I thought this book was really good. I liked the mystery aspect and how the story flowed well between what happened in the past and what was happening in the present. I thought the story was believable. I loved learning about the 1930s and what life was like for someone in the circus. I thought it was a great story that kept me engaged the whole time.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This is the first Doors to the Past installment where I have not enjoyed the present-day story line as much as the historical story line. But it is hard to compete with romance gone wrong in a 1930s circus setting, complete with a crime to be solved and names to be cleared, and an orphaned child.
All the characters on the historical timeline seemed much more well-developed and relatable. I just found myself not really caring that much about Chloe or Ian on the present-day timeline, and felt that the oppositional character was a little over the top. I also think the characters faith played a much less significant role in this installment than the other Doors to the Past books. The main characters pray, and ask for guidance from God, but growing in their faith or faith seeing them through major events is not really a central theme.
A great historical story with lots of period details, and obviously plotted with lots of research into John Ringling, and highly recommended to historical fiction fans who don't mind an added present-day time line.

A good historical fiction though I am much more interested with the story of Lucy. It kept me going. I am a bit confused with the title though. 😅
Lucy is a trapeze artist and not a tightrope walker.
I loved her part more than Chloe.

Wow! Circus performers, mysteries, heartbreak, romance, sabatoge... All set in and around John Ringling's famous Ca d'Zan mansion. What a fun book full of twists and turns - not to mention the emotional roller coaster! This is the first book I've read by Anna Schmidt and I was not disappointed in the least! I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a simple, but most enjoyable, historical mystery!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a complementary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

“For a writer, she was suddenly bereft of words to say how much she liked that idea—liked the whole idea of a rest-of-my-life kind of love.”

There is a reason that I love a good series like Doors to the Past. Once I begin a series, I feel a need to read it in its entirety, even if the books are stand-alones, as is the case here. Otherwise, I would never have picked up “High-Wire Heartbreak” because if I’m being honest, nothing about the circus has ever interested me. Thus I was admittedly a bit dubious, especially given that Anna Schmidt is also an author whose work I haven’t previously read. However, I am impressed by this tale of romance, heartbreak, and the echoes of history.

Told in the alternating third-person viewpoints of Lucy in 1936 and Chloe in 2022, “High-Wire Heartbreak” by Anna Schmidt gives readers a fictional glimpse into the Ringling Circus and its star trapeze artist, Lucinda Conroy, contrasted with a present-day bestselling historical mystery author, Chloe Whitfield. The stories intersect at Ca’ d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, where Chloe is working on her next novel and exploring her grandmother’s connection to Lucinda. As the storylines dovetail, the scandal that overhangs the past becomes increasingly intriguing to Chloe. With the advent of genealogy sites and resources that have become available in recent years, ancestry, in my opinion, provides a fascinating basis not only for reference but also for connecting with relatives from around the world.

A novel with elements that will appeal to readers of various genres, “High-Wire Heartbreak” speaks to those who admire resiliency and the strength to trust God despite scandal, rejection, and self-doubt. Despite not caring for her character much at first, overall I found Tilda to be a surprise, a testament to what using one’s own God-given skills and talents can accomplish. This story highlights the need for us to encourage and care about others, whether they are our friends or not. Schmidt’s description of Chloe at one pivotal point in the plot demonstrates this: “Chloe’s heart went out to her, and she decided she would do her best to make sure Tilda was a success on her own terms for a change.” Sometimes that is all a person needs to shift their attitude or behavior, and even to even to solve a decades-old mystery!

For fans of split-time stories, Christian historical fiction, the circus and especially the trapeze, genealogy, and of course romance, “High-Wire Heartbreak” blends all of these elements beautifully. Schmidt brings together a surprising and unexpected plot resolution in which both the historical and the contemporary plotlines merge to form a lovely grand finale.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

High-Wire Heartbreaker is an intriguing and interesting dual timeline story set in the 1930s and is part of the Doors to the Past series from Barbour. I enjoyed each storyline equally and felt like they were woven together well. I also enjoyed that this story was set around the circus. I really like this author’s writing style and will be looking for more of her work.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Another great Doors of the Past addition. This one starts us out in 2022 in Sarasota Florida, where Chloe has set up staying on the old Ringling Brothers grounds to research her next book, and search for clues of her great grandmother who went missing the in 1930’s, a famous trapeze artist. As we go back and forth between the times, we learn more of Lucinda, Bernardo, as well as meeting Marty, Julia, John Ringling and a few others in the past, and Chloe, Ian, Tilda, Darcy, Mr Tucker, Toby, Pete, Rose and Alice in the present. Page turning story as we learn bits of Lucinda’s time in Sarasota, and clues or deadends that Chloe is running into. This story wraps up nicely as things come together piece by piece.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is part of the Doors of the Past series. This historical true mystery read, keeps you in the present and takes you back into time. Chloe is in the town of Sarasota, FL to research her new book and try to find out what happened to Lucinda. When she finds more than she imagined regarding the disappearing of Lucinda, she is shocked and determined to find the whole story and truth.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!! Each book from the series is a page turner and gives the reader suspense, drama and romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. All books from the series are stand alone reads, the common denominator in the series is that all books are true historical crimes that have really happened. Each written story has been changed, but the truth and history is given as part of the written knowledge in the back of the book, for the reader to see the changes.) I hope the series never ends, they are all sooooo goood!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

This Historical, Christian fiction split time book was a wonderful surprise. I am not a big fan of circus-themed stories, but the synopsis really captured my attention, so I decided to give a new author a try. I equally enjoyed both heroines and their stories. The author’s writing style kept me interested and guessing until surprises revealed even at the very end. The two timelines weave seamlessly together into a perfect climax.

Whenever I finish a really good book, I always feel like any review I write is inadequate to express how much I truly loved the read. I have added my paperback copy to my favorite bookshelf and look forward to experiencing the journey again in the future. I recommend this story who anyone enjoys rich historical secrets tied in with present day mysteries and sweet romances. 5/5

I have really enjoyed all of the books I’ve read in the Doors to the Past series. And dual timeline historical fiction books are some of my favorites. The fact that this one was based on the Ringling Brothers circus tweaked my curiosity. The characters were well developed and you are instantly drawn into their story. I loved reading about the present-day character, Chloe Whitfield’s process for writing a book. There were lots of twists and turns and a few moments when I gasped out loud. Though a few instances were too expected, the overall mystery and intrigue was wonderful. I strongly encourage you to put this on your to-be-read list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This is an absolutely incredible dual-time novel!

I totally love the main characters in both time periods. Chloe and Ian are great. Watching their interactions change as the story goes along was a lot of fun. Then when we got to the 1936 storyline I was quickly captivated by Lucy and Bernardo. They were all surrounded by a full cast of supporting characters in each period.

I was fascinated by the procedures that were described for doing research in a museum’s archive. I’m amazed thinking about all of the work that takes place to piece together historical stories. I was enthralled by the details that were included in connecting the two stories into one cohesive book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first I've read from Anna Schmidt and I can certainly say it will not be the last. Schmidt easily pulled me into each storyline - contemporary and historical - with her thoughtful dialogue, descriptive writings, and interesting plotline. I can't even tell you which time period I liked more because they were both so wonderfully written.

Lucinda's story was just mesmerizing. This poor thing, I could certainly sympathize with how she felt after being tricked by the person she thought loved her! But oh to have an unexpected hero was just fabulous. And though a difficult topic to broach for sure, especially for that time period, Schmidt did a fantastic job of talking about pregnancy, adoption, and everything in between.

And Chloe! Oh that girl had such heart. I appreciated how Schmidt sort of changed her character as the story went on. Yes she was an author, and yes she was really just researching for her book. But as this story went on, and she learned more about Lucinda's story, the importance of her novel kind of went to the side and the truth of her family lineage came to the forefront, and I was so pleased that Schmidt chose to write it in that fashion.

I highly recommend the latest book in this fabulous series from Barbour! It has a little something for everyone. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recently if you say the word ‘circus’ I’m on board so of course I had to check out this book! Though there wasn’t as much about the actual circus mentioned there were enough nods that entertained me.
Being that this was a split time we got to have two love stories, one between Ian and Chloe, and the other between Lucinda and Bernardo. Neither emerged as a clear favorite for me and I was content to switch between the two. Occasionally the characters and their actions felt a little off or annoying to me but overall I was glad they all found their happily ever afters.
I always love uncovering mysteries from the past so Chloe’s search for information about her great-grandmother was definitely my favorite part of the story.
This book kind of fell in the middle of the road for me on my enjoyment level but I know some readers out there will thoroughly enjoy this story!

High-wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt was not a book I was looking forward to reading, much less reviewing. However, Barbour Publishing sent this complimentary book to me to read. I was under no obligation to review it, but I found that the more I read the book the more interesting it became.

Writer, Chloe Whitfield writes murder mysteries and she wanted to use the home of John Ringling in Sarasota, Florida as the background for her new novel. She also was fascinated with the fact that stories of her great-grandmother being a part of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Her mother was left in an orphanage and was adopted by a loving couple when she was five years old. Chloe’s mother was rumored to be the offspring of Lucinda Conroy a trapeze performer with the circus who mysteriously disappeared.

As Chloe delved into the workings of her new novel, she also found enough information to investigate the disappearance of her supposed great-grandmother. With the help of the museum’s director and a young woman who helped her with her research into the background for her new novel, she finds some astonishing information.

Even though I was not that interested in the book on page one, by page ten, I was hooked. I enjoyed the characters and the different personalities that Ms. Schmidt portrayed. I highly recommend this book.

A sweet and fun dual-timeline romance that connects three women through the generations. It was a romantic getaway to step into this book and enter the lives of Lucinda and see the circus world through her eyes and Chloe so many years later. I enjoyed how their lives twisted together and the mystery that surrounded Lucinda. It kept me turning page after page as the story developed with plenty of excitement and questions that never ran out. The author has written a wonderful story full of faith and romance that is certain to take you on a wild adventure as Chloe unravels her past despite her misgivings. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I have always had a soft spot for circus novels, and I especially enjoy ones based around the The Ringling Bros. Circus. It always seemed that the fun and joy those circuses brought to the thousands was a time of innocence and of simpler times. Not true and I know that and author Schmidt dives into a time split novel with mystery and secrets that prove that no matter how well hidden or for how long, some truths are meant to be known.

Chloe is a famous mystery writer who is trying to get some inspiration on her next novel. She goes to the famous Ringling estate in Florida for research and also on the side to look into her great-great grandmother Lucy's story. Lucy was a trapeze artist for the circus and a woman who gave her daughter up for supposed adoption and disappeared seemingly from the pages of time. Chloe is quite interested in knowing what happened to her.

Going back in time to Lucy's story we see the reasons for the title of the book. Lucy has experienced a most heartrending heartbreak and betrayal for which she is little equipped to handle. Her life and career are falling away around her when all she ever wanted was love, family, and security. Her trials were certainly not small, but she does find a love to help her get through them.

As Chloe uncovers her family's secrets, she is not prepared for everything that becomes revealed. Nor are certain others whose goal is to keep these secrets under lock and key forever and no matter what it takes.

This was a good drama with the backdrop of a circus in its dying days and of ancestral secrets that were never meant to stay hidden.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, this is not what I had in mind. I thought it would have more mystery and romance, but it was just not made for me.

Heartrending history collides with present day research that leads to some interesting answers and happily ever afters. Chloe and Ian were cute while facing mystery and mild villainy.

High-Wire Heartbreak kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. But not in a scary or suspenseful way, but in a way that made me want to know what would happen next. It's a dual timeline novel. In the present-day Chloe is a famous author writing about her great grandmother's circus life, but she's trying to uncover the mystery of where the lady came from and disappeared to.
Lucy's story is unveiled to us slowly as Chloe uncovers information. She's a brilliant trapeze artist, but perhaps a little gullible and naive. I don't want to give away too much.
This one is for people who enjoy the circus, want to know more about Ringling, like a light mystery, enjoy historical research, and like Florida.

Another marvelous read in the Doors to the Past series by Barbour Publishing! I enjoyed reading about fascinating Ca’ d’Zan, the incredible mansion of John Ringling, circus extraordinaire. The author does a great job describing the setting such that you feel like you are walking through the great halls and experiencing it for yourself. I liked the dual timelines and the hints of mystery as the story unfolded. One of my favorite aspects of dual fiction is the connection that emerges between the two timelines and this story excellently tied them together. The romance is also well written and woven into the novel. I have not yet read anything else by this author but I am excited to read more by her in the future. I recommend this book and this entire series! You do not have to read the series in order as the novels all stand alone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.