About the Book
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?
Click HERE to get your copy!
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
My 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.
My rating: 5 stars ♥♥♥♥♥
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Remembrancy, January 25
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 25 (Author Interview)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 26
For the Love of Literature, January 26
Where Faith and Books Meet, January 26
Genesis 5020, January 27
Texas Book-aholic, January 27
Inklings and notions, January 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 28
Rachael’s Inkwell, January 28
Austen’s Angle: Jane Austen’s Influence in Modern America, January 29
For Him and My Family, January 29
Rebecca Tews, January 29
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30
deb’s Book Review, January 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 31
Wishful Endings, January 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 31
Bizwings Blog, February 1
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 1
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, February 1
Older & Smarter?, February 2
Connie’s History Classroom, February 2
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 3 (Spotlight)
Bigreadersite, February 3
Blogging with Carol, February 3
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 4
Life of Literature, February 4
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 5
Joannabair, February 5
Blossoms and Blessings, February 6
Pause for Tales, February 6
Labor Not in Vain, February 6
Splashes of Joy, February 7
Through the Fire Blogs, February 7
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Anna is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and paper copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/186c0/high-wire-heartbreak-celebration-tour-giveaway