The Lady and the Lionheart

This is one book I kept hearing exclaimed by fellow bloggers AND some favorite authors, so I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about as soon as I could. And WOW, was it all well-deserved!

Let me continue by saying this is now one of my absolute favorite books! This story is a beautiful picture of the Gospel, of the freely given sacrifice, the love of Christ for His bride, the constant call for us to have a relationship with Him.

The dynamic (and romance) of Charlie and Ella is wonderful! They perfectly complement each other. Both have pasts filled with pain, and through this story we see how Charlie has chosen to react -- and his encouragement for Ella to do the same -- to choose hope. Charlie finds strength in Ella, I think. A determination to press on, a reassurance that his life choices were right, even though he feels like he doesn't have much to offer.

Ella is longing for home in more than one sense (both earthly and heavenly belonging), though she doesn't realize it until Charlie's discerning presence arrives in her life. And Ella, in turn, sees the contrast of Charlie's response to some damaging things that have happened to him with her own responses.

Joanne Bischof creates beautiful scenes with each turn of phrase, conveying feelings with just a simple description. There was so much raw emotion expressed by Ella and especially Charlie that I couldn't help being caught up in it all, tugging my heart with moments both bittersweet and joyous. And little Holland! She is so important as a catalyst between these two and a ray of light.

I want to mention the supporting characters because they contribute so much to the story, even the lions. They are gracious, important, and colorful (it IS a circus, after all!). The lions and corresponding circus act is so unique and intriguing! They are really just overgrown cats, and I was happy to see them portrayed with a little humor.

The message of this story resounds long after reading it. It's impactful in its display of a pure love with raw -- and sometimes painful -- honesty. The underlying theme of sacrifice is beautifully realized as secrets are slowly revealed regarding Charlie's past. I believe it's a story I will come back to multiple times and see new truths and joys with each reading.

Sometimes a novel comes along that delights, enchants and entertains, plus leaves its readers speechless. One such novel is The Lady and the Lionheart. This is the kind of novel that made me nervous to write about because it’s that good. But as I sit down to write out my thoughts in what I hope is a coherent manner, I am again flooded with memories (these few days later) of how memorable this story is.

**The Lady and the Lionheart, by Joanne Bischof | The Story**

Inside its pages we meet Ella Beckley, a young nurse caring for everyone save for the wounds that scar her own past. Into her life walk the bigger-than-life Charlie Lionheart. Guarding secrets of his own, Charlie has more than himself to protect against the threat against his life. Having traveled with the Big Top for as long as he can remember, meeting Ella opens Charlie’s eyes to their being more to life.

…but with their bruised hearts, first they have to discover healing and hope before each other.

She swallowed the burn of tears, consumed with her love for him and the way it mixed with the heaviness of loss. Of shock and broken hopes. – Joanne Bischof

**REVIEW | Each of the novels I have been privileged to read by Joanne is like an intricate step into yesteryear. She has a beautiful way of spinning a tale that isn’t just about the narration it’s about telling a story. Believe me, there’s a difference. The Lady and the Lionheart brims with greater complexity than I anticipated probably because I didn’t read a description before I opened my Kindle app to begin reading. The journey is all the more rewarding because of this. We’re not only invited into Ella and Charlie’s story but are beckoned inside their world which is full of wonder and mythical things. Set in the circus scene circa 1890, the enchantment of the setting is only the beginning.

Within the author’s rich tapestry, a stage is set that gently prods out the best (and worst) of these characters. The result is always beautiful. Fairytale enthusiasts will also be pleased to discover this is, at its heart, a romance that looks deeper and in many ways revises the beloved Beauty and the Beast. Ella and Charlie’s journey is not only about the romance of their growing feelings, it’s about them becoming whole people as individuals, and seeking healing. Ella is searching for forgiveness she didn’t know she needed to give, and Charlie is searching for redemption he shouldn’t have to seek.

If you like historical fiction, they don’t come any more sincere or genuine than those penned by Joanne Bischof. The Lady and the Lionheart is a superb example of what it means to artfully craft fiction. It’s messy in its imperfections and allows its characters to breathe before they are reunited. Believe me, this heartbreak is worth it. Not only does this novel reward its characters, it rewards its readers, which is the greatest gift. ❤

Sincere thanks to the author for a complimentary e-ARC of this novel.

What I loved about this novel the most is the symbolism. Although symbolism was my favorite aspect, there was much more to appreciate about The Lady and the Lionheart. The imagery was very strong and I could easily picture the hospital, midway and other places described.

Main characters Charlie and Ella are from vastly different worlds. Charlie is a lion tamer in the circus. He was raised under the big top and knew no other way of life. Ella grew up in a large and supportive family in the hills of Virginia. Despite their differences what they share is pain and loving hearts.

This was a beautiful love story.

I knew I was in for a treat when I first began hearing about The Lady and the Lionheart. A heartfelt novel with themes rich in historical value, stemming from stories such as Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables, The Lady and the Lionheart is a moving tale that I heartily endorse for those who love historical fiction--especially historical romance. With a gentle hero and heroine in Charlie Lionheart and Ella Beckley, this novel moves along at a steady pace, all the while immersing the reader in Victorian Virginia. The Lady and the Lionheart swept me away into a time and place I knew little about, and if nothing else (although there is much more to the story), I am so glad I read this novel as it's plot and themes--Victorian Virginia and the circus--are so different from its Christian fiction counterparts. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to seeing what else Joanne Bischof writes. The Lady and the Lionheart is going on my keeper shelf for a long time to come.

This is easily one of the BEST books I have ever read. Very rarely has a book pulled on my heart and soul so strongly. I TRIED not to rush through this book, I really did. I wanted to savor it. Let the story surround me and captivate me. Let it permeate my soul. Even now, hours after reading the final words, the message is reverberating through my heart.

Charlie Lionheart is officially one of my favorite heroes of all time. His bravery, his sacrifice, his love...swoon...for those he cares about is not just something to admire, but to learn from. Ella Beckley is someone that I want to be best friends with! Her compassion and curious spirit makes her stand out. Yet, she has a past that haunts her. Will she learn that her freedom must come from God and not man?

This is a story of healing, of salvation, of freedom...of pain. Being damaged, unclean, scarred, can be a heavy burden to carry. But the Lord says to come to Him and He will give us rest, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) In Him, is our freedom and in Him, we will find wholeness. The parallels of this story to Christ and His sacrifice for us is breathtakingly beautiful. You will find threads of The Beauty and the Beast within these pages as well. I believe THAT combination is one reasons that this book is so unique. The setting and characters are vividly painted for your imagination to explore, and makes it so very easy to fall in love with it all.

This is the first book of Joanne's that I have read. And I can't believe it took me SO long to get to it. Be prepared for an exciting adventure filled with the wonders of the circus and the tender love that Christ bestows upon us. Love, true love, is a common thread throughout this book. The love of a father, the love between a man and woman, the love of friends and family. The pureness and wholeness of this love is beautiful to behold.

Joanne Bischof captures the essence of the circus and the era in words that are so captivating you will struggle to put this book down. THIS, is one of those books that deserves multiple readings! Bottom line, if you haven't read it, read it! Get this book into your hands. I pray that it touches your heart and that if you are seeking freedom and wholeness, that you will find it in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Ella has made a quiet life for herself as a maid in a hospital, shutting out as much of her soul-splitting pain as she could. Everything she knows changes drastically when Charlie Lionheart bursts into her life, little baby Holland in arms. With hardly two coins to rub together, Charlie is having trouble finding someone to care for his girl. Feeling the unjustness and a pull towards someone so small and helpless, Ella quits her job to dedicate a few days to nursing Holland with all the herbs and remedies she's been studying.

Charlie's home is far from normal. As a lion tamer with the circus, all of his belongings and responsibilities can be packed up in a couple of wagons. He knows he shouldn't be bringing the young nurse to his tent, not at the risk of what it could cost him where his contract is concerned, but Holland has never been so sick and there is no one else skilled in caring for her. He would - he has - given up everything for Holland, and he's not about to stop now.

While Ella enjoys tending to the baby, meeting Charlie's friends, and seeing the amazing sights around the circus, she worries about where to find a new job and how she's going to pay her rent. Maybe she should consider going home to her parents. But that would mean returning to the place where she endured so much agony. Agony that all comes back to the surface as she spends time with Charlie, caring and kind as he is.

Drawn to the serious and sweet woman, Charlie doesn't know how to tell her of the dark secrets in his own life. Secrets that would be inescapable were their relationship to become closer. He is counting down the days until the agreements that made Holland his are fulfilled and he is free of the evil lurking in the far corners of the circus.

This is a truly beautiful story. It's not without darkness, but it is so strong on hope and love. Joanne Bischof allows her characters the time to explore their emotions, to fully develop their feelings and draw readers in. This was a book I did not want to put down, and though it's the first Bischof I've read, I'm sure it won't be the last. I would give a word of caution that there are disturbing elements to this story and it is definitely not one for everyone. But it also has allegorical veins that point to the Bringer of Hope and Light and Love - Jesus Christ. Through Him we face our fears, our darkness. Through Him we have a future, no matter how cloudy it is at present. Through Him we have all we need. All in all.

Everyone remarks upon what a beautiful cover this is, and to be sure, it is. But the CONTENTS of this book are more beautiful still. Themes of freedom, forgiveness, and redemption flow through this unforgettable story, merging into a modern-day beauty and the beast tale that goes so much deeper than the original.

Charlie Lionheart. Holland. Ella Beckley. These names will not be forgotten to readers, as they join the traveling circus, seeing the sights and experiencing it in a whole new way. With emotional nuance and threads that effortlessly tie together, Bischof has crafted a novel that will stand the test of time.

This is one of those rare books that cross that "Christian fiction" divide--it is something I would feel comfortable recommending to believers and nonbelievers alike. Universal themes, tied together with the hope of Christ. Not heavy-handed, but the story speaking the truths of the Bible more loudly than wordy monologues.

This is one of those rare books I feel I MUST own in softcover so I can loan it out to everyone. Beautiful cover, beautiful writing, and beautiful story. A masterpiece.

So I finished The Lady And The Lionheart 10 days ago...10 DAYS ago! I have sat down three times to write out my review and every single time I just stare at the screen and think, "There are no words!" This book was so incredibly good that my simple words are not efficient, nor eloquent enough to explain or describe how amazingly good this book is. I took my time and savored every single word. Sometimes closing the cover for a few minutes to let the words seep into my soul, to dry my tears, and say...outloud..."Oh Joanne, you have outdone yourself this time!" I didn't think I could love a book more than the Cadence of Grace series (Joanne's first series), but this...This story is so, SO beautiful! Achingly beautiful! Thank you to Joanne Bischof for writing Charlie and Ella's story so that we could all fall head over heals in love with them! And remind us of the amazing love of our Savior!

It isn't often that you find a book as deeply moving as this one. The author weaves a flawless tapestry of sacrificial love, forgiveness, and acceptance through this novel.

You are transported into the unique setting of a circus in the 1890's. But not all is well under the big top. This book gives us a look at both the beauty and the dark side of circus life. More specifically, the freak shows. It is truly amazing just how cruel people can be.

When the book first introduced me to Charlie Lionheart, I wasn't sure I liked him. He started off a bit grating, though his love of baby Holland shone through strongly. But within a few chapters, I came to love him. That gruff exterior hid a very hurting heart and a man of incredible strength and sacrifice.

Ella is a sweet girl who is struggling with her own heartaches. She gets a lot more than she bargained for when she steps away from her job to help a baby in need. She has a lot to learn about not judging by appearances.

And the lions! Oh, I do love the lions: Axel, Hans, and Kristov (Frozen reference maybe? ;-) ) are just perfect. The Big Top performance with them is one of my favorite scenes from the book. Okay, any scene with them is just awesome.

The ending of this novel is just perfect, a faintly bittersweet Happily Ever After from Holland's viewpoint. Joanne Bischof has created a masterpiece here. Now, I need to take my leave and go read it again!

Safety Ratings:

Romance: clean and sweet. One character is a rape victim. There is a scene where a prostitute does flirt with the hero when a particularly foul character wants him to do something immoral, though it is very tastefully done.
Language: clean
Drinking/Drugs: a tiny amount of brandy is used once for medicinal purposes.
Violence: almost nothing.

I knew this book would be wonderful but I was not prepared for the beauty within its pages. This book. This story. These characters. Bischof is so talented and this is by far the best book of the year. It is very rare for me to read a book and laugh out loud and cry, this story made me do both. Everything in this story was wonderful, but the Gospel message blew me away. Bischof wrote what many can't and that is a realistic Gospel message that isn't fluffed up or just thrown out there to add a quick Christian perspective. It was woven throughout the book and written with such raw honesty and heart.
If you haven't read anything by Joanne Bischof you must! Her books are my favorite and this story touched my heart.