About the Book

Book: High-Wire Heartbreak
Author: Anna Schmidt

Series: Doors to the Past
Genre: Christian/Romance/History
Release Date: January 1, 2022

In 1936–A party at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery–and possibly death.

A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.

Chloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?

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My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this story. It was neat for me as a Floridian not living in my state to travel back to familiar grounds through a book. I have visited the Ringling Brothers museum in Sarasota and loved it. Sarasota is beautiful so if you've never been you definitely should add it to your bucket list. I love dual time lines and this one did not disappoint. The characters were so believable and mesmerizing especially Lucinda's story which takes place in the past. She is a famous trapeze artist for the Ringling Circus. I admired her determination despite her circumstances but I really enjoyed how everything came full circle for her and how this story developed.

Chloe who is our present day leading lady gets a lot of her traits from her relative Lucinda but I enjoyed how her character progressed and changed throughout the story. There is a romance and it was not in your face and kind of just gradually developed. Awkward at first but very sweet.

This is part of the Doors to the Past series and they are all stand alone novels. I have enjoyed all of the ones I have read this one included. This is however, my first book by Anna Schmidt and I can't wait to read more from her. I'll definitely be looking up all her other books. If you enjoy dual time lines with historical fiction added to it then this book is for you!

My Rating: 4 Stars/Really Liked it

I received a copy of this book from the publisher Barbour. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Anna Schmidt is the author of over twenty works of fiction. Among her many honors, Anna is the recipient of Romantic Times’ Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the RITA award for romantic fiction. She enjoys gardening and collecting seashells at her winter home in Florida.

More from Anna

It’s hard to split time living between Wisconsin and Sarasota Florida and NOT get caught up in the circus world! The Ringlings are icons in Sarasota where a LOT of things are named for them! But the five circus brothers got their start right here in Wisconsin. So, when the opportunity to create a story for DOORS TO THE PAST came my way, it was pretty much a no-brainer that I would go with John and Mable Ringling’s incredible home, Ca ‘d Zan as the setting. Then somehow, I stumbled on this picture: and I knew she was my character of Lucinda, the trapeze artist whose story would drive my novel. I hope you fall in love with her—and Chloe—as I did, and most of all I hope you’ll be in touch to let me know what you thought at http://booksbyanna.com.

HAPPY READING and all best wishes, Anna