Saturday, August 22, 2026

The Darling’s Daughter Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Darling’s Daughter

Author: Sydney Schmied

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 4, 2026

A woman chasing the truth. A man running from his past. And a secret that threatens the fragile trust between them.

Searching for answers about her mother’s suspicious death, artist Angelica Woods takes a job painting backdrops at the Majestic Theater—the very place her famous actress mother warned her to avoid. When she discovers cryptic notes and bloody evidence of an old murder, Angie realizes her mother’s warning may have been meant to protect her from a deadly secret.

Architect Trace Ackerman has worked hard to build a quiet, respectable life far removed from his former mistakes. Renovating the Majestic is meant to be a fresh start—until Angie awakens feelings he never planned to risk again. Drawn to her courage and vulnerability, Trace offers his protection as rumors swirl and danger edges closer. But the past he’s worked so hard to outrun threatens to surface, and Trace fears the truth could cost him Angie’s trust—and the future he longs to build.

With a killer determined to silence them both, Angie and Trace must decide if uncovering the truth about her mother’s death is worth risking their own lives—and hearts. Set against the backdrop of a historic theater in 1912 Ohio, this romantic suspense weaves together murder, betrayal, and the redeeming power of faith and forgiveness.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sydney Schmied writes sweet and intriguing historical romantic suspense stories with a whole lot of faith. She is a 2023 ACFW First Impressions Contest finalist and a 2024 Genesis Contest Semi-finalist, as well as a two-time Scrivenings Press Get Pubbed Finalist. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, and sipping on a classic London Fog.

More from Sydney

Theaters tell so many stories, and in The Darling’s Daughter, The Majestic Theater itself has been shaped by the people who have passed through its doors. While it was known as The Masonic Opera House from 1853 to 1915, The Majestic has stood through nearly 173 years of history. I can’t help but wonder about all the individuals who walked its halls, performers, musicians, and attendees alike, and what stories they might tell about how their lives once intertwined with the Majestic.

In my research, I came across so many real accounts of people who visited theaters like this one, and I was able to glimpse bits and pieces of that connection. For Angie, the heroine in The Darling’s Daughter, The Majestic becomes a place of reckoning and reconciliation. Her mother was her only family, and even that relationship was strained. Angie carries a deep loneliness as she peels back the complicated layers of her late mother’s life, wrestling with questions of worth, belonging, and whether she is truly loved.

For Trace, The Majestic offers both a meaningful project and a chance to rebuild. Unfortunately, his identity has been constructed atop the fragile foundation of guilt, and that foundation begins to crack as his past resurfaces.

Just as The Majestic has stood strong through seasons of change and still stands today, Angie and Trace are refined through their struggles as everything around them begins to shift. Neither of them are defined by the broken parts of their story, but by their hope in Christ, even when that hope feels uncertain and their faith is shaky. If this resonates with you, I hope you’ll join Angie and Trace in The Darling’s Daughter and find encouragement in their journey.

MY REVIEW

I like how this story takes a look at what theater life was like during a time period that shaped many lives. With vivid descriptions readers are introduced to entertainment that many loved to go see. What would it be like to be a famous actress with adoring fans? Angie’s mother was that person who many flocked to go see on stage. As a mother-daughter relationship goes it was very strained. Angie’s mother had little time for her. As the years passed Angie was left longing for a mother who put her first.

What I was intrigued by was the deep desire that Angie wanted to prove that her mother’s death was not accidental. It was important for Angie to preserve her mother’s image and have her legacy be remembered in a loving way. I could relate to Angie yearning for a mother’s love and how painful it is when you never receive it. That emptiness in your heart causes you to be weary of relationships.

Trace was a breath of fresh air for Angie even though she had doubts about him at first. He is a very dedicated architect and loves to see his vision come to life. Remodeling The Majestic Theater brings Trace a sense of accomplishment. On the outside he gives this aura of confidence, however he has secrets he tries to hide.

The author delivers a great story with mystery that will find Angie and Trace in a battle to unearth truth while trying to stay one step ahead of danger. As they grow closer to each other, trust becomes a big stumbling block for them. Will Angie let go of the past and find a way to open her heart to allow someone to show her how valuable she is? What secrets will be discovered in the mansion filled with her mother’s memories?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.