiful reminder that even in our brokenness we are remarkably beloved.

Aviary Photo_131303863941749795.pngBetween Joanne’s descriptive writing style, the intricate historical detail of a lesser known ‘world’, and the curious and uncertain introduction to romance between Charlie and Ella, this book called for just ONE. MORE. PAGE. There’s something indefinably sweet about it. Maybe it’s because we all want to know we’re loved despite our internal or external scars. Maybe’s it’s because we see two kind and tenderhearted people trying to navigate the unexpected and hurtful wounds of the world to uncover true love. Or Maybe it’s because Charlie Lionheart.

Now I understand why Carrie Schmidt has a book crush on Charlie. He is 1/3 brooding, 1/3 adorkable, and 1/3 exquisitely tender, which makes him 100% top book crush material.

In short, this story was a magical journey of two broken people learning how God mends our shattered lives in sometimes the most unexpected of ways…and about how we are loved far beyond our brokenness.

A beautiful and endearing romance from a beautiful and talented writer.

Find The Lady and the Lionheart on….
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Christian Book
Google Books

About the Author

A Carol Award and two-time Christy Award-finalist, Joanne Bischof writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. She was honored to receive the SDCWG Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon Writer’s conference. Her 2014 novella This Quiet Sky broke precedent as the first self-released title to final for the Christy Awards. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her husband and their three children.

 

Pepper

8 Comments

  1. Carrie

    heehee i’m so glad you now understand why Charlie Lionheart has my heart! 😀

    Also this – even in our brokenness we are remarkably beloved. – beautifully said!

    Reply
  2. Beth Erin

    Yay! Now you KNOW! 😍CHARLIE😍

    Reply
  3. lelandandbecky

    I have this, and it keeps getting pushed down on my list, but every review I read tells me I HAVE to get to it! I am really, really looking forward to it!

    Reply
  4. courtney207

    Pepper, you’ve put into words a wonderful review! I couldn’t agree more. Especially with the “100% ” of Charlie and the statement “even in our brokenness we are remarkably beloved.”. <3

    Reply
  5. carylkane

    I have this one in my TBR. As soon as I get further along with the Harvey aftermath recovery, I’ll be able to enjoy my books! 😉

    Reply
  6. Rebecca Maney

    Such a beautiful tribute for an amazing story that will live in our hearts long after the tent goes down.

    Reply
  7. Pam K.

    I absolutely love The Lady and the Lionheart. I finally convinced my book club to add it as a selection for next year (they probably just got tired of hearing me talk about it). It is just such a lovely portrayal of God’s love for us.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Maney

      It’s going to be on my book club’s reading list for 2018, as well.

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Book Journeys – Roanoke – Pepper D Basham - […] Read my review for The Lady and the Lionheart HERE. […]
  2. Swoony Saturdays – Charlie Lionheart – Pepper D Basham - […] You can find my review HERE. […]

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