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!

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.

I am really hooked on this series of books. High-Wire Heartbreak is another wonderful read. What an intriguing story. The Ringling Brothers Circus is a great historical subject to have a story revolve around. The plot was interesting and with so many different side stories, it holds your attention throughout. The characters were well written and engaging. I thought the historical tidbits were fascinating. I really wish the author would have added an authors note at the end, explaining her research and a bit about the history. This is the first book I have read from this author and will I definitely read more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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.

These novels in Barbour’s The Doors to the Past series just keep getting better and better. I found High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt to be a new favorite.

First off, I love stories that are split-time, and Schmidt does a masterful job at weaving the mystery in and out of the two storylines and finally tying them back together with an unexpected twist.

I also love stories set in a particular historical location. Schmidt so well describes Ca d’Zan in its heyday that I can’t help adding it to my bucket list of places to visit.

I can’t express how much I cared about the characters and their struggles and triumphs. Reading about Lucy early on tore my emotions up. How I wanted her to make different choices! And Chloe. While I could see where her heart was headed, I wasn’t sure how her assistant, Tilda, would affect the outcome of Chloe’s personal and professional life. What kind of wild card is Tilda in the scheme of this split-time puzzle?

And I found it to be especially heart-wrenching at times as different characters were either maligned or were desperate for love or approval that didn’t seem likely.
I did wish there were more references to how faith played an integral part in the main characters’ lives. Mostly we see a few very short prayers from Chloe.

After reading this novel by Anna Schmidt, I eagerly look forward to the next Doors to the Past story. Can it possibly top this one? And as this is my first Schmidt novel, I’m off to add other of her books to my to-be-read pile!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

A trapeze act, a scandal and a theft leave Lucinda Conroy in predicament in the 1930's Meanwhile, present day mystery writer Chloe Whitfield arrives at Ca' d'Zan, mansion of the renowned John Ringling. I loved the way the stories intertwined in this dual timeline story. Both timelines captivated my attention and I enjoyed both main characters. Both Lucy and Chloe had depth of character, grew and learned through out the story. It was an interesting story that had a fun backdrop. A circus story that wasn't set in the circus but rather at the mansion of the circus owner.

I am really enjoying these "Doors of the Past" books. Anna Schmidt was a new author for me, but I look forward to reading more of her stories.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #HighWireHeartbreak

Can past secrets be the answers to the future?

The name of Ringling is synonymous with the circus and has been for decades. Even my own homestate has felt the touch of the Ringling family's hand with a now nearly non-existent town named for 'Mr. John'. Even though I never got to see them perform one can't help but feel the magic. Even if I wasn't already a Doors To The Past fan I still would have wanted to read High-Wire Heartbreak as soon as I saw the fascinating setting. I also love museums so this time-slip novel from Anna Schmidt was a double win in that arena.

I think my favorite thing about High-Wire Heartbreak is the setting. The detail to which Anna Schmidt went for both the historical and present threads was exquisite and Ca’ d’Zan pretty much became a character unto itself. As a museum lover who has been to Florida but not to Sarasota, it was almost like getting to explore the mansion myself.

This sixth book in the Doors To The Past series was an enjoyable for sure. It had a slightly different feel than the previous books in some ways and I appreciated that the author brought her own style to this series of time-slip mysteries. In case you wondered, each of the books can be read standalone and in any order you choose.

Surprisingly my favorite characters in High-Wire Heartbreak were the contemporary ones and I loved the insight into what the research and writing process can entail for a fictional historical fiction author. Anna Schmidt did a good job with her characters and her story and a marvelous job with the setting. You'll definitely want to add this book to your Doors To The Past collection...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

In a dual timeline book of the Doors of the Past series, High-Wire Heartbreak tells the story of Chloe Whitfield who comes to the Ringling mansion to research her next mystery novel. When she begins the process, she can’t help but be distracted in the possibility of learning about her great-grandmother. The idea that her great-grandmother had been in the same place fuels her curiosity to learn more about her talented ancestor.

The book contains many components, such as romance and mystery, all wrapped up in one. The storyline was not predictable and the reader did not know what direction the story would take, which I love. As a reader reads a chapter at a time little pieces of the puzzle were revealed one by one. The ending of the story was not expected, which made it even better!

I have read every book in the series and really enjoyed this one. The book can be read as a standalone. It will be an intriguing read that will take you to a unique location that will have you wanting to learn more about the history of Ca’ d’Zan.

I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

I loved it! This dual timeline novel is my first favorite 2022 read. This talented author offers us engaging characters who invited me in from the start. They are defined well through realistic behaviors and conversations. Settings are described so well that I felt part of the action. There is betrayal, an almost century-old mystery, financial struggles, the Great Depression, and romance. In each generation there are people of prayer, faith, and integrity.

Chloe is an award-winning novelist who received a grant to research her next novel at the Ringling estate and museum in Sarasota, Florida. Ian, director of the museum and historian, as well as overseer of the restoration of the home of John and Mable Ringling, is the top go-to person for her questions. Chloe’s next novel will use the home as the setting, and she wants authentic details. Ian didn’t seem enthused, especially when she injured her ankle shortly after she arrived. Chloe is fascinated with the Ringling circus as her great-grandmother was once trapeze artist.

Chloe looked at old photos and posters hanging in the house, almost immediately spotting a photo of the beautiful Lucinda Conroy. Lucinda, also called Lucy, was the birth mother of Alice, Chloe’s grandmother. Alice was adopted as a child, having had been left at an orphanage as an infant. She has nothing good to say about a woman who didn’t want her, and she had a loving relationship with her adoptive parents. Chloe hopes to spend time learning about Lucy, and the photo was her first find.

We alternate between Chloe’s story and Lucinda’s story. Lucinda is a young woman who had many troubles in her life, and we see her overwhelming heartaches. We also see her overwhelming joys that she had all but given up on. Lucinda was the star aerialist for the circus. Unlike most of the performers, she was honored with many privileges because of the crowds that come to see her. She meets and secretly dates the business manager, Marty, who talks her into eloping. Their marriage will be kept secret until his parents come for John Ringling’s 70th birthday party, when he promises to tell them.

At the party, Lucinda and her partner, Nardo, perform what only one other woman country has, a triple backwards somersault. Her husband ignores her in favor of a wealthy young socialite. When she finally speaks with him, he couldn’t believe she thought the elopement was real. Instead, he will marry the socialite, as it had been in the works for many years. Lucinda passed out at the party, and the doctor confirmed she is pregnant. Marty would give her money to end the pregnancy and go away. When she refused, his parents set her up to get arrested.

I liked that the author uses things authentic to the time period despite most of the novel being a work of fiction woven around the location. My heart ached for Lucinda and events in her life. Chloe’s faith, prayers, and values are realistic and heartwarming. Plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and I loved how all the situations are resolved. I highly recommend this fabulous read to women who enjoy well-written Christian dual timeline novels, an interest in Ringling’s circus, mystery, betrayal, and faith in and reliance on the Lord.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from Celebrate Lit and the publisher, Barbour, through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

.I really enjoyed this book. I don’t think I have read anything by Anna before. She had me so concerned about Lucy and what would happen to her. I will say I like the historical part of the book more then the the contemporary part, but I did enjoy that as well.

I was so curious how and if Chloe would discover what really happened to her great-grandma. We as the reader know but would Chloe find out? I really wanted her to.


A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Being a historical novel, I hadn't expected the dual time line but the author did a phenomenal job at interweaving both while still making the plot flow flawlessly! I grew up with the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus coming town every year, so this definitely caught my intrigue when reading the synopsis. The characters felt real and lovable, the twists and mystery with some romance kept me turning the page,and the ending was well done. I highly recommend this book!

While researching her latest project Chloe is drawn into the mystery and intrigue of what happened to her great-grandmother so many years ago.

A well written read that balances a split-time storyline, with an intriguing mystery that reveals secrets once left in the past. Chloe is a historical mystery writer researching for her next book, she stumbles upon information about her long lost great-grandmother and decides to follow where the clues lead. Can heartbreak lead to lasting love?

An engaging read, with excellent characters and an intriguing plot. I liked how Chloe and Ian bonded over faith as they slowly worked together to uncover the past. Lucinda's part of the story was my favorite of the two by only a small margin, and I was cheering for her the whole way through. Nardo is a kind and honest man, who was always there for her when she needed him most.

Overall, this was a highly enjoyable novel that does an excellent job of blending 1936 and the present day with believable heroes and heroines. Poignant and full of faith, this book kept drawing me in. Definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

High-Wire Heartbreak by author Anna Schmidt is a Christian dual time mystery romance and the third installment in the riveting Doors to the Past series. The cover is beautiful and the other two books in the series were excellent so I expected this book to be great. It delivered.

I became invested in this story easily. Never had I heard about Ca d’Zan, the Ringling property. It is now a museum. The author whisked me away to it in Sarasota, Florida in 1936. I love novel that teach me about new things.

This is the story of modern day Chloe Whitfield. She is an author that writes historical mysteries. Her trip to John Ringling’s home in Florida is not just to aid in her newest book, but she wants to get information on her great-grandmother, a trapeze artist for the Ringlings.

Dr. Ian Flanner is the museum’s director and historian. He helps Chloe research, but it seems this quickly turns into a mystery itself. This becomes a page turning story with intrigue, mystery, romance, and heartbreak.

Author Schmidt has a knack for telling stories. She effortlessly wove two stories from different eras into one captivating tale. Characters were realistic and believable. The 1936 dialogue sounded authentic. This glorious book took me to the inside circles of the circus. I did not just read this book, I experienced.

If you like dual time stories, mysteries, stories based on real life events, sweet romance, or inspirational novels, this one is for you. I highly recommend it. It is most unique and so interesting. There are many life and spiritual lessons to be learned here, such as family, loyalty, faith, hope, love, and trusting God. It would make a lively reading group selection. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

I really wanted to love this book. The cover, the series, even the intrigue of a new-to-me author all whispered that this book had great potential. But alas, my expectations failed me. While there was nothing particularly wrong with the story or the writing, I felt like something was missing.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect, but it felt a little too predictable at times. And even though the characters were well-developed and perfectly likeable, I just struggled to connect with most of them (I think Bernardo was probably my favourite character, but he didn’t have nearly enough time on the page). I really wish the trapeze element would have been stronger, as alluded to in the title, but it seemed to take second place to the drama, which was a shame.

What I really did enjoy about this book was its unusual and absolutely wonderful setting. Ca d’Zan, a huge manor house that embodies the grandeur of the roaring 1920s, was such a fun place to explore. It really grounded the connection between the two timelines and provided a fascinating contrast between the vastly different eras.

While this book was not exactly all I’d hoped it would be, I did enjoy reading it and I’m certain many readers will find it perfectly suited to their tastes.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

shut up. this book was.... holy cow, how to describe this ride? the chapters alternating between present and past were very gripping and certainly refreshing.. the writing is perfect. I was really surprised when I finished this book

This book has been so good that I really did not want it to end. I love time slip stories where we get to travel backwards in time. The author does an excellent job of connecting the two time periods together. When we travel back to the past we are in the midst of a famous circus. I was mesmerized by the dangerous trapeze act that Lucinda was a part of. Her performance drew crowds in and they gasped as she flew through the air. But behind the scenes was a drama playing out. Lucinda is in love with someone who can only be described as a scoundrel. The tale weaves throughout history where secrets abound.

As we travel to the present we are introduced to Chloe. She is a famous writer who has come to Ca’d’Zan where the past will expose family secrets. She is determined to find out what happened to her great grandmother. I was fascinated by the beauty of the museum and all its hidden treasures waiting to be found. It was very ingenious of the author to have Chloe’s grandmother be a part of the story where she finally finds closure to her past. The clever hints that Chloe discovers brings us excitement as she puts the pieces together.

My favorite part of the story was following Lucinda as she picks up the pieces of her shattered life when someone accuses her of a crime. My heart was heavy as she tried to prove her innocence. When a baby becomes part of her story I desperately wanted her to find happiness. It was easy to connect with her character because she was vulnerable and felt alone. Will anyone come to her aide? Can she prove that her accuser is hiding something?

When Chloe is able to find the last clue to the past, the two worlds collide with truth and justice. This is truly a well written story that illustrates forgiveness, hope and truth that allows the past to find peace.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Anna Schmidt was a new-to-me author last year. High-Wire Heartbreak is a dual time story, and I couldn’t tell you which timeline I enjoyed more in this book.

On the one hand, there’s Lucinda who has been betrayed in the worst kind of way by someone she believed loved her. She lost everything but gained a hero. Schmidt touches on some topics frowned upon in the bygone days while giving readers a little history lesson into the end of the Ringling circus.

Then there’s Chloe who at first seems rather singular focused and determined but as readers spend time with her, they’ll find a soft heart and a hunger for uncovering truth. Even in her difficult relationships, Chloe doesn’t place blame but encourages.

This will definitely not be the only book I read by this author.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Just finished this amazing novel! It was so good I couldn't put it down.
This author has done very well and has left my heart feeling full and satisfied.
My favorite thing was the mansion! The description of this place was fantastic! The author made me feel very at home there.
I loved seeing it through Chloe's eyes.
Then add some mystery and secrets to it oh my!
I loved the many twists and turns in this book. They are what kept me turning the pages and made my evening go by fast! Yea, I lost sleep but this novel was worth every bit of it!
I loved Lucinda and Nardo! They were two awesome people that handled whatever life threw at them very well and with love anything goes!
They will leave you thinking about them long after the book is finished.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this book! You'll not want to put it down.

I am hooked on Doors of the Past books! I love these Dual Timeline stories. This book took many twists and turns. The secrets and mystery that finally came to light was surprising but worth waiting for. The characters past and present were very interesting and the storyline kept me intrigued. I look forward to reading more of the books in the Doors of the Past line and also finding other books by Anna Schmidt.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I love mysteries and I love books set with the circus as a main theme/topic, and Anna Schmidt’s High-Wire Heartbreak fits the bill! High-Wire Heartbreak is part of the Doors of the Past series curtesy of Barbour Publishing, which I also love. High-Wire Heartbreak is a spilt-time novel that takes place primarily in the 1930’s and present-day. The book opens in present-day with Best Selling Author Chloe Whitfield getting a chance to stay at the Cat d’Zan property, the home of John Ringling and his wife, Mable, owners of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Chloe’s purpose for staying at Cat d’Zan is two-fold: Chloe is researching for her latest mystery novel which takes place at Cat d’Zan and to do research into her family tree. Chloe’s great-grandmother, Lucinda, was a famous trapeze artist for the Ringling Brothers Circus and put Chloe’s grandmother up for adoption in the 1930s. The split-time story tells the story of what really happened to Chloe’s Grandmother and Great-Grandmother and helps bring closure to the her family.

Anna Schmidt did a great job with High-Wire Heartbreak! High-Wire Heartbreak is well written and well researched. I easily felt swept away into the backdrop of the 1930s circus world. The time-slip transitions flowed effortlessly throughout the book. I loved the mystery and how Chloe tried to figure out what happened in her great-grandmother Lucinda’s life and how she tied into the Ringling Brothers Circus. My heart broke for Lucinda’s side of the story. I found myself rooting for Lucinda to get the best out of her life and for Chloe to solve what really happened back then so that she could give her entire family closure. I also enjoyed the Author’s Note in the book and have been inspired to do further digging to look into the circus world during it’s heyday.

I highly recommend High-Wire Heartbreak for the way it transports and gives you an escape to another world. If you are a mystery lover or time-slip novels are your jam, then I believe you will enjoy this book. I am looking forward to reading more in the Doors of the Past series in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (My review is on Goodreads and on my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.)

High-Wire Heartbreak is a dual timeline novel taking place for the most part at the Ringling mansion in Sarasota, Florida.

On the surface this story gives you interesting ideas. Chloe, a present day writing, working on her next book. And Lucy a member of the circus. The story weaves the two together in many ways.
However, when you go deep into the story it was extremely predictable. At certain points it just seems redundant.

Lucy’s story was by far the better of the two. And Chloe’s “love story” was useless. I had high hopes for Ian and then he became just a 2D male character,

2 stars