
My Review
The Keys to Gramercy Park, by Candance Sue Patterson, is book twelve in the Door to the Past series. This is a series written by different authors that gives a look into events of the past. This is a dual time-line story that focuses on twin brothers in 1862 and a modern day mystery of where money hidden in a wall came from. Andrea found old money in her wall, with Beau’s help she investigates how the money got there and by who. She is trying to write an outstanding article for the Smithsonian Magazine to earn a promotion. Beau is running for political office and fears her research may hurt his campaign.
This is a fun story to read, it has mystery, suspense and romance all in one. The dual time-line is like having two separate stories. I appreciate the struggle Andrea endured to write a job-winning story while not hurting anyone in the process. The story shows how two people raised in the same household could become so different. It also shows how what one person does may affect their family many years in the future and the secrets kept about family members may affect lives in the future, when the truth comes out. This story has well defined characters. It is so well written it is easy to really dislike one of the twins. I appreciate the research the author did to point out things that really happened, the way women were institutionalize unjustly, and the dangers of the soothing syrup for children. It was interesting to read of the beginning of the Secret Service and the background information regarding counterfeit money after the civil war.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Book: The Keys to Gramercy Park
Author: Candice Sue Patterson
Genre: Christian / Historical / Romance
Release date: April, 2023

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author

Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. Her debut novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart was a 2012 ACFW First Impressions finalist and made INSPYs Longlist for 2016.
More from Candice
A locked secret garden in Manhattan with historical significance and the only ones privileged to step inside are the wealthy residents who purchase a key—count me in! The plot for The Keys to Gramercy Park was born at our dining room table when my husband looked up from the book he was reading and asked if I knew about Gramercy Park. I hadn’t, so we started Googling and discovered it was a real garden in Manhattan built in 1841 for the cream of society. The fact that it’s been off-limits to the public for one hundred and eight-two years instantly brought all kinds of story ideas to my mind.
Not long after, I discovered that Barbour Publishing Inc. was looking for dual-time stories to fill their Doors to the Past series. I love reading dual-time novels but I’d never written one. I love a good challenge, so I began plotting and before I knew it, I had another first—creating a villain.
I’ve only ever seen the New York City skyline from the New Jersey ferry that travels to and from the Statue of Liberty, so after the story was contracted, I spent several weeks researching Manhattan and Gramercy Park. New York is full of rich history and it was so fun to stumble across the historical details of The Player’s, Edwin Booth, and the stories behind each home along Gramercy Square.
One of my favorite things about writing this story was the juxtaposition of the timelines. We don’t have the present without the past, and what happens in the past affects the future, but the future can also determine how we view, feel, and learn about the past. That’s essentially what The Keys to Gramercy Park is about—the butterfly effect of past events reaching ahead two centuries with dire consequences. I love how in one scene the characters are sending telegraphs and in the next scene, they’re sending text messages.
What’s your favorite thing about dual-time novels? Make sure to check out the other books in the Doors to the Past series!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 26
lakesidelivingsite, May 26
Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 27
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28
Blogging With Carol, May 28
Book Looks by Lisa, May 29
Connie’s History Classroom, May 29
Texas Book-aholic, May 30
For Him and My Family, May 30
Cover Lover Book Review, May 31
Where Faith and Books Meet, May 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2
Blossoms and Blessings, June 2
Remembrancy, June 3
Holly’s Book Corner, June 3
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 4
Pause for Tales, June 4
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 5 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 5
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6
Inklings and Notions, June 6
Simple Harvest Reads, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Labor Not in Vain, June 7
She Lives To Read, June 8
Books I’ve Read, June 8
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Candice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a 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/2626e/the-keys-to-gramercy-park-celebration-tour-giveaway