High-Wire Heartbreak
by Anna Schmidt
Pub Date01 Jan 2022
Barbour Publishing |Barbour Fiction
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


Barbour Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of High-Wire Heartbreak for review:

During a party at the Ringling mansion Ca d'Zan in Sarasota, Florida, a robbery takes place--possibly resulting in death.


Chloe Whitfield is a successful historical mystery writer who comes to Ca' d'Zan to research her next book. Apparently, Chloe's fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories about her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, a trapeze artist of renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.Her ears have picked up hints of scandal-and perhaps larceny-but no details have been revealed.


Chloe's grandmother, rumored to be Lucinda's only child, grew up in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Even though Chloe is intrigued by Lucinda, she does not intend to write about her until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for John Ringling's 70th birthday gala. From there the trail goes cold.The trail goes cold from there.


I give High-Wire Heartbreak five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This was an interesting read. Slow build but intriguing characters make you keep turning the pages. I enjoyed reading this book.

What a fun book! I love history and this was a historical fiction novel that gave you both modern-day but also past. You get to transport between the past and stars of the Ringling circus and then back to the present as a modern-day author is researching her relatives but also writing her new novel.

I loved the history that was presented and getting to see history through others eyes. The mental pictures that are painted while reading this book are vivid and honestly, I didn’t want to walk away from it. I wanted to, no really I needed to continue reading. I just couldn’t leave so close to finding out information about Lucinda. But I also couldn’t leave Lucinda as she tries to go about her life.

This book is going to hold you prisoner but in a good way. Chloe and her handsome new friend plus the loyal fan who can’t help enough. Or maybe she can’t not help enough? You’ll have to read the book to find out what I mean by that of course. You definitely need to read this book!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I really enjoyed this dual timeline novel.

In the contemporary timeline, an author visits the Ringling Bros. circus historic home of Ca' d'Zan in Sarasota. I was totally entranced by the history of the circus that was included in the story, but the storyline itself is fictional. While researching for a new novel, an unexpected romance flourishes as Chloe explores a personal connection from the past, hoping to clear her family name associated with a past scandal.
I found Lucy and Nardo's story in the earlier timeline of 1939 to be one of finding the strength to overcome heartbreak. Ms. Schmidt skillfully weaves both storylines together, with expert plot pacing.

I was expecting the actual circus would be central to the storyline, but it was more in the background, with the historic site more of the focus. Yet this proved to be an entertaining story I thoroughly enjoyed.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I've always enjoyed stories about the circus, and the performers found there.
This story was even better because I've had the privilege of visiting the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL, and touring Ca d'Zan that big, beautiful house.
This story has two different time lines, and I think I enjoyed them both equally.
It was fun to read and see how they fit together.
Chloe is determined to find out what happened to her ancestor Lucinda. From all appearances, she just disappeared, after a famous acrobatic act she did there at Ca d'Zan.

And then there's Lucinda's story. She finds herself in a difficult situation. What can she do?

I really don't want to say more, if you are at all interested, go read it!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I'm a sucker for dual time novels especially when they follow two heroine's from the same family. In the modern day we get an historical mystery writer and in the past a circus performer with a hidden past. So not only was this dual time it's also a mystery and those are my favorite.

I was genuinely very excited for this book. The circus, a mystery writer, and an unknown and mysterious past of a woman who just seemed to disappear? It just all seemed so intriguing.

The book was split-time, going between Chloe Whitfield in present day to Lucinda Conroy in the 1900s. While both timelines were interesting, I enjoyed Lucinda's better. I just had to know what happened to her and why. Her story took twists and turns that I never expected and that kept me on the edge of my seat.

But that's not to say I didn't enjoy reading Chloe's story. Her timeline was especially filled with colorful characters and some suspicious happenings.

Both stories had just a touch of romance, but it didn't take away from the plot whatsoever, which I appreciated.

Overall, I loved following Chloe as she uncovered pieces from her grandmother's past and I loved finding out what happened to Lucinda Conroy. I would definitely recommend this novel.

I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.

High-Wire Heartbreak is the sixth book in the Doors to the Past series. This series is written by a variety of different Christian fiction authors, and all stories are separate from one another and can be read in any order.

The premise of this story was absolutely fascinating to me. There's something about the circus that can at times seem a little mysterious anyway, so it was an ideal setting for this story filled with mystery and intrigue. It was a dual timeline story, with both timelines grabbing and holding my attention, and flowing back and forth between the two very well.

This is another great addition to the Doors to the Past series, and one that fans of historical fiction are sure to want to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Transfixing and full of mystery and intrigue.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was super excited going into this book - I've visited Ca'd'Zan and thought it was amazing, I love mysteries, so I thought the idea of a combination of the two was perfection. Unfortunately this was just... fine? I guess? I wanted so desperately to love it, but it just didn't work for me.

I did like the historical plotline much more than the modern one, but my main problem was with the characters, I think. Chloe is simply not a nice person, and while I usually don't have issues with an unlikeable main character, the way this was written seemed like it really wanted me to like Chloe, and I just didn't. She seems annoyed by everyone she talks to (except for Ian, but only after she's attracted to him), makes some pretty uncool comments about people's weight and looks, and I don't know, we just didn't jive. I liked Lucinda more, but she just lacks common sense and makes poor decisions every time. Ian and Nardo both deserved better, that's all I'm saying.

I will say I loved the descriptions. The way life in Florida is portrayed is pretty accurate, and I did feel like I was back at Ca'd'Zan, which was lovely. The mystery wasn't all that interesting once I kinda figured out where it was going. I think overall it's just that this author's writing and I didn't vibe, which is fine, though disappointing. Also there wasn't like... any faith content? Which is also disappointing considering this series is marketed as Christian fiction. There are just a couple of very quick prayers for help and not much else.

I'm definitely interested to pick up more from this series, but this one wasn't it for me. Three stars.

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

Sarasota, Florida Summer to Winter 2022 & 1936-1944
Chloe Whitfield has come to Sarasota, Florida to do research at the Ringling museum and estate for her next mystery book. She’s also looking for information on her great grandmother’s life and why her grandmother was put up for adoption. Chloe can’t concentrate on her book and can’t stop thinking about her great grandmother Lucy Conroy. Dr. Ian Flanner is in charge of the Ringling museum and doesn’t have time to help a writer. He’s dealing with renovations during the off time of the tourist season. Ian gets intrigued when he learns about one of the reasons the writer has come to the museum and decides to help. Lucinda “Lucy aka Lucille” Conroy/O’Connor/Russell is the star trapeze artist of Mr. John Ringling’s 70th birthday party. Will a woman in the future find out what happened to a woman from the past? What happens after a Highwire Heartbreak in the past affects the present?

Highwire Heartbreak is the unique story written by Anna Schmidt for the Doors to the Past series. Book number 6 takes a woman looking into her great grandmother’s disappearance eighty plus years ago. It follows the two generations of a women in the same family. A Christian woman deals with trying to find the inspiration to write her next mystery novel but can’t concentrate because of the family connection to the area. Highwire Heartbreak takes a mystery in the past that maybe the answer to a prayer for the author. A little danger and attraction is woven into the past as a young woman fights for her future and finds out that love is different than what she thought. Anna Schmidt’s Highwire Heartbreak takes the reader on a wonderful trip through time to depression area and beyond to the following years as she follows the life of young circus performer and her great granddaughter who wants to figure out why her grandmother was put up for adoption as a baby. Each woman just find their future is much different than they thought it might be. Highwire Heartbreak is a unique Christian story of love and a look into the past as a woman is looking for answers. A great addition to the Doors to the Past series.

A good story about author Chloe Whitfield going to the winter home of John Ringling to get inspiration for her next book. Little did she know that story would be closer to home. To help her was museum director, Ian Flanner, and her appointed assistant, Tilda Tucker. To research her next book she looked to the life of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who simply disappeared, but Chloe found much more hidden behind the walls of Ca d'Zan.

A great read if you like circus life, mysteries, and a woman's determination to make things right.

This was one of my favorite reads in a while. I won’t give away spoilers, but there was a few plot twists in there that just made the book! And the ending was super sweet. The only thing I didn’t like was the back-and-forth from present and past. It felt quite choppy at times. But other than that, it was great!

High-Wire Heartbreak is a modern day/historical fiction novel written by Anna Schmidt.

Summary: Chloe Whitfield has traveled to Ca’ d’Zan- the historical home of the once-famous circus family Ringling to write her next bestselling murder mystery. And, if she gets some time, to do a little research into her trapeze-flying great-grandmother who mysteriously disappeared from the circus in the 1930s.

But the more time Chloe spends researching Ca’ d’Zan as the setting for her book, the more she becomes distracted by the story of her great-grandmother. What happened to her all those years ago?

My Thoughts: This is one of the best books I have read in the past couple of years. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting is so unique, the story line is so well-done, and there is a FANTASTIC plot twist I did not see coming.

The characters literally drawn you in, and I have to say I was sad to leave them by the end-the sign of a truly great book.

I don’t typically go for books that flip back and forth in time because the transitions are often abrupt or confusing, but this one was extremely well-done and very easy to follow.

I loved this book, and would definitely recommend purchasing it-such a wonderful read!

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

This book is set at Ca d’Zan, the home John Ringling and his wife Mable built in Florida. The author’s note at the beginning states that most of the characters and the story are fictional. The story jumps back and forth between Chloe in July 2022 in Sarasota, Florida and Ca d’Zan in May 1936 with Lucy.

Chloe Whitfield, an award-winning author of historical mysteries, is spending the summer on the grounds of John Ringling’s winter estate to research it as the location for her next book. She is also hoping to solve the mystery of her great grandma Lucy Conroy, an acrobat for the circus who disappeared after being arrested for allegedly stealing a vase. Lucy’s daughter, Chloe’s grandma Alice, lived in an orphanage until she was adopted at age 5 and has always felt hurt her mom chose to abandon her.

This story is really sad but has a good ending. It kept my attention even after I figured out what happened to Lucy. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy to use for my review.

Really enjoyed and didn’t want to put down. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys Florida lit, historical fiction, romance and mystery. Some pieces felt vanilla/cookie cutter, but overall well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour for the ARC.

Dual timelines are always a challenge to write and to read and I end up becoming more invested in one storyline. That was the case with this book. The historical timeline featuring the tragic high-wire acrobat was so much more intriguing then the modern day story. I could have read more of the former and less of the latter. Characters in the historical timeline could have been fleshed out and the book could have stood on it's own.

Anna Schmidt chose Sarasota, Florida and the Ringling home as the setting for High-Wire Heartbreak. She makes the house and grounds come alive again, as it must have been in the 1930's. Besides the circus setting, Schmidt introduced the class restrictions that were prevalent within wealth categories at the time. She brought in historic and economic events that added to the depth of the mystery she created. This is excellent historical and mystery fiction.

I enjoyed High-Wire Heartbreak. The story and the characters were well developed and Anna Schmidt’s writing style was easy to read and follow. I like reading dual timeline books and this one did not disappoint. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. I would recommend this book.

Highwire Heartbreak was a fascinating novel written with two timelines- one during the days of the Ringling Circus and the second during the present day. Following the life of Lucy , a trapeze artist, was fascinating. There was mystery and plenty of romance. Also intertwined in the story were facts about the Ringling property known as Ca d’Zan. I enjoyed how the author rolled back the curtain of Lucy’s past. The reader experiences a little at a time
High-Wire Heartbreak is book six in a series of nine books written by different authors . Normally I don’t read books out of sequence But each book are very clearly standalone. All are about historic American landmarks. High-Wire Heartbreak is my first introduction to the series. But it wont be the last and I recommend this series to anyone who likes historical fiction with a little romance, mystery, and intrigue.