I won’t deny that I love free books. Better than free books, however, are ones given as gifts, especially when the book is one of the gifter’s favorites. That was the case with The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof.

This was the first book by Joanne that I have read, though I have admired her book covers for awhile now. She writes historical fiction, a favorite genre of mine, so I was especially excited to read The Lady and the Lionheart. It did not disappoint!

What does a Gypsy lion tamer and a nurse have in common? Nothing except concern for a sick child. Ella Beckley essentially runs away to join the circus when she is given the choice between turning her back on the sick child or keeping her job. The child, an orphan, is under the protective care of Charlie Lionheart, a man who can sway a crowd with his performance.

But Charlie’s story is not as magical as it seems when he stands in the center ring. To rescue the child in his care, he had to trade his life for hers. He now must fulfill his side of the contract. Ella also struggles with brokenness. While Charlie’s scars can be hidden by a shirt, Ella’s are deeply etched into her soul.

Joanne Bischof weaves a masterful story of heartache and redemption. It brought me to tears multiple times as it is much deeper and perhaps darker than many novels classified as Christian fiction. But this is the type of story, the type of writing, I would love to read much more of. Where the characters are real and wrestle with a deep darkness in their soul.

I highly recommend The Lady and the Lionheart. It’s the type of story that will leave its own mark on your heart.

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I received this book as a gift and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”