About the Book

High-Wire Heartbreak

Author: Anna Schmidt

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.....

This is a dual time novel involving a current day author who decides that her next book should revolve around the Ringling Brothers Circus. Chloe Whitfield visits the Ringling mansion in Sarasota to conduct research and hopefully find answers about one of the circus's star performers. Her great grandmother was a trapeze artist who suddenly disappeared in 1936, and Chloe would like to find the reasons. Will her research lead to another best seller, or is she setting herself up for heartache?

I loved reading about the circus as it was in 1936, and learning about Ca' dZan, the elegant Ringling Mansion in Sarasota, Florida. Author Anna Schmidt has woven the two stories together seamlessly, with endearing characters, two romances, and many questions needing to be answered. I was totally engaged as I visited the mansion, and watched the performers prepare their acts, but the connection between two young women who lived in different eras was what kept me immersed and turning the pages!

This intriguing romantic suspense novel is a wonderful addition to the Doors to the Past series, and I highly recommend High-Wire Heartbreak to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction and dual timeline stories.

I received a copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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