A Lion Is Not Just For Christmas
Is there life after the circus has left town?
Circus performer Justine Belmont works with big cats, but when the circus is disbanded and the old lion is sold to a private menagerie at a stately home in Norfolk, she is asked to spend a few weeks settling him into his new environment. When she arrives at the estate, however, she receives a mixed welcome.The groundsman Tom Yates resents her presence as he doesn’t feel he needs her help with the lion.
He revises his opinion when he sees the bond between her and the big cat, and she and Tom grow closer, although Justine remains torn about her feelings for him. The lady of the house, Priscilla - who is married to the reclusive owner, Lord Brooks’s, grandson - is not so easily convinced. She perceives Justine as a threat for the male attention and her plans for the manor. And her two young daughters are a little too curious about the lion for their own good.
When unsettling events occur, Justine begins to wonder if there is more to Priscilla’s animosity than meets the eye. Can Justine keep herself and everyone else safe until it’s time for her to leave again and start a new life elsewhere?
My review
This story is an unexpected and beautiful piece that left me transfixed and wanting so much more. I have always been fascinated by tales of the circus with their air of mystery and element of surprise which is the reason I was initially drawn to this story and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.
The plot starts out with the spectacular Rexus, a male Lion, showcasing his skills in the big circus top creating a grand opening to the story. Then in a dramatic change of pace we move to Stoneybrook where we see Justine, our beautiful heroine, settling Rexus into a life of retirement. The characters are well shaped and play their parts to great effect and I have the biggest soft spot for little Cordelia. Never short of surprising twists the book does take on a dark and sinister shape but I won't drop any hints for fear of giving away a spoiler or two but it certainly is unexpected.
Although the title suggests a festive set up for the book, Christmas only features as a time of year as opposed to the focus of the story which means that you're able to visit this beautiful book at any time of the year which I fully urge you to do. I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating story and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Purchase Links:
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lion-Christmas-Norfolk-Mysteries-novella-ebook/dp/B0782X1QHV
Author Bio –
Henriette Gyland grew up in Northern Denmark but moved to England after she graduated from the University of Copenhagen. She wrote her first book when she was ten, a tale of two orphan sisters running away to Egypt, fortunately to be adopted by a perfect family they meet on the Orient Express.
Between that first literary exploit and now, she has worked in the Danish civil service, for a travel agent, a consultancy company, in banking, hospital administration, and for a county court before setting herself up as a freelance translator and linguist. Henriette recently began to pursue her writing in earnest winning the New Talent Award in 2011 from the Festival of Romance and a Commended from the Yeovil Literary Prize.
Henriette lives in London.
Social Media Links –
Website: henriettegyland.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henriette.gyland
Twitter: @henrigyland
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