Mich hat hier das Cover „gecatched“: Ich bin ja ein Fan der roaring twenties, und was für eine tolle 20er-Jahre-Schönheit ist da gleich auf dem Titelbild? Der Klappentext klang auch vielversprechend, also habe ich zugegriffen.
Zum Inhalt auf Deutsch: wir haben hier einen Roman, der auf zwei zeitlichen Ebenen angesiedelt ist. Einmal sind wir im hier und jetzt in Pittsburgh bei Elise, einer vielversprechenden jungen Geigerin, die gleich auf den ersten paar Seiten des Romans einen potentiellen Verlobten ins Aus schiesst, und generell ein kleines Problem mit ihrem Selbstwertgefühl hat. Elise arbeitet im Theater, und gerät aus Zufall an ein altes Kostüm, in dem ein wertvolles Collier versteckt ist – in Kombi mit eventuellen Hinweisen auf ihren leiblichen Vater. Elise macht sich gemeinsam mit ihrem alten Kindheitsfreund Pierson auf, den mysteriösen Hinweisen nach zu gehen…..und kommt Rätseln der Vergangenheit auf die Spur . Ach ja, und natürlich entwickelt sich eine Lovestory zwischen den beiden 😉
Die Rätsel der Vergangenheit drehen sich hundert Jahre früher um die angehende junge Schauspielerin Sophie, die es zwar in Hollywood und am Broadway nicht geschafft hat, aber der aufgehende Stern am Pittsburgher Theaterhimmel ist. Leider gerät sie nicht unbedingt für ihr Talent ins Rampenlicht, sondern weil man sie des Juwelendiebstahls verdächtigt……einer Diebstahlserie, die ausgerechnet ihr ehemaliger Verlobter Sterling untersucht, den sie einst am Altar hat stehen lassen…….
Die beiden Erzählstränge kommen inhaltlich zum Ende des Romans natürlich zusammen, teilweise hat man es schon beim Lesen erahnt, wie die Dinge zusammenhängen, teilweise hat es mich aber doch überraschen können – das war schon ganz intelligent gestrickt, das hat mir gut gefallen.
Aber jetzt generell zu meinem Leseeindruck: ich fand beide Stories echt spannend. Ich konnte sowohl mit Elise als auch mit Sophie mitfiebern. Beides zwei junge Frauen, die sich behaupten müssen und mit ihren Kindheitstraumata zu kämpfen haben. Elise, die ihren Vater nie gekannt hat und die ihre Mutter im Teenageralter verlor, hat ihr Päckchen genauso wie die elternlose Sophie zu tragen, aber beide wachsen an ihren Aufgaben und gewinnen an Selbstbewusstsein und - natürlich – an Liebe.
Die Autorin schreibt flüssig und mitreissend. Man ist von der ersten Seite an dabei. Wir haben hier alles: Liebe, Action, Krimi, Freundschaft, Familie und Verrat – die ganze Palette der grossen Themen und Emotionen, und wie gesagt, richtig gut geschrieben.
Der Roman wird als „christliche Literatur“ beworben; ich würde sagen, ja, wir haben hier ein gewisses christliches Element dabei: es gibt Dialoge, in denen beispielsweise beiden Protagonistinnen versichert wird, dass Gott sie liebt, dass er schützend die Hand über sie hält – ja, das hat auch wunderbar in die jeweiligen Unterhaltungen gepasst, aber ich persönlich wäre jetzt nicht auf das Label christliche Literatur gekommen. Wer jetzt explizit christliches Gedankengut erwartet, sorry, dass hier ist definitiv Belletristik. Romance & Mystery im Setting von Theater und Historie. Und wie gesagt: sehr gut geschrieben, mir hat es Spass gemacht, die beiden Ladies auf ihrem Weg zu begleiten!
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Vorab-Leseexemplar!

This is an interesting book and has a great ending but I had a bit of trouble getting
there. It is written from the viewpoints of Sophie and Elise so the chapters switch
between who is speaking and at times I got confused as to which story I was reading.
They lead similar lives with connections to the Loews Penn theater and have
reconnected with a man from their past. Elise is trying to solve a mystery as she learns
more of the history of the theater for a display. It will lead her to investigate parts of her
own life but will she like the answers she finds? The characters are great and well-
written; they are Christians and pray regularly. I felt some of chapters ended leaving me
hanging on a cliff with, for example, Sophie’s story and then going back to Elise’s too
abruptly. I found myself reading about Elise and wondering if Sophie is going to be
okay. The reactions between characters is handled with Christian attributes and
forgiveness when needed, even for those who may not have had the best of intentions
in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the ending brings it full circle to a very
satisfying conclusion. I give it 4 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest
review.

Thank you NetGalley for this book.

I totally love Rachel Scott McDaniel. She has a way of reeling you in with killer first lines. I'm struck by her humor and how she writes about something as delicate as illegitimacy and true identity in a way that is so heartfelt. And how she knows how to write a good mystery

I enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it.

Rachel Scott McDaniel is quickly becoming one of my favorite go-to authors. She writes beautiful romance that is also rich with history and always has a thread of God’s love woven throughout.

While I am not normally a fan of dual timelines, this one was captivating. The characters and mysteries from each era were lovely. I really enjoyed trying to solve the mysteries going on in both time frames and trying to figure out how the characters related to the others. I was not able to solve any of it on my own, but that’s okay because it wasn’t predictable.

The character depth and growth is one of my favorite aspects. Like her other covers, this one is stunning!

In addition to a captivating storyline, readers will enjoy:

Dual timeline
Second-chance romance
Family secrets
Mystery and intrigue
The beauty of understanding and forgiveness
Friends-to-more
Great musical references

This is a gripping and mysterious dual time-line romance, that is almost impossible to put down. The plot was captivating, and the characters just came alive on the pages. It felt like I was watching a love performance, not just reading words on paper.

I loved how both POVs were second chance romances. All that history and angst between the pairs, and amidst the suspenseful backdrop, made for an addicting read. I can't wait to read more from this author.

n 1927, Sophie Walters is an actress who portrays a jewel thief on stage. Then the jewels of several wealthy theater patrons are stolen, and Sophie is believed to be the thief dubbed The Mirage. Now she's out to clear her name with the help of the man she stood up at the alter.
In the present, Elise Malvern leads a predictable life. She plays the violin and she photographs antiques for the family auction house. Then her high school best friend and crush -- who, by the way, has become a country music star -- drops back into her life almost a decade after standing her up at prom. Both have broken families and damaged pasts that have affected their relationship thus far, but they are about to hunt down the answers to explosive family secrets, discover a secret parent, and uncover a tapestry of connections woven by God.
I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review, so I'll be through. First thing to mention is something I am a stickler about as a criminal justice nerd and former student: robberies are when one person deprives another person of their physical property by using force or fear. Burglaries are unlawfully entering a building to commit a crime. No matter how many times the stolen jewelry is referred to as a series of robberies, they're burglaries.
Now, I loved Sophie's charm and wit in the historical sections. She is smart, sharp, and compassionate. I love her love for Sterling and how she cracks his hard exterior. She is courageous and generous with everyone. I've been on a roll with guessing book villains, but I had no flippin' idea where this was headed. The results were satisfying.
As for the present, I love how ordinary and relatable Elise is. She is also very funny with her retorts and inner monologue. And she doesn't come off as a devastatingly beautiful heroine, but someone who is probably pretty without standing out too much. I love how her friendship with Pierson started and enjoyed their banter. He came across as ridiculously swoony at times, but his celebrity status could explain that. I do not understand why he has to live in Nashville for his career when his loved ones are all in Pennsylvania. I mean, he can sing across state lines, can't he?
Each chapter ended with a bombshell, keeping me engaged in each timeline.

1920s and present day Pittsburgh

Well done time slip novel! The two threads connected and details about the connection unraveled as the story progressed.

In the current day timeline, I LOVED the banter between Elise and Peirson. So much fun. Elise' dream is to play her violin in the Pittsburgh Symphony. Unfortunately, she has debilitating stage fright. Country music star Peirson shows up after a decade of absence. The two had a lot of tension and enlightenment to work through.

In the Jazz Era, Sophie aspires to be the leading lady on stage. With stolen jewels and fingers pointing to Sophie as the culprit, she's in a tough spot. I loved the two gambling grandmothers in this thread.

The four main characters were all appealing and humanly flawed. The mystery aspect of the novel provided twists.

Another well written novel by a talented author. Historical details included enrich the pages.

I LOVED In Spotlight and Shadow! Rachel McDaniel is an incredible story teller. I was literally hooked from the first page all the way to the very last word! Normally, in a dual time novel, I prefer one story over the other, but in this case, I loved them both equally.

Can I just say that Rachel McDaniel knows how to write heroes?! Sterling and Pierson were both totally swoon worthy! It would be impossible to choose whom I liked better. I also really loved Elise and Sophie too! I've read so many snarky, unlikable female characters lately, so it was such a joy to read about ones who are kind, smart, and likable. I loved both of these stories, the relationships in them, and how they beautifully connected at the end.

This story has it all- romance, laugh out loud moments, mystery, some tense moments, and great characters. I seriously didn't want this book to end. It's definitely one of my top reads of 2022! Don't miss this story - or any other story penned by Ms. McDaniel!!! They are all excellent and not to be missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. All the stars!!

"In Spotlight and Shadow” is set in present day and in 1927. Both timelines are sets revolve around the Loew’s Penn Theatre in Pittsburgh. Elise is working on a project concerning the history of the Loew’s Penn Theatre when she receives an donation of an old prop coat that appears to be from her unknown father. Sophie has returned to the Loew’s Penn Theater after leaving her fiancé at the altar due to a threat to his life. She is now in the middle of a jewelry theft investigation headed by her former fiancé.
Both stories build on each other. Elise’s was easy to relate but I had difficulty with Sophie. I found it took several chapters for her character to fit in the present day storyline. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. The twist at the end made the slower start of Sophie worthwhile.
Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

#InSpotlightandShadow #NetGalley
A beautifully written book, written in two different time periods. Sophie lives in the roaring twenties, and has a secret, one she never wants to divulge.
Elise, has dreamed of playing her violin on stage, but doesn't think it will ever happen.
Two stories, that had me reading to find out what would happen next.

Another fantastic novel from Rachel Scott McDaniel! I loved both storylines in this split-time set in Pittsburgh. The characters were easy to root for and the romance parts were swoon-worthy! I loved how little pieces of the story were revealed throughout the book. It was perfectly paced. McDaniel is an author that I immediately read when something new comes out and she always delivers!

In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel
#11 in the Doors to the Past series
Publication Date: February 1, 2023 by Barbour Publishing
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance
5 Stars!

Summary/Description
A Gem of a Mystery Takes Center Stage -- Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
Elise Malvern has a habit of letting people down. Her former boyfriend who hoped she’d be his bride. Her grandfather who hoped she’d take over the family’s auction company. But mostly she’s disappointed herself. What’s the point of pursuing her passion as a violinist, if she is too scared to audition for a seat in the Pittsburgh Symphony? Her internship at the elegant Heinz Hall places her in the wings of the stage, but never on it. By accident, she discovers an old stage prop. Her instincts tell her there’s more to the paste necklace than meets the eye. Whether a good idea or not, she accepts help from a childhood friend, who happens to be country music megastar—Pierson Brooks. Pierson and Elise share a history; one she doesn’t care to repeat. The more involved they become in the mystery, the more things get tangled, including her heart.
A century earlier…
Sophie Walters longs for center stage, her name on the marquee, and all that jazz, but climbing her way into an acting career is more difficult than she imagined. Having spoiled all her chances in Hollywood, she returns to Pittsburgh, accepting an insignificant role in a popular production. She watches her dreams pass by from behind the curtain at the illustrious Loew’s Penn Theatre. She finally gets the coveted spotlight, but not for her talent. No, her surge to fame is all one terrible mistake. Somehow, she’s suspected to be a notorious jewel thief known around Pittsburgh as The Mirage. The man she pleads for help is none other than the man she jilted at the altar five years before, Sterling Monroe.

In Spotlight and Shadow is beautifully written by multi-award-winning author of Christian romance, Rachel Scott McDaniel. I highly recommend In Spotlight and Shadow to everyone who wants to read superbly written romance and/or historical fiction. This dual-timeline novel is set in present day and 1927. With the author’s impressively descriptive writing style, our senses are immediately engaged with every word as it leaps off the page. The depth of each story and how the stories intertwine result in sweet and exhilarating perfection.

The main characters -- Elise, Pierson, Sophie, and Sterling -- are developed multidimensionally with strengths and weaknesses. Due to many reasons each of them tugged on my heart strings. They clearly demonstrate that cultivating friendships, sharing each other’s burdens, and being selfless truly matter.

Marvelously witty banter, splendid bits of humor, delightful musical analogies, and integrated Biblical truths make In Spotlight and Shadow a beautiful novel. I would love to detail the beautifully tangible truths shared throughout this book but, of course, it would be best for each reader to discover these priceless gems for himself/herself!

Fabulous twists spun throughout the mysteries kept my attention and made my fingers turn the pages more and more quickly!

I appreciate the eArc of In Spotlight and Shadow received from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.com. I was not required to write a review or paid to do so. The words above are my honest review. When In Spotlight and Shadow is released (02.01.23), I will post this review to Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBook.com, my blog, and each of my social media platforms.

#InSpotlightandShadow #NetGalley #Rachel Scott McDaniel #BarbourPublishing

With more cliffhangers than the Rocky Mountains, I can definitely see this as a contender for one of my top reads in 2022! Usually in dual timeline books, I have a preferred storyline that I’m always ready to get back to when they switch POV, but I was immersed in both of these equally! Though for different reasons. The contemporary was so easy and fun to read, despite the heaviness of the search at times, and the historical timeline was so atmospheric and gripping. I really enjoyed the entirety of both casts of characters.

This is just a really good read, dual timeline at its best, and a must read whether you’re into this type of book or not. If you like historical angles, or mystery, or family sagas, or sweet romance whatsoever, this book is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story was about two story lines that transpired on two timelines. Two females with different stories that kept me reading. There was no good place to stop...No way to say "just one more page." A mystery and a good romance times two! Have now added this author to my must read list.

Oh my heart♥️♥️ this book was so beautiful and I loved every word of it!!

Elise and Sophie both had such beautiful stories but both were filled with deep hurt and betrayal. Rachel Scott McDaniel nearly moved me to tears (which isn’t an easy thing to do) with these amazing stories! I have definitely found another favorite author♥️

“I’d do anything for you.”

“There’s no music without you.”

This was the first book I’ve read by Rachel Scott McDaniel and it certainly won’t be the last! I enjoyed it immensely and I think everyone should give it a read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for giving me the honor of reading this amazing book before the release date. I was asked to give an honest review. These are all my personal opinions.

"In Spotlight and Shadow" has two stories, one set in present day and one set in 1927 in Pittsburgh. Elise's mother died when she was young, and she never knew who her father was. Sophie's actress mother doesn't want news of her affair getting out, so she won't acknowledge Sophie as hers or identity Sophie's father. This has left both women feeling unwanted, unworthy, and like the people they love will abandon them. Elise's childhood best friend also abandoned her. She understands why he had to leave so suddenly but not why he shut her out.

Sophie left her love at the altar to save his life and only recently returned. She plays a jewelry thief in a play, but then audience members have jewelry stolen and her ex is hired to discover the thief. They ended up working together to uncover the thief and stop a major criminal. She finally explained why she left him, and their relationship slowly mended.

Elise loves telling stories with her pictures. A current project on the history of (Sophie's) theater leads to her receiving an anonymous donation of an old prop coat with a valuable necklace hidden inside. Her childhood best friend helps her track down the owner of the necklace and the identity of her unknown father as a way to help her learn how to move outside her comfort zone. As they spent time together, they worked through old hurts. He was more concerned with Elise's healing than in justifying his behavior. He showed her through actions that he's changed.

Both couples were good for each other and built each other up. They were likable and acted realistically. They had relationship challenges that they worked through which helped them grow as people. The women learned to find their worth in God's love rather than feeling like they had to prove their worth through their skills. They also learned that God's the best father and won't leave them. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel with an interesting mystery and realistic relationships.

Wow! What doesn’t this story have?! There’s not one but two storylines! There’s a mystery that will have you trying and trying to puzzle out how it all connects, and thanks to the two timelines, it’s quite intriguing to follow! And the romance, *sigh*, where to start, swoony men, lovable strong women, and alll the tropes. Best friends, celebrity, second chance, and so many more. The romance of this book is so intense, and you will love it all.
Now let’s not forget the writing! Rachel Scott McDaniel is such a wonderfully talented author. She not only transports you to a different time but the story is so beautifully told, it feels like you’re there. The depth of the story is astounding, the history and how much I learned had me thrilled to keep on reading and the characters had me hooked.
This is a story with so many layers, when you think you’ve uncovered them all, there will be more. To the very end. It’s fantastic!!

Thankyou NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Content: clean
Romance: kissing
Violence: mild; not gruesome, part of the mystery side of the story.
Language: none

This dual time period novel focuses on a jewelry thief during the early 1900's in a vaudeville theater in Pittsburgh. Fast forward to the present, when Elise is sent a mysterious box which will tie her to the past. I found the history of the theater and the performances intriguing. I really enjoyed Elise and Pierson's story. The author did a great job keeping reader's interest until the end.

I had no idea I was picking up a dual timeline novel, but I’m not mad about it.
I feel like dual timelines can either be really bad or really good, and this one definitely fell under the good category!

One of the timelines is the roaring twenties in Pennsylvania, and the author did a great job capturing that era!
The other timeline is current day, also in Pittsburg.

If you like dual timelines, second chance romance, a trip into history, mysteries with stolen jewels, family, forgiveness and God this is a great book to read!!
There were a couple twists among the mystery that make this story fantastic

This is a dual time frame read. An emerald necklace begins a search into the past. Mystery intrigue, villains, and more will have you tuning the pages.

There is also romance, heartache, and rejection.

The characters are well developed. Even with going back and forth between years, the story still flows well.