Ellen and Lucy spangle have never known anything but circus life. Raised to be star performers in their father's famous circus, they dazzle crowds with their daring horseback routines. While younger sister Lucy loves the glittery costumes and blinding spotlight, Ellen longs for something more and has continued her education in secret defiance of her father's wishes. Ellen dreams of being a governess and leaving the circus world behind, while Lucy is focused on Joe Morgan, the handsome son of a rival circus owner. But while Ellen keeps Lucy and Joe's secret, she soon realizes that she has a secret of her own. Ellen has drawn the interest of a fine London gentleman and is starting to feel as if she'll soon be free of boxing kangaroos, sick lions, and her father's yelling. However, when tragedy after tragedy strikes the Spangles, it falls to Ellen alone to keep their business alive. How will she ever learn to accept life with a circus?
A fascinating look at London East End circus life in the nineteenth century, "The Unrivalled Spangles" is a story about the thrills and dangers of the center ring from one of the United Kingdom's top authors.
