From self-published author phenomenon Joanne Bischof comes this thrilling romance novel of tragedy healed by love.
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. It is a trade so costly that 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, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. It is 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.
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“The sights, sounds, and people of a turn-of-the-century circus come alive in this novel that captivates from word one. Every sentence is pitch perfect, while the characters embed themselves soul deep. Charlie Lionheart is the hero of heroes and a reflection of the fairy tale ‘Beast.’ He is so brilliantly multidimensional that he could easily live outside the pages. The romance between Charlie and Ella is heartachingly beautiful, and the redemption organically sewn into the story’s tent flaps will linger with readers for years.”
— RT Book Reviews (5 gold stars)
“From the moment he bursts onto the pages, Charlie Lionheart splashes color across Ella Beckley drab, confined world—and along the way he stole my heart.”
— Lori Benton, Christy Award-winning author“Absorbing. Emotional. Colorful and clever…with vibrant scenes and deeply poignant characters.”
— Kristy Cambron, author of The Ringmaster’s WifeBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Joanne Bischof is a winner of the Carol Award and the Christy Award for Best Historical Romance. She 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 Writers Conference. That same year, her historical novella, This Quiet Sky, broke precedent as the first self-released title to make the finals for the Christy Awards. To Get to You, her 2015 release, was the second. The Lady and the Lionheart rated the extraordinary five-gold-star acclaim from RT Book Reviews.
Karissa Vacker is a multiple AudioFile Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator and actress. After graduating with a BFA in acting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, she performed in regional theaters across the country before moving to Los Angeles. She has guest starred in network television shows and films and continues to work on screen and stage. Her audiobook credits include romance, young adult fiction, and mystery thrillers.