A Balancing Act

by Ilona Fridl

Lenora LaRue, Bareback Rider Extraordinaire, is the star of her family’s circus—until a cyclone hits. A main tent pole falls on her during the storm, and when her injuries require the loss of her leg, her family abandons her, believing she is of no further use to them.
John Mallory, the young surgeon who does the necessary operation, decides to help her readjust to the real world, against his father's advice. John takes her to his aunt’s sanitarium in the resort city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, where the two of them undertake to teach Lenora how to live outside the harsh circus culture that has been her whole life. He sets up a practice in the town to be near her, positive that rehabilitation is possible. As a woman doubly cursed by society as both a cripple and a former circus performer, Lenora is not so sure. She struggles to learn social skills…but can she learn what love is, too?

Genres: Historical Fiction

257 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2018

About the author

I took Journalism and Creative Writing in high school and college. Have sold short stories and articles to magazines, until I sold my first novel the The Wild Rose Press in 2008. Since then I have my first three published books, Silver Screen Heroes, Golden North, and Bronze Skies in the Dangerous Times series. A spin-off of Golden North, Prime Catch was my next one. Iris Rainbow was released this past July. I have a western that's coming out in a few months called That Monroe Girl. I live in Wisconsin now with my husband, Mark.

Reviews

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Balancing Act" is a heartwarming romance set in 1890s Minnesota.

Read full review in the 2019 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Kate ☕ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Booktasters for sharing a free copy of this book with me in exchange for an honest review.

A Balancing Act is a story about a circus prima ballerina, who loses her leg during a performance, which results in circus and her family abandoning her in a foreign town, and she is forced to gain independence with a great help of her surgeon - John Mallory.

The story itself is very interesting and it could easily become a bestseller if only it was written in more profund style.

The author's style is lacking any deeper descriptions whether it's describing the setting, or (and especially) when it comes to the characters. There are subtle hints that the heroine Lenora is pretty selfish character in the beginning - daughter of the circus' principal, shining star used to admiration from the audience, also taking into consideration her opportunistic parents, but all of this is not on the paper. It's something the reader wishes was there with greater character development. One day she's this egocentric person, and the next she is an obedient lamb.
We don't even know what's so special about her that her surgeon John falls head over heals for her. Was it her looks in the first place? Or was it her character? None of this seems likely since she's very meh.

And this counts for all of the characters. It would be worth inserting couple of pages to the original story, and making it more descriptive.

3 stars

[Stephen King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, finding it poignant, emotive, and interesting. I was reminded of Eliza Dolittle's struggles, though this story delves far deeper, and is more believable for it. A beautiful love story and very well written, the book takes the reader back to a bygone era, where class was everything, and prejudices ripe. I recommend this story, with no hesitation

[Nohemibook · Rating 3 out of 5]

En este libro conocemos a Lenora LaRue una mujer que es estrella de circo siendo su acto la atracción principal hasta que un día una tormenta llega a la ciudad y ella tiene un terrible accidente donde pierde una pierna, ahora rechazada por su familia quienes la creen algo inútil se apoyara en la única persona que le da su apoyo, el doctor que la estuvo atendiendo en el hospital pues con su ayuda debe descubrir como vivir de nuevo.

La historia es bastante interesante pues la protagonista tiene que cambiar toda la vida que conocía por enfrentarse a un mundo que la juzga ademas de enfrentar las dificultades físicas que conlleva su situación, el apoyo de John su doctor es sin duda primordial, los personajes al menos la protagonista esta bien desarrollada aunque sentí un poco forzada la relación con John, pero en general es una buena historia muy entretenida.

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In this book we meet Lenora LaRue, a woman who is a circus star, her act being the main attraction until one day a storm hits the city and she has a terrible accident where she loses a leg, now rejected by her family who believe her something. It is useless to rely on the only person who gives her support, the doctor who was treating her in the hospital, because with his help she must discover how to live again.

The story is quite interesting because the protagonist has to change all the life she knew to face a world that judges her, in addition to facing the physical difficulties that her situation entails, the support of John, his doctor, is undoubtedly paramount, the characters at least The protagonist is well developed, although the relationship with John felt a bit forced, but overall it's a good, very entertaining story.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lenora La Rue is the star attraction in her family's circus. During a performance, a cyclone hits and Lenora has an accident which causes her to lose her leg. Dr. John Mallory who removed her leg finds he is attracted to her spirit, especially after her family disowns her.

This was a good story relating how Lenora/Nora grows after being raised in the circus and knowing no other life. She must now learn how to survive on her own on the outside and learn the ways of regular people. I liked the way the author gives us a glimpse into a pampered life versus having to live with being a "cripple" in a world where circus people are looked down on and making a better life for herself while learning to trust.

[Halimat Idachaba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing that would have described the main character ( Nora)would be resilient if only the author had focused more on the character , given her a bit more life. I enjoyed reading it,but there were times I wished there was more descriptions and emotions in some scenes. The book follows Nora, a circus performer whose life changes after a terrible accident. I loved how the author showed her pain, courage, and determination to rebuild her life with the help of her surgeon ( John Mallory). I also think it wasn't fair that John broke off his engagement without anything note worthy in Nora which he fell in love with. The historical setting felt real, and the emotions did hit deep in some paces. It’s a story about strength, healing, and finding hope again.

[Yolisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of sheer resilience, hard patience, grit, integrity and more. An unassuming story of a beautiful love story, not just between a man and a woman but also self love. Nora is hurt, alone, recently disabled and rejected by the only family she has ever known. That is how the story starts, but it's not how it ends. What happens from the hospital and afterwards is what miracles are made of. Great encouraging story to anyone who has ever been rejected, abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Awesome read.

[Rajni Rani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Booktasters for the copy of the book.
A Balancing Act is the story of Lenora La Rue, a brilliant performer in circus who enchants the audience with her acts. But things turns upside down when she gets severely injured when a cyclone hit during her act and looses her leg. Since now she can't perform acts anymore, hence she is abandoned by her family. But her doctor, John Mallory help her with surgery and also to restart her life as a disabled person. But, soon, they fall in love with each other.

The book mainly focuses upon the difficulties faced by a specially abled person including the reactions from outside world, the problems of integrating back into society, the discrimination & non-acceptance within their own family. It becomes even more challenging who was once an athlete or a performer. Secondly, it goes on to manifest the courage of Nora and how she gradually makes others to see her beyond her legs.

The story is set in Wisconsin in 1890s. So, it's like a sneak peek into American society in history. It is an absolutely easy read. These are enough reasons to pick it up read.

Happy Reading!

[Ozioma · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story follows a troupe of circus performers trying to rebuild their lives after tragedy, and Fridl does a great job showing how found-family, resilience, and trust hold people together in difficult times. The pacing is gentle but engaging, and the mix of personal struggles with a light mystery keeps the plot moving.

It’s a comforting read overall the kind of book for someone who enjoys stories about second chances, community, and the quiet strength of ordinary people finding their way.

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is for the wounded people. this teaches you how to rebuild life.
she's the main player in a circus family. a accident makes her cripple.
she loses a leg . her family abandons her. because she's of no use to them. a surgeon makes the necessary operation and she moves to a town. where she learns how to balance life. how to live life outside circus.

loved it.