Such an interesting dual time read. I loved the settings and the mystery elements that flowed throughout the story. The romances were lovely and I liked how well they were woven into the stories. I sometimes have a hard time liking both time periods featured in dual time stories but this was done just right so that I enjoyed both. Plus we get a little extra insight into the research and study an author takes on when writing a new story. Definitely recommend this one as it will stick with you after the last page.

I received this temporary complimentary Ebook from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

High-Wire Heartbreak is an interesting dual-time book about the Ringling circus and the history surrounding the lives of those who worked there. The majority of the book (both timelines), takes place at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida.

The past timeline was my favorite and my favorite character in the entire book was Nardo. Even though he was a secondary character, he seemed to have more depth than others.

One of the characters was pretty annoying almost the entire book and made some really childish decisions. I also felt like a lot of mystery and suspense was just thrown in there, but didn't really add to the story.

During the present-day timeline, there was a very brief mention of COVID. It felt like it was thrown in there to be "relatable", but seemed out of place. It could just be that I honestly don't want to read about it in books or see it on TV (too soon...haha).

However, I still found it enjoyable and I really loved the setting.

**Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review!

A mystery writer must solve her own mystery in this latest addition to Barbour’s Doors of the Past series. High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmit is one of my favorites in this collection.

I was drawn to this book initially because of its location in Sarasota, FL and its connection to the Ringling family. This dual time line travels seamlessly between the Ringling Brothers’ social scene of the 1920s and present day Sarasota as the character researches her latest book.

Well-researched and authentic setting, well-written and likable characters, combined with a bit of mystery and a gentle romance, all make this a great read.

Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

High-Wire Heartbreak is written by Anna Schmidt. It is part of the Doors to the Past series that is written by multi-authors but are tied together by the dual timeline theme. This book features a main back drop of John Ringling and CA' D'ZAN. I was pleased to know that the location is in Sarasota, FL which is about 6 1/2 hours from me. This book focuses on two characters - Chloe and Lucinda.
The dual-timeline set in 1936 and 2022. Chloe is our present day character. She is a best selling mystery author is is setting her new book at the Ringling mansion. 1936 main character is actually Chloe's great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy. Lucinda was a great Trapeze artist who performed a huge defying act at John Ringling's birthday party. Lucinda however has gotten herself caught up in a predicament that will damage her reputation. She has been deceived and left with child and is accused of stealing a precious item from John Ringling's mansion. Lucinda vanishes off all historical records. The child she gives birth to, is Chloe's grandma, who is left in an orphanage. Chloe is drawn to her great grandma and gets off track writing her next book. She is drawn to her great grandma's story. With the help of the museum's director, Dr. Flanner, Tilda, Darcy and other museum staff they will piece together lost and forgotten pieces of history to see what happened to Lucinda.
The characters are well written, fun to read and realistic. I have been fortunate enough to have read this whole series and this may be my favorite one yet. The book is well researched and will draw you in within the first few pages.
I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.

Historical mystery writer Chloe Whitfield has been given a grant that will allow her to spend the summer researching for her next book on the grounds of Ca’ d’Zhan. But she has another reason for her research: family stories claim her great-grandmother was a trapeze artist for Ringling. In the heat of summer, Chloe searches records, trying to find the truth, as she seeks inspiration for her next book.

This is the second book I’ve read in this series and it was good. Not a favorite, but it was a decent read. What I liked best was the setting of the modern day part of the story. I’ve never visited Ca’ d’Zhan, and I’ve only heard a little about it. From the descriptions in this book, it sounds like a place I need to go to.

For me, the romance of the book fell flat for both storylines. I was not convinced of either one, which is disappointing when it is supposed to be a romance. I’d also hoped there would be more about life in the Ringling circus, but there was not. I’d guessed the ending early on, so for me there was no suspense.

I’d give this a 3.5 star rating, so I will round up to be generous. There was nothing really wrong, but it was just an average read for me. Readers who enjoy stories split between the modern day and the past may enjoy this one.

What happened to the blond, wide-eyed young woman at the pinnacle of her profession?

Ringling Circus is a name synonymous with excitement, action and maybe even a little terror on the part of the audience. 1936 saw the end of that famous show, and the beginning of this wonderful dual-time story. Lucy Conroy was an amazing trapeze artist that suddenly disappeared after performing a feat that few of her compatriots would have attempted. But what really happened?

What begins as an opportunity for award winning novelist Chloe to research her next novel, somehow becomes a search of the archives and more to discover what really occurred more than 85 years earlier. There is a real mystery to be solved - blackmail, betrayal and more.

You don’t want to miss this installment of Doors to the Past. This ARC was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

I had a hard time getting into the dual storyline High-Wire Heartbreak, but once I did, I had a hard time putting the story down. It's the story of true love and the past may not be as it seems.
Chloe Whitfield moves into a cottage on the grounds of John Ringley's estate to research his circus for a mystery she is writing with a hope to find out more about her great-grandma who worked for Ringley and gave her daughter up for adoption. The dual story is set in the depression era with trapeze artist Lucinda who finds herself tricked into a marriage that isn't real and a pregnancy from it. The stories intertwine as Chloe searches for what happened to her great-grandma Lucinda.
I loved that the author had Lucinda find her true love in the one who had always been watching out for her and that Chloe had her own love interest, but that wasn't the main story of the book. Learning more about John Ringley was a bonus to the fiction stories. I would recommend this to all who love mystery and the duel storyline format.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.

This has been my favorite book in this series called Doors to the Past. The author makes this story seem so real. She does a fantastic job telling the story from the past and from the present. Lucinda is a great character. She is brave even though she is not great at picking out men at first. I love that Chloe is able to figure out that she is really related to Lucinda. I did not want to put this book down. It will make you laugh and cry. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

As a mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield is looking for inspiration for a new novel. I love that she chose to go to John and Mable Ringling’s estate and now museum, Cad’Zan. The mystery that she finds connected to her own life made this a clever and interesting story. The dual timeline of the present with Chloe and the past story of her great-grandmother was well written. I liked the interconnectedness of the two stories and the conclusion.

Of the two stories, I enjoyed Lucinda and Bernardo’s the best. The love and commitment that Nardo had to Lucinda shows that love “endures all things, hopes all things, believes all things.” However, I do wish Lucinda had shared her past with their daughter, Alice, since she incorrectly assumed things about her mother. Alice would’ve had a chance to learn the truth much earlier.

I would recommend this latest book in the fantastic Doors to the Past series. This is a stand-alone book, but I have enjoyed all of the books. I received this complimentary copy from NetGalley and Barbour Books and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron made me long for a Sarasota, Florida vacation to tour the Ca d'Zan estate and museum. High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt reinforced that desire. This book focuses on a fictional trapeze artist, Lucinda Conroy, in the late 1930s, early 1940s and her ancestors in 2022. Both stories play out against the backdrop of John and Mable Ringling's elaborate Ca d'Zan estate. The themes of betrayal and long kept secrets which can only be healed by exposing them to the light is well developed through the story's plot.

While my favorite of the two books remains The Ringmaster's Wife, High-Wire Heartbreak is a very enjoyable read which I do recommend. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Another enjoyable Doors to the Past story.

I enjoyed the fact that the female lead in the modern day plot was a writer who was doing research for her next story. It was something different and added a different feel to the research being done.

The thread of the past was interesting and I wanted to find out what happened to Lucinda. I was hoping for a bit more mystery and suspense which the story lacked, but it was still interesting. Some events was a bit unexpected and I didn’t agree with some secrets the characters kept hidden and Lucinda came across as a bit naive which lead to the difficult situations she found herself in.

Not my favourite but I still enjoyed it a lot.

When I first heard about this book, I was immediately drawn to it. I LOVE the 1930s and I love stories with a circus setting. This book surprised me in many ways.

My heart went out to Lucy. It was so aggravating to read how poorly Marty and his family treated her. Yet it was so interesting to read about her going undercover to escape the false accusations thrust at her. There was such intrigue reading about her life in hiding. I was glad to see her find happiness after leaving Ca’ d’Zan. The historical part of the book was by far my favorite.

Chloe was a bit hard for me to relate to. Sometimes she seemed to be kind of a jerk, especially when dealing with her assistant. There were times when I could excuse her hard exterior seeing as she had previously dealt with a stalker, but other times I felt like she was unnecessarily harsh with people. But I did appreciate the way she cared enough about her grandmother and great-grandmother to find out the truth about Lucy.

Filled with mystery and glittering historical detail, High-Wire Heartbreak is a solid choice for readers that enjoy their historical novels with a good dose of suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A sweet and gentle historical mystery:
This was a great book and I appreciated that whilst interesting and full of mystery and intrigue, there wasn't any unnecessary drama. There was a bit of a somber tone to the beginning of the book but the characters and plot soon had turned things around. It switched seamlessly between the dual timelines and I found myself invested in it all. I was especially eager to find out what became of Lucy and loved how the different characters lives and stories were woven together.
I thought the historical setting surrounding John Rigley and his estate was unique and fascinating. To me the gem of the book was the mystery surrounding the past characters lives but I also enjoyed the light romance. One thing that I would have liked to have seen feature more was the faith element as apart from a few hurried prayers by one character, that was all that it contained.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

nother great time split read from the Doors to the Past series written by multiple authors.

The historical thread features Lucinda Conroy who is a trapeze artist in the Ringling Circus and makes the mistake of falling for the manager of the circus who is a well-to-do playboy. The outcomes leads to problems that force Lucy to run and reinvent herself along with her partner, Nardo. The current day thread focuses on Chloe Whitfield, a well known author, who is research the Ringling mansion, Ca d'Zan, for her next mystery novel. Will her mystery help to find her great grandmother's connection to the Ringling Circus?

Having loved the circus growing up and having read a couple of other books set a Ca d'Zan, I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The setting was amazing, the characters were well developed and likeable, and the plot kept my attention from start to finish. Since I am also a genealogy enthusiast I loved following Chloe's path as she researched to find more information about her great grandmother, they mysterious missing vase, and the past of Ca d'Zan!

I love the dual timeline and the mystery of this series. Chloe and Ian's story was wonderful, but being a history buff, I was more intrigued by Lucinda's story. I loved seeing how it all unfolded and the craziness she lived. This was a wonderful story with many HEAs.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

Such a well written time split novel alternating between the 1930's with Lucinda Conroy a circus aerialist performing in the Ringling Bros. circus and 2022 with Chloe Whitfield, mystery novelist visiting Ca d’Zan, the former Sarasota home of John Ringling to not only do research for her next novel but to try to find out what happened to her great-grandmother. Lucinda Conroy disappeared after being accused of a crime. I am really enjoying the Doors To The Past series it is full of historical information.
This book kept my attention as the time periods flowed together so fluidly. In 1936 a party at the Ringling Mansion leads to a robbery and possibly even death. Steeped in a long ago scandal will Chloe's research yield not only what she needs for her latest mystery book but also clear her family's name?
Recommended, I really enjoyed this one! #HighWireHeartbreak #NetGalley.

Pub Date 01 Jan 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was a great read! It's a dual timeline that flowed seamless together. It has just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. The author brings the story to life with her words, and it plays like a movie in your mind while you are reading. I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I wanted to start off by saying that I was approved for this book through publisher and Netgalley. In return for my honest thoughts and my review. I have to say that I have never read a book by this author. After this book definitely will be reading more books from this author. This book did take me sometime to read. Not because I didn’t like it. I love it wasn’t disappointed or bored well reading it. Love all the characters and the two different time periods. I love when authors do that. I can’t wait for the release date 01/01/2022. I will be getting my own ebook copy. I highly recommend this book.
About Book:
Chloe is amazing mystery author. Who wants to uncover her own family mystery about her great-grandmother Lucy. Who used to be a circus performer who up and disappeared after her last show at John Ringling mansion.
Some people over the years speculate that Lucy (Chloe great-grandmother) passed away during childbirth. Chloe grandma Alice has no idea what happened to her birth mother. Chloe sets out to solve the mystery and returns to the mansion which is a museum now to under cover the mystery of her great grandmother. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review such amazing book.
My reviews will be posted @goodreads, @amazon @bookbub I will be doing a review/release post on instagram @amanda_coffee_books

Anna Schmidt's High-Wire Heartbreak provides a satisfying contemporary romance infused with a suspenseful historical storyline paired with an unexpected romance.

Anna Schmidt is a new-to-me author, but after reading this novel, I think I need to check out her other books.

The history lover in me was excited from the moment I read Schmidt’s note about the real history behind John Ringling’s Florida home. From the beginning of the first chapter, the description of the grounds pulled me in.

Chloe at first struck me as a bit high maintenance, but by the end of the first chapter, I had decided to set that first impression aside. And that, I think, was an integral theme of the novel. From Lucinda to Chloe and Ian, things were rarely as they first appeared.

As clues surfaced and glimpses into Lucinda’s story revealed secrets, I was further drawn into the story. Schmidt created a fascinating plot that had me finishing High-Wire Heartbreak in a day.

The contemporary romance was nice, though the jumps in time made the romance itself feel a bit rushed. But I liked the development of Chloe’s relationship with Ian from cautious acceptance to mutual respect.

Overall, High-Wire Heartbreak is a great dual-timeline story for romance and mystery lovers alike.

High-Wire Heartbreak is part of the series called Doors to the Past. Anyone who remembers the Ringling Bros Circus will enjoy learning about behind the scenes. Since this is a split-time novel, in the present time is Cloe, a famous author who comes to stay at the mansion owned by John Ringling, in order to gain ideas for her next murder mystery. Instead she follows clues to the mysterious disappearance of a trapeze artist.
The circus performer fell hard for a flirtatious guy who broke her heart and the story of Lucinda is amazing. My heart felt sorry for her and I had to keep reminding myself that she's in a book!
I recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery with no loose ends!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.