Lazarus County has yet to be tamed. There’s drought, bandits, and natives to contend with. People have moved out there hoping to better themselves, have a chance at the kind of life they could never hope for back East.The town of Gilgamesh, the county seat, offers plenty of people second chances. One of those people are Harry Payton, a baker, and Clara Smith.Clara Smith is an acrobat. Her stage … is an acrobat. Her stage name is ‘The Magnificent Clara’ and she performs her tricks on horseback and on the trapeze. But she is not really happy with her life on the road, and when she meets Harry Payton, she begins to wonder what life in a small town, with a good husband and family, might be like.
But her father and brother do not approve – mostly because they do not want to have to train someone else to take her place in their act, though they claim it is because they believe she will come to miss their life as circus folk aren’t made to stay in one place.
She and Harry write to one another, and their bond grows. Harry’s bakery is doing well – but he is prepared to give it all up to follow the circus if Clara truly does not want to give up her act. Clara wishes she had the courage to tell her family that she wants nothing more than to be Harry’s wife.
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Sweet Story
The series that this book is a part of, The Brides of Lazarus County, is one that I have found problematic. All the stories are novellas, and some have seemed to be more telling than showing, which I always find annoying in fiction. So, I feel like I never know what I will get when I choose a story from the series from one of my favorite book review sites. I am happy to say that this is one of the better ones, as the author does a much better job showing both the characters and the turns of the plot. This is a relatively straightforward romance between two people who have a near-instant attraction but live in very separate worlds. The heroine is a circus performer, a high-flying daredevil who is a part of a circus family that includes her two brothers and father. The hero is a small-town baker, newly opening his shop in Gilgamesh. I’m afraid that if I say too much more about this, I will tell too much of the story. I found the hero to be particularly sweet, and I couldn’t help but want him to find that HEA with the heroine. She chafes a bit at her constrained lifestyle, and she wonders if she dares to move beyond it to find her own personal happiness. While a little rough around the edges, I found this to be an engaging story with decent, believable characters.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
This was a marvelously touching story. It was a wonderful journey for these two. I love the family dynamic. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
The Magnificent Clara is the eighth book in the Brides of Lazarus County series and is a short but entertaining read.
Harry and Clara are great characters who meet in the town of Gilgamesh. The story is fun to read and has kidnapping, danger, circus performers, and a chance for love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harry is finally opening his own bakery. He has planned the opening down to a big splash. He will have food for the townspeople to sample and Circus performers to entertain them.
Clara has never know anything but life at the circus. When she meets Harry sparks fly on both sides. But, she also knows James her father will not let her choose anyone other than a circus performer to marry.
I really enjoyed this book and know you will too, besides you have to get it to see all the suspense and danger that is inside.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 5th book I’ve read written by Amber Seraph; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoy this author and this particular book series whenever I see her name or Lazarus county i jump at the chance to read it. Clara is a trapeze artist with her brothers and her father but when they come to Gilgamesh New Mexico and meets the new baker Harry she instantly falls in Love with him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love this book! A fast, easy read, with the excitement of circus performers and a dash of danger when Clara is kidnapped throw in love and happy ever afters and you have a great book. Great job Sarah Seraph! If you enjoy short, fast pace books this one is for you I recommend you read it. I enjoy reading all lengths of books and have read several of Sarah Seraph books and always happy I did when I finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book eight in the Brides of Lazarus County series a well written short story that kept me turning pages. This is Harry Payton, a baker, and Clara Smith an acrobat, with the stage name is The Magnificent Clara’s story. there is suspense, drama, danger, kidnapping, and romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It took James some time to understand.
A sweet and quick read I enjoyed it a great deal. I loved the humor and the characters Harry was perfect and Clara was such fun. I loved seeing their relationship grow. I’ve been able to read all the books in this series up to this one and each one just gets better and better. I hope you check this one out. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
It’s a short story, so the characters are pretty simple, but there’s humor, action, adventure, and suspense in this little tale.
Well worth the read.
This was a sweet and clean romance with a beautiful ending. Clara and Harry were both likable characters, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop through their letter-writing, a lost art nowadays. Harry was a perfect gentleman, and it was very obvious how much he loved and respected Clara, and that was so refreshing. I look forward to hearing more about their wedding and family life in the next book. I have read other books by Ms. Seraph, and have enjoyed them all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.