The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron

About the Book
An ounce of courage.
A 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, 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 boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her arranged marriage. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties. 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, choosing instead the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers’ circus.

My Thoughts
Beautiful. That's the best word I can think of to describe this book. Breathtakingly beautiful. From the moment I opened this book I was transported to another time and place and I was quite content to stay there. I'm pretty sure every living person has at least heard of the Ringling Brothers but I knew next to nothing about their world. Kristy Cambron painted such a vivid picture with her words that I felt like I was right there in the Big Top.
Both Mable and Rosamund's stories were wonderful and I love how seamlessly they were woven together. Their beginnings were years apart yet they were told at the same time and the author slipped back and forth between them in a way that felt perfectly natural and right.
I loved Mable and John's quiet love and the way they interacted was gently beautiful and endearing. John was a more serious man of few words but you never doubted his love for Mable and he showed it in the best ways.
Colin and Rosamund's love story took a little longer to develop but it was no less wonderful. They were both spirited and determined, and sometimes a little blind to what was right in front of them but that slowly changed and their romance was enough to melt your heart.
I was honestly blown away by this book! It was brilliantly written and I loved this glimpse behind the scenes of the glittering circus that was a big part of entertainment history. I several times had to stop reading for a minute to take in just how beautiful this book was. Pick up a copy for yourself and you won't be sorry!

Meet the Author
Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. She is the author of THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. THE ILLUSIONIST'S APPRENTICE (HarperCollins, 2017) is her fourth novel.
Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.
To stay connected, follow Kristy's Writing Desk Newsletter at: KristyCambron.com

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.