The Cradle of the White Lioness

Homeless Sofia Waters arrives at a hospital suffering from exhaustion and severe leg pain. She meets Angela, who works for a charity, and tells her story of being a once famous children's author who lost everything when her family took advantage of her financially. Sofia later meets a dying woman named Avril, who gives her the key to her villa and instructions to find a valuable diamond and have it appraised by a certain person. Sofia sets out to find the diamond appraiser, but discovers that he has been murdered. She meets a man named Jamie Jamieson, who was the appraiser's business partner and knows the identity of the killer. Together they work to bring the killer to justice and expose a nationwide cartel of diamond dealers who buy diamonds from clients at undervalued prices and sell them on the international market at much higher prices. With Jamie's help and connections, the diamond is exhibited in galleries and museums, and the Cradle of the White Lioness, Avril's estate, becomes a place for street children and the homeless. Sofia takes over running the Cradle of the White Lioness and shares her experience with the homeless, young and old. Yana and Timmy are two of the children seeking refuge at Sofia's shelter. Yana was forced into an arranged marriage with her older cousin but managed to escape with Timmy's help. While at the shelter, she becomes embroiled in a string of puzzling dog killings. To help solve the case, Yana joins forces with detective Jack Renna, and over time, the two develop a romantic connection.

One of the special things about this book is the way it weaves together several different storylines that ultimately converge. The themes of redemption, friendship, and second chances are prevalent throughout the book, as Sofia, Yana, and the other characters all struggle to overcome difficult circumstances and find a sense of purpose. Another underlying theme is the exploitation of vulnerable people, both financially and through forced marriages. Sofia's story highlights how easy it can be for someone to be taken advantage of by their own family members, while Yana's experience underscores the importance of standing up against oppressive cultural traditions. The book also sheds light on the issue of homelessness and the challenges that people in that situation face. Through Sofia's work at the Cradle of the White Lioness, the book offers a hopeful vision of how communities can come together to provide support and opportunities for those who have been marginalized. Finally, the mystery surrounding the diamond and the diamond dealers adds an element of intrigue and suspense to the story, as Sofia and Jamie work to unravel a complex web of deceit and corruption. The story's crime content is completed by a series of mysterious dog murders later in Yana's adventure. Overall, the volume offers a compelling mix of drama, thriller, romance, and social commentary, with a cast of characters who are all striving to make a positive difference in the world.

Autorentext
Bea Eschen ist gebürtige Deutsche und lebt seit 1984 im Ausland. Momentan ist sie in Sydney, Australien, zuhause. Ihr bisheriges Leben auf den verschiedenen Kontinenten Südafrika, Neuseeland und Australien brachte ihr viele Erfahrungen, die sie zum Schreiben anregen. ......................................................................................................................................................................