rachaeldeklerk
- Jan 30, 2022
- 3 min read

High-Wire Heartbreak

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!

My Review:

High-wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt is a split-time novel that focuses on a family mystery spanning decades.

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.

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

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