Blog Blitz - A Lion is not just for christmas - (20/12/17)
Blog Blitz
A lion is not just for christmas is the second book in the Norfolk Mysteries Novella series.
I haven't read the first book but it didn't matter one bit as I dived straight in without any problem.
This book is simply divine. I loved every single page of this captivating read.
It had a sense of danger, intrigue, romance, family drama, secrets, the circus.
I was a little surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it having not read book 1.
Justine lives with her parents in the circus.
She helps her father with his Lion and Tiger act, when exotic animals were still allowed in circuses.
However the law was changing and the ban of exotic animals in England meant the Circus no longer had enough to capture the audience and bring in the money.
So they had to close down the circus.
Poor Justine was absolutely devastated.
She agrees to help Rexus the 15 year old lion settle into his new home at Stonybrook, where he would live out his days at Lord Brooks Private menagerie.
It's here Justine meets Tom who is the ground manager.
At first Tom is not impressed with having Justine there.
But he is soon bowled over by her charm and sparkling presence. He finds himself wanting to be around her more and more.
I absolutely adored watching Tom and Justine's encounters as their budding friendship blossoms as he sends her pulse racing! It's more of a blossoming romance, A will they won't they.
We also meet Henry and Priscilla.
Priscilla sees herself as Lady of the Manor even though her husband Henry is yet to inherit Stoneybrook from Lord Brooks.
But wow oh wow did I dislike Priscilla!!
She's rude, obnoxious, looks down on Justine as just 'hired help ' and she makes it known on more than one occassion. She made my blood boil. Although the last few pages I did start to see a glimpse of humanity within her.
They also have 2 daughters Dilly and Portia. Portia is the oldest. They are both very spoilt and Portia comes across as a lil unnerving at times. She is far to aware and knowing which could be a dangerous combination!
I loved how Henriette wrote a fair bit about Animal welfare/ Cruelty and how to treat animals.
For example, the girls are winding up Rexus the lion and Justine stops them and teaches them all about consequences and how to respect Rexus and how to look after him.
I think this is such a HUGE important message to get across.
She also talks about when one of the girls pull the cats tail. She explains to them why they must not do it etc...
Oh just to mention, Rexus living space seems to be very large, open, with a pool, indoor sleeping area as well as a large exercise area.
A lion is not just for christmas really is the Perfect title!!
This book isn't just a cosy romance it's so much more.
I learnt a bit about the Circus life, which I would of loved more of!
It's about getting a message across about Animal cruelty, also a bit about social class discrimination.
There is a sprinkle of mystery and intrigue, definitely lots of secrets, it's a fun warm cosy read that does have a touch of danger along the way.
It definitely captured my attention the whole way through.
A short, heart warming read. A true gem!
I only hope there will be another book!!
This is my first book by Henriette and it definitely won't be my last.
Thank you to Brook Cottage Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
A Lion is not just for christmas
By Henriette Gyland
I am very excited to be Sharing this Enchanting Book with you,
A Lion is not just for christmas!
I just have to mention how beautiful the Cover is. It Captures the story perfectly!
I would like to thank Debbie at Brook Cottage Books and Henriette Gyland for inviting me on the Blog Blitz.
All the information you need about this beautiful book is below including my review!
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Book Information
Series: 2nd in the Sweet Romance Mysteries series set in Norfolk
Genre: Romance mystery
Release Date: 20th December 2017
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?
BUY LINKS
Goodreads link: http://bit.ly/2yIqETy
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2k2CFhX
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2AWIKHp
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Short Book Extract
Scene when Justine and Tom meet, in reality, for the second time.
“I remember you.
Not many men had red hair like that and wore it so unashamedly loose like a rose gold crown. This groundsman – Tom – was the reason Justine had nearly missed a step during the last performance of the season. As far as she was aware ginger men preferred to keep their hair cropped short or even shaved off, fearing that it would make them look effeminate. Or something like that.
There was nothing effeminate about this guy. On the contrary, Justine thought, drinking in his broad shoulders, strong hands and sturdy workman’s clothes. He was every bit a man.”
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My Review
5☆ Simply Divine, Captivating & enthralling,
A lion is not just for christmas is the second book in the Norfolk Mysteries Novella series.
I haven't read the first book but it didn't matter one bit as I dived straight in without any problem.
This book is simply divine. I loved every single page of this captivating read.
It had a sense of danger, intrigue, romance, family drama, secrets, the circus.
I was a little surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it having not read book 1.
Justine lives with her parents in the circus.
She helps her father with his Lion and Tiger act, when exotic animals were still allowed in circuses.
However the law was changing and the ban of exotic animals in England meant the Circus no longer had enough to capture the audience and bring in the money.
So they had to close down the circus.
Poor Justine was absolutely devastated.
She agrees to help Rexus the 15 year old lion settle into his new home at Stonybrook, where he would live out his days at Lord Brooks Private menagerie.
It's here Justine meets Tom who is the ground manager.
At first Tom is not impressed with having Justine there.
But he is soon bowled over by her charm and sparkling presence. He finds himself wanting to be around her more and more.
I absolutely adored watching Tom and Justine's encounters as their budding friendship blossoms as he sends her pulse racing! It's more of a blossoming romance, A will they won't they.
We also meet Henry and Priscilla.
Priscilla sees herself as Lady of the Manor even though her husband Henry is yet to inherit Stoneybrook from Lord Brooks.
But wow oh wow did I dislike Priscilla!!
She's rude, obnoxious, looks down on Justine as just 'hired help ' and she makes it known on more than one occassion. She made my blood boil. Although the last few pages I did start to see a glimpse of humanity within her.
They also have 2 daughters Dilly and Portia. Portia is the oldest. They are both very spoilt and Portia comes across as a lil unnerving at times. She is far to aware and knowing which could be a dangerous combination!
I loved how Henriette wrote a fair bit about Animal welfare/ Cruelty and how to treat animals.
For example, the girls are winding up Rexus the lion and Justine stops them and teaches them all about consequences and how to respect Rexus and how to look after him.
I think this is such a HUGE important message to get across.
She also talks about when one of the girls pull the cats tail. She explains to them why they must not do it etc...
Oh just to mention, Rexus living space seems to be very large, open, with a pool, indoor sleeping area as well as a large exercise area.
A lion is not just for christmas really is the Perfect title!!
This book isn't just a cosy romance it's so much more.
I learnt a bit about the Circus life, which I would of loved more of!
It's about getting a message across about Animal cruelty, also a bit about social class discrimination.
There is a sprinkle of mystery and intrigue, definitely lots of secrets, it's a fun warm cosy read that does have a touch of danger along the way.
It definitely captured my attention the whole way through.
A short, heart warming read. A true gem!
I only hope there will be another book!!
This is my first book by Henriette and it definitely won't be my last.
Thank you to Brook Cottage Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
🦁🎪🦁🎪🦁🎪🦁🎪🦁🎪🦁🎪🦁
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.
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.
Twitter: @henrigyland
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5426857.Henriette_Gyland
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Thank you so much for this amazing review of my book. It was the first thing I saw this morning, and it made my day!
ReplyDeleteHi Henriette, I'm so glad you enjoyed my review. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful book with me and for inviting me on the Tour.
DeleteI am keeping my fingers crossed for a third book as I feel there is still so much more to discover about Stonybrook. 💕