this story gave me all the 😍😍 feels! First off the cover caught my eye right off. Then when I learned it was a dual time line book that follows the stories of two women separated by a century yet have a connection to each other. It became a MUST READ for me. This story offers a double dose of everything I love in historical fiction, twice the swoony romance, twice the mystery!

In Spotlight and Shadow we get a look into the roaring 20’s with Sophie’s story and learn how thru a series of events and decisions her life intertwines with Elise’s in current times. Learning to lean on a childhood friend and of Sophie’s story helps Elise find courage to step out of the shadows and take center stage of her own life.

My first Rachel McDaniel book did not disappoint! I don’t think I can pick which timeline I loved more because I love them both and how they end up coming together in their histories. I loved the city setting! The banter between couples had me laughing and then their swoony kisses!

I was hooked on both main characters stories from the beginning and loved their story arcs! They both found themselves, their faith and what true happiness is.

Read this book if you love:
💎 Second chance romance
💎 Dual timeline
💎 Friends to lovers
💎 A little mystery
💎 Sweet and Clean Romance
💎 Christian fiction

Thank you Rachael McDaniel and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I adore this series. Despite the facts that the books aren't connected and can be read in any order, the series has gotten better and better with each book.
I enjoyed the dual time line connected by a threads across time.
Two swoon-worthy romances decades apart both kept my attention. I loved the humor and tension between Elise and Pierson, I loved Sophie's spunk and Sterling's handsome brooding. And most of all I loved the theme of redemption from past mistakes.
Anyone who loves a Hallmark movie will love this series. The romance is completely clean and very sweet. Anyone who loves historical mysteries and cozy stories with happy endings will enjoy this installment.

In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel is part of Barbour Publishing’s Doors to the Past series.

I’ve been enjoying this series, but when I learned Rachel Scott McDaniel would add another book to the collection, I couldn’t wait to read it. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Not only do I love the 1920s setting, but the author has a way of weaving suspense, mystery, and romance that makes for a delightful read.

In Spotlight and Shadow fits this description perfectly. I loved the mystery, the setting, and the way the two timelines wove together. Plus the two romances were so sweet and the characters so easy to root for.

If you love 1920s romance with a bit of suspense and a dual timeline, then definitely grab a copy of In Spotlight and Shadow! I highly recommend it!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book.
I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last! The story features dual timelines (which I always love) and centers around music (which just makes it lovely). Plus the cover is gorgeous!

In the current timeline, Elise dreams of playing violin in the Pittsburg Symphony. But stage fright is holding her back. Then she finds a stage prop necklace that she suspects is more than just costume jewelry.

In the past timeline of 1927, Sophie wants to be on stage. When jewels go missing from the theater and everyone suspects her, things start to unravel.

With the glamour of the roaring 20’s, likable characters that had me laughing and rooting for them, a mystery that kept me turning the pages, and the perfect weaving of storylines, this book was a winner. The best part of discovering a new author and enjoying her book, is discovering she’s written many more!

In preparing to write this review, I had to step back and take an unemotional look at the story, fearing that its having followed on the heels of two exceptional reads might cloud my opinion. Doing my best to be fair-minded, I would say that In Spotlight and Shadow is a fair read. I did enjoy the Vaudeville era timeline much more than the contemporary one. The characters felt more genuine and down-to-earth. The rich country music star in the contemporary storyline was a bit over done. The mystery of the earlier storyline had a Dashiell Hammett feel to it that was enjoyable. To use an analogy, if this book were a movie I had seen on television, I would feel good about the time spent. If it were one I had chosen for a date night at the theater, I would feel a bit disappointed.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of In Spotlight and Shadow from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I have loved this author from her first published work, but I do believe her writing gets even better with each new novel! She does such a fantastic job of writing characters with depth and emotions that draw me in and make me feel connected to them from the start. They are also the type of characters that stick with you after the story. I loved the banter and romance in this novel and really enjoyed reading about the two different storylines. The mystery grabbed me from the beginning, the twists and turns kept me invested in the middle, and the way the two timelines came together at the end was so impressive. I also really liked the expertly woven history and found myself easily transported to the glitz of the roaring twenties. This is one of those stories where you become so invested in the novel that you do not notice the passage of time or the events going on around you. I absolutely loved this book and cannot recommend it enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

If you’ve never read a book by Rachel Scott McDaniel, this is the one to start with!! In this dual-time mystery-romance, we read of two women who rediscover their joy and purpose, and renew their trust in God along the way. And both timelines share the second-chance romance trope *happy sigh*

In the 1920’s, Sophie Walters is wrongly accused of being a notorious jewel thief, and has no one but her former fiancé to help clear her name. As they work toward finding the culprit, their hearts warm toward one another again.

In the modern timeline, Elise Malvern believes she lets everyone down. Yet when she happens upon an old stage prop, she knows there’s a story to it. Her childhood best friend, whom she hasn’t really forgotten or moved on from, happens to be in town and volunteers to help. What Elise discovers about herself, and the bridges they cross together, changes everything.

I really loved the second chance romance trope that both of these timelines share. I love seeing the vulnerability and willingness to own up to mistakes of the past that comes with this trope. Rachel wrote it beautifully in both timelines, though I think I enjoyed the contemporary one a teeny bit more. I did enjoy jumping back into the 20’s with this one, though! Sophie had a hard situation, and Sterling was a wonderful brooding hero to help her. Elise and Pierson also went together well, and I enjoyed their relationship journey. I really enjoy Rachel’s writing style, and I think this may be her best book yet! I really could have finished this in one sitting had time allowed, and in one instance I finished one of Sophie’s chapters and skipped to the next one set in the past so I wouldn’t end my reading time on a cliffhanger. This is seriously one you don’t want to miss!

Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Netgalley, and Rachel Scott McDaniel for my review copy. All thoughts are my own; a positive review was not required.

This book is part of the Doors to the Past series. It is a standalone book so you can enjoy it without having read any of the others. Though, if you haven't read any of them, you really should!
This book has two storylines, one in the past and one in the present. The story taking place in the past is full of rich emotions. You will fall in love with Sophie and find yourself cheering for her as she encounters a difficult life changing situation. You will also really enjoy the character from the present, Elsie. I found her realistic and flawed. I liked how her personality was written and how she grew as the story progressed. If you like history reads or stories joined by time, you will really enjoy this book!

I love these dual timeline stories. It's so fun to jump into the past and have some mystery they're trying to solve. Elsie and Pierson renew their friendship pretty easily as they help each other out. Sophie and Sterling also have a past, but it takes them a bit longer to settle things. There were so many twists and turns in this story and it's pretty incredible how things turned out. Both of these couples were good for each other. I enjoyed reading their stories.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

Elise is a modern day woman who’s unlucky in love and unsure which career path to take. When a mysterious package shows up at her home, she starts looking for the unknown sender, with the help of her childhood best friend. The same childhood friend who left town several years ago and didn’t look back.

Many years earlier, Sophie is trying to make it as an actress. She’s back in Pittsburgh after leaving her fiancé at the altar and fleeing town. Now, a series of jewel thefts have brought her former love back into her life as he investigates the disappearances.

In Spotlight and Shadow is a dual timeline, dual pov novel set in Pittsburgh. I liked both timelines and enjoyed seeing everything come together at the end. The timelines switched after each chapter, and I would have liked a little longer in each story before switching. It’s hard to get into a rhythm when it changes so frequently. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you, Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

First things first - isn't this cover amazing?!

Second things second - how the heck have I not read a Rachel Scott McDaniel book before?? This book was so good! You better believe I'm going back to read all the Rachel Scott McDaniel books now.

In Spotlight and Shadow tells the stories of two young women, Elise and Sophie, alive a century apart. There is mystery, suspense, and two of the sweetest second chance romances you could possibly imagine. It kept me on the edge of my seat, turning pages, because I just needed to know how it all turned out. Seriously, friends - I could not put it down. There were some epic twists I did not see coming, which was awesome.

Also, in case you were wondering, Sophie + Sterling and Elise + Pierson were the cutest couples ever. Their love stories deserve all the heart eyes. It was awesome to see how their stories really connected in the end as well.

Basically, y'all need this book in your life. And that is all.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the early copy; all thoughts are my own.

This book is set in 1927 & the present, I loved both story lines. Great setting and interesting characters. The betting grandmas were funny. I enjoyed this book.

This was my first book by this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was not disappointed. I loved it so much! The thing that made me want to read this book was the gorgeous cover. I am also a sucker for a dual timeline, and Ms McDaniel knocked it out of the park with this one.

The plot was so well written with mystery, intrigue, romance and also some humor. I loved the characters in both timelines. The transition between timelines worked so well. It's hard to choose which one I liked more, but if I had to choose, I'd probably say the present day. The banter and humor between the characters was just so fun. I really appreciate how strong the faith thread is in the story also. I have already been looking at the author's previous books and added them to my tbr list. I can't wait to read them too. I highly recommend this book.

THIS BOOK!!! 😍 After several friends spoke so highly about this story, I decided to give it a try, and now I’m overwhelmed by how much I loved it!

The story is split between 1927 & the present, and the way the plot lines overlap is beautiful. I really enjoyed the insight into the Roaring 20s’ theatre setting, and I was impressed by how McDaniel showcased both the glitz & glamour of the era alongside the heartache & issues (bootlegging, affairs, domestic abuse, which were all handled tactfully) going on behind the scenes.

The mystery totally consumed me, and I was reluctant to pull myself out of this story long enough to even grab a bite to eat. The characters have my heart, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, even though I was cheering for them with each chapter! 🥲

This is an enchanting story of mistakes & misunderstandings, and ultimately of second chances & forgiveness. I loved every single minute and promptly ordered it even before I finished the last page!!

I highly recommend it & it’s definitely a top read for me!!!


*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

A great mystery story interspersed with romance, faith, and finding oneself. An overall great read for all ages.

It was a little slow for me in the beginning but once things got to a certain point in the plot it all started to unravel. Loved the way the dual timelines connected in the end.

This is a Christian based novel so there is no sexual content past kissing. Which makes this romance suitable for young adults as well.

In Spotlight and Shadow is my first book from this author and I was not disappointed. I look forward to reading more books from Rachel Scott McDaniel. And did someone say dual timelines? Yes, please! I don’t read many of these types of stories and I really need to find more. The way the author brings the stories together is very enjoyable. And Elise and Pierson! Wow. Their banter was written so well. I loved when they were on the page. They helped each other in so many ways. The supporting characters were wonderful too. I especially enjoyed Meredith and the events around her story. The betting grandmas were a hoot.

I enjoyed the mystery of Sophie’s timeline. She was a strong, fantastic character with past secrets and pains. But she doesn’t let those hold her back. What I liked about Sophie the most was her honesty. The author does a great job of planting seeds of events that are revealed later on. Each timeline has engaging twists and turns. And the climax, wow! Each chapter ended in a way that I had to keep reading.

I have read all of Rachel's books and I have never been disappointed. They have all been excellent and intriguing and this one definitely rose above the top. I think she has such a knack for writing dual timelines that completely draw you in. There is always a bit of everything from mystery to humor, twists and of course swoon worthy romances!!

Although I thoroughly enjoyed both timelines I must admit that I have been waiting for this 1920's timeline since Rachel's first book Above the Fold. (If you haven't read it yet you must!!) I was so glad to have resolution to Sterling and Sophie's storyline. It was great getting to know Sophie better and why she acted the way she did in the first book. The jewel thief twist was perfect in this storyline!! We get to see some past characters and that was just like the cherry on top for me!

We do have to talk about the present timeline... whew the characters chemistry is on fire!! The almost kisses between her and Pierson had me at the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed their storyline as well and I could've read a whole book just about them. The growth that Elise goes through in the story is amazing. She truly grows not only within herself but with God. She starts seeing herself the way God sees her and realizes that she needs to live her life and not follow after someone else's dream. This is all due to Pierson challenging her which I found completely swoon-worthy!

Both timelines were amazing and I didn't know how in the world they were going to connect to each other but they did. There were twists I didn't expect which is always a good thing when reading a book. I read this way past my bedtime and it was completely worth it!

Overall I loved this book but honestly I have loved every book that Rachel has written. She is one of my favorites. The way she writes is enjoyable to read because she truly grabs you. I laughed, awaited in suspense and even shed some tears while reading. The faith thread was present and I love that she puts God in the center of all her stories. I for one can't wait to read what she pens next!

I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

"In the center life is the word if, but don't let that keep you from living."

Another fabulous novel by Rachel Scott McDaniel! I loved how she's melded the glittering, intriguing, shadowy world of 1920s Pittsburgh with equally fascinating historic city of modern day. Each timeline is rich, complex, and filled with surprises while the characters are touchable, relatable, and oh so lovely. This delightful combination of history, mystery, romance, and faith needs to be on every fiction fan's to-read list.

Sophie's first person voice from the 1920s is ambitious, lively, and friendly though a bit nostalgic and heart-broken. Sterling is a brooding hero, wanting to forget the past but stuck on his love for the woman who left him. Their paths intertwine as a jewel thief runs rampant in the city and investigation leads Sterling to the theater where she works.
Elise's third person voice from the present time is quirky, witty, disillusioned, and fearful. I adored Pierson so much in this story. His tender heart, unwavering loyalty to those he holds dear, and persistent pursuit of Elise are swoon-worthy. How he works tirelessly to help Elise overcome stage fright and find her birth father makes him a knight in shining armor.

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

This book was so good. For starters, music has always been a passion of mine. I grew up playing a few different instruments as well as singing, so anything with a huge music focus has my attention.

And who isn't fascinated by the Roaring 20s? The clothing, the styles, the class, the prohibition, the corruption. It's all just utterly captivating.

So when you add suspense, humorous banter, witty comebacks, and romance to all of the above? Plus a couple mind blowing plot twists??? You have yourself a book that must be read! I'm glad I had already preordered it!

Thank you so much to Rachel Scott McDaniel and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to review this wonderful book! A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

Read it for the:
-Dual timeline (roaring 20s / present)
-second chance romances
-mystery plots
-celebrity romance
-plot twists

Steam: clean, kissing only
Content: mentions of past adultery, domestic abuse, light violence, past abandonment by parent
Final rating 4.5/5

This book is worth the hype. It is especially, two stories of second chances at love, two timelines, and two mysteries, with seemingly no connection, in one book. Needless to say, I applaud the author for her clever plotting and the delivery of a meaningful message at its conclusion.

I enjoyed all characters and found their life struggles to be realistic. I loved that there was no repetition in the plots, and each romance and mystery was original. The romance was sweet but did not lack chemistry or emotion. The author used foreshadowing wonderfully, leaving the reader clues about the outcomes of the mysteries without outright revealing them, which was refreshing to see. Yet, the plot twists were still surprising and unexpected in my experience.

I also like that, while there was talk of religion, it was kept light and uplifting, being used as a hope and moral ground for the characters. Hard topics were touched on and discussed but done so respectfully, and once again, added a dash of realism that served to ground the story, while still maintaining an overall light tone.

Two very different stories, one wonderful book. Who doesn’t love a bargain?