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ebac622's review against another edition
3.0
This gets 3.5 stars from me. I really loved some of the themes and the two main female characters! It felt really powerful to read about their journeys to discover themselves. I thought at times it was slow paced so that’s why it doesn’t get 4 stars.
lilac_unicorn's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite. It was a nice story and I enjoyed reading about life in the circus however having the two time periods and sub plots left me wanting. There just wasn't enough time to learn more about the characters, I wanted to know more about Sally and Bella as well as how the relationships between the two main couples grew. The story just tried to pack too much in.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
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.
steffski's review against another edition
4.0
I like this best of Kristy's books so far. Light summer read. In the beginning the switching times and characters points of view confused me a bit, but I caught on. I enjoyed that it was just a wholesome read and it didn't feel like a preachy Christian fiction book like some of them tend to be. Plus side it was set part of the time in Sarasota, Florida so I felt like I could visualize it well.
avreereads's review against another edition
5.0
5+ STARS
LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS STORY
You can tell an excellent book when I devour it as fast as I did this one!
I mean this one had EVERYTHING I demand out of a good book...history, great writing, no smut, vivid descriptions, fast-paced, bite-size chapters...I mean I could go on and on!
I kinda wish I could go back and experience it for the first time ALL over again! What a ride. Such lovely, well-developed characters. So many beautiful moments. *sigh*
I loved just exactly how this book was laid out revealing certain details about a character's past and present in various alternating chapters making the reveals so much more surprising and emotional. (You'll love learning about Colin! So cool!)
Kristy Cambron is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! She's really gifted! My first introduction to her was [b:The Butterfly and the Violin|18850688|The Butterfly and the Violin (Hidden Masterpiece, #1)|Kristy Cambron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384879230s/18850688.jpg|26186487], which quickly made it to my top favorite books, at the beginning of this year. I appreciate that there is no sensuality in her writing and love the slight "faith-in-God" undertones she introduces that is great for a Christian reader, like me. I've heard people warn other readers about Cambron's "secret-Jesus" books...but having a character express a moment of faith is no different than other author's having one character who is an overtly leftist, Reagan-bashing liberal (as in "Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk") [which I did not care for that, for the record] or an adulterous cheater (as in "The Little Paris Bookshop") [which again, I did not care for] or an alcoholic or some other such behavior that not everyone "agrees" with or "practices" themselves...but yet authors create these characters and can make them whatever they want or if it's about an actual person..portray them as who they really were. We may not desire to be like a character personally but it doesn't mean the book is a complete bust or a waste because they were written to follow a different "religion" than you or were of a different political view...just some food for thought.
"The Ringmaster's Wife" is loosely based on Mable and John Ringling and Cambron takes the little details that are known about their life and paints us a beautiful picture. The actual circus performers and hands are for the most part invented but real persons of that time-period are mentioned in the story.
Seriously, if this is on your list, bump it up! It's a terrific tale and a quick read and will just leave you feeling warm and cozy during and even after it's done. :)
LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS STORY
You can tell an excellent book when I devour it as fast as I did this one!
I mean this one had EVERYTHING I demand out of a good book...history, great writing, no smut, vivid descriptions, fast-paced, bite-size chapters...I mean I could go on and on!
I kinda wish I could go back and experience it for the first time ALL over again! What a ride. Such lovely, well-developed characters. So many beautiful moments. *sigh*
I loved just exactly how this book was laid out revealing certain details about a character's past and present in various alternating chapters making the reveals so much more surprising and emotional. (You'll love learning about Colin! So cool!)
Kristy Cambron is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! She's really gifted! My first introduction to her was [b:The Butterfly and the Violin|18850688|The Butterfly and the Violin (Hidden Masterpiece, #1)|Kristy Cambron|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384879230s/18850688.jpg|26186487], which quickly made it to my top favorite books, at the beginning of this year. I appreciate that there is no sensuality in her writing and love the slight "faith-in-God" undertones she introduces that is great for a Christian reader, like me. I've heard people warn other readers about Cambron's "secret-Jesus" books...but having a character express a moment of faith is no different than other author's having one character who is an overtly leftist, Reagan-bashing liberal (as in "Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk") [which I did not care for that, for the record] or an adulterous cheater (as in "The Little Paris Bookshop") [which again, I did not care for] or an alcoholic or some other such behavior that not everyone "agrees" with or "practices" themselves...but yet authors create these characters and can make them whatever they want or if it's about an actual person..portray them as who they really were. We may not desire to be like a character personally but it doesn't mean the book is a complete bust or a waste because they were written to follow a different "religion" than you or were of a different political view...just some food for thought.
"The Ringmaster's Wife" is loosely based on Mable and John Ringling and Cambron takes the little details that are known about their life and paints us a beautiful picture. The actual circus performers and hands are for the most part invented but real persons of that time-period are mentioned in the story.
Seriously, if this is on your list, bump it up! It's a terrific tale and a quick read and will just leave you feeling warm and cozy during and even after it's done. :)
katietopp's review against another edition
2.0
It was fine. Just fine. I found it to be predictable and uneventful. Things didn’t really start to happen until the end. Not for me.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good story, but you have to also enjoy Kristy Cambron's style of jumping forward and back in time to create a story arc. I enjoyed an insight into the circus!
amandawije's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this! I think that Kristy Cameron might become a new favorite and I loved how detailed of a story she told in not too many pages. I received this in a Once Upon a Book Club box and all of the gifts were spectacular and made this book even more fun to read! Love the 20s and love the circus setting
diadandy's review against another edition
5.0
When I started this book I thought it might be a fluff book but I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was not. The end especially was quite a difficult but sweet surprise.