High-Wire Heartbreak

Anna Schmidt

Jan 2022 · Barbour Publishing

About this ebook

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?

Ratings and reviews

This is another interesting dual timeline novel. As the title suggests it does tell of heartbreak but also tells of love and devotion to one’s true love. A very interesting story that will hold your attention from the first chapter. Schmidt does her research well and you will enjoy reading about the circus owner and his family and also the closing of a great era in time with the Ringland Circus. My favorite part of the story was following Lucinda, the trapeze artist as she picks up the pieces of her shattered life when someone accuses her of a crime. There was no way to prove her innocence. She is arrested and gets out on bail, but then disappears. Never to be heard of again. When Chloe the present day author writing a novel about the Ringland Circus 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 complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

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 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 did not 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 did not 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 could not 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 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.

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.