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?

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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 Thoughts

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.